United Methodist Reporter Blog

Exemplary Teachers, in the Feb. 3 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

The UMC’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry gives Exemplary Teaching Awards to outstanding professors at UMC-affiliated schools. We take a look at some recent winners, including an Ohio Wesleyan University English professor who knocks herself out to make sure students understand and appreciate Native American culture. Staff writer Mary Jacobs has the story.
 
The recent Pre-General Conference Briefing made clear that some delegates have serious questions about such proposed UMC reforms as ending guaranteed appointment for clergy and restructuring general church agencies. It seems certain too that the issue of homosexuality will continue to be a challenge when delegates meet for General Conference on April 24-May 4. We have a report from Tampa, scene of the briefing and the fast-approaching GC.
 
Hennepin Avenue UMC in Minneapolis has a number of outreach ministries, including one to help Haitians turn flour milled from breadfruit into a cash crop. United Methodist News Service reports. Meanwhile, special contributor Kara Witherow writes about a South Georgia Conference initiative to help clergy lose weight and improve their health overall.
 
In commentaries, the Rev. Gary Keene argues that fear shouldn’t be the governing factor as the UMC weighs proposed reforms. The Rev. Christopher P. Momany sees danger for the church if it makes changes based on corporate models. And the Rev. Donald Haynes devotes his latest Wesleyan Wisdom column to revisiting a memo he wrote in 1995, suggesting changes for the UMC. Some of his ideas still need to be acted on, he asserts.
 
There’s plenty more in this edition, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, about Isaac Watt’s “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath,” and a UMNS feature on a new church initiative called Spark12. It aims to get young United Methodists engaged, and quickly, in social justice ministry.
 
We always welcome your story tips and comments, as well as brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks for keeping the faith with us. 

Sam Hodges, managing editor

P.S. P.S. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to join in the conversation.

Partners in Haiti, in the Jan. 27 'Reporter'

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Two years after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, United Methodists are still involved in recovery efforts, and signs of progress are not hard to find. United Methodist News Service reports.
 
Bishop John Innis of the UMC’s Liberia Area is a veteran church leader. In a Q&A with the Reporter, he shares his thoughts on Liberia’s comeback from civil war; (fellow Liberian and United Methodist) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s sharing in the Nobel Peace Prize; and the upcoming General Conference.
 
The U.S. Supreme Court recently handed down a major ruling on religious freedom. Our story looks at the UMC’s friend of the court brief, and quotes church sources about the case’s meaning.
 
Drew University has an exhibit on Methodism during the Civil War and Bridwell Library at Perkins School of Theology has one on centuries-old religious books for children. We have a story about those displays, as well as photos of particular entries.
 
The new book John & Charles Wesley, by Paul Wesley Chilcote of Asbury Theological Seminary, offers annotated excerpts from the works of Methodism’s founding brothers. We have a review.
 
In commentaries, the Rev. Joseph Stains argues that if the UMC is going to end guaranteed appointment for rank-and-file clergy, bishops should lose job security as well. The Rev. Andrew Thompson writes that while Tim Tebow may not have great statistics as an NFL quarterback, that’s no reason to question the sincerity of his displays of Christian faith.
 
Retired Bishop Woodie White asks whether the UMC has lost its commitment to inclusiveness. The Rev. Eric Van Meter writes that the “ugly ducklings” of the UMC need to stick together. Tom Locke, president of the Texas Methodist Foundation, offers Scripture-based tips for money management and Christian stewardship.
 
There’s plenty more in this edition, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, and a Q&A with Jimmy Carter about his new book of devotionals.
 
We welcome your comments and story tips, as well as brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us. 
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

P.S. Be sure to "like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to join in the conversation.

Books for General Conference, in the Jan. 20 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

The United Methodist Publishing House has a tradition of bringing out books intended to inform debate at General Conference. With the quadrennial gathering not far away (April 24-May 4), a handful of such books are making their appearance, from such UM authors as Lovett Weems, Rudy Rasmus and Gil Rendle. Staff writer Mary Jacobs previews the books and talks to the authors, as well as to Neil Alexander, leader of the publishing house.
 
The UMC’s pension board has decided against investing in for-profit prison companies, saying that to do so would violate the denomination’s Social Principles. United Methodist News Service reports.
 
African-American leaders of the South Central Jurisdictional Conference held their annual meeting and posed tough questions to a bishops’ panel about denominational reform proposals, including restructuring of church agencies and what the standards should be for determining “vital congregations.” Amy Forbus covered the meeting for UMNS.
 
Derek Maul is a veteran religion writer, and the author of a new book, Reaching Toward Easter. Staff writer Mary Jacobs did a Q&A with him.
 
Bread for the World, a venerable hunger relief agency that enjoys considerable support from the UMC, has issued its annual report on hunger, and is calling for policies that support local farmers. UMNS has the story.
 
In commentaries, special contributor Matt O’Reilly, responding to an earlier guest commentary in the Reporter, argues that repentance and the pursuit of holiness are required of those pursuing ordination. Gary Shockley of the General Board of Discipleship provides an update on church planning in the UMC, including different forms the work is taking.
 
Missy Buchanan uses her latest Aging Well column to argue for involving all generations in mission work. Donald Haynes writes about the upcoming General Conference, and more, in his Wesleyan Wisdom column. And special contributor Timothy Larsen writes about learning from reading Bonhoeffer that it’s important to be faithful in small things.
 
There’s plenty more in this edition, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, this time on “Lord, You Give the Great Commission,” and a UMNS feature on the ZOE Ministry Orphan Empowerment Program in Africa.
 
We welcome story tips, comments and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks as always, for keeping the faith with us. 
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

Looking for intergenerational Bible study

Help UMR "Aging Well" columnist Missy Buchanan! For a piece she is working on, she needs to be in touch with a UM church that hosts an intergenerational Bible study at a retirement community (not at a church) with younger church members attending. If you know of one, contact her at missy@missybuchanan.com, or leave info here. Thanks!

From poverty to family, in the Jan. 13 'Reporter'

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Open Table is a remarkable, UMC-backed program in Arizona that seeks to help folks break the cycle of poverty. Kathy L. Gilbert of United Methodist News Service has an in-depth report.
 
Gary Shorb is president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, and a UMC layman who has helped craft reform proposals going before the fast-approaching General Conference. We have a Q&A with him in which he strongly backs “metrics” and other accountability measures.
 
Crossroad House is a Cabot, Ark., home and ministry for very young mothers, and United Methodists have provided crucial support to it. Special contributor Amy Forbus has the story.
 
The Rev. Dori Baker, an ordained UM elder, has seen first-hand that young people can get excited by theology, and moved to social action. She writes that the church must find ways to support such youth.
 
In other commentaries, retired Bishop Woodie W. White pens his annual “Letter to Martin” column, timed to MLK Day; the Rev. William McElvaney writes about the burdens and blessings of being a peacemaker; retired Bishop Joe Pennel notes that hot button items are not a new issue for Methodists; and the Rev. Andrew C. Thompson finds a decades-old sermon to be highly relevant to issues facing the UMC today.
 
There’s plenty more in this issue, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, about “Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning.” 
 
We welcome story tips, comments and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.
 
Thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us. 
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor