Prominent Conservative Magazine Announces Closure
Good News Magazine, a leading theologically conservative publication that has shaped the discourse within the United Methodist Church (UMC) since 1967, has announced its decision to cease operations. In a statement released on Monday, Good News President Rob Renfroe and Vice President Thomas Lambrecht explained that the board of directors and executive leadership have decided it is time for the magazine to conclude its work.
Over the coming months, Good News will close its office and publish a final edition following the first General Conference of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) this September. The publication will continue its weekly Perspective until the fall, and its website will remain as an archive of its ministry and history.
Renfroe and Lambrecht, who have both joined the Global Methodist Church—an alternative denomination formed in 2022—expressed their gratitude for their time with the UMC. They acknowledged the church’s role in recognizing their gifts and supporting their ministry, despite the disagreements that led to their departure. They reflected positively on their experiences and the support they received from the UMC.
The impact of Good News on the UMC was significant, according to Renfroe and Lambrecht. They believe their efforts helped delay the UMC’s shift towards a more progressive stance and facilitated the formation of the GMC. They expressed deep gratitude for their ministry opportunities and the support they received from various individuals and congregations.
The debate within the UMC over changes to its Book of Discipline, particularly regarding the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, intensified in recent years. While Good News and similar groups worked to uphold traditional stances, the UMC ultimately voted to remove these measures earlier this year. The Confessing Movement, another conservative group, had previously disbanded, citing the establishment of the GMC as the fulfillment of their mission to uphold doctrinal faithfulness.