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…
It isn’t a church and doesn’t have members, but it is a way to keep United Methodists in the fold as their congregations disaffiliate
The social media messages can be heartrending to read: “I feel abandoned by my church that voted to leave the UMC.” “This separation has caused a rift in decades-old fellowships.” “I’m feeling … like our beloved church got pushed off…
As frustration and misinformation mount, United Methodist Church’s reputation takes a beating
The ongoing break-up of The United Methodist Church escalated in mid-July to a public legal feud that appears further to damage the troubled denomination’s reputation. The latest episode erupted July 14 when 106 local congregations, most located in rural areas…
Here’s why the United Methodist Church is at odds with recent Supreme Court decisions
The recent spate of ultraconservative decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court has put The United Methodist Church officially at odds with the nation’s highest judicial body. The denomination’s opposition to the high court’s decisions can be found from its core…
Conservative clergywoman claims United Methodist system unjust
Among Protestant denominations, The United Methodist Church admittedly has one of the most complicated, lengthy processes for ordaining its clergy. Now a clergywoman has written a “whistleblower” book claiming the UMC’s ordination process is rife with nepotism, cronyism, bullying and…
Why breaking up is so hard to do for United Methodists: Connectionalism
Why is it so hard for dissident church units to leave the 12-million-member worldwide United Methodist Church? The ties that bind United Methodists together are contained in one arcane word: “connectionalism.” The concept of connectionalism was confirmed May 9 when…
United Methodist Church split draws celebration, lament and soul-searching
A funny thing happened after the theologically conservative Global Methodist Church officially launched on May 1: Dozens of United Methodists took to social media to voice their reasons for staying with the denomination that the GMC’s parent body has denounced…
Just when you think the United Methodist Church breakup can’t get any more difficult …
United Methodist leaders are struggling to get accurate information to pastors and members as the denomination hurtles toward a de facto division May 1. One of the UMC’s regional units has voted to join a new traditionalist church when it…
Where I found acceptance as a woman, others now find rejection
I was sitting at a table on the first floor of the library at Hardin-Simmons University when a fellow classmate from Logsdon School of Theology approached me with a smile. He sat down across from me and slid the rough…