tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.comments2024-03-18T15:53:08.018-05:00UM & GlobalDavid W. Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17024204453848260271noreply@blogger.comBlogger759125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-41122125405673611862024-03-09T13:00:54.720-06:002024-03-09T13:00:54.720-06:00The idea that the Bible has a meaning independent ...The idea that the Bible has a meaning independent of its cultural context is itself an idea that emerges in the particular context of early modern Western culture. God speaks only in human language and thus only through, not above, human culture. There is no standpoint from outside culture with which to judge culture. Thus connection, and cross-cultural dialogue, is the best and indeed only way to establish a viewpoint that isn't mired entirely in a mono-culture. Connection is the only way to hear the voice of God. Robert Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12733025264316575349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-87451294928948564102024-02-24T22:00:52.824-06:002024-02-24T22:00:52.824-06:00Excellent article, Jefferson. Thank you! Excellent article, Jefferson. Thank you! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-61464849618392386812024-02-23T01:26:23.707-06:002024-02-23T01:26:23.707-06:00I am in no way attempting to downplay the Bible in...I am in no way attempting to downplay the Bible in anyway. I hold the holy scripture dearly to my heart and respect and honor the definition of marriage as containing thereof. Jeffersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-65874112395285622972024-02-22T20:39:59.295-06:002024-02-22T20:39:59.295-06:00In this post, the legal and cultural context is me...In this post, the legal and cultural context is mentioned multiple times. The theological and biblical are mentioned once. Per Discipline ¶105, "Scripture is primary". The argument here is that legal and cultural context should be allowed to override scripture and our theological connection in order to maintain some sort of organizational connection. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-48347922564022103792024-02-12T05:21:21.803-06:002024-02-12T05:21:21.803-06:00Sorry about the issue with the link, but thanks fo...Sorry about the issue with the link, but thanks for the alternative. I've updated it in the article.David W. Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17024204453848260271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-45386449711858456632024-02-12T01:08:40.138-06:002024-02-12T01:08:40.138-06:00Same here. You may find a translation of this arti...Same here. You may find a translation of this article here: https://emk--schweiz-ch.translate.goog/2024/02/01/jetzt-findet-meine-familie-meinen-christlichen-glauben-richtig-gut/?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de<br />This is the article from Connexio as published on the website of the UMC in Switzerland an translated with google. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-89855786914000069052024-02-12T00:48:04.297-06:002024-02-12T00:48:04.297-06:00Dear Publisher
Unfortunatley I can't open the...Dear Publisher <br />Unfortunatley I can't open the english text. It says: Website blocked cause to danger Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-4463512623619196972024-01-23T08:50:13.945-06:002024-01-23T08:50:13.945-06:00My name is Fosheno Victor Markus from Nigeria, We...My name is Fosheno Victor Markus from Nigeria, Well, I will say you did try to explain the story but I want to categorically tell you that some of this story is bias in the sense that you decided to captured unrelevant tribes as your pillar and the episode is not true. First, the mission began in Bambur in Wurkun Land and not Karimjo as you repeatedly mention because they are not part of the forerunners of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria. Secondly, the beginning of the conflict in the 1970 is as a result of long marginalization to southern zone that led Ezra Bawarani didn't want to step down even after his tenure elapse. Thirdly, Late Dabale wanted to revenge the same marginalization done to his own people by not supporting the creation of another annual conference in Gwaten that is the first place of the mission work. Fourthly, the Mumuye people want make Bishop seat as a monichy own by their people that was why they did all they could not support or acknowledge the leadership of Bishop Johnwesley since he is not from their own tribe. Lastly, the recent conflict in the church between Ande and Bishop Johnwesley first, as a result of leadership struggle from Ande's side since decline has no interest in him to contest. and secondly, Ande is a supporter of Centrist/Progressive ideaology which is against our people opinion and bishop Johnwesley was against it as well. But he (Ande) decided to twist the whole thing in order for our not to understand his intention. And I want assure you that if by para venture got to understand Ande's trickiest way, he will be stone to death in this country. