Focus: The Real Challenges That Face The United Methodist Church

by Lovett H. Weems Jr.

Few would argue that many challenges face The United Methodist Church. But what are the core issues and concerns, the ones that must be addressed if the church is to follow God’s leading into the future? Laying aside what can be merely tweaked or adjusted, what must the UMC “reset” about itself? Lovett Weems, one of the most highly-respected interpreters of contemporary United Methodism, suggests that we start with the
- What will happen now that the increased giving that United Methodists have enjoyed (despite declining membership numbers) has reached a plateau and begun to decline?
- Why, with 34,000 congregations and $6.5 billion in annual giving, can’t United Methodists add a net increase of even 1 new disciple of Jesus Christ in a given year?
- Why are United Methodist clergy less concerned with reaching young adults than are laity? Why are laity unwilling to make the changes to worship and budgets required to attract these same young adults?
- If the percentage of married couples with young children has declined by half since the 1950s, why is that still the group we focus on reaching?
- Why are so many mid-sized churches on their way to becoming small-membership congregations?
With insight, conviction, and calm resolve, Lovett Weems challenges United Methodists not only to ask these hard questions, but to face up to the difficult decisions they require of us as we continue to seek God’s will for our lives together.

Genres: Leadership, Christianity, Theology

120 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jay Miklovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was issued to me at one of our district gatherings which we were forced to attend. The purpose of the gathering was to prepare for the upcoming charge conferences which each United Methodist Church has at the end of the year.

The reasons I decided to actually read the book were because it was short (helping my goodreads yearly goal) and because I was in a snarky mood and figured the book would give me plenty of material to be annoyed by.

Immediately I realized that this book was going to be a departure from what I expected. Certainly there were portions of the book that I found myself not in full agreement with, but by and large this book presented ideas that were fantastic, and raised issues that I would never have seen on my own. I found this book to be refreshingly critical of existing structures within the UMC and wonderfully realistic about how to change them.

As far as how it was written, well it wasn't the best. Nonetheless it was concise, which is greatly appreciated. Most books that would attempt to cover as much as this one did would have drug out to 300 or more pages.

All in all this was a good book for Pastors and Laity who are interested in reforming the way the Methodist Church functions.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intelligent and compassionate look at the challenges and opportunities facing the United Methodist Church. Well written and well worth reading.

[Kathryn Witzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard look at the state of the United Methodist church with practical, honest ideas for the future.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Weems has spent a lot of time studying and thinking about the issues. He really knows his stuff from the top down. In his book, he is proposing a top down reorganization of the United Methodist Church. His recommendations seem reasonable, but unlikely to happen because of the very nature or chaotic or messy ways in which the denomination is governed. That is, current practices and procedures are largely protected. It is my opinion that changes can only occur from the bottom up and the best way is through money. That is, the church will have to change if local congregations begin withholding annual apportionments. I am a Methodist by birth and today's church is not the church I grew up with. Maybe, because of the frailty of memory, there never was such a church. In any case, I think the church has moved from "can do" to a "just write a check" mindset. It is easy to collect large sums and then send then on to foreign places, but in so doing we short change our neighbors that are in need and live close by. Foreign governments really like the apolitical NGOs. The Methodist church must demonstrate relevance in people's lives in order to survive. All I seem to hear is canned rhetoric.

[Jacqueline Gottlieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

True to the introductions opening statements I didnt agree with everything in this book but it is still an important discussion opener about refocusing the umc