United Methodist Reporter Blog

Ten Years of War, in the Oct. 7 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

The 9/11 observances also marked a decade of the War on Terror, something that has had profound implications for United Methodist chaplains in the U.S. military. United Methodist News Service reports in words and photos.
 
A new study of youth pastors’ pay in the UMC finds they average $40,000 a year, but there are disparities according to gender, geography, and church size. Our story digs into the study’s details.
 
Many UM clergy in Minnesota have pledged to officiate at same-sex unions, recently releasing a statement to that effect, with names attached. We report on this latest development in the church’s long struggle over homosexuality.
 
The wildfires in Texas have caused tremendous damage, but there’s hope among the ashes, writes the Rev. Marji Bishir in a first-person account.
 
One of the UMC’s four areas of focus is ministry with the poor, and there’s plenty of opportunity to do that with the poverty rate in the U.S. rising. UMNS reports.
 
In commentaries, retired Bishop Joe Pennel questions the “Vital Congregations” initiative, arguing that faithfulness in a church isn’t best measured by numbers. The Rev. Andrew C.  Thompson writes in his “Gen-X-Rising” column that Christians can find a lesson in the great quarterbacking of Tom Brady. And retired Bishop Woodie W. White devotes his “Reflections” column to the gift of diversity, with a special reference to Hispanics.
 
There’s plenty more in this edition, including C. Michael Hawn’s “History of Hymns” column, a review of the film Warrior, and UMNS coverage of the Prayers for Peace Memorial at Peachtree Road UMC in Atlanta.
 
We welcome story tips, comments, and letters to the editor. Please keep the latter brief and civil. Send to news@umr.org.

Thanks for keeping the faith with us.
  
Sam Hodges, managing editor 

Minnesota clergy pledge to officiate at same-sex unions

 

Seventy-seven United Methodist clergy in Minnesota have released a statement saying they will officiate at same-sex unions, though church law prohibits that.

“Our call as clergy is to offer God’s blessing to all who come to us,” said the Rev. Bruce Robbins, pastor of Hennepin Avenue UMC in Minneapolis.

Nearly all of the 77 signed their names, the others being listed anonymously. The names are included at the end of this post.

The statement’s release earlier this week was timed to coincide with the launching of a faith-based campaign against a proposed state constitutional amendment to limit marriage to heterosexual couples.

Minnesota statutory law already bans same-sex marriage.

“We can offer the blessing of Christian marriage to all prepared couples, including same-sex couples, regardless of civil law,” Dr. Robbins said.
At the Minnesota Annual Conference meeting in May, Dr. Robbins began a movement to have UM clergy pledge in writing to officiate at same-sex unions. It spread to other conferences, and he said that more than 1,000 UM clergy have signed statements to that effect.

But there has been a backlash, with a group of 59 pastors recently calling on the Council of Bishops to issue a statement promising to enforce the Book of Discipline, the denomination’s law book, against clergy who say they’ll officiate at same-sex unions.

The same group of 59 pastors is sponsoring a website (www.faithfulumc.com) where clergy and laity can add their names to the campaign to pressure the bishops. As of Thursday, more than 1,200 clergy and more than 3,200 laity had signed.

Minnesota Episcopal Area Bishop Sally Dyck commented in writing on the 77 Minnesota clergy who promised to officiate at same-sex unions.

“Simply to make the statement as opposed to actually officiating a same-sex union is not a chargeable offense according to the Book of Discipline,” she said. “As I’ve said all along, I will uphold the Discipline. Our church is not of one mind on this. Our communities are not of one mind. There are many ways in which families and churches and communities differ in their understanding about the way to go forward. It is important for us to be mindful of each other and recognize differences and hold each other in grace.”

The Book of Discipline describes the practice of homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching,” prohibits “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from serving as clergy, and says UMC clergy cannot officiate at same-sex weddings or other ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions.

Efforts to change those positions have failed at General Conference, the quadrennial gathering of clergy and lay delegates that governs the church.

Dr. Robbins and others on his side have acknowledged the Book of Discipline ban against officiating at same-sex unions, but emphasize that the Discipline also has strong language against discrimination and in favor of inclusiveness.

The Minnesota clergy’s statement noted that some congregations in the conference are considering using their church buildings “for all prepared couples desiring Christian marriage.”

“At Minneapolis Joyce UMC, we celebrate that our building policy now creates an ‘altar for all’ in our sanctuary,” stated the Rev. John Darlington, one of the signers. “I am excited to know that other congregations are moving toward this policy.”

