United Methodist Church
Bishop Will Willimon on why no plan can unite United Methodists
By Yonat Shimron — February 26, 2019
(RNS) — "There are people, left and right, who just say, ‘This is it. We’ve waited. We’ve watched. We’ve tried. And now we can’t stay,'" said the retired bishop. "To me, that’s the story, more than which plan passes."
United Methodist committee rejects One Church Plan, which would allow LGBT clergy
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The plan recommended by the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops will 'almost certainly still come up' as a minority report during Tuesday's plenary session, according to one LGBTQ advocacy group.
United Methodists vote pensions, ‘Traditional Plan’ as top priorities
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2019
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — The so-called Traditional Plan ranked just below pensions in a vote ranking plans and petitions as high or low priority taken at the start of the special session of the United Methodist Church General Conference.
The ‘Splainer: What’s the United Methodist special session all about?
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — You’ve probably heard that the United Methodist Church meeting this weekend in St. Louis has something to do with sexuality and a possible schism. Let us ’Splain …
United Methodists should acknowledge reality that they are no longer united
By Jacob Lupfer — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — The divide between liberals and conservatives has been baked into the UMC from its inception in 1968. It's time to let go.
What will happen at the special session? Here’s what United Methodists predict
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — We asked pastors, bishops, delegates, activists and other United Methodists in the United States to share what they expect — and hope — to happen at the denomination's upcoming special session on sexuality. Here’s what they suggest we keep an eye out for.
Ahead of St. Louis meeting, one United Methodist offers prayers along the way
By Yonat Shimron — February 20, 2019
(RNS) — Helen Ryde decided to alleviate the tension ahead of what may be the most consequential meeting in the denomination’s history by turning the trip to Missouri into a pilgrimage.
Kenyan United Methodists oppose allowing LGBT clergy, pray for church unity worldwide
By Tonny Onyulo — February 18, 2019
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — United Methodist bishops in Africa want to keep the denomination's ban of LGBT clergy in place. But they also want the United Methodist Church to stay together no matter what happens at the upcoming General Conference in St. Louis. Delegates at that meeting will discuss possible changes to the denomination's rules.
Historic United Methodist church sees ‘hopeful’ time for LGBTQ Christians
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 15, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — LGBTQ-affirming United Methodists are split over which proposed plan to support at the denomination's special session — and what they'll do if a plan passes that strengthens rules against the full inclusion of LGBTQ people.
A flourishing United Methodist church considers a way out
By Yonat Shimron — February 13, 2019
LEXINGTON, S.C. (RNS) — Mt. Horeb, a conservative evangelical church in the heart of South Carolina, is one of many congregations considering cutting the cord if the denomination relaxes its LGBT rules.
Methodist university presidents call on denomination to amend LGBTQ policies
By Yonat Shimron — January 10, 2019
(RNS) — The group, which represents presidents of 93 affiliated colleges and universities, urged the denomination to recognize the 'sacred worth' of people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Redesigning sacred spaces to serve their communities — and save their congregations
By Caroline Cunningham — January 2, 2019
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) — Three congregations facing difficulties familiar to many urban religious organizations get a design lift to help them serve their neighborhoods.
I produced an interfaith play. Then all hell broke loose
By Malik Gillani — December 14, 2018
(RNS) — The anti-Islamic reaction to a play about the birth of Jesus shows how badly we in America today need to hear each other's stories.
Jeff Sessions resigns, ending tenure marred by fights with faith groups
By Jack Jenkins — November 7, 2018
(RNS) — The embattled attorney general brought a concern for religious freedom to the job — along with a passion for quoting the Bible that often backfired on him.
Jeff Sessions speech interrupted by Methodist, Baptist clergy
By Jack Jenkins — October 29, 2018
(RNS) — 'I interrupted Attorney General Sessions today because his entire political agenda is antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ,' one of the pastors said.
