Mark Holland

Authors: Donald P. Wiley, Reserve Lay Delegate, North Texas Conference Daniel Soliz, First Alternate Lay Delegate, North Texas Conference Rev. Owen Ross, clergy delegate, Director, Center for Church Development, North Texas Conference Tim Crouch, lay delegate, Chair, North Texas Conference delegation A common theme in the … [Read more...] about Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Posted By: Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Delegates from the United States overwhelmingly support the One Church Plan with more than two-thirds saying Yes!  Months of outreach by several organizations, including Mainstream UMC, has yielded a clear choice in the U.S.  The count includes at least a majority support in all five U.S. Jurisdictions.  There is no … [Read more...] about 67% of U.S. Delegates Support One Church Plan

Posted by: Mainstream UMC United Methodist Communications recently commissioned a survey about the beliefs of United Methodists in the United States.  This survey is already being misused by some to bolster their position at General Conference.  This was not the point of the survey, which did not ask any questions about human sexuality or about any of the plans coming before … [Read more...] about Groups Are Misusing Survey Results

Here is everything (or almost) that you will need to be ready for General Conference. Logistics: Dates:                                   February 23-26, … [Read more...] about Local Church Guide to GC 2019

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Clergy Delegate, Great Plains Annual Conference. Executive Director, Mainstream UMC. If we the delegates cannot trust our Bishops, we need to take a long look in the mirror. A Reminder: Our Bishops were once chosen by our annual conferences to serve with us as delegates. Our Bishops were lifted up for candidacy by us the delegates. Our Bishops … [Read more...] about Can GC Delegates Trust Our Bishops?

Author: Donald P. Wiley, Philanthropy, Estate Planning and Probate Attorney - Lay Reserve Delegate, North Texas Conference Daniel Soliz, First Alternate Lay Delegate, North Texas Conference Rev. Owen Ross, clergy delegate, Director, Center for Church Development, North Texas Conference Tim Crouch, lay delegate, Chair, North Texas Conference delegation John Wesley gave us his … [Read more...] about Rushing To Exit and Unintended Consequences

Author: Rev. Ronald J. Williams, retired clergy, Great Plains Conference                 First, perhaps I should introduce myself.   I am half of a clergy couple who served small and rural congregations.   My wife and I had our religious beginnings in United Brethren Churches in small Kansas Towns. … [Read more...] about Schism in the Evangelical United Brethren Churches

Author: A small town pastor in the Midwest with a big heart Dear Delegates to General Conference, Thank you all so much for your time, dedication, and care as we approach this special session of General Conference. You are in my prayers daily. As you discern how God is calling you to vote this conference, I would invite you to consider voting for the One Church Plan. I’m writing to you … [Read more...] about Open Letter to Delegates

Posted by: Mark Holland The One Church Plan is a strong, calm oasis among the clanging gongs and noisy cymbals of the other options at General Conference.  This well thought out One Church Plan was created by the Commission on the Way Forward, endorsed by the Council of Bishops, and upheld by the Judicial Council.  It is not radical.  It does not force anyone out of the church … [Read more...] about Calm Amidst Chaos & Crisis