United Methodists Tackle Ineffective Clergy, Congregations

ovidliving »

Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:40 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Re: Phileo

Like I said, some United Methodist churches maybe, but not all. You can't make generalizations about 11+ million worshippers! In the same way you can't categorize Catholics, Episcopalians, etc.

Make your argument on facts. Source your facts. And then have an intelligent conversation.

As I've stated, and as can be proved on www.umc.org in various places...the UMC in the Sourthern US and in Africa is more conservative and Biblical then the UMC that is being generalized by those who don't know any better.

One church does not a whole denomination make...look at the facts. Argue facts.

United Methodists Tackle Ineffective Clergy, Congregations

ovidliving »

Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:21 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

Re: BooBoo - We need to thoroughly examine the Scriptures and make sure the teaching and beliefs are in line with the Bible.

Most definitely! Here we can agree.

United Methodists Tackle Ineffective Clergy, Congregations

ovidliving »

Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:18 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 4

Re: Booboo - There are many Methodist churches that aren't following the Bible...

Again...major rationalization with no facts to back it up. There are just about as many United Methodist congregations around the globe as there are zip codes in the United States (Look it up!) You can't say "many" and speak for every single church.

Some...maybe. I would definitely say there is some, but don't try to paint the United Methodist Church with one big paintbrush if you don't really know the denomination.

For instance, according to the UMC's own figures which can be verified at umc.org, most of the UMC churches in the US are smaller than 100 people and often more conservative in their theology.

Also, there's a major push within the African United Methodist Church to be more conservative. In fact, that group has challenged the more liberal wing of the US UMC and ended up winning, especially in regards to homosexuality issues.

The United Methodist Church is not the United Church of Christ or the Episcopalian Church. Each denomination has gifts and drawbacks percular to their own situation. Don't generalize...It really makes your argument sound juvenile. And if you spout a "fact" quote your source.

To the rest on this blog, check out www.umc.org and other church websites for these churches in order to find out for yourselves.

Please don't take my word for it and don't get your information from me or any other anonymous blogger and give it the ring of truth without checking into it.

United Methodists Tackle Ineffective Clergy, Congregations

ovidliving »

Sat Oct 24, 2009 4:46 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

re: Tomas - my point was there was no source for the information - only that.

United Methodists Tackle Ineffective Clergy, Congregations

ovidliving »

Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:28 pm Agree: 7   Disagree: 7

Gibbons - stats without sources are only numbers on a page - yes, the UMC is losing members but attendance has been increasing in purpose driven churches - Check out Granger Community in Granger IN, Church of the Resurrection in KS, and Tipp City UMC in OH for examples.

Rhi Bran - You're absolutely right. This isn't going anywhere fast unless bishops will give up the right to appoint! :-)

ELCA Bishops Delay Changes to Ordination Policy

ovidliving »

Wed Oct 21, 2009 8:18 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

It's my understanding that in the ELCA once the synod has spoken there's little the bishops can do, except for their own areas.

I'm wondering if some of the bishops are holding this up from behind closed doors. Bottom line...there may be an even bigger split coming.

Disgraced Baptist Leader Sues Over Landslide Defeat

ovidliving »

Wed Oct 21, 2009 7:57 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

I agree that there are some mental issues here. New Salem MBC should take another look at their pastor and see if he needs some assistance.

Probably more on topic, the court should and will throw this out in a heartbeat. This is a simple church and state issue The court doesn't want to get involved in this stuff if they can help it.

Southern Baptist Affirms Future of Denominationalism

ovidliving »

Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:22 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 2

"While I'm not impressed with denominations, I'm committed to mine."

This is a completely dysfunctional statement. It's a statement made by someone who is brainwashed by conformity. If you're not impressed with something then step away from it or reform it.

My assumption is that the author was trying to say something other than this statement conveys...at least I hope so.

Bottom line...denomations are sinful. Any attempt to seperate the body of Christ goes against Christ's John 17 prayer for unity.

Upcoming Film Follows a Transsexual's Ordination Journey

ovidliving »

Mon Oct 05, 2009 3:15 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 2

"The film points out that conservatives recognize Herwig not as a female but as a gay man. At the same time, they maintain that Herwig is in a same-sex relationship with a woman and thus cannot be ordained."

What a tangled life we lead, when we first attempt to deceive.

Famed Fla. Megachurch Votes to Keep New Senior Pastor

ovidliving »

Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:37 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

It sounds like to me that some people who thought they were important pedestal-abiding and power-wielding leaders wanted to protect "their" idea of what church should be. 2/3rds of the church said otherwise. Dr. T is right...it's all about God.

