Concerned? Do You Want
to Get Involved?
Are you concerned about the direction which many in our United Methodist Church want to take our denomination? Do you want to be involved in trying to do something about it?
Then
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That way, when an issue of concern arises, we can keep you informed.
If you have an issue of concern, e-mail it to us at: Webmaster@TheMethodistChurch.com.
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UMC Conference Headlines from AgapePress
UMC Agency Denies Malfeasance Charge
The United Methodist Church is being rocked by a scandal involving the misuse of money by the denomination's top lobby office in Washington, DC.
— By Jim Brown, AgapePress
[Read More]
Bishop: Lesbian Eligible for Reappointment
Troubles over homosexuality are continuing to cause division in the United Methodist Church. Bishop Elias Galvan, head of the Pacific-Northwest Conference, said yesterday that if Karen Dammann, an openly practicing homosexual, seeks a clergy appointment within the denomination, he would likely reappoint her.
— By Kathleen Rutledge
[Read More]
[Source: Christianity Today]
An Amicable and Just Separation
The following address was presented to the United Methodist Decision Breakfast in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Hinson is the president of the Confessing Movement within the United Methodist Church.
— By The Rev. Dr. Bill Hinson
[Read More]
[Source: IRD]
Methodists Divided on Homosexuality Stand
Conservatives in the United Methodist Church proposed splitting the denomination Thursday, the latest sign of decades of disagreement over homosexuality that continued at a national meeting this week.
— By Rachel Zoll, AP
[Read More]
[Source: Guardian Unlimited]
A Methodist Mob Mugging
There are real victims in the farce that was the Methodist church trial of a lesbian minister.
— By James D. Berkley
[Read More]
[Source: Christianity Today]
Two United Methodist News Commentaries
A cautious word of warning and A dangerous spirit of compromise. [Source: United Methodist News Service]
First Commentary:
Pay attention to what's
happening in Episcopal Church
Second Commentary:
What do Bible, tradition say
about gay marriage?
News from TheMethodistChurch.com
Wedron United Methodist Church (NIC)
to Withhold Apportionments
"We the people of the United Methodist Church in Wedron, Illinois, finding it no longer possible to agree with and therefore follow the leadership of the NIC regarding their interpretation of the gospel of Jesus Christ have decided to withhold apportionments at this time."
[Read More]
Homo-, bi-sexuality: "gifts of God" -- UM NI Conference
At its annual convention, the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church passed a resolution affirming the ministry of liberal bishop Joe Sprague, who denies the bodily resurrection, virgin birth, and eternal deity of Jesus Christ.
[Read More]
[Source: AgapePress]
UM's Split Over Supreme Court Ruling on Sodomy Law
In reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision striking down a Texas law against sodomy, many United Methodist Church members, leaders and spokespersons are finding themselves at odds.
[Read More]
[Source: AgapePress]
Methodist teaching and Northern IL Methodist Conference at odds
A controversy over the national Methodist church's views on homosexuality has erupted, and two branches of the church are at odds. Illinois' Methodists are at the center of the debate. [Read More] [Source: The Illinois Leader]
Northern IL Methodists: Straight and Gay Sexual Behavior "OK"
Last week in St. Charles, the Northern Illinois Methodist Church’s Annual Conference criticized historical church positions and urged ministers and Sunday school classes to proclaim "that homosexual orientation (no less or more than heterosexual orientation) can be compatible with Christian teaching." [Read More] [Source: The Illinois Leader]
The Trust Clause Governing Use of Property
in the United Methodist Church
To possess United Methodist property requires protecting its doctrinal standards. The burning issue today: Who owns licit title to United Methodist Church property — those who follow the United Methodist doctrine and discipline or those who do not? [Read More] [Source: Good News]
Sprague Assails "Christo-Centric Exclusivism"
At a speech at United Methodist seminary, Bishop Jodeph Sprague of Chicago assailed “Christo-centric exclusivism that ipso facto prepares the soil of stiff-necked, exclusivistic arrogance." [Read More]
"Is Jesus the Only Way to Salvation?"
– How the Bishops answered my question
On March 14, Don Wildmon wrote 51 active bishops: "In light of recent events, I have become concerned about our church. It would be very helpful to me personally – and I’m sure to others in the church ..." [Read Results]
United Methodist New Testament scholar argues that Jesus was a homosexual
New Testament theologian Theodore W. Jennings, Jr. asks the question: "Was Jesus Gay?" He explores the delicate question of Jesus’ sexuality in a book just released by The Pilgrim Press: The Man Jesus Loved: Homoerotic Narratives from the New Testament.
[Source: Religion News Service]
Important:
Get these petitions passed at your Annual Conference
United Methodist Annual Conferences are fast approaching. One way to influence the local Annual Conference is through passage of resolutions with hopes of getting them passed on to the General Conference.
Absurdity: Methodist Officials Demand President Bush "Repent" for his Policies
Several United Methodist bishops and the head of the United Methodist Church's Washington lobby office have fiercely denounced fellow United Methodist George W. Bush for contributing to "spiritual forces of wickedness." These United Methodist officials are effectively telling the president he is not a good Christian because his policies do not match their own left-wing beliefs.
[Institute on Religion and Democracy]
Get Your UM Church Involved
Reproduce this sheet and distribute as many as you like to the members of your local United Methodist Church. Print out a PDF File or a Printer Friendly HTML version.
(Default Margins = 1.25")
Committee Drops Charges Against Bishop
(AgapePress) -- A committee of United Methodist Church bishops has dismissed charges against a fellow bishop who denies the basic biblical teachings about Jesus Christ.
– Read a detailed Press Release from the United Methodist News Service
UM Minister Says Bishop Sprague Will Never Face Trial
"Sprague has openly and repeatedly denied the virgin birth of Jesus, denied that Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead, denied that Jesus was born the son of God and denied that Christ died for the sins of mankind." [AFA Press Release]
Methodists Charge Chicago Bishop with Heresy
Bishop C. Joseph Sprague’s unorthodox statements deny the virgin birth of Christ, deny that Jesus was born the son of God, deny that Jesus was physically resurrected from the dead and deny Christ died for the sins of mankind, positions which collide with church's traditional teaching. Reprinted with Permission from [The Illinois Leader]
Three Articles of Note From
United Methodist News Service
Reform The United Methodist Women:
A Brief Recounting of Questionable Actions on the part of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries – and Four Positive Steps in God's Direction.
[Call4Reform.org]
United Methodist Women's Division grants for 2000
The Institute on Religion and Democracy takes a critical look at several controversial expenditures of UMW. Maybe you should consider carefully and prayerfully some of these expenditures. [IRD]
A Statement from Jim Winkler
– Secretary of the UMC's General Board of Church and Society.
The GBCS serves as the political action committee for the United Methodist Church. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices located across from the nation's capitol.
"We witness to powers and principalities in state capitals, Washington, and at the United Nations not because we seek special favor or legislation for the United Methodist Church, or believe that salvation is derived through lobbying, but because our faith in the risen Christ compels us to call institutions to accountability on behalf of the children, the widow, the weak and the impoverished."
In is hypocritical that many United Methodist leaders criticize other groups such as Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) for their lobbying while the GBCS is doing exactly what they are criticizing groups such as IRD for doing.
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