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2 weeks ago | 
juicyecumenism.com | Methodist Voices |Riley Case |Mark Tooley |James Diddams
In cleaning out some of my files recently I came across a very fat folder labeled “CUIC.” Churches Uniting in Christ is an ecumenical effort to merge, covenant, or express unity between denominations. Not much from the past 20 years was in the folder but there was plenty before that. It was intriguing enough that I believe reflection on ecumenism is worth a series of articles. We are, after all, in a time in which institutions (including church denominations) are rapidly changing.
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1 month ago | 
juicyecumenism.com | Methodist Voices |Riley Case |Mark Tooley
[Editor’s note: read Part I of Riley Case’s series here. Part II is here.]Is there hope for United Methodism in America? The question comes at a time in America’s religious life when roughly one-quarter of all U.S. United Methodist churches have disaffiliated primarily because they hold to a traditional understanding of human sexuality, marriage and the family.
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2 months ago | 
juicyecumenism.com | Riley Case |Mark Tooley |Sarah Carter |Davison Drumm
A line from Martin Luther’s A Mighty Fortress keeps running through my mind: “And though this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us…” I generally have been quite optimistic about my faith, my church (United Methodist), Christianity, and life in general. Some of my premillennial dispensationalist friends argue that the Lord must be coming soon because the world is continually getting worse. I disagree. And yet…and yet.
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2 months ago | 
juicyecumenism.com | Riley Case |Marc LiVecche |Rick Plasterer |Sarah Stewart
As noted in part 1 and part 2 of this essay, 2025 marks the 500 year celebration of Anabaptism. It was in January, 1525, that George Blaurock, a former Catholic priest, was baptized by Conrad Brebel in a “believer’s baptism” (ana-baptist—to be baptized again) in the home of Felix Manz in Zurich, Switzerland. Anabaptists were soon persecuted. Many were martyred. They proposed a challenge not just to the church (primarily Roman Catholic but also Lutheran and Reformed) but also to the state.
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Jan 13, 2025 | 
juicyecumenism.com | Jeffrey Walton |Riley Case |Mark Tooley |Bethany Moy
Time for a shout-out to Anabaptism, a Protestant wing of the church marking its 500th year anniversary this January, 2025. The marker traces to the time in 1525 when Geoge Blaurock, a Catholic priest, was baptized (re-baptized, actually) by Conrad Breubel in the home of Felix Manz in Zurich, Switzerland. This did not go down well to the religious (and political) authorities of the day. Manz was martyred (intentionally drowned) and others expelled and persecuted.
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Nov 22, 2024 | 
juicyecumenism.com | Methodist Voices |Riley Case |Mark Tooley |Sarah Stewart
Good News, the United Methodist movement of evangelicals, is phasing out of existence and the final celebration banquet has been held. So it is appropriate to celebrate the various ways God has used the Good News movement during its 57 years of existence. Part 1 of this series discussed doctrine and Part 2 discussed Sunday School literature. Part 3 discusses missions, an area where, it can be argued, Good News has had its greatest impact on world-wide Methodism.
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Nov 4, 2024 | 
juicyecumenism.com | Methodist Voices |Riley Case |Jeffrey Walton |Mark Tooley
Good News, the United Methodist renewal group, is phasing out of existence. In the fast-changing religious scene, most of the Good News leaders and many of its followers are now identifying with the newly formed Global Methodist Church (GMC). As a part of celebrating Good News’ rich 57-history it is good to recall some of Good News’ contributions to Methodism. In this article we consider the Sunday school and curriculum.
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Oct 21, 2024 | 
juicyecumenism.com | Methodist Voices |Riley Case |Jeffrey Walton |Mark Tooley
Good News, the United Methodist movement of evangelicals, is phasing out of existence. In the fast-changing religious scene, most of the Good News leaders and many of its followers are now identifying with the newly formed Global Methodist Church (GMC). Since the GMC is committed to historic Methodist faith and practice there is much less need for a “renewal” group like Good News.
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Sep 20, 2024 | 
juicyecumenism.com | Methodist Voices |Riley Case |Sarah Stewart |Mark Tooley
The following is Part II of an article series on with camp meetings, Chautauqua, Methodist camping, and the poor. Part I asserted that a big part of Methodism’s success in America was the result of camp meetings (with reference to John Wesley’s decision to “be more vile” and preach in the outdoors and on the streets), its ability to reach the poor, the transition to church camping, and relationship to Pentecostalism.
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Sep 9, 2024 | 
juicyecumenism.com | Methodist Voices |Riley Case |Mark Tooley |Marc LiVecche
Early in my Methodist ministry (I was in my 20s at the time) I received a call from my District Superintendent (DS) who said he wanted to see me. He drove to my home (45 miles away) that very day, and asked me to serve as camp director for the district’s Junior High Camp Adventure. The camp consisted of 180 campers with 30 counselors, which I would recruit. The conference camping program was expanding and we were purchasing new campsites. I was honored.
