The Fallacy of a White Liberation Theology by Kevin Murriel

So strong is this ideology among many white church leaders, those in theological circles, and some in society, that it rings loudly of “White Liberation!” suggesting that acknowledging ones’ privilege has liberated the individual from the bondage of systems that work on their behalf. I am concerned with the white Christian who wants to do something prophetic like telling other

Read More ⟶

Finding Myself in the Poetry of Mary Oliver by Justin Gentry

I think I am drawn so much to poetry these days because over and above anything else poets are themselves. They speak from a raw, sometimes scandalous place that many of us don’t have access to. As a pastor it can be very hard to be yourself, yet it is essential if you want to have anything of value to

Read More ⟶

The Locker Room And The Vestry by Elizabeth Glass Turner

One time as I came down from a platform during a church musical rehearsal, I passed several women and whispered, “I’ll be right back, I have got to go to the bathroom!” I rushed away and couldn’t hear the laughter that erupted behind me; the sound guy had not yet muted my lapel mic. My whisper had been heard throughout the sanctuary.

Read More ⟶

Faithfulness by Bryan Collier

Most of us are familiar with John 15—it is particularly central to my life and to the life of the local church that I pastor, The Orchard UMC.  It is from Jesus’ command there, “to go and bear fruit” that we take our name, vision and mission. Most of us are familiar with the flow: Jesus begins with an eight-verse

Read More ⟶

Where There Is New Room by Elizabeth Glass Turner

Sometimes we need a space where there is new room for the Holy Spirit: space in our lives, in our schedule, in our church building, in our preaching, in our house. For me, luckily enough – except it never seems to do with luck where new room is involved – this has been at the New Room Conference. In an

Read More ⟶

The Character Of A Wesleyan by Carolyn Moore

Much is being made these days in my (admittedly very narrow) slice of the world about what it means to be Wesleyan. “Wesleyan” in this case doesn’t refer to a particular denomination but to a broader theological stream birthed through an eighteenth-century movement and largely defined by the commentaries and sermons of John Wesley. Wesley himself once wrote a tract

Read More ⟶

Francis Asbury: Mission Beyond Conflict by Aaron Perry

Regardless of your politics, but dependent on the plans of God, there will be a November 9, 2016. Do you know the day? It’s the day after the United States of America will choose between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Between now and then, there will be a lot of debate, discussion, and Tweeting. But that day will come and,

Read More ⟶

When Holy Love Is Like a Laser by Elizabeth Glass Turner

If you or I think of a laser, we probably have a mental image of what we might colloquially call a concentrated beam of light, whether it’s used recreationally like in laser tag or a laser light show, or practically like in an eye surgery or in cutting material. You might even picture the powerful ray from the Death Star in Star

Read More ⟶

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 ⟶

Subscribe

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