United Methodist Church
The formal United Methodist schism is delayed. We can start sooner.
By Mark Tooley — April 29, 2020
(RNS) — With a vote postponed due to the coronavirus, we can still start moving toward a better Methodist future without endless battles.
United Methodist Church postpones General Conference amid coronavirus
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 18, 2020
(RNS) — The announcement came Wednesday (March 18) as the Executive Committee of the Commission on the General Conference was notified the Minneapolis Convention Center is restricting all events at the venue through May 10.
United Methodist bishops ask church court to review proposal to split denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 12, 2020
(RNS) — If the court rules the plan is constitutional, delegates could take up the proposal, called 'A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation,' at the United Methodist General Conference May 5-15 in Minneapolis.
Why mainline Protestants might fear COVID-19 the most
By Ryan Burge — March 11, 2020
(RNS) — If COVID-19 becomes a true global pandemic, it would deeply affect mainline Protestant churches, seven of which rank in the 10 religious traditions in the United States with the oldest, and therefore most vulnerable, members.
Minnesota Methodists say rebooting churches can be helpful but comes with peril
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 31, 2020
(RNS) — While painful for many longtime church members, advocates say a “restart” can help reverse shrinking numbers and breathe new life into congregations.
United Methodist clergywomen ask church to reopen sexual misconduct case against elder
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 23, 2020
(RNS) — More than five dozen young United Methodist clergywomen are circulating an open letter claiming there was no justice in the denomination’s 'just resolution' process for the four women who accused the Rev. Donald 'Bud' Heckman of sexual misconduct.
United Methodist Schism and the ‘Protocol’ of 2020
By William B. Lawrence — January 17, 2020
(Sightings) — One wonders if United Methodists, including those who signed the “protocol,” increasingly understand that “breaking up [really] is hard to do.”
Why schism? United Methodist leaders explain proposal to split the denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 13, 2020
(RNS) — Participants offered a behind-the-scenes look at how they arrived at a proposal, announced earlier this month, that would allow conservative United Methodist churches and conferences to split from the denomination over their beliefs barring LGBTQ United Methodists from ordination and marriage.
Why United Methodist Church’s plan for separation is good for everyone
By Carolyn Moore — January 13, 2020
(RNS) — For too long, United Methodists have been merely coexisting, without community, and too many congregations have grown accustomed to a theological ambiguity that dishonors our heritage.
Why Jewish mediator Kenneth Feinberg wants to save the United Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 10, 2020
(RNS) — 'I thought that the church and what it stands for and its impact on the day-to-day lives of people was important and that we should step up and try and preserve that, which hopefully we've done,' says Feinberg.
United Methodist #MeToo complaint against Bud Heckman settled
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 3, 2020
(RNS) — A United Methodist clergyman accused of sexual misconduct has ‘retired under complaint,’ ending the denomination’s judicial process against the Rev. Donald ‘Bud’ Heckman.
United Methodist leaders propose plan to split church over LGBTQ ordination, marriage
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 3, 2020
(RNS) — Bishops and representatives of a number of United Methodist groups have announced a proposed agreement to split the United Methodist Church.
RNS reporters look ahead at 2020
By Religion News Service — January 2, 2020
(RNS) — As we enter the new year, we asked Religion News Service's reporters to give us a glimpse into the stories they'll be following in 2020.
A Dallas United Methodist church will end 2019 affirming all marriage vows
By Yonat Shimron — December 20, 2019
(RNS) — Ahead of a denominational clampdown on ordination and marriage beginning Jan. 1, First United Methodist Church of Dallas will take the bold step of closing 2019 with a service reaffirming marriage vows — both heterosexual and same-sex.
SMU sued as it moves to cut ties with United Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 6, 2019
(RNS) — Southern Methodist University has moved to cut ties with the United Methodist Church after the denomination voted to strengthen rules barring LGBTQ members from marriage and ordination earlier this year.