Moral leadership, social change, and the common good
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
The Revised Social Principles document approved by General Conference 2024 provides vital support for the UMC’s creation justice ministries. Read my assessment and discussion of items for further reflection and continued work in the United Methodist Creation Justice blog. 1. How should science, reason, traditional wisdom, and theology informour shared work of creation justice? 2. … Read more
Please join us for a book launch party and celebration of the new book series: T&T Clark Enquiries in Embodiment, Sexuality, and Social Ethics. The author is El/yse Ambrose. The Editorial Board consists of Kate Ott, Monique Moultrie, and Darryl W. Stephens. Registration for June 28 event. Link to purchaseand 20% discount code: GLR BD8 … Read more