Tales of Robin Hood, the English hero who robbed the rich to give to the poor, often start with an episode in which the hero saves a peasant from being killed by unscrupulous nobles for “poaching the king’s deer.” In…
‘Everybody’s doing it’: United Methodists ignoring their own rules as break-up continues
I am utterly spent and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. — Psalm 38:8 Church politics, like all politics, creates noble achievements and underhanded dealings. As the year draws to a close, United Methodists find themselves…
United Methodists elect married gay clergyman among 13 new bishops who represent many other firsts
A married gay clergyman from California was among 13 new bishops elected by United Methodist delegates to five regional U.S. conferences Nov. 2-5. And that was only one of several first-ever results of this year’s elections. The election of Cedrick…
Seeing mortality as blessing
Memories have become capricious things as I approach my seventh decade on Planet Earth. Conversations I could swear happened just a few days ago actually stretch back 20 years or more, yet there are days when I can’t remember whether…
Amid the breakup, United Methodists are still serving their communities
United Methodists’ help for others counters gloom and doom predictions of break-up. Most news coverage of The United Methodist Church these days paints a gloomy picture of a doomed denomination. While the institutional turmoil can’t be denied, United Methodists in…
United Methodists talk up reasons to stay in splintering denomination with less than 3% of U.S. churches leaving so far
Life in The United Methodist Church these days is like riding a seesaw: one moment up and the next down. Sometimes the players bump on the dirt; sometimes they slide off the high end. However, United Methodists from bishops through…
In stunning development, United Methodist African bishops repudiate separatist group
Separatist forces suffered a major blow to their political strategy Sept. 8 when a majority of African bishops repudiated a special interest group and its traditionalist sponsor for “working to destroy our United Methodist Church.” The “Statement from Africa Colleges…
Foundry Network offers third alternative to disaffected UMC churches
A collaboration of former United Methodist large-membership churches has announced creation of an association to provide accountability and resources without the constraints of a denomination. The Foundry Network will launch in September, according to an announcement posted on Facebook by…
Events turn against disaffected forces wanting to leave the UMC
Like the lyrics from Paul Simon’s hit song “Call Me Al,” there have been “incidents and accidents, hints and allegations” swirling about The United Methodist Church in the past two weeks, and they add up to some disappointing developments for…