Mark Holland

Dear Friends, The trio of far-right advocacy groups continues to divide Africa like it has the US church.  Tom Lambrecht of Good News just insulted the African Bishops saying they only want to stay in the UMC for the money.  He claims, “expectations of continuing financial largesse from the general church may be disappointed in the future, due to implementing the proposed 40 percent … [Read more...] about Math: GMC Has Abandoned Africa

Dear Friends, Full disclosure: the Methodist Episcopal Church South is in my blood.  My ancestor, Class Leader Goodrich Moore from Statesville, North Carolina, voted in 1844 for his church to join the ME South.  My great-grandfather, Rev. Dosson Holland, was ordained MES in Rogers, Arkansas in 1920.  He named my grandfather Emory, after the beloved southern school.  My … [Read more...] about ME South Rises Again?!

OPEN LETTER TO OUR AFRICA COLLEGE OF BISHOPS Note:  The Author of this letter is Rev. Ande I. Emmanuel of the Nigeria Episcopal Area.  Rev. Emmanuel is the Head of his annual conference delegation to General Conference 2024.  He is also an active member of the Mainstream UMC Board and recently attended our strategic planning event in Dallas, Texas.  Rev. Emmanuel has been … [Read more...] about OPEN LETTER TO OUR AFRICA COLLEGE OF BISHOPS

Dear Friends, General Conference is both a legislative body where people vote and the official voice of the United Methodist Church.  It met for the first time in 1784 at what has been dubbed “The Christmas Conference.”  It has been described by historian John Strawbridge as “…ten days of debates and struggles and accusations and reconciliations, and the kinds of things that we do as … [Read more...] about Next Steps 3 of 3: Manage Expectations

Note:  Mainstream UMC is a 501c3 non-profit organization.  We support this legislation.  We were not a part of drafting it.  We are forwarding this press release for informational and advocacy purposes.  If you would like to support the work of Mainstream UMC, please donate here:  www.MainstreamUMC.com/Donate.  Thank you. ### The Standing Committee on Central Conference … [Read more...] about Official Regionalization Legislation!

Dear Friends, This is a time for clarity. So, let’s be clear: The United Methodist Church is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This has been and will continue to be our mission. Sure, we might take umbrage with aspects of it (like who does the actual disciple making—us or God), but the basic point is unambiguous: we’re interested in following … [Read more...] about Next Steps 2 of 3: Clarity

Dear Friends, Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 We are who we are: Our best approach to regionalization is total honesty.  Many US and Western European churches and annual conferences are already meeting the ministry needs of their mission field by openly, unapologetically ordaining and marrying LGBTQ persons.  We do not buy into … [Read more...] about Next Steps 1 of 3: Honesty

Dear Friends, Introduction: There is widespread consensus within the leadership of the United Methodist Church that regionalization is a win/win proposition for the whole church.  Most Bishops, the Connectional Table, the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, the Central Conference authors of the Christmas Covenant, and multiple advocacy groups—including Mainstream UMC, are … [Read more...] about 5 Challenges to Regionalization

Dear Friends, It is time to move forward!  About 20% of US churches have disaffiliated from the UMC.  That means that 80% are staying.  We have a strong consensus to build the United Methodist Church into God’s great future.  This is why I co-founded and serve as President of Mainstream UMC—to build a great church! It takes resources to build a great church.  Please … [Read more...] about Time To Move Forward!

Dear Friends, There is tremendous urgency for regionalization in the United Methodist Church.  As we prepare for General Conference 2024, it is important to re-familiarize ourselves with the state of the church.  We initially posted a version of this article after the disastrous General Conference in St. Louis—and the urgency for regionalization has only grown since that time.  … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons for Regionalization