Where Do We Go From Here?: Honest Responses From Twenty-Four United Methodist Leaders

by Kevin K. Slimp, Kenneth L. Carder (Contributor), Talbot Davis (Contributor)

Following the February 2019 session of The United Methodist General Conference, many United Methodists returned to their Sunday School classes, worship services and small groups, asking the same “Where do we go from here?” In Where Do We Go From Here?: Honest Responses From Twenty-Four United Methodist Leaders, four bishops, several pastors, laypersons, campus ministers, students, general board directors and others share their honest responses to the question, “Where do we go from here?”Voices from the traditional, centrist and progressive viewpoints share their thoughts on where their church is and where it should go from here. Thought-provoking, inspiring and sometimes troubling, this book offers individuals and groups a place to better understand what United Methodist leaders are thinking in this crucial time.Printing was delayed until after the Judicial Council rulings in late April, giving co-authors the opportunity to update their chapters and respond to the decision.William B. Lawrence, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University and Research Fellow, Duke Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition, “Congratulations on an exceptionally fine piece of work! You have achieved something exceptional in content and speed. The timely publication of the volume could have an impact in annual conferences across the connection.”Kevin Slimp, publisher at Market Square Books, credits Bishop Kenneth Carder (retired) for his support in connecting with many of the writers so quickly. “Bishop Carder believed in the project from the beginning, and his support can’t be overstated,” said Slimp.Other bishops involved in Where Do We Go From Here? include president of the Council of Bishops Kenneth H. Carter, Jr. (Florida), Robert Farr (Missouri) and Sharma Lewis (Virginia).Where Do We Go From Here? will be available at Amazon.com beginning May 7 and through other booksellers shortly thereafter. For more information, visit marketsquarebooks.com.

206 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2019

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays written by United Methodist Ministers on where the UMC goes from here following the divide that made itself evident after the 2019 General Conference. Some essays were short and to the point, others very lengthy using entirely too many words to make their point. While this book contains essays from both sides of the LGBTQIA+ issue at hand, there were some essays that I had no idea which side they stood on. Many people presented great options on where the church goes from here, but for me this only made me frustrated knowing we are still so far away from doing what Jesus taught us: to love one another.

[Michael Woody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should be required reading for passionate Methodists. This book suffers from a variance in quality between authors and from a clear progressive slant- that’s to say that there are far more progressive essays in this collection than traditionalist. This disappoints me because I consider myself a progressive and I understand their arguments but I wanted to learn more about other views in the church and this book fell somewhat short on that. Aside from that, this book continues an important conversation that the church must have. I recommend scrimping the Book of Discipline before reading.

[Sue Whitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

24 Methodist leaders with different viewpoints contemplate what the UMC should do next