Here's the press release sent by the Minnesota clergy:

 

Seventy-seven Minnesota United Methodist clergy sign Equality in Christian Marriage statement

 

Minneapolis, MN - Seventy-seven United Methodist clergy in ministry in Minnesota released a statement on September 19, 2011, joyfully affirming that they will offer the grace of the Church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage, regardless of gender.

 

In early June, United Methodist clergy in Minnesota began signing a statement stating that they would marry prepared gay and lesbian couples.  As they did so, they reflected on the United Methodist social principle that "implore[s] families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends [and] …to be in ministry for and with all persons."  They also considered a rule in the church’s Book of Discipline which bans officiating marriages for gay couples.  The 77 signatories are both active and retired clergy who decided to minister to all prepared couples requesting a Christian marriage.

 

These 77 Minnesota clergy are among the more than 1,000 United Methodist clergy across the United States who have signed similar statements.  In addition to the clergy statements, several United Methodist congregations are also in discussion about the use of their church buildings for all prepared couples desiring Christian marriage.  "At Minneapolis Joyce UMC, we celebrate that our building policy now creates an 'altar for all' in our sanctuary, stated Rev. John Darlington.  "I am excited to know that other congregations are moving toward this policy."

 

The statement was released on the same day Out Front Minnesota launched a campaign to oppose a proposed, state constitutional amendment to limit marriage to heterosexual couples. “Our call as clergy is to offer God’s blessing to all who come to us,” said Rev. Dr. Bruce Robbins.  “We can offer the blessing of Christian marriage to all prepared couples, including same-sex couples, regardless of civil law.  And so we shall.”

 

“As a United Methodist pastor, I provide pre-marital counseling to couples considering Christian marriage in order to better prepare them for the serious and sacred covenant of the marriage ceremony.  Careful and intentional preparation for Christian marriage may help couples to improve communication, plan together for their life as a family, and cherish more deeply the blessing of God received through Christian marriage,” said the Rev, Amy Jo Bur, a signer of the statement.

 

The accompanying statement and list of clergy signatories is open to change at the request of any clergy who has signed or chooses to sign.  United Methodist clergy in ministry in Minnesota are welcome to add their names. 

 

 

Equality for All in Christian Marriage

Minnesota Annual Conference, 2011

 

 

We joyfully affirm that we will offer the grace of the Church’s blessing to any prepared couple desiring Christian marriage. We are convinced by the witness of others and are compelled by Spirit and conscience to act.  We thank the many United Methodists who have already called for full equality and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the Church. 

 

We repent that it has taken us so long to act. We realize that our church’s discriminatory policies tarnish the witness of the Church to the world, and we are complicit.  We value our covenant relationships and ask everyone to hold the divided community of the United Methodist Church in prayer. 

 

 

 

Any United Methodist person in Minnesota Conference who conducts Christian marriages is welcomed to sign. Send a note to Bruce Robbins (bruce@hennepinchurch.org) with your email and postal address.

 

 

Signatories:

 

 

Dennis Alexander

Tom Biatek

Kaye Brandt

Howard Bredesen

Leigh Brown

Elton Brown

Amy Jo Bur

Carl Caskey

Russell Christensen

Richard Collman

Debra Collum

William Cox

Jeff Daniels

John Darlington

Jean Elliott

Marilyn Evans

Gretchen Fogo

Lois (Penny) Fritze-Tietz

Robert (Rob) Gamble

Greg Garman

Duane Gebhard

Linda Gesling

Dwight Haberman

Justin Halbersma

Allen Clark Harris
Rick Ireland

Kent Johnson

Daniel Johnson

Mary Keen

Mary Kitchell

Linda Koelman

Sarah Lawton

Melba Lewis

Darrilyn (Dandy) Lewis

Dave Lieder

Walter Lockhart

Gary Lueck

Elizabeth Macaulay

Suzanne Mades

Brian Manly

David McBride

Janet Morey

Judy Myers

Christie Neuger

Douglas Nicholas

Mary Ellen Nielsen

Larry Nielsen

Mark Nordel

Diane Olson

Roger Parks

Jeanette Pettit

Martha Postlethwaite

Jeanne Audrey Powers

Bruce Robbins

John Roberts

Jim Roe

Jean Rollin

Kevin Schill

 

Betty Schilling

Grant Speece

Rory Swenson

Tim Tennant-Jayne

Roy Vanderwerf

Nancy Victorin-Vangerud

Deb Walkes

Gary Walpole

Judy Westlee

David Wheeler

Cooper Wiggen

Paul Woolverton

Wilson Yates

Kathleen Zielinski

Anonymous (5)

 

Tale of Two Churches, in the Sept. 30 'Reporter'

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Two Charlotte, N.C. churches, one UMC and one Presbyterian, are long past their glory days in attendance. They’re both trying to make a comeback – to survive, really – by shaking things up and again becoming neighborhood churches. This story first appeared in the Charlotte Observer.
 
