I received this e-mail from Dr. Riley B. Case and wanted to share it with all of you.
Randy
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Evangelical United Methodists are sometimes seen as malcontents when it comes to complaining about the denomination. It is not uncommon to hear: “United Methodism is far too liberal”; “United Methodism has lost its way”; “United Methodism is apostate.”
These remarks should be seen as within the family. When it comes to outsiders, we don’t like to see our denomination under attack.
So the UM evangelical reaction to this characterization of the United Methodist Church in Joel Belz’s editorial in the November 11 issue of World magazine:
It would be hard to find two denominations that more vividly characterize the anti-evangelical spirit that became repulsive to such hard-core evangelicals than the United Church of Christ (Barack Obama’s denomination) and the United Methodist Church (John Edwards and Hillary Clinton’s denomination). Through and through, both the UCC and the UMC have been stalwarts of everything that is liberal-both theologically and socially.
We would invite Joel Belz and other “hard-core evangelicals” to attend our UM evangelical gatherings. The message that the Confessing Movement and other evangelical renewal groups seek to communicate is that evangelical faith is alive in the United Methodist Church. Despite what some of our seminaries teach, and despite what some of our boards and agencies say (which unfortunately is sometimes the public face of United Methodism), a large part of our church is faithful to the Doctrines and Discipline of the Church (which is, theologically, evangelical and orthodox), is evangelistically minded, and has a heart for missions. We frankly are not pleased to be put into the same boat as the UCC.
To set the record straight: 70% of United Methodists live in the red states (as per the 2004 national elections); Republican congresspersons who are United Methodist outnumber Democratic congresspersons 2 to 1. In terms of theology and mission outreach, United Methodists are among the largest supporters of parachurch evangelical ministries. The United Methodist hymnal is the only mainline denominational hymnal that has maintained most of the traditional language in its hymns and has not purged from its pages the atonement and blood hymns. The United Methodist Church has not compromised its stand on traditional marriage and its teaching on homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching.
Of course the church is diverse. Of course the struggle for the soul of the church is still taking place. But consider: in the upcoming General Conference it is not the evangelicals but the progressives who are most unhappy with who we are, and who want to do a major overhaul on the traditions and the stances of the church. It is the progressives who in the name of “inclusiveness” want to do away with all membership standards, and who, if they cannot impose their way legislatively would seek to do so through packing the Judicial Council. It is the progressives who would redefine marriage and bless the practice of homosexuality. We maintain that is not really who United Methodists are.
We urge the critics not to give up on the United Methodist Church, because we ourselves haven’t.
A few weeks ago I went to see Rick Schatz speak in the Sanctuary (Rick is the President & CEO for the National Coalition for the Safety of Families and Children). He had some very enlightening things to say about our kids and how they are overly exposed to sexual content via Internet, TV, print media, etc. If you didn’t have a chance to see him (or you’d like to see him again), you can view the video below. You won’t be sorry.
How many lives and souls does it affect?
Are we making a difference?
Are we growing the Kingdom of God?
Mt. Bethel is making a difference and, yes, we are growing God’s Kingdom! 2007 was an excellent year! And it’s all because of you, the members of Mt. Bethel and your faithful commitment to the Cause of Christ. And today, we are eagerly anticipating what we can do for Christ in 2008. We are almost there, folks – the goal to fund the needs of the new year is within reach. The Budget is based on the pledges received. The list of the names of those who have pledged has been published . . . and sent to heaven. God knows the hearts and names of each one. Now, does that fact cause your heart to leap for joy . . . or not? Would more folks pledge if we printed the names of the non-pledgers?! We are a church, not a civic club, and our needs are great if we are to carry out His ministries. We are all in this together, and together, we can make a difference for Christ. Pledge because it’s the right thing to do. There will be no lists, other than the one in heaven, pending the approval of our Administrative Council.
Finally! Let’s get together as God’s people and pray for rain! Check out Randy’s comment in the AJC on praying for rain at the State Capitol’s steps today.
We are approaching the final chapter of a year long outreach mission project with Children’s Ministries and Missions at Mt. Bethel UMC. In Christmas of 2006 we sent a few blankets, that were made by children during summer Vacation Bible School programs, with a mission team to Atacucho, Ecuador.
The Director of Missions was thrilled by the excitement of the children that received the blankets, but we only sent a few…there was a much greater need. As Children’s Ministries developed a new program on Wednesday nights for Mothers and their tween daughters (GOD’s G.I.R.L.S.) we adopted this project as a weekly mission to make more blankets for the children in Ecuador. Something beautiful happened each week the girls and their moms got together and tied knots between two pieces of fleece. Relationships grew, Christian service was modeled and mentored, and a hunger was put on the hearts of all who prayed and tied the blankets.
Our Youth adopted this mission project during their D-NOW weekend retreat and added to the growing number. Every program we had with children over the summer we continued tying knots in blankets of fleece. The Holy Spirit was guiding the entire project and blessing each blanket and those that labored over it. Fleece blankets were being made and at the same time the Body of Christ was in motion and bound by the soft texute of the fleece, the bright colorful patterns, and the love of a Savior.
Our Children’s Ministry Director and Mission’s Director teamed to make this a goal to have 1200 blankets for Christmas 2007 to take to Atacucho, Ecuador. We have around 900 to date and they are piling in our doors everyday. Boy and Girl Scout Troops, circles, neighborhoods, schools, offices, Sunday School classes, and churches have all participated in this mission project. Grandparents with their grandchildren, sleepovers, small group meetings, families at home, the list goes on of the hands that God has used to tie these blankets of love together. What a precious blessing to see God take the need of comfort and warmth and use the hearts and hands of children in another country to supply a gift of not only physical warmth but the warmth of spiritual love through our precious savior Jesus Christ.
Generations have experienced this project called “Blankets of Love” and children on different continents are tied together through a knot, a prayer, and a blanket of love in the name of Jesus Christ. Those are the ties that bind!
“I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
If you would like to contribute to this project please feel free to contact Dianne Hylton (Director of Children’s Ministry) or Sherry Reed (Missions) for more information.
The glorious fall day ushered in Mt. Bethel’s 2nd Annual Trunk ‘R Treat on Saturday October 27th! The parking lot was dotted with over 100 cars in a tailgate event fun and safe for the entire family! Trunks and tailgates where decorated with colors of the season, members kept the grill going with over 300 hot dogs, the football game was on many car radios, and the trick or treaters shared in a fun fall evening.
Trunk ‘R Treat doubled in size with an extra 30 cars that walked in for the event…fun was had by all! The Children’s Ministry staff thanks everyone that helped and all the families that participated…we look forward to this event every year…so invite your family, friends and neighbors for this fun fall family memory!
