William C. Trench
This Is Going to Hurt
The Rev. Dr. William C. Trench sees this week's Judicial Council review of the election of Bishop Oliveto as a no-win situation that could well be the final push toward United Methodist schism. Read more
Health Care Is a Universal Right
The Rev. Dr. William Trench lays out the reasons that universal health care is a human right that's supported by biblical witness. Read more
United Methodist News Service Photo
Bishop Karen Oliveto and Dixie Brewster
The Rev. Bill Trench compares the two women at the heart of the election of United Methodism's first openly lesbian bishop and the laywoman who is requesting the church's high court rule on her legal standing. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Bill Trench
Common Sense and Cruelty in North Carolina
The Rev. Dr. William C. Trench finds that North Carolina's new law requiring transgender people to use cisgender-assigned public restrooms harms a group of people already wounded by society's dualistic gender roles. Read more
Can the Center Hold? Can We Muddle Through?
The Rev. William C. Trench tells why he thinks the Rev. Adam Hamilton's "local option" plan on LGBT inclusion is the right direction for the 2016 General Conference to take. Read more
Art Courtesy of Thinking Faithfully
The Churches Could Fill Their Pews If Only
The Rev. William C. Trench asserts that a longtime truth deserves re-telling: If only churches would practice the compassion they preach, the pews would be full. Read more
UMNS Photo by Paul Jeffrey
Asking a Better Question
United Methodist leaders aren't asking the better question when it comes to human sexuality discussions at General Conference, writes the Rev. Dr. William Trench. Read more
It Was Only a Flag
The rainbow pennant torn down from the Rev. William Trench's church was "only a flag" in its physical form, but it represented so much more. Read more
Collateral Damage
Collateral damage from the UMC's prejudice against LGBTQ people is wide and deep and will have lasting effects on the whole church, writes the Rev. Dr. William C. Trench. Read more
Hiroshima and the Prophetic Vision of Harry Emerson Fosdick
Finding an old book at a library sale brings the Rev. Dr. William C. Trench some sober reflection on the predictions of the author, the Rev. Harry Emerson Fosdick, about war. Read more
The Complaint Against Jeff Sessions
The church complaint brought against Attorney General Jeff Sessions by more than 600 clergy and lay people moves the UMC to consider real sins of oppression and marginalization, writes the Rev. William Trench Read more
Courtesy Photo
Blatantly Disregarding the Gospel
Our Book of Discipline is a collection of resolutions and affirmations intended to guide our life together as a denomination, but it is not The Truth as some would have us believe, writes the Rev. Dr. William C. Trench. Read more
Illustration Courtesy of Bill Trench
What Jesus Actually Taught
The Rev. Dr. William C. Trench thinks we need to reclaim Jesus' language about the Kingdom of God, which is in our midst when we treat one another with justice and love. Read more
This Is Going to Hurt
The Rev. Dr. William C. Trench sees this week's Judicial Council review of the election of Bishop Oliveto as a no-win situation that could well be the final push toward United Methodist schism. Read more
Health Care Is a Universal Right
The Rev. Dr. William Trench lays out the reasons that universal health care is a human right that's supported by biblical witness. Read more
United Methodist News Service Photo
Bishop Karen Oliveto and Dixie Brewster
The Rev. Bill Trench compares the two women at the heart of the election of United Methodism's first openly lesbian bishop and the laywoman who is requesting the church's high court rule on her legal standing. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Bill Trench
Common Sense and Cruelty in North Carolina
The Rev. Dr. William C. Trench finds that North Carolina's new law requiring transgender people to use cisgender-assigned public restrooms harms a group of people already wounded by society's dualistic gender roles. Read more
Can the Center Hold? Can We Muddle Through?
The Rev. William C. Trench tells why he thinks the Rev. Adam Hamilton's "local option" plan on LGBT inclusion is the right direction for the 2016 General Conference to take. Read more
Art Courtesy of Thinking Faithfully
The Churches Could Fill Their Pews If Only
The Rev. William C. Trench asserts that a longtime truth deserves re-telling: If only churches would practice the compassion they preach, the pews would be full. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Bill Trench
The Latest Episode of Methodists Behaving Badly
The Rev. Bill Trench likens the latest round of "Gotcha!" over United Methodist actions to a TV reality show. Read more
UMNS Photo by Paul Jeffrey
Asking a Better Question
United Methodist leaders aren't asking the better question when it comes to human sexuality discussions at General Conference, writes the Rev. Dr. William Trench. Read more