Pro-Life Leaders Condemn Slaying of 'Peaceful' Anti-Abortion Activist

ovidliving »

Fri Sep 18, 2009 5:37 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 0

Re: Blacksho89 "Is it ok to call Hitler evil?"

I think we're called to make judgments but not necessarily judge. The Book tells us to "judge not lest ye be judged," so to me that means the judgment of whether someone is evil (ie not going to heaven) isn't my call.

Others will disagree and they're not evil for doing so! :-)

Pro-Life Leaders Condemn Slaying of 'Peaceful' Anti-Abortion Activist

ovidliving »

Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:36 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

re: weekenderman's "The Bible and Jesus called Evil evil, so why can't HisKid?"

Because...we didn't write the Bible and we're not Jesus.

Remember, Jesus ate with and forgave sinners. I invite you to reread the Book again, especially that Sermon on the Mount.

Pro-Life Leaders Condemn Slaying of 'Peaceful' Anti-Abortion Activist

ovidliving »

Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:30 pm Agree: 7   Disagree: 2

HisKid,

I appreciate that there is evil in the world, but I also appreciate that the Ultimate Judge is not any of us. I refuse to call people "evil" because I believe that type of judgment does not belong to me.

Regarding being mental you need to be careful what you say. The man whom you would call evil tried to commit suicide today.

Here's the article...

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090914/NEWS01/309140010/1001/NEWS

I'm still praying...

Pro-Life Leaders Condemn Slaying of 'Peaceful' Anti-Abortion Activist

ovidliving »

Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:03 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 2

In all the discussion back and forth, please remember the Owosso community as well. Owosso is not used to this type of violence and while the person has been caught, there is still a sense of fear and unsettledness in small town America.

Also, the whacko name calling isn't helpful either. As Christians, we need to rise above name calling. The person who did this has obvious mental issues. (He did the shootings and then went home and waited for the police to come and get him.) Along with all the Pouillon family and all of those affected by this tragedy, can we also be mature enought pray for the killer and the killer's family as well? I will be.

Motion for Supermajority Vote to Change ELCA Clergy Policy Rejected

ovidliving »

Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:56 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

Why would any denomination want to do this to itself?

The UCC and TEC have started a trend that has sent them tumbling into the drink with no signs of hitting bottom and with a level of Christian revelance to follow.

I'll add the ELCA Lutherans to my prayer list.

Episcopal Head Offers Report Amid 'Misinterpreted, Exaggerated' Claims

ovidliving »

Sun Jul 26, 2009 5:23 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

The exits are here...there...and over there...JUMP to safety!

Ecumenical Christians Look Forward to Shared Easter Dates

ovidliving »

Tue Jun 02, 2009 11:20 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

FYI - In 2010, both Easters are on the same date.

For 2011 on, I say plant it on a date and call it good. Setting our highest holy day on an astrological system of moon phases and equinox calendar settings (By the way, our calendar is so screwed up that we have to add a day every four years to cover our oops!) just doesn't seem the proper way to honor the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Also, I don't have to look back to a bunch of overly obtuse men who lived in 325 to celebrate Christ's Resurrection.

What happened to celebrating a little Easter every time we gather?

N.D. Lutherans Reject Proposal Allowing Openly Gay Clergy

ovidliving »

Mon May 04, 2009 2:35 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 0

Chas - Why is it that the Catholics answer to everything is to "come home"?

Let me see...priests with boys, bishops covering it up...hmmm.

Radical belief in the "perfectedness of one man" even though he's apologized for being wrong...hmmm.

Billions spent on cathedrals on the backs of those who thought they were buying their salvation for themselves and loved ones...hmmm.

And boy could I go on!

Nah...I am home, and the sooner Catholics fix the log in their own eye the better.

United Methodists: Church Is a Verb, Not a Noun

ovidliving »

Sun May 03, 2009 12:52 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

"Catholics have never thought about anything else; never a building..."

Catholics have thought about buildings...look at the Vatican lately? Or don't you want to talk about exchanging money for salvation so those buildings could be built?

You might want to watch your absolute statements.

Okay, So I Choked

ovidliving »

Sat May 02, 2009 9:00 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

I don't see that as a choke, but as a first step. Hybels would tell you that building a relationship with someone means much more than the cold turkey evangelism experience.

Now it's time to follow up. Put yourself at that McDonald's about that same time and day each week, and then you can use the "Say, didn't I see you last week here?" line.

Bottom line...God doesn't use us to blow it. And next time, if the Spirit is telling your kid that people need to be talked to about faith, don't forget that the prophet told us that "a child shall lead them." Send the kid!