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Wesleyan Covenant Association
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
Most of the Methodist churches I have visited in Oregon have lost their theological moorings.
About 30 miles away.
Just like the United Methodist in GA.
Saw this article in the Sunday paper
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/arti...dists-are-breaking-up-in-a-slow-motion-schism
https://www.usnews.com/news/us/arti...dists-are-breaking-up-in-a-slow-motion-schism
Throw in Virginia as well. We have a large Methodist church in our area that met in a store building that folded up. Most of the time the congregation can't handle the liberal theology and end up leaving. As the UMC owns the building they end up leaving their beautiful building for something smaller.
The UMC is allowing the churches to keep the buildings here. Several have pulled out and kept the building. Not sure how they worked it out.
It was interesting to watch a large number of ELCA churches withdraw from that liberal synod and keep their properties because even though that synod has bishops the local church still is congregational in polity. Usually, this is the case, but not always. Churches in the ELCA here in the Oregon Synod have tried and end up getting sued by the synod for the property. The bishop has a saying that 'people can leave, but they can't take 'da silver'.
The Presbyterian churches often meet the same difficulties depending the local presbytery and their attitude towards departing churches. Often, it is easier and less expensive for the departing congregations to find other places to worship. My uncle's congregation decided they would rather worship in a cornfield than to remain within PCUSA.
I preached in a Baptist church - back in the 90's in WV. The church members used to be members of the Methodist church across the street. Their doctrine changed and decided to leave the UM Church. The District superintendent said fine - just leave the keys at our office. The new Baptists told the Superintendent they had paid for the building themselves- the District said tough! So they went across the street and built a Baptist church building. And the deed is now in their name!
If I could describe a good Methodist in a single verse of scripture…
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
It is very annoying to see how easily Satan can get us out of the Spirit and into the flesh. Once that happens we are as bad as anyone else. It is always nice to see Christ formed inside a believer, as the Apostle Paul would go on to say…
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,.. -Galatians 4:10
In which also would make for a good Methodist, Wesleyan, or whatever other name. But for a church to celebrate same sex issues is a clear sign to me that they are very much in the flesh, out of the a spirit, and a million miles away from God. I would very much enjoy Wesleyan fellowship…. As long as it is indeed Wesleyan!
The Global Methodist Church has systems in place to be a fully functioning denomination.
I saw a couple things, that I thought were interesting
1) "According to the Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline (see paragraph 516.2) bishops will only serve for defined term limits. Once they serve their terms, they will either return to ministry in a local church or to some other area of service in the general church. It is widely assumed the delegates to the Global Methodist Church’s convening General Conference will endorse term limits for bishops."
2) local churches will also own their own buildings.
see link here
I saw a couple things, that I thought were interesting
1) "According to the Global Methodist Church’s Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline (see paragraph 516.2) bishops will only serve for defined term limits. Once they serve their terms, they will either return to ministry in a local church or to some other area of service in the general church. It is widely assumed the delegates to the Global Methodist Church’s convening General Conference will endorse term limits for bishops."
2) local churches will also own their own buildings.
see link here
Bummer! Would seem even this 'new denomination' has started out by losing their theological moorings from the very start