The 1956 General Conference (GC) of the Methodist Church approved full clergy rights for women, 76 years after women first petitioned to be ordained. But it was not female GC delegates that swayed the vote, because men far out-numbered them. As Methodist theologian Georgia Harkness explained, the voice and vote of male delegates carried the…
Holding Together
One of Methodism’s strengths has always been its ability to hold within itself diverse beliefs and political views. Whereas many denominations tilt left or right, Methodism includes people across the theological and political spectrum. Overriding beliefs have held us together despite internal differences. Methodist unity is facing its greatest test since the 1840s when the…
The Verdict
Last month’s United Methodist Church’s (UMC) Judicial Council decision that Karen Oliveto’s consecration as bishop was a violation of church law left people on both sides of the issue disappointed, to some respect. To conservatives, the ruling did not go far enough, since it failed to remove Oliveto from office for being legally married to…
Welcome Readers!
This blog will be a forum for ongoing thoughts about religion and social change. While I expect to address a range of interests, the current focus is division within the United Methodist Church (UMC) as it reflects division within Christianity and society itself…