A group of UM pastors, including from some of the denomination’s largest churches, wants the Council of Bishops to promise to enforce church law against clergy who have vowed to officiate at same-sex unions. We talk to all sides about this latest development in the church’s struggle over homosexuality.
 
These days, lots of Americans sport tattoos, and some happen to be UM clergy. They argue that their tattoos are extensions of their Christian faith. Special contributor Jessica Connor has the story.
 
The UMC is seeing a bump in the number of young clergy, but a record high 52 percent of elders are 55 years or older. We report on the Lewis Center for Church Leadership’s latest study of UMC clergy age trends. The stats show, among other things, a serious shortage of middle-age clergy. 
 
In commentaries, the Rev. Eric Van Meter writes a “view from the pew” piece about moving from parish ministry to other ministry. That’s caused him to question the strategies of church leaders, and to second-guess some of what he said from the pulpit. Bishop William Willimon champions hospitality as a means to church growth, even if that involves firing not-so-welcoming ushers. Donald Haynes’ latest Wesleyan Wisdom column is about the grace message of Methodism, and how it ought to be spread with competence and confidence.
 
There’s lots more in this issue, including staff writer Mary Jacobs’ review of Robert J. Wicks’  book Streams of Contentment: Lessons I learned from My Uncle’s Farm, and C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column. This week he focuses on “Faith of Our Fathers.”
 
We welcome your comments – including brief, civil letters intended for publication – and your story tips. Send them to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us.
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

Did Wesley and other early Methodists cover up topless statue?

 

A British paper is going big with the story of a statue of a bare-breasted woman at a Bristol church where John Wesley worshipped. The story includes speculation that Wesley and other early Methodists may have covered up the breasts, out of prudishness. Click here for the story, which has a photo of the statue in question.

What Wesley didn't say, in the Sept. 23 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

It ain’t necessarily so that John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, said what he’s credited with saying. Wesley scholars find no evidence that Wesley originated or even uttered some of the more famous quotations attributed to him. In other cases, Wesley’s words have been paraphrased or smoothed over. Staff writer Mary Jacobs has our report on what’s really Wesleyan rhetoric, and what isn’t.
 
William Lawrence, dean of the Perkins School of Theology, provides lots of information and more than a little opinion in his new book Ordained Ministry in the United Methodist Church. In our Q&A with him, he answers questions about everything from the differing views John and Charles Wesley held about ordination to whether the UMC’s current approach to ordination is an impediment to aspiring clergy.
 
The UMC’s official racial ethnic caucuses are not happy with a proposed restructuring of the denominational bureaucracy. Our story notes their objections and quotes defenders of the plan.
 
This has been a year of natural disasters in the United States, from tornadoes to floods to wildfires. United Methodist News Service reports on the latest trouble, and on the UMC response.
 
Southern Methodist University is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of its founding with an exhibit that highlights the school’s Methodist roots. Our story provides details of the display.
 
In commentaries, the Rev. James Howell riffs off the book A First-Rate Madness, arguing that creative leadership, including in the ministry, often comes from those who struggle with depression. The Rev. Andrew C. Thompson, our “Gen-X-Rising” columnist, writes about the challenge of defining the word “effective” as the UMC tries to evaluate churches and institute reforms. Retired Bishop Woodie W. White uses his “Reflections” column to note the importance of knowing when not to speak.
 
There’s plenty more in this issue, including History of Hymns; a column by the Rev. David Mosser on a book he’s edited titled Transitions: Leading Churches through Change; and “Aging Well” columnist Missy Buchanan on a way to ease seniors’ transition into assisted living.
 
As always, we welcome letters, other comments, and story tips. Message us at news@umr.org.
 
Thanks for keeping the faith with us.

Sam Hodges
Managing editor

FACING THE MUSIC, in the Sept. 16 Reporter

Greetings e-Readers!

These days, UM pastors get all manner of pop music requests for funeral music, everything from Elvis to Sinatra to Led Zeppelin. Special contributor Ken Garfield talked to a range of pastors and other experts about the challenge of accommodating family wishes while also maintaining integrity and a sense of sacredness. 

