I am a conservative who will be leaving the UMC, the church I have been a member of for 59 years. Kudos to the conservatives who are staying. I 'm leaving because I have a hard time providing my time, talents, and tithing to an institution promoting things contrary to the Bible and the BOD. I also have a hard time with the way the bulk of Councils and Bishops have treated the Traditionalists during this ongoing struggle to control the UMC. Thanks again for shining a light on this matter.
Thank you for the information you have shared with us Sharma lewis was our bishop she does good .sue helper Johnson is playing hard ball take our church a ND parsonage destroy our community.
Thank you for the exhortation not to lose our righteousness at the hands of sinners. I spend a little too much time indulging fantasy of what it would be like to be the instrument of God's vengeance for Fifth Third, for Struthers, for the licensed local pastors who have been discarded, for the elders who have been demoted and had the possibility of career advancement closed just for being conservative, and for the rest of us being held hostage and squeezed through broken promises.
We believe in a God who perfectly judges and makes all things right in the end. If our lot is to suffer in injustice for a little while for the sake of eternity, then we can turn the other cheek, pray for our enemies, and return good for evil. We war against the flesh, friend. If we decide that vengeance is ours and we will repay, then we jeopardize our heritage in Christ. Thank you for receiving my exhortation in the spirit it was intended. God bless you as you maintain your righteousness!
Pastor Jeff, I am no finance expert, but at about 23:00 you mentioned what seems to amount to a financial windfall for the UMC, generated by the disaffiliations. Obviously this infusion of cash will stop when the disaffiliations stop and the “resized,” UMC may be in a “seven years of plenty,” situation, followed by who knows how many years of drought. I was very impressed when I listened to your interview of Jeff Pospicil, the finance guy who is now with the GMC. Does the UMC have a “Jeff Pospicil,” who has the smarts, plus the heart for biblical stewardship that will be needed use these funds within the confines of God’s will? I am surprised that the leadership of the UMC hasn't actually leaned into the disaffiliations and advertised that they are not, “Resizing,” but, “Rightsizing.” If any one in the UMC wishes to use this idea, you have my permission.
Thanks for your kind words about the Jeff Pospicil interview. I think he's an exceptional person, and potentially the most attractive feature of the GMC. He ethos when it comes to finance and church administration is faithful and correct. The Lord rewarded his time in the Dakotas with growth and health. I do not believe the UMC, from which I have now disaffiliated, has anyone of similar character or ethos within the General Council on Finance and Administration. I believe their mentality is much more akin to a Progressivist government bureaucracy. And yes, I think you're right that the institution of the UMC will not have an indefinite time of financial prosperity after these payouts and the liquidation of real estate assets. But they have so much that it will result in quite a buffer before they really have to feel the pain. It would be great if they could adjust course and question some of the presuppositions they have brought into their financial (and theological) management. I am not very optimistic that they are capable of that. They find the solutions repugnant.
Some of the provisional conference websites have them. I know the Heartland area, in which I serve, has one. It’s sorta the Wild West right now, man. They are building the bridge as they walk it.
Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. ❤ However, whoever is responsible for answering questions on the GMC website should not take longer than a few days to respond. Even if it is to say "It’s on the to-do list."
My understanding is that this is the norm for the majority of bishops. Yet, by listening to them speak for prolonged periods of time, one can eventually determine what they are about. I just haven't done that with Lewis. Most intentionally try to blur the lines and speak in ways that don't overtly signal where they are at. But there are a number of things that just cannot be said when one holds certain theological convictions. Listening for those is something I'm relatively decent at and would like to spend more time on. Maybe someday...
@@eileenthrift8259 I think actions speak louder than words, and her actions show a structured adherence to the Discipline. Her actions also shows a genuine care for local churches and helping them find their way to be the church they envision themselves to be. That is my opinion from watching her from afar, but to me it is loud and clear by her actions.
I am a conservative who will be leaving the UMC, the church I have been a member of for 59 years. Kudos to the conservatives who are staying. I 'm leaving because I have a hard time providing my time, talents, and tithing to an institution promoting things contrary to the Bible and the BOD. I also have a hard time with the way the bulk of Councils and Bishops have treated the Traditionalists during this ongoing struggle to control the UMC. Thanks again for shining a light on this matter.
