UNITED METHODIST NEWS DAILY DIGEST
“And we’re in a church that says we actually value the fact that maybe you see things slightly differently than I do, but I’m a better Christian because we see things differently. That’s what I love about The United Methodist Church.” — The Rev. Adam Hamilton, talking about how Church of the Resurrection stays together amid disagreement.
Adam Hamilton: Leading in polarized times
LEAWOOD, Kan. (UM News) — Ahead of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection’s 2021 Leadership Institute, UM News spoke to the Rev. Adam Hamilton about the pandemic, the proposed denominational split and how the congregation navigates its disagreements. Heather Hahn and Joey Butler have the story and videos.
Read story and watch videos
Adam Hamilton: Leading in polarized times
LEAWOOD, Kan. (UM News) — Ahead of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection’s 2021 Leadership Institute, UM News spoke to the Rev. Adam Hamilton about the pandemic, the proposed denominational split and how the congregation navigates its disagreements. Heather Hahn and Joey Butler have the story and videos.
Read story and watch videos
Creating a Culture of Renewal
Jesus offers model of how to unplug
CASPER, Wyo. — When Jesus took time for spiritual renewal, he went into the wilderness, writes the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter. She suggests that to connect with God, Christians take some time away from their laptops, calendars and smartphones.
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“Robinson’s a Methodist. I’m a Methodist. God’s a Methodist. We can’t go wrong.” — Actor Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey in the film “42,” about Jackie Robinson integrating Major League Baseball.
The two Methodists who integrated baseball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The man who integrated Major League Baseball had a little-known ally in his quest. Jackie Robinson had his Methodist faith, something he shared with Brooklyn Dodger executive Branch Rickey, who recruited him for the task. Robinson never publicly lost his composure while dealing with death threats, racial abuse and physical danger. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
UM News: Church TV show and Jackie Robinson
Maybe I’m Amazed
Hall of Fame coach talks faith with pastor
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Rev. James Howell, senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church, has launched a podcast titled “Maybe I’m Amazed.” In a new episode, he talks about faith, fame and fatherhood with Roy Williams, University of North Carolina and Hall of Fame basketball coach.
Listen to podcast
Find other episodes
Why I’m not leaving The United Methodist Church
By the Rev. Steve West
Feb. 17, 2020 | ARAB, Ala
A few weeks ago, hundreds of North Alabama Methodists who consider themselves traditional, orthodox, and conservative met at Clearbranch UMC to talk about splitting from The United Methodist Church.
I have had good interactions with the pastors who organized the meeting. They are my colleagues. They are part of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, an organization of 1,500 churches nationwide and about 60 clergy here in North Alabama planning to launch a new denomination a few months from now, once the General Conference in May allows for their gracious exit.
I respect their convictions. But I won’t be joining them. Here’s why. Read story
Jesus offers model of how to unplug
CASPER, Wyo. — When Jesus took time for spiritual renewal, he went into the wilderness, writes the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter. She suggests that to connect with God, Christians take some time away from their laptops, calendars and smartphones.
Read commentary
“Robinson’s a Methodist. I’m a Methodist. God’s a Methodist. We can’t go wrong.” — Actor Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey in the film “42,” about Jackie Robinson integrating Major League Baseball.
The two Methodists who integrated baseball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The man who integrated Major League Baseball had a little-known ally in his quest. Jackie Robinson had his Methodist faith, something he shared with Brooklyn Dodger executive Branch Rickey, who recruited him for the task. Robinson never publicly lost his composure while dealing with death threats, racial abuse and physical danger. Jim Patterson has the story.
Read story
UM News: Church TV show and Jackie Robinson
Maybe I’m Amazed
Hall of Fame coach talks faith with pastor
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Rev. James Howell, senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church, has launched a podcast titled “Maybe I’m Amazed.” In a new episode, he talks about faith, fame and fatherhood with Roy Williams, University of North Carolina and Hall of Fame basketball coach.
Listen to podcast
Find other episodes
Why I’m not leaving The United Methodist Church
By the Rev. Steve West
Feb. 17, 2020 | ARAB, Ala
A few weeks ago, hundreds of North Alabama Methodists who consider themselves traditional, orthodox, and conservative met at Clearbranch UMC to talk about splitting from The United Methodist Church.
I have had good interactions with the pastors who organized the meeting. They are my colleagues. They are part of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, an organization of 1,500 churches nationwide and about 60 clergy here in North Alabama planning to launch a new denomination a few months from now, once the General Conference in May allows for their gracious exit.
I respect their convictions. But I won’t be joining them. Here’s why. Read story
Ask The UMC
How are decisions made at General Conference?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — At General Conference, delegates gather from all over the world to consider revisions to church law and the official ritual of the church and to adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications, explains how the legislative body makes decisions.
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Diverse leaders’ group offers separation plan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A diverse, 16-member team of church leaders, including bishops and advocacy group leaders, has offered a proposal that would preserve The United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. Proposal backers say it could end the denomination’s impasse over homosexuality. Sam Hodges reports.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UM News) — A diverse, 16-member team of church leaders, including bishops and advocacy group leaders, has offered a proposal that would preserve The United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. Proposal backers say it could end the denomination’s impasse over homosexuality. Sam Hodges reports.
Read story
North Georgia Conference
Faith sustained MLB umpire during job crisis
ATLANTA — Major League Baseball umpire Paul Nauert endured a job crisis in 1999 when he was fired during a labor dispute, but his involvement with a United Methodist church gave him the perspective to use the time off to focus on his family. Now he is thriving personally and professionally. Rebecca Wallace has the story.
Read story
Faith sustained MLB umpire during job crisis
ATLANTA — Major League Baseball umpire Paul Nauert endured a job crisis in 1999 when he was fired during a labor dispute, but his involvement with a United Methodist church gave him the perspective to use the time off to focus on his family. Now he is thriving personally and professionally. Rebecca Wallace has the story.
Read story
Iowa Conference
Church helps 93-year-old recover after flood
HAMBURG, Iowa — The pastor and members of Hamburg and Shenandoah United Methodist churches are helping 93-year-old Virginia Lynn rebuild her life after flooding destroyed most of her possessions. The Rev. Luke Fillmore had been Lynn’s pastor for just seven months before the tragedy struck.
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Watch video
Church helps 93-year-old recover after flood
HAMBURG, Iowa — The pastor and members of Hamburg and Shenandoah United Methodist churches are helping 93-year-old Virginia Lynn rebuild her life after flooding destroyed most of her possessions. The Rev. Luke Fillmore had been Lynn’s pastor for just seven months before the tragedy struck.
Read story
Watch video