Category Archives: UMC

How Many Gay and Lesbian Christians are there in the U.S.?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Ron Goetz

How many gay and lesbian are there in the United States?  The 2010 census counted 308 million people living in the U.S.  At the very least, 75% of the U.S. population identifies as Christian (it’s probably closer to 80%), which comes to roughly 231 … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Gay Christians, Homosexuality, Religion, UMC | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

One Anti-Homosexual United Methodist Pastor

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Recently the Rev. Dr. Frankie L. Perdue, a United Methodist pastor in the Virginia Annual Conference, posted a reply on the Gays and Lesbians in Luke page.  At the time I puzzled over how or even whether to respond, and decided not to reply.  I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Dobson Rhetoric, Gay Christians, Homosexuality, Pastoral Ministry, UMC | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Jon Powers, Marriage Equality, and the UMC

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Rev. Jon Powers, chaplain at Ohio Wesleyan University, released the following message, which I share with you via Facebook: Dear Colleagues and Friends: This is a confidential and personal missive to you, which you may want to delete (and if you … Continue reading →

Posted in UMC | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Revival and the Great Commission: our μετανοια vs our κοσμος

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Ron Goetz

Our problem with the Great Commission is really quite simple. I know most of you are familiar with the passage, but let me cite it, highlighting three words we have trouble with. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christendom, Repentance, Sanctification, UMC | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

CTA Response: “So Where do We Begin?”

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Ron Goetz

Dayton left a comment in the “Rigamarole” post, and my reply grew into this: Dayton, regarding your comments, 1) “there are no truly effective governance boards on a local level for lead pastors/superintendents/bishops, etc. We would need to overhaul the SPRC/Committee on … Continue reading →

Posted in Call to Action, Church Closures, Pastoral Ministry, Repentance, UMC, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CTA Report: The Meaning of Trust

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Ron Goetz

When we hear the word “trust” it’s almost automatic to feel warm and fuzzy. The word elicits feelings of safety, friendliness, and caring. It would not be unusual to talk about “trusting someone’s good intentions,” or to say, “My heart doth safely trust … Continue reading →

Posted in Call to Action, Pastoral Ministry, UMC, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

CTA Report: Underperforming Congregations and Clergy

Posted on November 27, 2010 by Ron Goetz

Let me begin by saying that, overall, I accept the recommendations contained in the two sections of the “Call to Action” (CTA). The changes are long overdue, and are necessary for the eventual flourishing of the United Methodist Church. Many elements of the Apex report feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Call to Action, Christendom, Church Closures, UMC, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , , | 29 Comments

CTA Report: Acknowledging Decades of Decline

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Ron Goetz

The “Call to Action” Steering Team just issued a report to the UMC acknowledging decades of decline in membership, giving, and the number of congregations. Released six days before Halloween, 2010, the report is a remarkably frank description of the state of United … Continue reading →

Posted in Call to Action, Church Closures, UMC, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments