Brian McLaren, 'Closet Methodist,' in the March 2 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

Brian McLaren, the famed “emerging church” speaker and author, is not now and never has been a Methodist. But friends call him a “closet Methodist,” and he speaks with admiration of Wesleyan theology and church practices. He’s often in UM circles, and recently joined the board of UMC-affiliated Claremont School of Theology. He has also become theologian-in-residence at Life in the Trinity, a ministry founded by a UM couple. We look at McLaren’s UM ties and fans, and also quote some in the denomination who aren’t so keen on him.

Leaders of ethnic groups within the UMC have their own ideas for how best to boost the number of vital congregations in the denomination. United Methodist News Service reports.

The UMC continues to see declines in membership and average worship attendance within the United States, but participation in some programs is up, and giving remains strong to UM causes. Our story provides details.

A group of UM clergy and laity, wanting more Wesleyan depth to efforts to reform the denomination, has crafted a document called “A Missional Manifesto for the People Called Methodist.” We talk to a couple of the pastors who pulled this effort together.

Two historic urban UM churches in Dallas have won building preservation grants through Partners for Sacred Places. The group noted the community outreach work of both Oak Lawn UMC and Grace UMC. Special contributor Joan G. La Barr has the story.

In commentaries, the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive of the General Board of Discipleship, writes that the UMC must look outward and consider long-term effects of reform decisions. UM bishops should favor discipleship over the Book of Discipline and lead the denomination forward on gay rights, says the Rev. William K. McElvaney. In his “Wesleyan Wisdom” column, the Rev. Donald Haynes offers a historical perspective on proposals to streamline the ordination process within the UMC.

There’s plenty more in this issue, including a UMNS feature on Chris Canty, a defensive end on the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants and son of a UM clergywoman. C. Michael Hawn offers History of Hymns, this week on “Jesus Calls Us.” And we have a feature on a UM pastor in Barnesville, Ga., who has expanded his couples counseling to an online site.

We welcome story tips, comments and brief, civil letters to the editor. Send to news@umr.org.

And thanks, as always, for keeping the faith with us.
 
Sam Hodges, managing editor

Comments

[Jim]

Great article about Chris Canty. Thanks.

[Mark]

From Brian McLaren:

"I don’t believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all!) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu or Jewish contexts … rather than resolving the paradox via pronouncements on the eternal destiny of people more convinced by or loyal to other religions than ours, we simply move on … To help Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and everyone else experience life to the full in the way of Jesus (while learning it better myself), I would gladly become one of them (whoever they are), to whatever degree I can, to embrace them, to join them, to enter into their world without judgment but with saving love as mine has been entered by the Lord." (A Generous Orthodoxy, 260, 262, 264).

Chesterton said (paraphrasing): "The purpose of an open mind, like an open mouth, is to eventually come down on something hard."

Mr. McLaren, as nice a guy as he may be, does not appear to think that the faith he espouses offers anything more substantive than other religions.

[Scott Endres]

McLaren is one of the freshest voices we hear today. He is one of few that is asking hard questions most of us try to avoid. The proof is in the fact that his faith leads him to start conversations where none existed before. We're very segregated and closed minded in the culturally middle UMC, thinking that better measurements will produce a different result. But that just leads to a few more people not really a different church. If you want to hear a boring, doctrinaire, predictable message, do not listen to McLaren.