United Methodists

The United Methodist Church's "Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors." was awarded best nonprofit tagline among religious organizations.

The annual Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Awards announced the winners on Tuesday and recognized the Methodists for delivering "a tagline trinity that supports its applied faith mission and is warm, enthusiastic and embracing."

Nonprofit marketing expert Nancy E. Schwartz says a nonprofit's tagline is "hands down the briefest, easiest and most effective way to communicate its identity and impact." more >>

The chief legislative authority of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a full communion agreement with the United Methodist Church (UMC) on Thursday by a 958-51 vote.

Under the agreement, the two church bodies express a common confession of Christian faith; mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing Holy Communion; mutual recognition of ordained ministers for service in either church; and a common commitment to evangelism, witness and service.

The two denominations also agree to freely join worship and exchange members; engage in common decision-making on critical matters; and lift criticisms that may exist between the churches. more >>

Out of all the agencies and commissions at the Untied Methodist Church, the denomination’s missions agency has been hit the hardest by the economic downturn.

The denomination’s news service recently reported that the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the global mission agency of The United Methodist Church, cut 45 staff positions at the end of July.

Of those who lost their jobs, 26 were laid off while 19 accepted retirement or voluntary severance packages, according to the United Methodist News Service. more >>

Early tallies show that United Methodists in the United States are not in favor of restructuring their global body. They're also against opening membership to all persons without regard to sexual orientation.

Most of the 62 U.S. regional bodies of the United Methodist Church have voted on proposed amendments to the church's constitution. And so far, about 60 percent are opposed to making the U.S. church one of several regional bodies around the world, according to the United Methodist News Service.

Votes from member churches in Africa, Europe and the Philippines have not come in and won't be known until next year. more >>

For three months, the United Methodist Church will be airing two 15-second ads in New York’s Times Square every hour for 18 hours each day.

Throughout the months of July, August and September, the denomination will air spots on the 26-by-20-foot CBS “Super Screen” as part of a $20 million campaign geared toward 18- to 34-year-olds.

This month’s spots focus on literacy and environmental awareness, with one asking “What if church was a literacy program for homeless children? Would you come?” and the other asking “What if church considered ecology part of theology?” more >>

Offering a new perspective on the reality of aging denominations, The United Methodist Church studied the death rates of Methodists and the general American population and found that the church is dying faster.

The death rates for members of the nearly 8 million-member denomination are about a third higher than the national average, according to the "Pockets of 'Youthfulness' in an Aging Denomination" report.

In 2005, the United Methodist death rate was 134 percent of the U.S. death rate among those 15 years and older. more >>