1/1/2013
Hebrews 13:2 is clear: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” This verse—along with Leviticus 19:33-34 and Matthew 25:38-40—are the bedrock that should inform our hearts and minds about how our churches, our communities, our states and our nation should respond to newcomers in our midst. For many years now, our country has been engaged in a debate about how to handle immigrants who live and work in our country without...
10/16/2012
One way to describe the Christian’s life of discipleship is to take seriously Jesus’s words to his disciples in Acts 1:8. He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” In 2008, the General Conference changed the membership vows of the United Methodist Church, adding the word, “witness.” Professing members are asked, “As members of this congregation, will you ...
10/15/2012
Dr. Lovett Weems has taught many leaders of The United Methodist Church a phrase that is being repeated widely: we need more people, more young people, and more diverse people. I agree. The average age of a United Methodist layperson is more than 57. The average age of people in the United States is in the lower 30s. There is clearly a problem here. If our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, and if the population around us is younger than we are and we are not reaching them, we are not...
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