You will probably get some pushback for this post, Jeffrey.
I think there are still many conservative leaders who are either trying to help churches navigate their way out, or they are watching and praying for a way beyond the end of 2023 (and none of us knows how those exits might happen - not yet). They haven't given up on their/our brothers and sisters who are "caught behind enemy lines."
Also, you suggest that conservatives have been cowed into silence. Sometimes, but not always. I publicly confronted my bishop some years ago (via an email to around 60 pastors and my district superintendent) because she didn't address what I thought was a clear issue of a church ignoring the BOD, and failing to be clear about the gospel.
That led to me getting called into my bishop's office (with my D.S. - and NO ONE ELSE/NO ADVOCATE) and being dressed down in anger by her for over an hour. It was an agonizing experience. It was the beginning of my movement out of the UMC for three years, including surrendering my credentials. (I later got them back in a different Annual Conference...long story).
So many of us HAVE stood up for our principles, and paid the price. It impacted my "career," including my pension (I lost 3-4 years of potential pension contributions because of this difficult decision). So I can say that I stood in the gap, and took a beating for it. I'd do it again. And God will provide for my needs.
Are there some who keep their head down? Sure; I've met them. It's their decision; they have to live with it. But it's also at least a small part of why bishops and other conference leaders are able to abuse their power.
God will raise up good brothers and sisters to walk along side those who still want to leave. And God has a plan; he will not forget those who are faithful, and he will deal severely with those who are abusing their positions and power in the UMC.
Thanks for your musings here, and your YouTube videos. I've been encouraged by many of them and find the information they share helpful. Blessings, brother!
Thanks for engaging, for encouraging, for pushing back! I’m glad you like my stuff.
Just to be clear, I didn’t want to convey that there isn’t anyone doing the bold work that needs to be done. Rather, there just isn’t nearly enough. Far too many are comfortable to move along without looking back. Far too many are more concerned with self than with others.
Thank you for your willingness to be in the hot seat for your convictions. That is a relatively rare thing. We need to circulate those stories more. So few see examples of bold witness that they don’t feel much pressure to rise to meet the standard.
God bless you brother for sharing your story. We are not afraid of those who destroy the body but of He who can destroy both body and soul. Also, although he retired, Rob Renfroe has remained in the UMC to continue to advocate for those who desire to disaffiliate but who are struggling. There are some who are fighting the good fight. May God bless them.
Even during the time of the early church there was division and war being fought between the believers such as Paul and Peter. Peter could be spineless at times such as standing strong against the Judaizers instead he became a wimp. The Holy Spirit seemed to be much more powerfully active in Paul. Unfortunately, there are many more Peters than Pauls. Jesus knew people are like sheep. They follow the leader. God has provided Prophets, godly leaders and mentors. Many were martyred, killed for obeying Him. It is human nature to ignore what God has called us to be and do. Instead, we follow leaders who tell us what we want to hear, do and say what we desire them to say and do and ignore the truth of what God is saying. I often wonder why God loves us so much? Because we are made in his image? We certainly are not obedient! It really is a miracle that God would love us so much that he sacrificed his only Son to save us from sin and death. That He would desire to have a relationship with us pitiful souls. Instead of being grateful and obedient children of our sovereign Lord, we behave like spoiled brats. Me, me, me, I want this or that. If you love me, you will give me whatever I desire, not what I deserve. Does God test us? Certainly, He does! God gives the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We have the power of God to give us the strength to do what is His will. Certainly Paul tapped into the power of the Holy Spirit over and over again. We can and should also. Will it be difficult or painful? Yes, sometimes it will. God will not test us beyond our ability. We need to trust and obey. We need to there for our brothers and sisters in Christ, to support them in love and give encouragement. Paul relied on God and the support of his Christian family during trials, imprisonment and difficulties. We should do the same for our brothers and sisters who remain in the UMC. Grace and peace to my brother in Christ, Jeffrey.