Racial diversity is not just a noble ideal but a do-or-die reality for the UMC, says the Rev. Lovett Weems, director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. In our interview with him, he describes a denomination that’s diversifying, but not nearly as fast as America. 

The UMC must face up to its reality as a worldwide church, and that means making Book of Discipline and structural changes, says a 20-member panel of the denomination. We look at highlights of what the committee will report to the 2012 General Conference. 

Children who were participants in the early days of Project Transformation, a Dallas-area, UMC-affiliated children and youth’s ministry, are now serving as staff interns. The “PT” idea has taken hold and is spreading, as special contributor Joan La Barr notes in this update article. 

In commentaries, John Elford argues that the UMC should risk chaos and invite grace by embracing both sides of the gay issue. Martin Thielen tells of overcoming pastoral burnout. And Donald Haynes devotes his latest “Wesleyan Wisdom” column to the idea of cooperative parishes. 

There’s plenty more in this issue, including a feature on a life skills and culinary arts ministry in Columbus, Ga., and a Q&A with R. Kirby Godsey, author of the new book Is God a Christian?

We are preparing to reintroduce Letters to the Editor in the print Reporter, so we encourage you to message us at news@umr.org with (brief) opinions you are willing to see published, as well as with other comments and story tips. 

Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us.

Sam Hodges
Managing editor

 

Bishop Goodpaster issues statement for 9/11 anniversary

 

Here's a 9/11 anniversary statement from Bishop Larry Goodpaster, president of the UMC's Council of Bishops:

 

 

On behalf of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, I greet you in the name of Jesus the Christ in whom “all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven….” (Colossians 1:19-20, NRSV)

On this, the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, 2001, I call upon United Methodists and all people of faith to a renewed commitment to ministry of reconciliation, and to being witnesses of God’s love and grace for and in the whole world. As people of faith, we approach this anniversary with the gift of both memory and hope.

None of us who watched in shock and horror as the events unfolded on that fateful day in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington DC will ever forget the images. We remember the innocent lives that were lost on that day. We remember the first responders who put their lives on the line to provide assistance in the midst of the devastation. We remember the ways in which the world reached out to embrace us in our pain and grief. And we remember the generous outpouring of more than $20 million through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and our “Love in the Midst of Tragedy” special offerings.

Even as we recall all of these events of a decade ago, we are also a people whose faith and hope in Christ Jesus turn our hearts and lives toward the future. We proclaim the Resurrection message that the future belongs to God’s reconciled new creation, and we live toward that time when the dividing walls of hostility will come down and God will wipe away every tear, and death will be no more. In a world of violence and revenge, of suspicion and fear, of mistrust and hatred, we dare to proclaim an alternative vision known throughout Scriptures as God’s Shalom. We believe that God works for good in all things, and that the goodness and mercy of God can overcome even the most tragic events and experiences in this world.

In the days and weeks ahead, communities will be marking this anniversary in a variety of ways, and we urge our churches to lead in planning for and providing services of worship and prayer. Let us build bridges of trust and reconciliation through these services by inviting and encouraging people of all faiths to come together for prayer. Let us work for personal and social holiness by practicing John Wesley’s General Rules for the people called Methodist, especially to do no harm and to do good. Let us seek to restore a sense of hope for the future by praying for and working for the healing of broken relationships. Let us remember that day of pain, suffering, and grief; but let us also seek to bind up the wounds and renew our efforts to work for peace with justice.

Above all else, let us live as faithful followers of the Prince of Peace and, in the words of the author of the Letter to the Colossians: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other….” (Colossians 3:12-13, NRSV) May our memory and our hope unite to move all of us toward peace and inspire us to live with compassion, confidence and courage.

Larry M. Goodpaster
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

REQUIRED READING, in the September 9 Reporter

Greetings Colleagues!

Many colleges, including UM affiliates, require new students to read a book and discuss it during orientation. Staff writer Mary Jacobs reports on the “common reading” trend, and on this year’s popular picks, including The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
 
The Rev. Harold “Hal” Recinos is a professor at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. He’s also a kung fu expert, regularly winning gold medals at competitions. In our Q&A with him, he tells how he became interested in the martial arts, and explains why John Wesley would approve.
 
The devastating drought in East Africa has challenged relief agencies, including Church World Service, a UMC partner. Special contributor Tim Shenk provides a first-person account.
 
Ten years after the 9/11 attacks, there’s plenty of work being done to promote interfaith dialog and understanding. But the results are mixed, reports Religion News Service.
 
