Perkins School of Theology

Consider consequences of UMC breakup

April 4, 2013 Posted by Special Contributor 10 Comments

By Ted A. Campbell, Special Contributor… The possibility of dividing the United Methodist Church as a way out of persistent conflicts over homosexuality has been raised enough times in recent years to warrant serious reflection on what it would entail. The fact that Episcopalians, Presbyterians and Lutherans have all seen either formal divisions or significant withdrawals of congregations from their denominations over these issues does not bode well for the UMC. But as tempting as the idea might be as a way out of our conflicts, we would have to [...]

Give it up – UMs mark Lent by giving up, giving away and helping out

March 1, 2013 Posted by Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer Leave a Comment

There will be no more Starbucks espresso drinks for Allison Griffin, a member of University Park UMC in Dallas, until Easter. She’s one of many United Methodists who are giving up something for Lent this year. UMR PHOTO BY MARY JACOBS

Two or three times a week, Allison Griffin meets business associates at a Starbucks around town. Each time, she pays $3.75 for an iced espresso drink. But during Lent, which began Feb. 13 and ends on Easter Sunday, March 31, Ms. Griffin is foregoing the espresso and making do with a cup of ice water. “It’s just a small, baby step toward keeping my focus on the fact that it’s Lent, a season of preparation,” she said. Ms. Griffin, a member of University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, joins [...]

Cecil and Janice – Unlikely pair writes of leading Glide Memorial UMC

February 14, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor 1 Comment

They are the odd couple of United Methodism, but the ministry results can hardly be questioned. The Rev. Cecil Williams, a destined-to-be-a-pastor African American and extreme extrovert, and Janice Mirikitani, a Japanese American introvert and religious skeptic, led Glide Memorial UMC in San Francisco to become one of the UMC’s largest and most service-oriented churches—and a rare liberal megachurch. They married along the way, and now, having stepped aside from top leadership of the church, they’ve written a memoir called Beyond the Possible. Ask what it was like to write [...]

Notable UM Newsmaker of 2012 – William Lawrence

January 4, 2013 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Leave a Comment

There are plenty of critics of the Judicial Council’s high-profile decisions in 2012. But nobody can accuse the council of blowing with the prevailing winds, since it overruled majority actions of both General Conference and the South Central Jurisdiction. The Rev. William B. Lawrence led the Judicial Council through much of this tumultuous year, even as he continued his full-time work as dean of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. For that dual role, he’s a Reporter notable UM newsmaker of the year. The Judicial Council, including Dr. [...]

Family cemetery draws minister’s interest

October 23, 2012 Posted by Special Contributor Leave a Comment

The Rev. Bill Bryan is a descendant of the Daniel family whose cemetery is nestled in a University Park neighborhood. Dr. Bryan, a professor at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, wants to locate the graves of the slaves that are also buried there. PHOTO BY REX C. CURRY/THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

By Melissa Repko, The Dallas Morning News… UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas—Before the brick homes and shaded yards, the tree swings and the trimmed hedges, before there was even a town, there [...]

All In – Don’t look now, but Methodists are getting dunked

October 12, 2012 Posted by Sam Hodges, Managing Editor Leave a Comment

The Rev. David Lee had a request this summer from a girl finishing confirmation class. She wanted to be baptized by immersion. Mr. Lee, in his second clergy appointment, had never done a baptism that way. And the church, Covenant UMC in Charlotte, N.C., had no place to immerse anyone. But a woman helping with the class offered her swimming pool. So on Sept. 9, a group of informally dressed church members, from kids to seniors, gathered there for a cookout and a baptism. Mr. Lee read Scripture, and spoke [...]

Here comes the bride, so where’s the pastor?

July 11, 2012 Posted by Special Contributor Leave a Comment

By Alyce McKenzie, Special Contributor… Most of my crisis expertise has to do with pastoral situations. I once prayed with a young woman trapped in the front seat of her [...]

Q&A: How to avoid going awry with sermons

June 29, 2012 Posted by Mary Jacobs, Staff Writer 1 Comment

In their new book, What Not to Say: Avoiding the Common Mistakes That Can Sink Your Sermon (Westminster John Knox Press), authors John C. Holbert and Alyce M. McKenzie offer advice for avoiding common pitfalls in preaching. Dr. McKenzie is professor of homiletics at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University; Dr. Holbert, who retired June 1, is Lois Craddock Perkins professor emeritus at the seminary. Both are featured in an online companion video at http://holbertmckenzie.wjkbooks.com. Staff writer Mary Jacobs recently spoke by phone with Dr. Holbert; here are [...]