Church Leadership

The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery (center) celebrates his 90th birthday with a song from entertainer Stevie Wonder (right) at the Atlanta Symphony Hall in October 2011. Beside Lowery is his wife Evelyn, who died in 2013. Joseph Lowery died March 27. He was 98. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Rev. Joseph Lowery, civil rights leader, dead at 98

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, a United Methodist pastor who walked with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., died at his home in Atlanta on March 27.

Local Church

Tiffany Nagel Monroe (left) receives the stole of an elder from the Rev. Linda Harker during a service of ordination June 1, 2016, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, in Oklahoma City. A report by the Ministry Study Commission about the future of the ordination ministry was presented during the pre-General Conference 2020 briefing held Jan. 23-24 in Nashville. File photo by Hugh W. Scott, Oklahoma Conference.

‘Sacred Trust’ report touts local church leadership

United Methodism should consider returning to its roots by relying more on lay people and ordained local ministers, deacons and elders, according to a church report.

Mission and Ministry

The Rev. John Wesley Z. Kurewa helps lead Sunday worship during the 25th anniversary celebration for Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe, in March 2017. Kurewa, the United Methodist institution's founding vice chancellor, died Feb. 15 in Harare, Zimbabwe. He was 87. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Africa University founding father dies at 87

The Rev. John Wesley Z. Kurewa, the first vice chancellor of Africa University, is being remembered for his leadership and vision.

Local Church

The Rev. Steve West is pastor of First United Methodist Church of Arab, Alabama. Photo courtesy of the Rev. Steve West.

Why I’m not leaving The United Methodist Church

An orthodox pastor shares eight reasons why he intends to remain in the denomination even if a separation occurs.

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