Church Leadership

Social Concerns
Faith leaders carry a banner lifting up Jesus’ call for social justice in Matthew 25 during a Palm Sunday Witness in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

United Methodists march on Palm Sunday

Christians in some 30 cities and 16 states across the U.S. joined together to protest rising authoritarianism, racism and Christian nationalism.
Faith Stories
Two important moments in Raquel Martínez’s ministerial life: at right, the launch of the “Mil Voces Para Celebrar” hymnal in 1996, and at left, the celebration of its 25th anniversary in 2021. Photos courtesy of the Martínez family; photo composition by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

Raquel Martínez embodies legacy of immigrant women on worship

Her accomplishments, including editing the Spanish United Methodist Hymnal, reflect the vital contributions of Latinas, immigrants to church music, education and mission.
Social Concerns
The Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, senior pastor of Hamline Church United Methodist in St. Paul, Minn., testifies March 4 before the U.S. House of Represenatives Oversight Committee. Also testifying were Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Screen shot from U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee hearing via YouTube by UM News.

Minnesota pastor testifies to U.S. Congress

The Rev. Mariah Tollgaard, senior pastor of Hamline United Methodist Church, spoke to a U.S. House committee about the impact of the federal crackdown on her parishioners and state. “No nation can build a true future on the terror of its own people,” she said.
Church Leadership
The Rev. Daniel Hawkins (left) leads service at Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford, Texas. About a third of the congregation is Tongan and they lean toward traditional theology and politics, Hawkins says. He calls Martin a “purple church” with a blend of red (Republican) and blue (Democrat) members. “We have been comfortable with the idea of being unified without being uniform.” Photo courtesy of Martin United Methodist Church.

Pastors walk a political tightrope

Political and moral polarization is prominent in the United States, and United Methodist pastors are treading carefully on these issues as they lead diverse congregations.

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