Some of the most gifted and inspired leaders in the Church today are women. In my work as a seminary professor and dean, I encounter numerous women with incredible potential for the work of the God’s kingdom. Yet many churches and denominations still struggle with the place of women in leadership. The so-called “mainlines” are…

Watch live streaming video from unitedts at livestream.com Dr. Frank Thomas recently spoke at the Doctor of Ministry intensive at United Theological Seminary. His topic was what he called “the real” in preaching: authenticity and truth, not just in the event of the sermon, but in the life of the pastor. This is a lengthy…

The sermons of John Wesley collectively serve as one of our doctrinal standards in United Methodism. It is in our interest, then, to read, reflect upon, and comprehend Wesley’s sermons as ways of entering into the life of faith more deeply. Jason Vickers of United Theological Seminary and Ken Collins of Asbury Theological Seminary have…

At a recent conference I attended, an insightful Canadian colleague remarked to me that the U.S. is in a “cold civil war.” I’d never thought about it that way before, but it’s a frightening idea, and there may be some truth to it. In my lifetime, the left and the right have never been so…

For the last three days I’ve been at the Summer Institute for Theology and Disability in Toronto. The dialogue has been rich, provocative, and deeply edifying. If you have any interest in the intersection of theology and disability, I strongly encourage you to attend this event next year (time and place TBA). Part of the…

I recently heard a meditation on Rublev’s icon of the Trinity, called The Hospitality of Abraham. The icon, based on the story of Genesis 18:1-15, depicts Abraham’s three visitors, who within the icon represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is therefore cast within the theme of hospitality. This is not simply Abraham’s…

I recently spent three days with the United Methodist Association of Ministers with Disabilities and the United Methodist Committee on Disability Ministries. It was an enriching experience, to say the least. While I was the one speaking and facilitating discussion, I’m sure I learned at least as much as anyone else. The participants spoke meaningfully…

For the last few years I have been working on issues related to the Bible, the Church, and people with disabilities. In the last decade or so, thanks to the efforts of scholars like Jeremy Schipper, Candida Moss, Amos Young, Sarah Melcher, and several others, scholarship in this area has taken incredible steps forward. One…

I have spoken with many EUB’s during my eight years at United Theological Seminary, and almost to a person they feel that since the 1968 merger their distinct heritage has been increasingly devalued and ignored. John Meunier recently posted a very fine piece on this issue. I strongly encourage you to check it out. 

I often hear it said that United Methodists must agree to disagree. Okay…fine. In some matters of considerable complexity, this may be the best course of action. In most circumstances, however, wouldn’t it be better if we worked to develop a broad consensus on important issues? Are we resigned to remaining at loggerheads on any…