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UM numbers continue to fall

According to the August 13 issue of Newscope, United Methodist "membership at the end of 2003 has declined by approximately 60,000 persons, or 0.7 percent, from the year before. Average attendance at the principal worship service declined by about 60,000 persons, or 2 percent."

The newsletter for church leaders also reported the following:

. "Fifteen conferences reported a growth in membership, with North Georgia Conference reporting a 1.64 percent increase, or 5,399 persons, though worship attendance within the conference declined by 0.05 percent. No other annual conference reported a membership growth of more than one percent."

. "The largest percentage decline in membership (6.05 percent or 3,895 persons) was reported by the Wyoming Conference, covering parts of New York and Pennsylvania, though it reported no change in attendance. No other annual conference reported a decline in membership greater than 3 percent."

. "In order of total membership, the top three conferences are Virginia (342,106), North Georgia (333,664), and Florida (329,018). However, Florida reported the largest worship attendance (161,375). West Ohio, with a 6,767-member drop to 243,888, slipped a notch to seventh in membership, behind Oklahoma (248,364)."

. "Only one annual conference reported both an increase in membership and an increase in worship attendance. The Mississippi Conference reported a 0.25 percent, or 483-person, increase in membership and a 0.57 percent, or 439-person, increase in attendance. Six other conferences reported an increase in worship attendance. West Ohio had the largest increase, with 2.34 percent, or 2,887 persons."

   . "The largest decline in attendance was reported by the New York Conference. The 15.58 percent, or 6,428-person, decrease in 2003 follows a 6.3 percent, or 2,653-person, growth in attendance during 2002, as reported in the General Minutes. New York did report a membership growth in 2003 of 802 persons, or 0.62 percent. Four other conferences reported a decrease of attendance greater than 5 percent: Red Bird Missionary, 7.78 percent; Rocky Mountain, 6.27 percent; East Ohio, 6.13 percent; and Nebraska, 5.40 percent."

 

Grappling with U2 and Tolkien

In preparation for the release of U2's new album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb on November 23, you may be interested in Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog, edited by Beth Maynard and Raewynne J. Whiteley (Cowley). This ambitious publishing venture is a collection of thought provoking sermons utilizing the lyrics of U2. As Eugene Peterson says in the forward, "We can't fit God into our plans, we must fit into his. We can't use God-God is not a tool or appliance or credit card. Prophets confront us with the sovereign presence of God in our lives. If we won't face up, they grab us by the scruff of our necks and shake us into attention. Isaiah alternately rebuked and comforted, Ezekiel did street theater. U2 writes songs and goes on tour, singing them."

Additionally, in preparation for the extended DVD version of The Return of the King, the third installment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, may we suggest Greg Wright's terrific and insightful book Peter Jackson In Perspective: The Power Behind Cinema's The Lord of the Rings (Hollywood Jesus Books). Wright attributed the success of the trilogy to the power of Jackson's artistry and the original power of J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece.

                  -The Editors

 

Devotional booklet sales pass 120,000

Efforts by United Methodist Men to provide all service men and women with the devotional book, Strength for Service to God and Country, continue to gain momentum and support.

More than 120,000 copies have been sold, and contributions are continuing from a wide variety of organizations and groups. The book is not designed exclusively for military personnel but is also being distributed to professionals such as police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians.

Strength for Service is a revision of a book carried 60 years ago by Eugene Hunsberger during World War II. Hunsberger was given the book while serving in the Navy, and he continued to read from it for the rest of his life.

Four years ago, Hunsberger's 16-year-old grandson, Evan, asked his grandfather about the book and why it was so meaningful to him. Listening to his grandfather tell how the book had helped him through difficult experiences, the younger Hunsberger had an inspiration.

Evan needed to complete a special project in order to earn the rank of Eagle, the highest level in Boy Scouts. He asked his grandfather if republishing the book as a spiritual aid for U.S. service personnel today would be a good Eagle Scout project. "Not good," whispered Eugene, whose stroke had made speech difficult. "Great!"

After receiving permission from the United Methodist Publishing House to republish the book, Evan and 45 volunteers spent 2,500 hours scanning and correcting copy from the book into computers.

The Commission on United Methodist Men supported Evan's work, and with the Pentagon's approval, began trying to raise $3 million in order to give a copy of the book to 1 million members of the military.

Smith brought new commissioners up to date on the book and its popularity. Staff members also reported that the national news media are picking up the story, and a wider variety of community, professional and service groups are making contributions.

People who want to support the effort can send checks to Strength for Service, P.O. Box 340006, Nashville, TN 37203-0006. To order copies of the book, contact Providence Publishing Corp., 238 Seaboard Lane, Franklin, TN 37067; phone: (800) 321-5692. Additional information is available from Larry Coppock, Commission on United Methodist Men, at (615) 340-7149 or lcoppock@gcumm.org .

By Tom McAnally, a former director of United Methodist News Service, and includes portions from a previous UMNS article by Rich Peck.

 

World Methodist leaders adopt
statement on Islam

Leaders of the World Methodist Council have adopted a document calling on all Wesleyan/Methodist Christians to "lovingly accept Muslim brothers and sisters as persons of faith" and to "invite them into life-changing relationships with God through Christ."

The council's executive committee adopted the document, "Wesleyan/ Methodist Witness in Christian and Islamic Cultures," on the final day of a September 15-18 meeting in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

"This is truly a world document, signed by 16 regional secretaries and staff of World Evangelism," said the Rev. H. Eddie Fox, director of World Methodist Evangelism, after the document was approved. "This is a clear call to bear witness to Jesus Christ, graciously." The council's World Methodist Evangelism Division brought the paper to the committee.

The statement recognizes the similarities and distinctions between the Quran and the Bible, said the Rev. Maxie Dunnam, a member of the World Evangelism Division. "We as Christians must present a distinct witness to Christian faith, knowing there are clear differences between our faiths.

"We are hoping to help people who want to be in dialogue with Muslims but especially to help people who are in places where there are Muslim and Christian tensions."

In the statement, the committee addressed the history of those tensions and urged people of both faiths to "reject the use of Christianity and Islam for the abuse and enslavement" of others. "The Quran and the Bible call us to honor and respect all people, to submit to the will of God in all things, and to bring about a just and peaceful society in which love and tolerance overcome hate and fear," the committee said.

"We call on all Christians and Muslims to bring an end to the cycle of hatred and violence threatening all persons and creation," the committee continued.

Kathy L. Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer.



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