How We Lead by Debra Wallace-Padgett

Lead Like Butler:  Six Principles for Values-Based Leaders is a good read in which authors Kent Millard and Judith Cebula define six dimensions of what Butler University athletes call “The Butler Way.” Being a former basketball player and serious sports fan, the nomenclature “The Butler Way” has caught my imagination. Indeed this concept has inspired the North Alabama Conference Leadership Team

Read More ⟶

Gratitude by Tammie Grimm

Give thanks with a grateful heart Give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son. It’s November and Thanksgiving is almost upon us. On Facebook, 30 Days of Thankfulness is in full swing. Each day, participants in the 30 Day Challenge use their status to record something in their life for which they are

Read More ⟶

Prayer Prompt: New Zealand and Haiti

Today we ask our World Methodist Evangelism partners to come alongside us in prayer for New Zealand and Haiti. While much of recent news has focused on American politics, we want to remember those affected by natural disasters in the past couple of months.

Read More ⟶

What We Know by Kim Reisman

There is not political unity within the various Wesleyan Methodist denominations across the United States. On election day, many nonpartisan prayer vigils and communion services were held in churches across the country. Some Methodist Wesleyan leaders led prayer from the Francis Asbury statue in Washington, D.C. As Americans move forward, it remains to be seen how the coming months and

Read More ⟶

Read This Because It Is Wednesday by Carolyn Moore

On this Wednesday, may we be reminded that we who follow Jesus are part of something bigger than ourselves — something grandly sufficient that has come among us, that offers even to dwell within us. The Kingdom of Heaven is big. Remember these things and be glad: The Kingdom is more concerned with effectiveness than efficiency. I’m thinking of the story

Read More ⟶

Fiction in the Pulpit: Preachers’ Favorite Books

Note from the Editor, Elizabeth Glass Turner: We asked several pastors and preachers from various Wesleyan/Methodist denominations what works of fiction have had the biggest impact on them personally. Here are some responses. Probably something from childhood: A Wrinkle in Time, especially Meg Murray, feeling awkward but finding herself and fighting for love. – Dr. Beth Felker Jones  Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes

Read More ⟶

When the Wine Runs Out by Michelle Bauer

The “wine” that we bring to any situation will eventually run out. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when.” We will get tired. We will get frustrated. We will start to doubt our ability to pull something off. We will want to quit. Some of us have amazing amounts of discipline and will power and can push ourselves for

Read More ⟶

Sermon Prompts For The Sunday After The Cubs Win The World Series by Elizabeth Glass Turner

Unless you live in Cleveland, tear up your notes and call the worship pastor: this Sunday, your sermon will practically write itself. With phrases like, “‘Next year’ is finally today,” “the curse is broken,” and “‘someday’ is now,” your parishioners don’t have to be diehard baseball fans to appreciate the unbridled glee sweeping every corner of Chicago and most parts

Read More ⟶

Pretty Feet by Andy Stoddard

In a world that is fascinated with beauty and fame and power, what is really beautiful?  What is a true image of beauty?  What do you think of? Today in Isaiah 52: 7-10, we get one of the more well-known passages that reference beauty.  Listen to what it says: 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger

Read More ⟶
Person writing 'Done' on pink paper with a blue marker for evangelism success.

So Let It Be Written, So Let It Be Done by Joy Moore

The challenge for the disciples was to be the bridge for someone else to experience justice. When Jesus called the disciples, he didn’t send them out in search of instant conversions. He gave them an example of living before telling. Doing before speaking. Go. Make. Baptize. And teach. This is one way in which Jesus was the incarnation of God.

Read More ⟶

Laughing Doubt by Talbot Davis

Is anything too supernatural? Too mystical? Too great for God to do? Nope. Is it too hard for him to bend the laws of nature? Nope. He wrote them. You know what? You, too, have continual reminders in your life of not underestimating God. We have those reminders, items large and small, global and personal, to urge us not to

Read More ⟶

Holding Yourself In Readiness by Kim Reisman

It’s not easy to hold yourself in readiness. You have to be alert, your entire body engaged and prepared to move. You have to be focused, intent on watching for the necessary sign. You have to be willing to act, following the signal the moment it arrives.

Read More ⟶

Discipleship: Who’s It For Anyway? by Tammie Grimm

It’s nearing the end of summer and there is a pretty good chance, if you are a Methodist or attending a church in the Wesleyan tradition that either your church newsletter or weekly bulletin is currently showcasing upcoming Bible studies or spiritual formation classes under a banner headline, “Fall Discipleship Opportunities.”It might be that there is an advertised afternoon volunteer

Read More ⟶

Sanctification Reconsidered by Ken Loyer

The conclusions reached in God’s Love through the Spirit, particularly concerning an understanding of love both within God’s own life and in Christian participation in God by grace, challenge the claim that Western theology suffers from a pneumatological deficiency, and represent a significant contribution to the study of Aquinas and of Wesley, to ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Methodists (and

Read More ⟶

The Vast Sufferer by Elizabeth Glass Turner

To die, to sleep— no more—and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation devoutly to be wished! To die, to sleep. To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub, for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal

Read More ⟶

Scars Of Wisdom by Cole Bodkin

“What kind of advice can I offer you? I’m younger than you.” My friend’s reflection resonates with many younger folks in ministry. In essence it asks, “Can young people offer wisdom to those who are (much) older than themselves?” That question haunts many young pastors and ministers as they wrestle with their vocation. Whether or not Timothy was in his

Read More ⟶

God Is Enough by Carolyn Moore

The Son of Man came not to be served by to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28 My mom was a great southern cook. At least six nights a week, she cooked a full meal for everybody who showed up at the table. There were eight of us and most nights, at

Read More ⟶

Repent But Do Not Whimper by Maxie Dunnam

The setting is ripe for revival. And the essential response to that possibility is for God’s people not to whimper. Acknowledge our sin, and repent, yes, but not whimper. Could it be that we are mistakenly centered on institutional unity, when a prior issue is crying for attention: unity in the Gospel. We can have institutional unity without revival, but

Read More ⟶

Clay Footed, Spirit-Filled: Transition by Kim Reisman

These kinds of moments have come and gone in my ministry, and more are sure to unfold; as they do I need to ask myself, how am I treading? Lightly? With grace? Out in the open? Is it about me? Or am I the errand runner for the Spirit I need to be? Sadly for me, as my ministry moves

Read More ⟶

Subscribe

Get articles delivered directly to your inbox as soon as they come out.