Meet Author Alan T. Black.  Alan was raised and grew up in the United Methodist Church. While He proudly embraced his background and personal history within the United Methodist Church, Alan felt that what is essential is not the denomination you are a part of. What matters most is the relationship that you have with the Lord. Part and parcel of any relationship is the level of commitment that one makes to it. With any and all relationships, they are going to take time to grow.