Entries by Renew Network

The Power of Forgiveness

Shooting survivor Polly Sheppard, center, speaks with crew member Joyce Gilliard, prior to her interview for Emanuel. Photo by Steven Siwek – © Arbella Studios.   Produced by Stephen Curry and Viola Davis, the documentary Emanuel revisits the 2015 mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where nine parishioners attending a weekly Bible study were murdered by the white supremacist, Dylann Roof. The twenty-one year old had joined the Bible study and was welcomed by those who would become his victims. Even five years later, the senseless killing is shocking. As then President Obama said, “Any shooting […]

“Do Not Worry” March 2020

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6: “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink … but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Each day as we handle the crisis of the Covid19 virus, new advisories are coming out of the CDC and the White House. We are being told that it is imperative to dramatically restrict our social activity; we are being warned that the […]

Why I Support the Separation Proposal

By Rob Renfroe Responses to the proposed plan for separation could hardly be more divergent. Some are shouting “hallelujah” and others are feeling dismissed, even sold out. There are several components of the plan that I do not like. In particular, I don’t like the perception it creates. When I was first told about it, I said, “It looks like we’re being paid off to walk away.” It doesn’t look like a separation or two new denominations being birthed. It looks like traditionalists lost, and now we’re leaving. Having said that, I am in favor of the proposal. Let me […]

Count Me In

By Carolyn Moore I have been on social media enough in the last few days to know that the latest plan for denominational separation along theological lines is not without its detractors. I’m not among them. This agreement comes to me as a deep relief. For several years I have worked as a member of a much larger group toward some kind of resolution. I realize just how much time, energy, prayer, and even compromise – poured out on all sides of our current divide – it took to get here. I’m breathing a sigh of relief and praying for […]

Are Traditionalists “Leaving” The United Methodist Church?

The recently announced separation plan called the “Protocol on Reconciliation and Grace through Separation” has aroused many reactions in and beyond the church. Some are satisfied and even hopeful that the long-running conflict in our church can finally be over and traditional and evangelical United Methodists will be free to pursue ministry without being hampered by discord or a dysfunctional denominational structure. Local churches will get to keep their buildings, property, and assets and will need to make no extra payments to move into the new traditionalist Methodist denomination. Others are upset and angry over provisions of the agreement they […]

“The Adventure of Surrender”

“The Adventure of Surrender” was written by long time friend of Renew, Marilyn Anderes. Many of our supporters will remember Marilyn’s column in Good News Magazine. This book teaches the reader how to let go and let God – in a word Surrender – through the words of Jesus found in John 15. See Jesus’ teaching on abiding in the vine in a new light; learn the key to a fruitful life; and deepen your knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit. This book may be ordered by contacting Renew Network.

Ascending the Mountain – 30 Day Devotional Challenge

Ascending the Mountain – 30 Day Devotional Challenge by Rev. Madeline Carrasco Henners Get ready for a journey of excitement, surrender, and learning to hear God’s voice. This devotional challenge includes exercises, Scripture, journal space, and teachings from amazing sons and daughters of God. Learn to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and deepen your relationship with Him. Teachings are included from: James & Michal Ann Goll, Rolland & Heidi Baker, Brother Lawrence, Henri Nouwen, Richard Foster, John Wesley, Leif Hetland, A. W. Tozer, C. S. Lewis and more! This resource may be purchased on Amazon Books […]

Namesake: When God Rewrites Your Story

About the Author Jessica LaGrone is Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary and an acclaimed pastor, teacher, author, and speaker who enjoys leading retreats and events at churches throughout the United States. She is the author of many Bible studies including Namesake: When God Rewrites Your Story, and Broken and Blessed: How God Changed the World Through One Imperfect Family. She and her husband, Jim, have two young children.  

Making Your Quiet Time a Sabbath Unto the Lord

The Jews have a word for rest: SABBATH. God commands us in Ex. 20:8 – 11: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor and do all your work, But the seventh day is a sabbath day of the LORD your God; in it you shall not work…. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” For the Jews, sabbath was and is a pulling away […]

Fall Newsletter

Renew: A Women’s Ministry Network for United Methodists www.renewnetwork.org 832.381.0331 October 14, 2015 Dear Renew Network, After my last letter to the network, a woman wrote to me to say, “Thank you for standing on God’s truth and not being swayed by those who scream the loudest.” She went on to say that it must grieve the Lord that the United Methodist Church was even considering changing its biblical teaching on marriage. Indeed the voices within the church are loud calling for the church to follow the culture and change its teaching on marriage and human sexuality. This summer I […]