That’s a good sermon, Eileen! I agree with your assessment of human nature, for sure. I think what is sometimes lost on believers in our context is just how bold both Paul and Peter were in their time. While Peter did indeed struggle to find that line with the Judaizers, he still took the right side when the time came, he was persecuted for his faith, and eventually killed for it. It seems to me that there have been times in the life of the church when average believers and clergy rose to the standard much better than today. I think we are living in a particularly materialist and selfish time. We have created a more consumerist faith than the world has ever seen through all the eras of the church. If we are not careful, we will create churches in which there are very few or no true believers. Leaning on the Spirit is indeed key, as you point here. The Spirit, the church, the scriptures…these things are all essentials in the life of ‘working out our salvation with fear and trembling.’
Thank you for your encouraging comments. I was feeling foolish and leaning toward deleting mine. We live in times where we do not like to be criticized. We all wish to believe we are "good" Christians even though there is much more we must do on our journey to be "Christ like". You are correct about Peter. Obviously Jesus knew what Peter was capable of accomplishing even though Peter sometimes did not. I am not all that confident in my faith. I stumble often. I pray often for others but my dad advised me to include myself. It is hard for me to do because I am very blessed while so many are suffering. It seems selfish. I do pray for myself, asking for godly discernment, wisdom and forgiveness of sins. I would like to become involved in the band and or class meetings but I wonder if there are any who would make that commitment in my area? Perhaps the GMC will encourage the creation of these small groups? I believe most Christians (especially in America) do not completely understand the cost of being "a true Christian". If they did, many would stop saying they are Christians and walk away as many did when Jesus said "Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him". You are a good man, Jeffrey Rickman. I am grateful to God for raising you up.
I cannot recommend highly enough the class/band model of Christian discipleship. The strength of Methodism was once upon a time that laity would not wait upon clergy for holiness. Wherever Methodists went, they banded together for the mutual cause of seeking holiness in the distinct ways that the Lord had brought about in our movement. The GMC will indeed promote the formation of classes and bands, but do not wait on whatever they are to create. Drive deeper in the conversations in your congregation. See whose spirits are enlivened as you speak with more passion. Go ahead and start what groups will become the new vital center of your church. It was my churches' class meetings that almost single-handedly got us through Covid. Having seen their power and practicality, I will never go back. You're hungering and thirsting for righteousness, Eileen! We have a God who feeds and gives drink!
You will probably get some pushback for this post, Jeffrey.
I think there are still many conservative leaders who are either trying to help churches navigate their way out, or they are watching and praying for a way beyond the end of 2023 (and none of us knows how those exits might happen - not yet). They haven't given up on their/our brothers and sisters who are "caught behind enemy lines."
Also, you suggest that conservatives have been cowed into silence. Sometimes, but not always. I publicly confronted my bishop some years ago (via an email to around 60 pastors and my district superintendent) because she didn't address what I thought was a clear issue of a church ignoring the BOD, and failing to be clear about the gospel.
That led to me getting called into my bishop's office (with my D.S. - and NO ONE ELSE/NO ADVOCATE) and being dressed down in anger by her for over an hour. It was an agonizing experience. It was the beginning of my movement out of the UMC for three years, including surrendering my credentials. (I later got them back in a different Annual Conference...long story).
So many of us HAVE stood up for our principles, and paid the price. It impacted my "career," including my pension (I lost 3-4 years of potential pension contributions because of this difficult decision). So I can say that I stood in the gap, and took a beating for it. I'd do it again. And God will provide for my needs.
Are there some who keep their head down? Sure; I've met them. It's their decision; they have to live with it. But it's also at least a small part of why bishops and other conference leaders are able to abuse their power.
God will raise up good brothers and sisters to walk along side those who still want to leave. And God has a plan; he will not forget those who are faithful, and he will deal severely with those who are abusing their positions and power in the UMC.
Thanks for your musings here, and your YouTube videos. I've been encouraged by many of them and find the information they share helpful. Blessings, brother!
Thanks for engaging, for encouraging, for pushing back! I’m glad you like my stuff.
Just to be clear, I didn’t want to convey that there isn’t anyone doing the bold work that needs to be done. Rather, there just isn’t nearly enough. Far too many are comfortable to move along without looking back. Far too many are more concerned with self than with others.
Thank you for your willingness to be in the hot seat for your convictions. That is a relatively rare thing. We need to circulate those stories more. So few see examples of bold witness that they don’t feel much pressure to rise to meet the standard.
