It is fitting that on important issues United Methodists hold a variety of opinions. It is also fitting that these opinions are discussed widely and at every level of the church. However, to date, much literature of this nature on The United Methodist Church has been replete with answers and supposedly simple solutions to complex problems. With this volume, the editors and contributors offer to the church badly needed policy-oriented research that identifies the issues but refrains from superficialities and too easy resolutions.
This offering of policy essays hopes to encourage further reflections of the same kind within the church at large.