In Commentaries, we have Eric Van Meter arguing that the UMC must chose faithfulness over a fear-based approach to reform, and that the apostle Peter is a great role model in this regard. Karen Greenwaldt, of the General Board of Discipleship, writes that church accountability measures (such as the careful keeping and reporting of attendance and membership stats)  can be a guide to passion (or lack of it) for evangelism.
 
Retired Bishop Joe Pennel contributes a piece on religious extremism, and retired Bishop Woodie White devotes his “Reflections” column to the state of race relations in the United States.
 
There’s plenty more in this issue, including Mary Jacobs’ review of the new book Lectio Divina; an interview with Jan Love, dean of the Candler School of Theology; and History of Hymns, about Thomas Troeger’s “Praise the Source of Faith and Learning.”
 
We welcome story tips, comments and letters. Send them to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks for keeping the faith with us.

Sam Hodges
Managing editor

Q&A Seven Days in Utopia

David L. Cook is the author of Golf’s Sacred Journey (Zondervan, 2009), a novel inspired by his Christian faith, his love of the game and his long career as a sports psychologist. In the book, a former golf pro in Utopia, Texas—a small town about 60 miles from San Antonio—gives some much-needed guidance to a talented but troubled young player.

A movie version comes to theaters Friday with Robert Duvall and Lucas Black (reteamed after starring together in last year’s Get Low). Look for a review tomorrow at UMportal.org.

Last week, associate editor Bill Fentum talked briefly to Dr. Cook about his involvement as an executive producer and co-writer on the film.

Tell me about the process of bringing your book to the screen.

I was co-scriptwriter through this whole thing, which allowed me to help maintain the essence of the story. But we needed new characters and elements [to turn it into a movie], because there’s a lot of introspection in the book. And so the movie has a little bit different feel, maybe, but the story’s intact. People will be pleasantly surprised with a few characters. And then people who haven’t read the book and watch the movie, they’ll go read the book and find a lot of depth that they missed in the movie, because the movie moves so fast.

Did the script bring out any aspects to the story that you hadn’t thought about before?

Robert Duvall said that he liked to play redeemed characters. And the mentor in the book is a pretty solid follower of Jesus. But Duvall said, “I want to him to have overcome something.” So in the story in the movie, he’s a recovering alcoholic. And so that was a new element. Many people who have gone to a screening commented to me how much that meant to them, because they had struggled with alcohol. So I think that was, in the end, a really good deal to show the mentor had to overcome something—and then he could have a life that changes other lives.

How do you feel about the finished film?

I like it. It’s not really a golf movie, it’s a movie about life. But for those people who are golfers, I think it’s the most authentically filmed movie about the game, in terms of everything being portrayed well.... There aren’t many things finished that I do like, that I put my hands in, because I really want the best. But what I believe happened is that God’s hand was on this, and I think we have something here that will glorify God and draw people in closer to him.

REQUIRED READING, in the September 9 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

Many colleges, including UM affiliates, require new students to read a book and discuss it during orientation. Staff writer Mary Jacobs reports on the “common reading” trend, and on this year’s popular picks, including The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.
 
The Rev. Harold “Hal” Recinos is a professor at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. He’s also a kung fu expert, regularly winning gold medals at competitions. In our Q&A with him, he tells how he became interested in the martial arts, and explains why John Wesley would approve.
 
The devastating drought in East Africa has challenged relief agencies, including Church World Service, a UMC partner. Special contributor Tim Shenk provides a first-person account.
 
Ten years after the 9/11 attacks, there’s plenty of work being done to promote interfaith dialog and understanding. But the results are mixed, reports Religion News Service.
 
In Commentaries, we have Eric Van Meter arguing that the UMC must chose faithfulness over a fear-based approach to reform, and that the apostle Peter is a great role model in this regard. Karen Greenwaldt, of the General Board of Discipleship, writes that church accountability measures (such as the careful keeping and reporting of attendance and membership stats)  can be a guide to passion (or lack of it) for evangelism.
 
Retired Bishop Joe Pennel contributes a piece on religious extremism, and retired Bishop Woodie White devotes his “Reflections” column to the state of race relations in the United States.
 
There’s plenty more in this issue, including Mary Jacobs’ review of the new book Lectio Divina; an interview with Jan Love, dean of the Candler School of Theology; and History of Hymns, about Thomas Troeger’s “Praise the Source of Faith and Learning.”
 
We welcome story tips, comments and letters. Send them to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks for keeping the faith with us.
Sam Hodges
Managing editor