Ethics Considered

What is the identity and call of deacons in The United Methodist Church? Some 150 United Methodist deacons, provisional deacons and deacon candidates discussed this question and more during the 2025 Deacon Gathering, organized by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Sept. 22–24, 2025. Read more: “Deacons serve diverse, specialized roles,” Commentary … Read more

So many books, so little time! I just returned from the American Library Association conference in Philadelphia. This event draws over 10,000 people annually to see the latest in libraries and publishing. The exhibit hall serves as an expo of large and small publishers pushing their wares into the eager hands of librarians and other … Read more

In 2010, I led an effort within The United Methodist Church to develop curricular guidelines for teaching professional sexual ethics for ministry. The guidelines were adopted by the UMC in 2012 and renewed in 2024. Every candidate for licensing, commissioning, and ordination as clergy should be held accountable for this learning. Now, fifteen years later, … Read more

United Methodists are voting on constitutional amendments this year. I support all but Ballot #4. In response to my effort to spark conversation about this amendment (United Methodist Insight, May 7, 2025), the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) issued talking points in support of the amendment, May 10. Nevertheless, I remain convinced … Read more

Do United Methodists need another constitutionally mandated entity? United Methodists are voting on four constitutional amendment ballots this year. Three of them have garnered significant attention. The first ballot pertains to the package of legislation regarding worldwide regionalization. The second ballot pertains to inclusion in church membership, and the third strengthens the church’s stance against … Read more

Every once in a while, I am asked, “What is a deacon?” and “What is the ministry of a deacon?” Here’s a brief explanation. “Deacons are persons called by God, authorized by the Church, and ordained by a bishop to a lifetime ministry of Word, Service, Compassion, and Justice” (UMC Discipline 2020/2024, ¶329). The role … Read more

Today, the United States of America inaugurates the reign of a president who said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. Such international aggression would be a blatant attempt to expand the not-so-hidden empire of the USA. To my fellow United Methodists in … Read more

Progressive Christians seeking to find your way in a turbulent world, these books are for you. My writings are intended to challenge and edify. Not convinced? To quote LeVar Burton on Reading Rainbow, “You don’t have to take my word for it!” Just check the end of year lists! My book Reckoning Methodism, published in … Read more

Learning about the diaconate of all believers is best done in community. The ministry of the diaconate is a call to all Christians—lay and clergy; commissioned, consecrated, and ordained. Diakonia is a call to serve others in Jesus’s name. Here is a everything you need to lead a group study of diakonia. All of these … Read more

What takes three and a half years, four leaders, nineteen additional contributors, and grants and staff time from multiple supportive institutions? Answer: A groundbreaking book on the diaconate! The diaconate is the ministry of service. Christians are sent by Christ to serve others, emissaries of God’s good news to the poor, spoken through actions of … Read more