Jason E. Shelton, a sociologist and United Methodist in Texas, writes in his latest book that many Black churches would be more likely to thrive if they find the courage to modernize.
Thousands of United Methodists gathered at two jubilee conventions, showing the church is “active and full of life” in the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area, church leaders say, even as some regions in Africa face turmoil post-General Conference.
In a time of declining church membership and giving, the way money is collected for United Methodist ministries could use a wider net that includes grants and being more entrepreneurial, say members of the denomination involved with the Fresh Expressions movement.
An effort for church revitalization that is part of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries, Fresh Expressions held its first national conference. The strategies discussed included informal meetings in brew pubs, coffee shops, campgrounds, private homes and on digital platforms.
