I’m not so much making a point with this post as asking a question. I have been in dialogue with a friend who asked: Is the unity of which we speak in the UMC a baseless unity? In other words, what is the common thread that runs through the UMC and holds us together? Our…

I recently went to a theological lecture. At least, it was ostensibly theological. The lecturer was discussing a variety of social problems, and, in the end, I suppose the point was that we have to do something about these problems. I optimistically filled in the narrative gaps that I was experiencing, hoping what was meant…

Some recent opinions in the blogosphere notwithstanding, corporate worship is one of the most important ways in which we come to know and love God more fully. From its earliest days, the Christian faith involved both individual and corporate experience. In baptism we become part of something much larger than ourselves, the communion of saints,…

The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciplines of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Ok. So far, so good. One would expect, then, the public website of the UMC to serve this end of making disciples. As I look at the UMC.org website, though, I see the following: A…

I spend a lot of time writing about the UMC. Much of what I say is critical, I admit it. I want to be clear, though: this is critique from within. It is critique derived from a deep love of the UMC and a desire to see us become the most effective we can possibly…

I came across this video of D. A. Carson explaining how the Christian canon came to take the shape that it did. While I might quibble with a few points, I think his explanation is quite helpful and historically accurate. I hope you find it beneficial. 

You may have read the recent story in UMC news about the 24-hour suspension (without pay) of two pastors who performed gay weddings.  Critics of this decision will argue that the penalty in this case is so light as to embolden others to follow suit in disobedience to the Discipline. It seems likely that this…

Apparently, yes. Check out this video:  You can learn more about this remarkable young man here: http://www.garrettsfight.org/

One of the most important concepts of the disabilities movement is that people with disabilities should be at the “speaking center” of the conversation. In other words, it is crucial that people with disabilities speak for themselves and take the primary role in defining the conversations and various agendas that will affect them. Unfortunately, this can…