Category Archives: Uncategorized

I read two articles on American religion today. Tom Ehrich bemoans the rise of conservative Christianity. Narrow-minded, unquestioning, dogmatic, they go to church for comfort as they face economic stresses of trying to keep up with the Joneses. Fear. Ignorance. … Continue reading →

“All in favor, say ‘Aye,” any opposed, ‘Nay’.” I am in Fort Worth for the 139th session of the Central Texas Annual Conference. This three day session is a time when over a thousand clergy and laity from United Methodist … Continue reading →

The sanctuary was full, and though the closing hymn was listed as the “Recessional Hymn,” the congregation sat down following the benediction for the playing of the postlude. It was a well played piece by an obviously talented organist. As … Continue reading →

The Central Texas Conference opened tonight with a worship service at the First United Methodist Church of Hurst. Bishop Woodie White preached from Philippians 2:1-11. The gist of the message was this: claim the Name. There is power in the … Continue reading →

In a conversation with another pastor yesterday morning at Conference, the issue of pastoral tenure came up. This pastor shared a theory one of his parishioners holds (I paraphrase): “When you want to keep a pastor a long time, you … Continue reading →

Anyone who has thought deeply about evangelism knows that decisions are important. In come circles, the decision to “accept Christ” becomes the end-all of the evangelistic enterprize. Years ago James Engel came up with the Engel Scale, a way of … Continue reading →

William Willimon, the new Bishop of the North Alabama Annual Conference, is finding his new leadership role somewhat different from his old role at Duke. Though he has never withdrawn solely into the world of the theoretical – like some … Continue reading →

During this morning’s last business session at Annual Conference, there was much discussion over a particular resolution. The actual resolution was not controversial, but some of the supporting whereas’s were vague and echoed some of the studied ambiguity on a … Continue reading →

At the Confessing Movement luncheon Monday, Billy Abraham (Albert Cook Outler Professor of Theology at Perkins in Dallas) addressed the suggestions of some (namely Stanley Hauerwas – “God is killing United Methodism” – and John RObert McFarland) that the UMC … Continue reading →

Yesterday’s episcopal address from Bishop Huie was the best I’ve ever heard. It began (and ended) with a multimedia component based on Acts 2 and Pentecost. Nice to see a bishop who can use technology. Here’s a brief summary of … Continue reading →