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-27597529878218814602023-12-19T09:50:08.482-06:002023-12-19T09:50:08.482-06:00David, thanks for putting forth thoughtful article...David, thanks for putting forth thoughtful articles reflecting on our global connection as UMC. Bar of the conference by Derrick is indeed a great podcast and helps lift up the voices of UM leaders from the central conferences. <br /><br />In the past 5 years or so, the UMCom has done a lot of good work to cover stories, news, and developments in the central conferences. What's missing, though, is a platform where theologians, ministry practitioners, thinkers, and leaders from the central conferences could join in the worldwide conversations about matters that affect our worldwide connection. <br /><br />I think this is partly because of a few reasons such as: <br />Limitations of technology and access in some central conferences.<br />Power dynamics (voices not from the hierarchy may not be given more weight)<br />Hesitation (for many reasons) on the part of content creators from central conferences. <br /><br />In the near future, it would be awesome to see blogs, podcasts, and even videos from central conference leaders and content creators sharing resources, offering reflections, and even issuing challenges to the worldwide church on many different issues. Maybe this already exists, but I just haven't seen it yet.Mightynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-65462039138058715602023-12-05T13:59:09.754-06:002023-12-05T13:59:09.754-06:00You have missed the point Anonymous--which is an e...You have missed the point Anonymous--which is an example of the point, and not easy for anyone to apply, which the author acknowledged for himself also.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-17794196943375495372023-11-30T11:15:47.833-06:002023-11-30T11:15:47.833-06:00Thanks for that push back, Kirk, and for continuin...Thanks for that push back, Kirk, and for continuing to advocate for a church (and church media!) that is more inclusive of all people.David Scottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-40324361263205835652023-11-30T11:02:29.398-06:002023-11-30T11:02:29.398-06:00However. Podcasts create real accessibility issues...However. Podcasts create real accessibility issues as well. As someone who cannot hear well enough to benefit from podcast content where creators fail to provide transcripts, I’m grateful text blogs still provide opinions and insight. <br /><br />AI driven auto transcription is available but such technology is notoriously bad if recording conditions are not optimal. And with accents of any kind outside of the white American northern accent, or dialogue that may be using uncommon vocabulary, it fails miserably. <br /><br />So it is incumbent upon podcasters to either transcribe themselves or, at minimum, clean up an auto transcription, or pay a service around $1.25/min to transcribe for you. <br /><br />Frankly, very few content creators bother. Kirk VanGildernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-73278511177469461512023-11-25T10:35:22.252-06:002023-11-25T10:35:22.252-06:00Tom, check out Robert Putnam's classic Bowling...Tom, check out Robert Putnam's classic Bowling Alone research.<br /><br />Churches in the city do not need to accept the decline of community relationships. But they can work to create networks of relationships very effectively, if they know how. In many ways churches in urban areas can recreate the community that younger Generations are seeking. Ecclesiola en ecclesiastical, relational villages in the urban landscape. Community organization is now an intellectual discipline that even offers master's degrees in the field.David Kuekerhttps://disciplewalk.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-57586837965772387462023-11-25T10:23:31.690-06:002023-11-25T10:23:31.690-06:00David, thank you for this excellent analysis!
