Show Up, Stand Up, Speak Up
United Methodist Insight Updates May 6, 2025
UM Insight Screenshot from Our Moral Moment Video.
Five faith leaders, including a United Methodist pastor from North Carolina (see above photo), were arrested while praying in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on May 5 the second time in as many weeks clergy and others have been handcuffed as they protested the budget bill.
This is the prayer that Bishop William Barber II, minister Jonathan Hartgrove, and others were praying in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda when they were arrested April 28 for praying in that public space.
What began as one woman’s wardrobe choice snowballed into a 50-shirt statement of support for Idaho educators facing classroom censorship.
The Quiet Revolution of Showing Up by Richard Bryant
In a world that celebrates spectacle, presence is still a sacred thing.
The Bottom Line of My Religion by Martin Thielen
After rereading the Gospels, the Rev. Martin Thielen decided to finish the rest of the New Testament. Once again, he noticed the same theme—behavior, not belief, is the heart of biblical faith.
The Emperor's Gospel: Donald Trump and the Power of Christianity by Michael DeLashmutt
President Donald Trump has not called a council or penned a creed — he hardly needs to. Yet he has elevated a particular expression of Christianity — nationalist, triumphalist, often exclusionary — that serves his political interests.
Judicial Council Rulings on Church Exits Dismay Me by Linda A. Richard
The rulings of the United Methodist Judicial Council show hypocrisy on the leaders' part, as they've failed to live up to the stated reasons for allowing disaffiliation from the denomination.
UMC Bishops’ Statement Regarding Judicial Council Decision 1516
The Council of Bishops responds to a Judicial Council decision saying the pastor has authority to decide what services are to be held in the church. Bishops say this doesn't require pastors to hold same-sex weddings.
Religion-Free Is Not Value-Free by Steve Harper
The Constitution forbids the government from showing favoritism to any one religion. White Not-Christian Nationalists are working to undermine the separation of church and state. The violation cuts both ways.
Bishops Announce 2026 Leadership Gathering Dates, Vision Statement
One of the main decisions the bishops made was to confirm the dates for the 2026 Leadership Gathering. The gathering will be April 22–25, 2026, with the working theme of “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be!”
'Vision' Statement Needs to Leave Room for the Holy Spirit by Derek Kubilus
The Rev. Derek Kubilus thinks the new UMC "vision statement" is nice, but it doesn't go deep enough into the reality of United Methodists in local congregations that struggle daily to "love, serve and lead."