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...Faith in Action: Discovering the purpose and potential of confirmation
May 13, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
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 [...]
Read More...Case ‘is’ a horror, but no reason to leave RCRC
May 6, 2013 Posted by 2 Comments
By Steve Copley, Special Contributor… The Kermit Gosnell case is as horrible as you think it is. And it illustrates precisely why it should not be used to argue for [...]
Read More...History of Hymns: ‘Softly and Tenderly’ famed as invitation song
May 1, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
The genius of a gospel song is usually found in the refrain and this one is no exception. The refrain extends the invitation to “come home” four times in the melody, and an additional two times in the accompanying lower voices.
Read More...Too old to be an elder? Let’s hope not, UM pastor says
April 29, 2013 Posted by 1 Comment
By Chappell Temple, Special Contributor… I’m almost surprised that Methodists haven’t crashed the whole Internet, as many emails, twitter messages, and blog pieces that have been circulating through cyberspace over [...]
Read More...AFTE names 2013 John Wesley Fellows
April 26, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
Press release from AFTE announcing 2013 Fellows: Three United Methodists have been awarded John Wesley Fellowships to support their doctoral studies, A Foundation for Theological Education (AFTE) announced Friday. John [...]
Read More...Reflections: A little child is murdered, and what is our response?
April 23, 2013 Posted by 1 Comment
Last month something occurred in Brunswick, Ga., so horrific that it seems incomprehensible. On March 21 a mother walked the streets of the quiet South Georgia town, pushing her 13-month-old [...]
Read More...Commentary: Reaction to Mumford reveals trouble with labels
April 23, 2013 Posted by 2 Comments
By Cathleen Falsani, Religion News Service… Labels can be helpful when, for instance, applied to cans of soup or barrels of toxic waste. But they are less so when affixed [...]
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Lambrecht: Don’t ignore Scripture in weighing UM position on homosexuality
By Thomas A. Lambrecht, Special Contributor… I appreciate the opportunity to engage the views of the Rev. Thomas Ogletree, who currently stands charged with performing a same-sex marriage in conscious [...]
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