dk...David, thank you for this excellent analysis!<br /><br />dkueker@yahoo.com David Kuekerhttps://disciplewalk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-19624075105135961112023-11-15T16:31:16.970-06:002023-11-15T16:31:16.970-06:00Tom, I think you're right about the expanding ...Tom, I think you're right about the expanding suburbs, and you're spot on about social bonds not being as strong in urban/sub-urban areas and that being a major challenge for the church.David W. Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17024204453848260271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-13764918736829811662023-11-15T16:03:49.112-06:002023-11-15T16:03:49.112-06:00I think the other truth is that as urban populatio...I think the other truth is that as urban populations expand in the US, so does the urban sprawl. UMCs that used to be in rural areas are finding that they are now part of the suburbs. The open question is whether congregations can adapt from a rural mindset of ministry where everyone knows their neighbors to a more urban mindset where the social bonds are not as strong.Tom Lanknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-45794704249349394632023-11-10T11:03:40.136-06:002023-11-10T11:03:40.136-06:00I am a retired UMC Elder in very rural area in Eas...I am a retired UMC Elder in very rural area in East Texas (Newton, Texas). Our presence in this particular rural area has significantly decreased over the last 30 years. Disaffiliation increased this decrease. This article resonates with my actual experience. I think the work that Jonathan LeMaster-Smith has been doing is crucial to our survival in rural America. There are a lot of hurdles to over come if our presence in rural America is to flourish in the future. Or, perhaps, the GC prefers to let our rural presence diminish and focus on our witness in cities? I look forward to future essays on this subject. Joe Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11341944457641925737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-28502425385385147702023-11-02T09:30:09.102-05:002023-11-02T09:30:09.102-05:00The UMC should consider this as it debates the des...The UMC should consider this as it debates the desire for the American connection to become autonomous. It's not a Savior complex. It is based on a racist notion that American UMs know more than African and should be free to go against the global church consensus as they vote to change the human sexuality standards that govern the UMC. . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-73063481022496787932023-10-12T17:29:46.511-05:002023-10-12T17:29:46.511-05:00Denominational extension in the name of global con...Denominational extension in the name of global connection is a problem when the denomination is shaped and controlled by a particular people. The current debates within the US connection demonstrate the desire of the American UMC to erect a wall around itself so that it won't be influenced and controlled by the global connection even though it continues to use money and power to push its own agenda on the global church. For a point of reference, when the US connection feared that Wesley would recall Asbury, it struck his name from the Minutes and "excommunicated" him. The insular mindset continues to this day. To be global, the UMC must trust its global partners and submit to one another without fear. William Paynenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-84977703343705870052023-10-05T14:22:44.683-05:002023-10-05T14:22:44.683-05:00only a brainwashed marxist would spend energy demo...only a brainwashed marxist would spend energy demonizing CHARITY by white people as a problem. Equity is actually a marxist idea meant to tear down individuals and turn everyone into identity politics. You are racist to view people by their skin color and demonize whites trying to help.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-91099027167208870042023-06-20T18:53:01.710-05:002023-06-20T18:53:01.710-05:00I find it interesting that my observations are rea...I find it interesting that my observations are read a criticisms of having a theological education. Imagine if those training to be doctors were educated in institutions that didn't teach genetics, or transplant medicine, or the use of contemporary drug treatments. Would anyone want a doctor trained in mid-20th century medicine? An engineer who didn't know anything about carbon fibre or transistors? But many contemporary theology schools are running curricula from 70 years ago based on models first articulated by Schleiermacher in the 18th century. They act as if "contemporary theoology" is Bonhoeffer, Barth, and Bultmann although they may liven it up with a some late 20th century feminists and a soupçon of liberation theology to get within 30 or so years of 2023. Our world is in the midst of rapid and dramatic change that directly affects our human self-understanding, our understanding of the natural world and universe and the human place in it, and any possible grasp of the relationship of immanence to transcendence. The 20th century is over, and 20th century Christianity is disappearing quickly in the rearview mirror. Statistically the same is happening to the 20th century theology school. Enrollments are dropping like a stone across the board, Students demand 100 % financial aid and a stipend or they won't take our degree programs. The seminary experience I had in the late 1970's was and is invaluable. The degree I received is nearly worthless in 2023. We'll either change and engage the contemporary culture in all its complexity and changing languages or we'll die. We'll either offer credentials that have value to churches in our cultural context or those who wish to become pastors and educators will go to those who do. What do those credentials look like? Turns out we don't even want to ask the question. And we won't need to much longer, because once we have no students we won't be offering any degrees at all. Once we have no one applying for ordination we won't have any pastors at all. Then it will be over to the SBC. Robert Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12733025264316575349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-78262068695787299492023-06-15T18:38:18.967-05:002023-06-15T18:38:18.967-05:00Jeez! Now I regret spending nearly ten years of m...Jeez! Now I regret spending nearly ten years of my life getting a Ph.D. in New Testament & Early Christianity. Who knew it would be such a useless thing to do? At least it gave me a leg up on getting the job at the American Church in Paris. (along with my cross-cultural stint in Sarawak.