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Author: Tim Crouch, Board Member Friends, I recently attended the funeral of a longtime family friend.  As part of his eulogy, the son sang the great hymn We are one in the Spirit.  I think it speaks to us as United Methodists more than ever. My dream for the United Methodist Church in this post-separation UMC is that we live together in the words of this great hymn.  The … [Read more...] about UMC: One in the Spirit

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director Friends, I just attended my home Great Plains Annual Conference.  I was passing out literature about Mainstream UMC and one of our pastors made a statement that really struck me. “I am tired of walking on eggshells.  I want the United Methodist Church to be bold and unapologetic about welcoming all people.” How true is … [Read more...] about No More Eggshells

Friends, Mainstream UMC is re-launching our advocacy efforts after the global pandemic and the postponement of General Conference 2020. Who We Are: Mainstream UMC is a United Methodist advocacy group working for unity in the Body of Christ. Mainstream UMC is the voice of the “compatibilist.”  Living with difference is a bold statement of faith in the midst of a secular culture … [Read more...] about Mainstream UMC Is Back!

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 our … [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 … [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 … [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 Annual … [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 work … [Read more...] about Mainstream UMC in the Philippines: Part 1