United Methodist clergy
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The Spiritual Foundation for Leadership
Rev. Jack Shitama talks about how Jesus' practice of "going apart to pray" is still vital for Christian leaders today. Read more
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New Scholarship to Address Economic Challenges Facing Seminarians
A Lilly Foundation grant has enabled a new scholarship for United Methodist pastoral students that's being administered by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Read more
5 Keys to Surviving Spiritually as a Leader in the Church
Surviving the rigors of church leadership with one's faith intact requires intentional tending of our spiritual assumptions about ourselves and the church environment, writes the Rev. Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt. Read more
3 Reasons Why Itinerancy Is an Idea Perfectly Suited for the 21st Century Church
The Rev. Andy Bryan thinks the traditional Methodist idea of itinerancy, in which pastors are appointed by bishops to congregations, holds value for mission in the 21st century. Read more
Perverting Religious Freedom: Hiding Hatred Behind Religion
His own painful experience with the misuse of "religious freedom" spurs the Rev. Dr. William E. Alberts to warn vigorously against similar legislation being proposed and adopted in various states. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Drew B. McIntyre
Who Is at Fault for #UMC Trials
The Rev. Drew B. McIntyre contends that those who defy United Methodist law should be prepared to face the consequences, as should those who commit to civil disobedience. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Philip Brooks
Laity and Doctrinal Practice: A Response to Joel Watts
In response to scholar Joel L. Watts, seminary-educated lay church worker Philip Brooks says that laypeople have both the capacity and the calling to help The United Methodist Church determine its doctrine. Read more
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Laity and Voting in the #UMC General Conference. Stop It.
In a provocative argument, scholar Joel L. Watts contends that forming United Methodist doctrine is a task best left to the denomination's bishops and ordained clergy, without votes by laypeople. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Morgan Guyton
Why Millennials Don't Want to Be United Methodist Pastors
From his ministry with young people of the Millennial generation, the Rev. Morgan Guyton finds another reason for their disaffection: American society is really not working right now, and the church doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it. Read more
Aug 2, 2013 9:02 AM Morgan Guyton
Illustration Courtesy of Virtual Methodist
Pancake Tuesday and the Methodist Machine
Just so we United Methodists don't think we're the only ones struggling with how to "do church," here's a report the Rev. David A. Campton of Belfast, Northern Ireland, on how Irish Methodists juggle their ministry and administration. Read more
Illustration Courtesy of Teddy Ray
Would It Be Better if Ministry Were a Bad Career?
The Rev. Teddy Ray ponders why The United Methodist Church strives so to makes its ministerial positions like attractive careers in business, when Methodist circuit riders took on an arduous calling for the love of God. Read more
Feb 5, 2013 9:36 AM Teddy Ray 3 Comments
GBHEM Photo by Vicki Brown
GBHEM Recommends Care with Use of Part-Time Appointment
The general agency that handles ordained ministry issues urges bishops and cabinets to use part-time appointments sparingly now that guaranteed appointments for clergy have been restored by the Judicial Council. Read more
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Superintendents Discuss Legislation Affecting Clergy Appointments, Pensions
Conferences' cabinet members recently reviewed legislation approved by the 2012 General Conference that allows for part-time clergy appointments without pension benefits. Read more
UMNS Photo by Paul Jeffrey
Elimination of Guaranteed Appointment Now in Question
After an interpretation by the secretary of the General Conference, bishops and other leaders are questioning whether the global United Methodist legislative assembly actually eliminated guaranteed appointment for clergy. Read more
UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey
Sixty percent: a poem
The Rev. Morgan Guyton reflects in verse on the impact of the supermajority that decided most issues at General Conference. Read more
May 9, 2012 2:11 PM Morgan Guyton
UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose
What Have We Done?!?
The Rev. Amy Lippoldt describes the background of the General Conference action to do away with guaranteed clergy appointment. Read more
UMNS Photo by Mike DuBose
Scenes from General Conference April 30-May 1
After an April 30 sermon asking delegates to have faith, the May 1 proceedings at the 2012 General Conference proved to be one of tumultuous votes and demonstrations as delegates abolished guaranteed clergy appointment and retained anti-LGBT stances by the closest margin ever. Read more
Graphic courtesy of MFSA
What UMC Restructure Proposals Are Ignoring
Rev. Jerry Eckert points out that a wave of clergy retirements on the horizon are being ignored by virtually all of the proposals to restructure The United Methodist Church. Read more
Apr 10, 2012 11:01 AM Jerry Eckert 8 Comments
Pastor Tracey's Story
John Meunier shares the heart-breaking story of a licensed local pastor whose successful ministry was shot down by a short-sighted congregation and a hardhearted United Methodist system. Read more
Apr 2, 2012 12:31 PM John Meunier
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Church Vitality and the Toxic UMC
The Church Systems Study provides the most accurate and highly disturbing portrait of The United Methodist Church, and gives sensible recommendations for how to relieve unhealthy stress on clergy. Read more