Comments for Hacking Christianity

Comment on UMReporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of Methodism? #UMC by Gary Bebop

Gary Bebop — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:15:55 +0000

You’re suggesting we shopped at Cokesbury for “conservative? theological products? Wow! That’s a howler. Look at the whole catalog, not just the faint shimmer of conservative offerings…

Comment on Response to “Hostage” series by Andy Langford by NotOnScript

NotOnScript — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:52:12 +0000

I don’t have much to add to this conversation, but one “fact” keeps sticking in my craw:

“Only 15% of all UMC congregations in the US are vital.”

From my understanding of the original “Call to Action” report’s methodology, saying that it found “Only 15% of congregations are vital!” is about as meaningful as saying that “Less than half of congregations are above average!”

Comment on What if Oklahoma cancelled #UMC Annual Conference for Tornado Relief? by John P.

John P. — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:07:41 +0000

You can cancel conference if you throw out the book of discipline and use the Bible as your guide. Why do Methodist make all so hard. Guess it’s all in the name. A better idea is to donate the funds put aside for conference, as it may be a bit early for rookie’s in disaster relief to participate.

Comment on UMReporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of Methodism? #UMC by Rob Rynders

Rob Rynders — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:54:29 +0000

I tend to see the downfall of Cokesbury and UMR as a reflection of exactly what is happening in the publishing and print media, in general. People can now easily tailor their news to their specific tastes with blogs that speak directly to their political affiliations (Huffington Post and Drudge Report, for example). Why pay for an online NYT subscription when I can go to a site that aligns with my world view for free? Although, NYT Digital is getting close to being profitable with a combo of paywall and advertising. How on earth was Cokesbury ever going to compete with Amazon or iBooks or Nook (which I believe is it’s main competitor, not other Christian publishing houses)? This isn’t about politics or theology, but about a changing media, publishing, and digital world. Adapt or die. That being said, UMR did great work and I’m sad to see them go. Perhaps, one day, they could be resurrected under a new funding model.

Comment on UMReporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of Methodism? #UMC by UMJeremy

UMJeremy — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:40:28 +0000

Cynthia, I’ve updated the above post with a link to your comments. Thanks.

Comment on UMReporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of Methodism? #UMC by UMJeremy

UMJeremy — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:39:58 +0000

I really appreciate your #1. I also think they should pour more resources into publishing except perhaps the stuff dealing with the CEB (it’s like printing money, I guess).

Comment on UMReporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of Methodism? #UMC by UMJeremy

UMJeremy — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:39:12 +0000

Because Cokesbury’s Beth Moore, David C Cook, and Rick Warren books are definitely part of the HomoLiberal Agenda…

Comment on UMReporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of Methodism? #UMC by Gary Bebop

Gary Bebop — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:37:53 +0000

You know, it just seems so far-fetched to think that the future can be controlled…by press or by social media or be fiat. What’s cracking apart is the liberal-progressive hegemony of information. We refused to fund it.

Comment on Tornado Relief: Different stages need different donations by Jeff Jaynes

Jeff Jaynes — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:26:18 +0000

Fantastic post, Jeremy. Nicely put and exactly right as far as what the UMC is best at in response. It’s not too unlike what we do with evangelism and discipleship. We may not be as good at evangelism (short-term action) as other denominations but we are much better at discipleship (long-term action) than some of those same denominations. Of course, it would serve us well to become better at short-term disaster response as well as evangelism, but we have carved out quite a niche at this point with those long-term approaches.

Comment on UMReporter & Cokesbury: The Splintering of Methodism? #UMC by Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:16:02 +0000

1. Cokesbury has got to find their identity before they will begin to be effective. Are they a publisher or a distributer. I want them to be a publisher (HarperOne, IVP, Thomas Nelson) and leave distribution to amazon, b&n, etc…, but until they figure out who they are they will continue to divide their effectiveness.

2. So you don’t believe in methodist split, but a methodist splinter is ok?
I think you are on to something with the authority issue. It is something I have wrote about, worried about for years. The UMC as it stands today has no authority…no pope, bishops can be overruled, JC can strike down GC, Laity can run over Clergy and vice versa, our Orders are kinda messed up, and trust is eroded.

So do we move to a congregational polity? A cultural polity? A local polity? What is the logical next step?