Authors examine methods for
restoring vitality to declining UMC

By Rachel L. Toalson
Staff Writer
Two Arkansas United Methodists simply wanted to make a contribution to the church they love.
A Southwest Texas Conference laity leader is recommending the book the two have written.
Jim and Molly Scott of Eureka Springs, Ark., founders of The Christian Connexion, a ministry that works to transform Christian churches, grew up in The Methodist Church and watched its gradual decline through the years.
Concern prompted them to research church history. There they say they discovered solutions for its future.
That discovery is the basis for their newest book, Restoring Methodism, which became available Nov. 1 through Cokesbury bookstores for $14.95.
“What we tried to say is, if all of us together cooperated with God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—to restore the Methodist Church to the health and vitality and life-giving purpose it originally had, what would be the big categories that we would have to touch?” Molly Scott said. “We can’t just go and fix one thing.
“We are trying to raise the right issues. There are a lot of different decisions and actions that can be made. If we would only raise these issues, we would be pointed in the right direction, and we couldn’t help but end up in the right place.”
The book already has received much acclaim from leaders within The United Methodist Church. Many are calling it a “blueprint for the future.”
Carol Loeb, chair of the Southwest Texas Conference Council on Ministry, said she believes the issues the Scotts raise will generate much-needed discussion.
“What excited me about this book is that it offers so much opportunity to discuss things that will move us forward,” Loeb said. “It’s in the discussion that we’re going to move forward. Even if people don’t agree with all the premises, the discussion will help us discern where we’re going today, in light of our roots.
“We’re looking for so many popular ideas to make the church better that we often forget our spiritual roots. But this book is about John Wesley. It takes us back to our roots so we can see where we need to go.”
Loeb, a member of Asbury UMC, Corpus Christi, is quoted on the book’s back cover.
In Restoring Methodism, the Scotts identify 10 discussion areas they consider crucial to the success of the church today. Those areas, or “decisions,” are recognizing the reality of the church scene in America, recognizing the reality of The United Methodist Church, scriptural and theological base, discipline, systemic issues, clergy, local church, laity, sanctification, and Trinity: Holy Spirit.
United Methodism still is a life-giving denomination, the Scotts say. But it seems to be wearing a bit thin. They believe that decisions made in the 1930s and before caused the church to begin having losses in the 1960s.
Today, they said, the church still suffers from the consequences of those early decisions.
“We want to get back in touch with whatever made the church produce disciples and be excited about the faith and dive deeper into the faith and live lives that are different from people who aren’t Christians,” Molly Scott said.
Jim Scott said the two would like to see their book used as a study guide to help congregations think through the decisions that are critical for the future of their church.
“This book is not Jim and Molly’s opinion,” Jim Scott said. “It’s almost a research paper that is highly accessible to laypeople, based on scripture and Wesley and his principles and beliefs and practices.”
Molly Scott said they have used many suggestions outlined in Restoring Methodism in Christian Connexion seminars, retreats, strategic planning classes and educational classes.
“We have seen some really incredible sparks of renewal,” she said. “So this is not just a theory for us.”
Loeb calls the book a “breath of fresh air.”
“It is not yet another theory or movement, but rather courageous ideas for today that are grounded in Wesleyan tradition,” she wrote in her book recommendation. “It is an extremely valuable book to be read by laity and clergy at all levels of the church, as it will evoke incredible discussion of depth that can change not only a person but spark a renewal of congregations.”