Thank you for the information you have shared with us Sharma lewis was our bishop she does good .sue helper Johnson is playing hard ball take our church a ND parsonage destroy our community.
Thank you for the exhortation not to lose our righteousness at the hands of sinners. I spend a little too much time indulging fantasy of what it would be like to be the instrument of God's vengeance for Fifth Third, for Struthers, for the licensed local pastors who have been discarded, for the elders who have been demoted and had the possibility of career advancement closed just for being conservative, and for the rest of us being held hostage and squeezed through broken promises.
We believe in a God who perfectly judges and makes all things right in the end. If our lot is to suffer in injustice for a little while for the sake of eternity, then we can turn the other cheek, pray for our enemies, and return good for evil. We war against the flesh, friend. If we decide that vengeance is ours and we will repay, then we jeopardize our heritage in Christ. Thank you for receiving my exhortation in the spirit it was intended. God bless you as you maintain your righteousness!
Pastor Jeff, I am no finance expert, but at about 23:00 you mentioned what seems to amount to a financial windfall for the UMC, generated by the disaffiliations. Obviously this infusion of cash will stop when the disaffiliations stop and the “resized,” UMC may be in a “seven years of plenty,” situation, followed by who knows how many years of drought. I was very impressed when I listened to your interview of Jeff Pospicil, the finance guy who is now with the GMC. Does the UMC have a “Jeff Pospicil,” who has the smarts, plus the heart for biblical stewardship that will be needed use these funds within the confines of God’s will? I am surprised that the leadership of the UMC hasn't actually leaned into the disaffiliations and advertised that they are not, “Resizing,” but, “Rightsizing.” If any one in the UMC wishes to use this idea, you have my permission.
Thanks for your kind words about the Jeff Pospicil interview. I think he's an exceptional person, and potentially the most attractive feature of the GMC. He ethos when it comes to finance and church administration is faithful and correct. The Lord rewarded his time in the Dakotas with growth and health.
I do not believe the UMC, from which I have now disaffiliated, has anyone of similar character or ethos within the General Council on Finance and Administration. I believe their mentality is much more akin to a Progressivist government bureaucracy. And yes, I think you're right that the institution of the UMC will not have an indefinite time of financial prosperity after these payouts and the liquidation of real estate assets. But they have so much that it will result in quite a buffer before they really have to feel the pain. It would be great if they could adjust course and question some of the presuppositions they have brought into their financial (and theological) management. I am not very optimistic that they are capable of that. They find the solutions repugnant.
The umc in southeast Ohio they just left the umc
It surprises me that the Global Methodist website lacks a church locator. I reached out using their website contact form, weeks later no response.
Some of the provisional conference websites have them. I know the Heartland area, in which I serve, has one. It’s sorta the Wild West right now, man. They are building the bridge as they walk it.
Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. ❤ However, whoever is responsible for answering questions on the GMC website should not take longer than a few days to respond. Even if it is to say "It’s on the to-do list."
Kind of sad you can have a bishop whose theological position is not known.
My understanding is that this is the norm for the majority of bishops. Yet, by listening to them speak for prolonged periods of time, one can eventually determine what they are about. I just haven't done that with Lewis. Most intentionally try to blur the lines and speak in ways that don't overtly signal where they are at. But there are a number of things that just cannot be said when one holds certain theological convictions. Listening for those is something I'm relatively decent at and would like to spend more time on. Maybe someday...
I believe Bishop Lewis’ position is loud and clear if you listen to her preach and watch her lead the Mississippi Annual Conference.
@@michaelnanney9160Would you care to share what the bishop's beliefs are?
@@eileenthrift8259 I think actions speak louder than words, and her actions show a structured adherence to the Discipline. Her actions also shows a genuine care for local churches and helping them find their way to be the church they envision themselves to be. That is my opinion from watching her from afar, but to me it is loud and clear by her actions.
@@michaelnanney9160 Thank you. Actions speak more than words. Bishop Lewis must be building treasure in heaven.