United Methodist Men

Church Renewal

UMM is working to implement a new model and vision of men’s ministry. We believe that the result will be men involved in all four areas of focus which will reach the world for Christ. United Methodist Men are responding to the four areas of focus in the following ways:

New places for new people and renewal of existing congregations…

  • Awakening and building new spiritually as a means to revive congregations.
  • Training clergy and lay leaders in effective discipleship of men.
  • Encouraging and equipping men to serve their pastors and congregations as ministry partners.
  • Assisting UMC leaders beyond the USA with relevant training and resources.

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It’s all right for you to disagree with me; it’s not all right to hate me: Bishop Swanson

· Ministry to Men, Church Renewal, Ministry with the Poor

Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS

Bishop James Swanson, Jr., preaches on May 18 at the 2016 United Methodist General Conference in Portland, Ore

 

It’s all right for you to disagree with me; it’s not all right to hate me: Bishop Swanson

PORTLAND, Ore.––In a May 18 sermon, Bishop James Swanson told delegates, “It’s all right for you to disagree with me, but it’s not all right for you to hate me.” We should not “use the weapons of Satan against the people of God.”

“We have disagreement," said the president of the General Commission on UM Men, but “we shouldn’t be in disagreement about God. Are you dependent on your political maneuvering or on God?”

The bishop addressed an unlikely text in which Jesus describes an unclean spirit who leaves a house and later returns with seven other spirits (Matthew 12:43-45).

“Jesus makes us aware that evil is personal,” said Swanson. “If evil can operate in me, it will pollute everything I touch.”

He noted that just as the evil spirit returned after being cast aside, sanctifying grace must follow justifying faith, or evil will again “set up shop” in our homes, and it “will come back in a pack.”

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