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Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC The initial response to our forum has been tremendous.  We have already had over 400 people join and submit nearly 100 comments.  Thank you all for the thoughtful, faithful dialogue, it is a breath of fresh air.  After the rancorous General Conference, it is very encouraging to see the caliber and tone of … [Read more...] about Brief Forum Summary, Questions 1 and 2

Critical Mission The United Methodist Church in the United States has an abundance of possibilities before it.  People throughout our nation need the transforming power of Jesus Christ.  Yet, the majority of the United Methodist Church in the United States no longer has control over its mission fields, nor its ministry priorities to transform lives.  Paragraph 101 in the Book of … [Read more...] about Mainstream UMC: Inspiring A New Methodism

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC Dear Friends, The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church has allowed portions of the mean-spirited Traditional Plan to take effect.  Every single item is anti-gay.  It has also allowed the exit provision to take effect which is also based entirely on a church’s view on homosexuality. Bishop Carter of … [Read more...] about UMC is Officially Anti-Gay

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, Executive Director, Mainstream UMC The most important thing right now is to be empowered about the future of the Methodist Church.  We lost the votes for 4 days in St. Louis.  We win the remaining 361 days of the year as we vote with our actions and our dollars.  The 2/3rds of the U.S. church that is in support of full inclusivity cannot be … [Read more...] about Options for the Future

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 … [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