World Methodist Council

Southern Methodist University has been my dream university for many years. Achieving admission to this spectacular university was a miracle in itself; however, the cost of attendance is a struggle of itself. Receiving this scholarship would help enable myself to educate my mind at one of the nation’s and state’s best universities. I have lived in Lindale all my life, went to the same church and school, and even lived in the same house, but attending this university would forever shape my life…

Wesley also gave a guide for the marks of a Christian life in the “General Rules of our United Societies.” These have since become the “General Rules” of the church. Bishop Rueben Job called them “three simple rules that have the power to change the world” (Job 7). They offer the marks of a Christian life. 1) Do no harm. Which is to avoid evil. 2) Do good. Be merciful and do “good of every possible sort.” 3) Attend upon the ordinances of God. Practice the spiritual disciplines that keep us in…

rather than being born into it. I am so glad that I selected the United Methodist Church because in large part I strongly support the church’s doctrinal and theological positions on many important issues. I have learned much about my church and my faith during my spiritual journey. Attending various seminaries and through theological studies has been a great blessing for me, it will help me to be a blessing to other United Methodists church members of all ages. I believe I am called to utilize…

Southern Methodist University is not the most diverse campus, making accessible interaction with students different backgrounds more challenging. However, SMU’s minority population is increasing each year and study abroad programs are becoming attainable for students through financial aid and international internship opportunities. These advances along with well-developed courses and natural interactions on campus give students the exposure they need in order to be prepared for the real world…

the Methodist Episcopal Church. Not only our church, almost all the schools and hospitals in my district (similar to the town in the States) were all founded by the missionaries. After the Culture Revolution, government took over all these schools, hospitals and churches. The missionaries and their work were…

resource management it is vital that the team realize the significance of their work. In Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter Laborem Exercens (On Human Work), he notes that “it is through work that people become co-creators with God in transforming the world” (par. 11). Gateway has staff development every month for every staff member to attend so that there may be discipleship and community within the staff of the church. It is important that staff members know their positions and function…

I know humanity to live in a state of brokenness. Article VII of the “Confession of Faith” in our Book of Discipline uses different language to echo this view: “We believe man is fallen from righteousness…” (Book of Discipline ¶104 72). Bishop Scott J. Jones states it this way: “[H]uman beings have a corrupted nature” (Jones 151). My experience in ministry exposes me to this brokenness quite often. Last year, our secretary called me at home to inform me of a young man sleeping on a covered…

of the first Methodist conference, but left after a short period of time. Whitefield preached to thousands, riding from New York to Charleston on horseback. Like Whitefield, Francis Asbury also rode many miles on horseback each year, and preached throughout the colonies. Asbury…

As one dives into the book, “The Next Christendom”, one can be completely inspired, disappointed, or even challenged to make a difference in the world. Phillip Jenkins writes a marvelous piece about the spread of Global Christianity, and some of the challenges and trends over the years. In addition to the past, Jenkins goes as far as projecting the future of Christianity in the years 2050. For Jenkins writes, since the 1950’s theologians, Christian scholars have seen a large trend / vision of…

Dr. Patricia Borstoff is an associate professor of Management at Jacksonville State University. She completed her graduate international business studies in Japan, the Czech Republic and Hungary and other various countries. She holds a B.A. summa cum lade from Stanford University, M.A. in history from the University of Albama, MBA from Jacksonville State University and a Ph.D. from Auburn University. Religion plays such a vital role in the principles that people embrace. Over the last few years…