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Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Dear Friends, The Coronavirus continues to change our lives in ways in which we are not yet aware.  As the pandemic continues to march across the globe it has been described as this generation’s 9/11, an indelible stamp on a lifetime.  It is a once-in-a century global outbreak.  It has the capacity to impact … [Read more...] about General Conference and a Global Pandemic

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC It has been a dizzying week in the United Methodist Church.  Just a week after the Liberia Annual Conference called for radical changes to the Protocol, the lead author of that petition has reversed himself and signed on with a much more reasonable, albeit still problematic endorsement.  And, while the traditionalists around … [Read more...] about Reversal in Africa as IRD Bails on Protocol

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC The Liberia Annual Conference just voted to forward the Protocol onto General Conference with two terrible amendments.  The first amendment would randomly divvy up $120 million of restricted funds.  The second amendment would lower the threshold for annual conferences to vote to leave the UMC with a simple … [Read more...] about 5 Problems with Liberia’s Protocol Vote

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC On behalf of Mainstream UMC, I just returned from the Philippines to learn, to share, to advocate, and to grow our mission together.  General Conference is fast approaching and the United Methodists in the Philippines are working hard to prepare.  The three Filipino Bishops, Rudy Juan, Ciriaco Francisco, and Pete Torio hosted … [Read more...] about Philippines Part 3: Conversation with GC Delegates

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Dear Friends, On behalf of Mainstream UMC, I have been in the Philippines to learn, to share, to advocate, and to grow our mission together.  General Conference is fast approaching and the United Methodists in the Philippines are working hard to prepare.  This past week I attended and spoke to the Philippines … [Read more...] about Philippines Part 2: Protocol & Christmas Covenant Affirmed

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC On behalf of Mainstream UMC, I am spending 11 days in the Philippines to learn, to share, to advocate, and to grow our mission together.  Mainstream UMC is regularly asked and sometimes criticized for a perception that we are simply trying to preserve the institution.  We have been told by some that our advocacy … [Read more...] about Mainstream UMC in the Philippines: Part 1

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Since the release of the “Protocol of reconciliation and grace through separation” there have been a rush of expectations for General Conference 2020.  It is important to remember that the Protocol is only the first step.  It will not create the church we all want.  It will simply stop the harm in the church … [Read more...] about The Protocol Is Only the First Step

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC  Mainstream UMC celebrates the unanimous, negotiated protocol that has just been announced to restructure the church through separation.  Mainstream UMC is honored to have been a part of these negotiations and our Board has unanimously endorsed the document.  We believe this protocol lays out great hope for the … [Read more...] about Great News! Negotiations Reach Compromise!

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Mainstream UMC is not the only group raising money ahead of the harmful Traditional Plan taking effect in just a few days, January 1, 2020.  The Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD), the most far-right, far-out-there group in the church is also raising money.  You can see their full Thanksgiving email below from … [Read more...] about IRD Raising Big Money for More Harm