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Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Dear friends, Paragraph 101 in the United Methodist Book of Discipline codifies the colonial ethos of our church.  This paragraph allows Central Conferences (those outside of the United States) to adapt portions of the rules to fit their cultural contexts.  The U.S. church does not have the same permission.  … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons to consider a U.S. Church

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director Mainstream UMC Our call for unity has been answered with a call for divorce.  In response to a recent email sent out by Mainstream UMC, prominent Liberian delegate, Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah sent me a message offering a “new game plan” that promises in part to “advocate that you move out along with all of your churches.”  Apparently my … [Read more...] about Key African Leader Calls for Split in UMC

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Many people have asked, “What can we do?”  Well, one thing we can all do is recruit delegates for General Conference 2020.  Every annual conference in the United States will be electing a new slate of delegates in May/June of this year.  We need great individuals to fill out and submit the candidate … [Read more...] about Recruit Delegates for GC 2020

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC There is a lot to be learned from General Conference 2019.  Most of it is not good.  That does not mean that we are without hope.  "We do not grieve as others do who have no hope." 1 Thessalonians 4:13 First, both the “left” and the “right” agree on the numbers.  We had 384 votes for the One Church Plan.  … [Read more...] about 4 Lessons From St. Louis

General Conference 2019:  Day 4 Author:  Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC I wanted to put something out before I go out to dinner with some of the amazing people with whom I have had the privilege of working this year.  More will follow in the next few days. The Hurt. No way around it, this hurts.  My heart breaks for all the LGBTQ persons … [Read more...] about The Hurt, The Hope, the Mechanics

Author:  Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Sunday was a tough day.  In prioritizing the plans, the Traditional Plan came out on top with 56% and the One Church Plan had 49%.  The difference is 56 votes out of 864.  We need to swing 30 votes to defeat the mean-spirited Traditional Plan that would certify, punish, and evict all who disagree.  We … [Read more...] about General Conference 2019: Day 2

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC The first day of General Conference 2019 feels different.  There is a palpable tension in the air.  This is a momentous conference, and everyone knows it. I was initially skeptical of the “soft opening” with a day of prayer, but it was probably the right way to begin with everyone so on edge.  I still marvel at how great the … [Read more...] about General Conference 2019: Day 1

Author: Sonya Siebe, Member, First United Methodist Church Omaha Dear General Conference Delegate, Thank you for receiving this e-mail, giving your time, and thoughtfully considering your vote at the upcoming General Conference. I’m writing to you from Omaha, Nebraska.  In 2000, my (now) wife and I began a journey to search for our church home.  We were new to the Omaha … [Read more...] about Seeking an Inclusive Church in Nebraska