Musical devotions: Hearing familiar hymns with new ears

Charles Wesley wrote more than 6,000 hymns that were sung by the early Methodists. Through these lyrics they learned about God, Jesus, discipleship, love, and so much more.

This is still true for United Methodists today. Spending time with the hymns of Charles Wesley, both those in the United Methodist Hymnal and others, can help us grow in our faith.


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Church Growth
Taeron Flemming, a mime and community pastor at The Well Church in Washington, D.C., performs Feb. 26 during the Fresh Expressions United Methodist National Gathering 2026 at First United Methodist Church in Ocala, Fla. Flemming teaches mime as a Fresh Expressions ministry. Photo by Brian Rose, Church of the Restoration in Reston, Va.

Fresh Expressions movement gains momentum

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Church Leadership
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Pastors walk a political tightrope

Political and moral polarization is prominent in the United States, and United Methodist pastors are treading carefully on these issues as they lead diverse congregations.
Local Church
United Methodist Birchenough Local Church in Birchenough, Zimbabwe, was planted in the early 1970s and the congregation worshipped under this muucha tree until a permanent sanctuary was completed in 2025. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Brick by brick, persistent pastor builds own church

After decades worshipping under a tree in Zimbabwe, United Methodist congregation gets permanent sanctuary constructed by local pastor and his family.

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