St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

How to attract millennials to your church

How can your church help millennials see the value in church as a way to grow closer to God?

Why Homosexuality Is Not Like Other Sins

Homosexuality is not the only sin prohibited in the Bible, but it is different from all the rest, at least right now. And we have really good news for homosexuals.

10 Ways to Teach Kids to Sit in Church

Want to take your kids to church with you? Find out how to learn to go to "big church." Worship, learn, and serve together. Kids can love going to church.

Why Are So Many Single Women are Leaving the Church?

A few years ago, I attended the Women of the World festival in London. Arriving late, I hurried up to a panel called ‘Faith and Feminism,” which featured a panel…

10 Things I Have Learned Leading Church Change

I left the church planting world to help revitalize and grow an established church. It’s proven to be challenging – maybe slightly more than I thought it would be<br>But, God has allowed us to experience incredible energy and excitement. I am not big on sharing numbers in this format, but let me simply say – God is working. Amazingly working. The potential in the days ahead is astounding to me.<br>Needless to say, there has been a lot of change since I…

To those who are contemplating leaving the United Methodist Church

I write this letter with an aching heart. I have heard the pain in the voices of so many of you, wondering if it is time to “shake the dust off” and leave your local church. As your bishop, I cannot ask you to stay in a place where your soul cannot be at rest. However, I will share with you why I, a

Does U.S. theological education have a future?

Scholars see a coming shortage of teachers for The United Methodist Church's teachers. They met to discuss the problem and what to do about it.

What names can we use for God?

Why say "the body of Christ, broken for you"?

Learn the two reasons those words are spoken at communion.

Real happiness is more than putting on a face

What makes us happy? A United Methodist pastor and a professor agree that it is not about externals we receive or achieve, but an 'inside job.'

6 examples of effective Wesleyan evangelism

United Methodist Harry Denman Award winners show that sharing the good news doesn’t have to be scary or intrusive.

Pacific Beach United Methodist Church

Most would be confused or upset at the thought that "sorrow is better than laughter" like it states in Ecclesiastes 7:3. When we pretend that everything is okay, we are not handling our deep hurts and griefs—the only way to do that is to feel them and to open ourselves to healing. Putting on a happy face is not always right for our soul.

Can health care law save conferences money?

United Methodist conferences, facing mounting health care costs, are turning to the Affordable Care Act for relief.

Could reorganizing agencies boost church vitality?

Plan UMC aims to align denominational resources toward fostering vital congregations. United Methodists debate whether it does.

What churches can do when students are home on break

When college students return home on break, some struggle to reconnect. United Methodist churches can use these creative ideas to minister to them.

Does the church have an official Bible?

United Methodists are not restricted to one version of the Bible. Learn why.

Ask the UMC: What does it mean to live by faith?

United Methodists understand that faith is about having one’s life transformed by the One in whom we put our trust, not just assenting to some ideas that may comfort us in difficult times and get us into heaven.