Paul Lawler – Present and Future Realities for the United Methodist Church

Strike the Match with J. D. Payne

In a recent gathering of United Methodists, an African leader addressed his Western brothers and sisters when he said, “The gospel you brought to us one hundred years ago is not the same gospel you proclaim today.” The United Methodist Church is facing a denominational split that will affect global mission.

In this episode, Paul Lawler, senior pastor, Christ Church Birmingham, and I discuss some of the present tensions and future directions of the UMC. Paul shares a brief history of the Methodist movement for those unfamiliar with the background. He also brings us up-to-date on the constitutional and theological crises facing the denomination.

What will the future look like for the post-separation United Methodist Church and the Global Methodist Church? What are some of the implications for local churches and educational institutions? What is the Wesleyan Network for Global Mission? We address these and other questions in this episode.

Listen. Share. Discuss. Go!