It was John Wesley who coined the phrase “agree to disagree” in a
memorial sermon at the death of George Whitefield in 1770. Since that
time, Wesley’s theological descendants have often seemed to disagree
more than agree. Nevertheless, author Kevin Slimp believes most United
Methodists aren’t as disagreeable as they might seem at first glance.
In What’s Next: Twenty-Two United Methodist Leaders Discuss the Future
of the Church, Slimp continues the conversation he initiated in his 2019
best-selling book, Where Do We Go From Here? Honest Responses From
Twenty-Four United Methodist Leaders.
In his latest book, Slimp asks 21 United Methodist lay and clergy leaders
to share their thoughts about a simple question: “Once the next General
Conference eventually concludes, some will go in different directions but
most of us will still be calling ourselves United Methodists. What’s next?”
Their answers run the gamut from personal spiritual disciplines to
congregational communities, from higher education to houses of
worship, from remembering our covenant to being the church in a post-pandemic world. No stone is left unturned.
Contributors include:
Tori Butler: From heartbreak to hollering for change
Wil Cantrell: The future church is a business (and that’s a good thing)
Bishop Kenneth Carder: Shifting the margins
Walter Cross: There is hope
Melanie Dobson: How can we belong to each other again?
Chris Donald: What’s next in United Methodist higher education?
Thomas Frank: What should we do with our houses of worship?
Kim Goddard: We have a calling to fulfill
Stephen Handy: The social nature of United Methodists
Kristin Joyner: A new thing
Kay Kotan: A visionary future for the church
William Lawrence: It’s not just about General Conference
Bishop Richard Looney: Do no harm. Do good.
Douglas Meeks: What can we hope for now?
Rebekah Miles: The future is made of the same stuff as the present
Sue Nilson Kibbey: Freedom through transforming prayer
Randall Partin: A desire for further conversation
Rebekah Simon-Peter: Don’t let a good crisis go to waste
Rodney Smothers: Leadership is essential to the future of the church
Ryan Spurrier: Christ will sustain where faithfulness flourishes
Laceye Warner: Called to covenan
