In the Black Church as a whole, male pastors predominate with less than one in 10 Black Protestant congregations led by a woman — even as more Black women are attending seminary.
Regionalization has been framed as an undertaking of decolonization. But the plan is also an acknowledgment that cultural and theological differences are driving Methodists apart, especially regarding sexuality.
'Fresh Expressions' is a denominational initiative intended to connect people who may not be interested in church but are interested in learning a new skill or making new friends.
Even after the departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining in the denomination disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married and ordained within the denomination.
Kevin R. Johnson will be recommended for the congregation’s approval to lead the more than 200-year-old Abyssinian Baptist Church, considered by many to be the flagship of the Black church in America.
‘Our bodies recognize that we’re being activated and pushed into trauma responses and that the same abusive techniques are being used on us,’ said author Tia Levings.
Science is part of God’s wonder,’ said one pastor. ‘And I think it’s good for us to celebrate that as Christians.’
After a four-year COVID-19 delay, and the departure of about 25% of its U.S. churches, the United Methodist Church is meeting again and the issue of human sexuality is back on the agenda.
The new SBC president will likely play a key role in the future of abuse reforms in the nation's largest Protestant denomination.
The next presiding bishop will succeed Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, whose nine-year term concludes on Oct. 31.