Africa Initiative Speaks: Why Disaffiliation is an option for the United Methodist Church in Africa September 2, 2023 Introduction Over the past months, much has been written by proponents of the “regionalization plan,” claiming that they have received overwhelming endorsements for its passage at the forthcoming 2024 General Conference.
A Collapsing “Big Tent”? By Thomas Lambrecht Throughout this season of disaffiliation, many United Methodist bishops and leaders have attempted to convince traditionalists to remain in the denomination. They have assured traditionalists that there is a place for them in the UM Church and that their views would be respected.
Editorial: More Hopeful Than Ever — By Rob Renfroe — I have enjoyed the reports coming out of Global Methodist annual conference meetings from all over the United States and Europe. Delegates report that the conferences have been filled with an air of excitement, anticipation, and joy. They state the
Centrist Misconceptions By Thomas Lambrecht — Over the last several weeks, this Perspective has been in dialogue with the weekly e-newsletter of Mainstream UMC, a caucus group representing United Methodist centrists. Mainstream’s articles have been illuminating what the future United Methodist Church will likely evolve into. They certainly have indicated
Centrists Describe Future UMC — By Thomas Lambrecht — The last two Perspectives (here and here) extrapolated what the future United Methodist Church might look like on the basis of a foundational article from Mainstream UMC (a centrist advocacy group within The United Methodist Church). A new Mainstream article this
Our Side of the Street Editorial by Rob Renfroe I often read that we traditionalists are guilty of giving out misinformation about the United Methodist Church – its beliefs, practices, and future. It would be understandable for traditionalists to respond with a litany of falsities that have been stated by
What the Regionalization Agenda Tells Us about the Future of the UMC, Part 2 By Thomas Lambrecht In last week’s Perspective, I surveyed a recent article by Mainstream UMC (a centrist advocacy group within The United Methodist Church) outlining the case for the regionalization of the church. This important article
Freedom Fugitives — By Shannon Vowell I write on June 19th or “Juneteenth,” the newest federal holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the day – June 19, 1865 – when news of Union victory and universal emancipation finally reached Galveston, Texas, by way of Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger and 1,800 federal troops. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation