United Methodist Reporter Blog

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

Critical Mission, in the Feb. 24 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

UMC-affiliated Meharry Medical College continues to be a local leader in public health and a national leader in producing African-American physicians and dentists, many of whom work in underserved areas. The Nashville school is on sounder ground financially, and has an important collaboration underway with Vanderbilt University. United Methodist News Service reports. 
 
The Rev. Rebekah Miles made the case in a recent Christian Century article that theologian Reinhold Niebuhr’s wife, Ursula, co-wrote some works  that went out under his name only. Our story looks at how Dr. Miles, who teaches at Perkins School of Theology, got on to this subject, and at the reaction to her article, which has included an email from Jimmy Carter.
 
A dog may be man’s best friend, but there’s no beating the relationship between a certain dog and a certain UM clergywoman. The Rev. Michelle Perry and her dog, Goose, collaborate on ministry, from visiting shut-ins to raising money for a homeless shelter. Goose also alerts Ms. Perry, a diabetic, when her glucose levels seem low. Ms. Perry loved dogs before Goose, but really loves them now, and has started a bring-your-dog worship service at her church near Ogden, Utah. 
 
It’s almost Academy Awards time, and that means publication of UMR’s faith-focused Oscar preview, done by associate editor Bill Fentum and a special contributor, the Rev. Gary Keene. They provide capsule summations of Best Picture nominees, with a focus on faith and inspiration angles.
 
An orphanage in Nigeria provides desperately needy children three square meals to day, safe shelter and educational opportunities, thanks to UMC support. UMNS reports.
 
In commentaries, the Rev. Andrew Thompson writes that there must be a place for suffering in the Christian life, however much American culture argues for ease. L. Gregory Jones and Benjamin McNutt collaborate on an essay about the important witness of Christian institutions.
 
Ben Boruff, a young leader of the UMC, offers a satiric commentary on the denomination’s efforts, or lack of same, to attract people his age. The Rev. Woodie White devotes his “Reflections” column to Lent as an occasion for confessing the evil that lurks without and within.
 
There’s plenty more in this issue, including C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, this week on “Jesus Loves Me.” He notes that its origins are in an 1860 novel.
 
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

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

Getting Busy for Lent, in the Feb. 17 'Reporter'

Greetings e-Readers!

Observing Lent can mean taking things on as well as giving things up. Staff writer Mary Jacobs looks at how some United Methodists get busy between Ash Wednesday and Easter, combating human trafficking, holding study groups, discussing films, even building Habitat for Humanity houses.
 
Don House is an economist and influential UMC layman who passionately believes the denomination must focus on local church growth to survive, even if some mission work must be sacrificed in the short term. Tending to growth now is the way to make sure there’s money for missions over the long haul, he argues. We have an extensive interview with Mr. House, soon to attend his fifth General Conference as delegate.
 
A young pastor in the North Texas Conference has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment by the Rev. Tyrone Gordon, who recently stepped down as pastor of St. Luke “Community” UMC in Dallas. The suit names as defendants Mr. Gordon, but also the church and conference. Our story includes comments from the plaintiff, Cameron Greer, and from Bishop Earl Bledsoe.
 
Allie Klein, a sophomore at UMC-affiliated Southwestern University in Texas, took it on herself to organize an event benefiting Kamina Methodist University, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Special contributor Joan La Barr reports.
 
United Methodists are growing crops to help Foods Resource Bank, a Christian non-profit that assists farmers in East Africa and other developing areas. Carrie Madren did a story about this for United Methodist News Service.
 
Volunteers at Woodbine UMC in Georgia managed to complete a long-delayed project of adding stained glass windows to the sanctuary. The effort helped unify the church, reports special contributor Kara Witherow.
 
In commentaries, Missy Buchanan makes a case in her “Aging Well” column that seniors sometimes pass the baton too soon on church work. The Rev. Mouzon Biggs Jr. writes that it’s not a compromise of faith when Christians build ties and mutual understanding with Jews and Muslims. Donald Haynes, in his “Wesleyan Wisdom” column, shares what his heart and his head are telling him about the Call to Action reform initiatives up for consideration at the 2012 General Conference.
 
There’s plenty more in this edition, including a review by Religion News Service’s Dick Staub of a new film by Spike Lee (Mr. Staub calls Red Hook Summer a “thoughtful, respectful and savvy film about religion”), and C. Michael Hawn’s History of Hymns column, which this week considers “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” by Claudia Hernaman.
 
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

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