Posts by: David W. Scott

PhD student at Boston University in History of Christianity, specializing in World Christianity, Mission History, Methodist History

A Relational Model of Truth

I was reading Parker Palmer’s book The Courage to Teach recently.  In it, he presents what he calls a relational model of truth, which he contrasts with an “objectivist” and a relativist view of truth.  I thought it worth repeating here, because I think it is a good example of how modernity, postmodernity, and what-comes-next […]

Making Disciples and Taking Measurements

Last week, I talked about a survey by the Barna Group which analyzed what types of experiences Americans have in their church congregations.  The data suggest that, while Americans experience God and fellowship in church, attending church often does not change their lives.  I suggested, following comments from Taylor Burton-Edwards, that these findings may indicate […]

Congregations, Discipleship, and Staying on Mission in the UMC

I just learned about a recently reported study by the Barna Group entitled What People Experience in Churches.  This study asked Christians questions to assess five different dimensions of church-going.  There’s some good and some bad news included in the findings of the report.  The good news is that most church-goers say they experience a […]

The Consequences of High Expectations, Or, Two Out of Three Isn’t Bad

My brother Jeff once introduced me to a rule about purchasing outdoor gear passed on to him by Matt Conroy of Green Mountain Rock Climbing, Rutland, VT.  It’s nice when outdoor gear can be affordable, durable, and light-weight.  Conroy’s Law, as we might call it, states that you can have two of these three, but […]

The problem with empires and theologies of success

Last week I attended the annual meeting of the American Society of Church History.  The conference was a productive one, yielding new ideas and new connections.  One paper I found particularly interesting was presented by Alister Chapman of Westmont College.  In a paper entitled, “‘Where there is no vision, the people leave’: The End of […]

A Wesleyan Theological Assessment of Church Metrics

I have thus far studiously avoided commenting on The United Methodist Church’s Call to Action on this blog.  After some conversations with my friend Justin, though, I think I’m ready to hazard a go at that risky endeavor.  I’d like to suggest an alternate approach to church metrics based on some Wesleyan theological insights. For […]

Modernity and the myth of progress

One of the fundamental beliefs of modernity is the belief in progress.  According to modernity, all manners of things can undergo an endless progression of expansion, improvement, and growth.  Knowledge, technology, the economy, social systems, and our selves are all capable of a never-ending process of improvement.  Such a notion is, however, a culturally-conditioned belief […]

On Seeking Perfection

In many of my posts, I try to examine social problems and suggest aspects of their solutions.  It’s possible that some of my posts may give the impression that if we can just find the right solution, we can solve all of the problems plaguing our current world in the world of what-comes-next.  If we […]

Playing house vs. playing Legos

I would like to suggest two metaphors describing how societal unity has functioned in the past and how societal unity might function in the future.  In the past, societal unity has been like playing house.  In the world of what comes next, I think societal unity needs to be like playing Legos. Playing house is […]

Three questions about church growth for the UMC

On Monday of this week, I was privileged to have a unique opportunity.  My advisor, Dr. Dana L. Robert, and I made a presentation to the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of The United Methodist Church at the annual meeting of their board of directors.  This was a great experience: I was honored by […]