<br />My students in the Maine School of Ministry, which more or less follows the TEE model of non-residential, non-degree-granting theological education that you applaud. The Committees on Ministry of the UCC Associations in Maine, which have the ordaining authority all accept our curriculum and assessments as meeting the criteria for ordination. There aren't enough of us old-school academic types (of which you are one, too!) to fully staff the program (which takes, on average, six years to complete), so many of the "practical/pastoral theology" sorts of courses are taught by working pastors who are recognized for their effectiveness. A "mentored practice" segment places students in local churches for a semester or year working with more experienced pastors whose ministries have been effective and/or creative. All attend a CPE course. A very few still attend BU School of Theology or Yale or Nova Scotia or Chicago (often in online or hybrid courses) if they are really motivated to pursue an actual M.Div. or other. Old geezers like me who have Ph.Ds or D.Mins are called on to teach the "foundational" courses in OT, NT, Ethics, Church History. But since there aren't that many around, they can also do online courses that meet our requirements. I think you're right about traditional seminaries disappearing--around here they already have. But I have always believed that the local pastor is the "resident theologian" for the local congregation, and so some formation in critical thinking is essential if they're to be able to do that. Otherwise, we might as well just cede everything to the Southern Baptists who are making inroads even up here, along with Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Pentecostals.<br /> <br />Larry Kalajainennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-41277924974724862032023-06-15T16:42:48.426-05:002023-06-15T16:42:48.426-05:00The Church is biblically, theologically, and spiri...The Church is biblically, theologically, and spiritually illiterate enough as it is! The last thing it needs is illiterate clergy as preachers, Bible interpreters and teachers, practical theologians, spiritual directors, and counselors. I want my preacher to know what a chiasm is and why it's important in Mark's gospel. I don't want mindless, ChatGPT-like sermons. I don't want liturgical drivel. I don't want doctrine devoid of mystery and poetry. To quote Shakespeare's Hamlet (Act 1 Scene 4), "Angels and ministers of grace, defend us!" from such feckless opinions. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-14675210208756216622023-05-25T15:44:32.931-05:002023-05-25T15:44:32.931-05:00David,
Thanks for your revisioning of charitable ...David,<br /><br />Thanks for your revisioning of charitable giving with an emphasis upon the economic concept of investments made in partnership with specific aims in mind. Two experiments in this transformation of mission giving come to mind.<br /><br />In 1980, a Special Program named Africa Church Growth and Development was approved by General Conference with similar goals to what you have in mind. It recognized an emerging theme in mission development, namely setting aside missionary dependence of the colonial era for a commitment to African self determination in fast growing church development which promised to exceed membership of the UMC on the North America contingent within the generation. A goal was set for the first quadrennium at $7 million with the African Churches pledging $1 million from their limited resources. Decision making was placed in policy making body that featured African control with North American and Europe accompaniment. An African was chosen to be the director of the program. The Board of Global Ministries was removed from its historic dominant bilateral role in administrating country by country program funding. AFCG&D would take a continent wide holistic determination of needs and prospects before making investment decisions in areas of leadership development, community development and church construction. The program had notable successes over two decades but ultimately yielded to another vision with more urgency and attraction that emerged from within AFCG&D discussions, namely the funding of Africa University. That program found a linkage to the grass roots mission volunteer movement in generating capital and momentum in the global UMC needed to succeed while preserving leadership initiative within the African continent.<br /><br />In the same period, the World Council of Churches inaugurated its Study on the Sharing of Resources. Delegates were charged to provide a philosophy or theology for the administration of funds for programs that would eliminate the historic divide between giving and receiving members at the same table. They found a grounding in the doctrine of grace (I.e. "charis" the Greek root in charity) in which all share equally without reference to economic or political status. They declared a participatory status for member churches of absolute equality, that is no absolute donors and no absolute receivers. All share the same gift of grace in the self giving of the same Christ Jesus. As sound as was their theological reflection, it failed to find vehicles for implementation in policy. <br /><br />The concept of a stewardship of sharing is at the root of the vision you are lifting up! Models for implementation remain a challenge.<br /><br />Robert Harmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14846547721123021765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-46698526841560519702023-05-25T10:56:10.461-05:002023-05-25T10:56:10.461-05:00So insightful! Thanks for sharing! True caring and...So insightful! Thanks for sharing! True caring and compassion expressed in these words. Thanks, David!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com