Every United Methodist church is being challenged to become a “vital congregation.” For many, this is like pushing a snowball uphill as their strength is threatened by the ravages of aging membership and a sad track record in what our Book of Discipline defines as the mission of the local church—making disciples. As we engage […]
Archives for October 2012
Halloween special: Reports of spooky happenings in UM settings
October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Churches are havens of safety, places of welcome and respite, a heavenly pathway to God — but that doesn’t mean they can’t have their own tales of unexplained happenings. Some United Methodist churches, cemeteries and at least one home of a well-known Methodist reportedly have things that go bump in the dark (or daylight) — […]
Survey: Most in U.S. at ease with athletes’ religious expression
October 30, 2012 By 1 Comment
By Jeanie Groh, Religion News Service… Tim Tebow can wear all the Bible verses he wants on his eye black: Most Americans don’t mind professional athletes expressing their faith on and off the field, according to a new study. A poll conducted by Grey Matter Research and Consulting shows that 49 percent of Americans see […]
Fall 2012 Judicial Council roundup
October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A report from the Oct. 24-27 meeting of the United Methodist Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, which considered18 cases.
Indiana UMs volunteer for Habitat Blitz Build
October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Daniel R. Gangler, Special Contributor HENRYVILLE, Ind.—Hoosier United Methodists joined with corporations and other groups on Oct. 8 to kick off with Habitat for Humanity of Indiana a million-dollar “Raise the Roof Over Southern Indiana” Blitz Build project in Henryville’s south-side Twin Oaks subdivision. The houses are for survivors whose homes were destroyed by […]
United Methodist up for CNN Hero award
October 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Susan Green, Special Contributor… BOCA RATON, Fla.—When i began caring for her ailing grandfather, she was still in grade school in Nutley, N.J. At age 13, she rose early one morning to give her grandfather medication and discovered he was no longer breathing. “That was really traumatic,” she said. “It had more of an […]
United Methodists in northeast brace for storm
October 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
United Methodists in the Northeast are bracing for the incoming Hurricane Sandy today, which is expected to make landfall in Central New Jersey. Forecasters say the “superstorm” threatens 50 million people in the nation’s most heavily populated area. UMCOR Assistant General Secretary for U.S. disaster response, the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, urged residents of the Northeast […]
Spreading hope for teens who feel they have none
October 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
By Charlotte Ferrell Smith, Charleston Daily Mail… CROSS LANES, W.Va.—Suicide is the No. 2 killer of teenagers in West Virginia and throughout the country, said the Rev. Gary Nelson, who almost lost his own son to suicide. Mr. Nelson now travels extensively to talk about teen depression and suicide, which is second only to automobile […]
Pastor: Positioning for ‘glory’ is the real work of worship
By Carolyn Moore, Special Contributor… And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”—Isaiah 6:3 “Mary” and “Tim” have what my mother would have called “a bad case of the can’t-help-its.” They are precious souls, in fact, but for years they struggled with the demons […]