Ethics Considered

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

Although their “marriage” was never very intimate, the failing merger of The United Methodist Church and the Methodist Protestant Church of Côte d’Ivoire raises significant questions regarding the “worldwide nature” of the UMC and its global ambitions. Read more in this article featured on UM & Global.

As of January 1, 2025, deacons in the UMC will have full sacramental authority. General Conference voted 65% in favor of this change (May 2, 2024, Calendar item 554). This petition emerged from GBHEM’s ministry study (2020 ADCA, pp. 1003ff), which made several recommendations to General Conference regarding deacons. https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/general-conference-2020-advance-daily-christian-advocate. A new day for ordained … Read more