United Methodists worried about declining church membership may be overlooking a more subtle renewal that’s underway, writes the Rev. Dwight H. Judy in his new book, A Quiet Pentecost: Inviting [...]
Read More...Gift of renewal – Donors provide retreat time for UM clergy
May 17, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
By Sally Hicks, Faith & Leadership… Last October, Margot Porterfield and her husband, the Rev. Mark Porterfield, faced big changes in their life together. He was starting a new appointment as pastor at First United Methodist Church in Port Lavaca, Texas. She was going back to full-time work after five years. And with their two girls in college, they were coping with an empty nest. So when they were invited to take part in Renew, a retreat designed for United Methodist pastors and spouses, the timing was exquisite. Being able [...]
Read More...UMR Communications, including United Methodist Reporter, to close
May 16, 2013 Posted by 13 Comments
Finding no viable plan for reversing financial losses of recent months, UMR Communications will cease operations on May 31. UMR Communications (UMRC) publishes the United Methodist Reporter in print and digital formats and online, and provides printing and communication services to churches and other nonprofits. The final print Reporter will carry the date June 7, but will be mailed and printed by May 31. The UMRC board reluctantly but unanimously voted this morning to close during a tearful meeting at the nonprofit’s Dallas office. “At one time, our ministry produced nearly [...]
Read More...In new book, seminary prof reflects on son’s death
May 14, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
By Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service… DURHAM, N.C.—Nearly eight years ago, professor Richard Lischer got a call on his cell phone that would tear at his heart and test his [...]
Read More...UMs get, give help in hard-hit West, Texas
May 14, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
The Rev. Jimmy Sansom apologized for his inability to recall exactly where he went first on the day after a fertilizer plant explosion brought death and widespread destruction to his [...]
Read More...Two clergy hit the highway to save lives
May 13, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
The goal of beating malaria in Africa put two United Methodist clergymen on the road in hilly East Tennessee. And they weren’t riding in automobiles, either. The Rev. Charles Maynard walked 100 miles from April 21-25 in the Holston Conference’s Maryville District, visiting 17 United Methodist churches to promote Holston’s ambitious goal for assisting the UMC’s Imagine No Malaria campaign. As he walked, the Rev. Randy Pasqua pedaled, covering 130 miles by road bike over two days, and visiting 19 churches with the same message. Mr. Pasqua described his journey [...]
Read More...How old is too old to join UM clergy?
May 10, 2013 Posted by 4 Comments
The Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church has proposed changing its minimum standards for clergy to discourage people over 45 from becoming candidates for ordained ministry. The conference’s board [...]
Read More...Bringing it home – ‘One Mile’ model helps focus mission
May 10, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
For years, members of First United Methodist Church of Grapevine, Texas, tried to organize a Wednesday night supper—with little success. People were too busy. Volunteers were hard to find. They tried having the meal catered. Nothing worked. Then, in 2009, the church launched “One Mile Mission,” encouraging every group in the church to find some way to serve within a 1-mile radius of the church. That new focus led leaders to try giving the Wednesday night suppers a new spin. “We realized we were trying to feed people who weren’t [...]
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Faith in Action: Discovering the purpose and potential of confirmation
I spoke with a pastor not long ago who told me a shocking story about confirmation. He had arrived at a new appointment one June and discovered that—in his words—“all [...]
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