God bless you brother for sharing your story. We are not afraid of those who destroy the body but of He who can destroy both body and soul. Also, although he retired, Rob Renfroe has remained in the UMC to continue to advocate for those who desire to disaffiliate but who are struggling. There are some who are fighting the good fight. May God bless them.
Even during the time of the early church there was division and war being fought between the believers such as Paul and Peter. Peter could be spineless at times such as standing strong against the Judaizers instead he became a wimp. The Holy Spirit seemed to be much more powerfully active in Paul. Unfortunately, there are many more Peters than Pauls. Jesus knew people are like sheep. They follow the leader. God has provided Prophets, godly leaders and mentors. Many were martyred, killed for obeying Him. It is human nature to ignore what God has called us to be and do. Instead, we follow leaders who tell us what we want to hear, do and say what we desire them to say and do and ignore the truth of what God is saying. I often wonder why God loves us so much? Because we are made in his image? We certainly are not obedient! It really is a miracle that God would love us so much that he sacrificed his only Son to save us from sin and death. That He would desire to have a relationship with us pitiful souls. Instead of being grateful and obedient children of our sovereign Lord, we behave like spoiled brats. Me, me, me, I want this or that. If you love me, you will give me whatever I desire, not what I deserve. Does God test us? Certainly, He does! God gives the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We have the power of God to give us the strength to do what is His will. Certainly Paul tapped into the power of the Holy Spirit over and over again. We can and should also. Will it be difficult or painful? Yes, sometimes it will. God will not test us beyond our ability. We need to trust and obey. We need to there for our brothers and sisters in Christ, to support them in love and give encouragement. Paul relied on God and the support of his Christian family during trials, imprisonment and difficulties. We should do the same for our brothers and sisters who remain in the UMC. Grace and peace to my brother in Christ, Jeffrey.
That’s a good sermon, Eileen! I agree with your assessment of human nature, for sure. I think what is sometimes lost on believers in our context is just how bold both Paul and Peter were in their time. While Peter did indeed struggle to find that line with the Judaizers, he still took the right side when the time came, he was persecuted for his faith, and eventually killed for it. It seems to me that there have been times in the life of the church when average believers and clergy rose to the standard much better than today. I think we are living in a particularly materialist and selfish time. We have created a more consumerist faith than the world has ever seen through all the eras of the church. If we are not careful, we will create churches in which there are very few or no true believers. Leaning on the Spirit is indeed key, as you point here. The Spirit, the church, the scriptures…these things are all essentials in the life of ‘working out our salvation with fear and trembling.’
Thank you for your encouraging comments. I was feeling foolish and leaning toward deleting mine. We live in times where we do not like to be criticized. We all wish to believe we are "good" Christians even though there is much more we must do on our journey to be "Christ like". You are correct about Peter. Obviously Jesus knew what Peter was capable of accomplishing even though Peter sometimes did not. I am not all that confident in my faith. I stumble often. I pray often for others but my dad advised me to include myself. It is hard for me to do because I am very blessed while so many are suffering. It seems selfish. I do pray for myself, asking for godly discernment, wisdom and forgiveness of sins. I would like to become involved in the band and or class meetings but I wonder if there are any who would make that commitment in my area? Perhaps the GMC will encourage the creation of these small groups? I believe most Christians (especially in America) do not completely understand the cost of being "a true Christian". If they did, many would stop saying they are Christians and walk away as many did when Jesus said "Whoever eats my body and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him". You are a good man, Jeffrey Rickman. I am grateful to God for raising you up.
I cannot recommend highly enough the class/band model of Christian discipleship. The strength of Methodism was once upon a time that laity would not wait upon clergy for holiness. Wherever Methodists went, they banded together for the mutual cause of seeking holiness in the distinct ways that the Lord had brought about in our movement. The GMC will indeed promote the formation of classes and bands, but do not wait on whatever they are to create. Drive deeper in the conversations in your congregation. See whose spirits are enlivened as you speak with more passion. Go ahead and start what groups will become the new vital center of your church. It was my churches' class meetings that almost single-handedly got us through Covid. Having seen their power and practicality, I will never go back. You're hungering and thirsting for righteousness, Eileen! We have a God who feeds and gives drink!