Thursday Miscellanies

Here are a few stories that have caught my eye over the past few days...

-- For the second time in recent weeks, the Rev. Dan Dick, Director of Connectional Ministries for the Wisconsin Annual Conference, has published an excellent commentary in the United Methodist Reporter. Dick's column, "Have we devalued membership?",  explores the watered down sense of accountability and expectations in the UMC's current membership practices. Dick offers both diagnosis and prescription for the problem he sees, including these challenging closing words: "Being a Christian disciple comes with some demands. It is up to each individual to decide whether they want to meet those demands, but this is their choice. The body of Christ needs to be clear that membership in the body means something, and that all are welcome - as long as they are willing to take seriously the promises they made to God and the community of faith."

-- Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., wrote an insightful piece for the current issue of the magazine Circuit Rider where he looks at how our ordination process could be reformed to better support the ongoing pastoral formation of clergy in the years following their commissioning and ordination. The article is entitled, "Under Pressure: How Effective Is the Provisional Ordination Process?" and a pdf of it can be downloaded at this link. From my own experience and from the experience of many young adult clergy I know, I think the kind of ongoing formation Dr. Weems is proposing would be a tremendous benefit. And if it would be a benefit for the clergy, it would only be more so for the congregations they serve.

-- In the current issue of Good News Magazine, Heather Hahn has an informative article on small group accountability groups entitled, "The laity and revival." She looks in particular at a recent Nashville workshop led by Dr. Scott Kisker (of Wesley Theological Seminary) and Dr. Steve Manskar (of the General Board of Discipleship), who are both leading figures in the history and practice of Methodism's class meeting.

-- Apparently Prince William and (future) Princess Kate have finally decided to tie the knot. Good for them! I was really hoping they'd work out. I think they'll make fine monarchs some day. Now I'll just wait for my wedding invitation...