Posted on 05/17/2016 9:40:18 AM PDT by xzins
The United Methodist Church is considering splitting over the full acceptance of gay members, according to reports by top clergy and advocacy groups. Church officials say the president of the Council of Bishops will address the rumor Tuesday in Portland, Ore., where the denomination is holding a major convention.
The rumors about the United States’ third-largest faith group began spreading on social media Monday night, when some prominent pastors reportedly told crowds in Portland that a plan is in the works. Details about what the plan entails and who was on board with it were unconfirmed.
United Methodist Church spokeswoman Diane Degnan said only that “there will be a response this morning from the president of the Council of Bishops.” The church-affiliated United Methodist News Service reported no other details. Some said the response could come late morning, Portland time.
The denomination has been increasingly divided in recent decades — like many other global faith communities — over social issues. The split has been especially marked between Western liberals and the fast-growing, more socially conservative segments of the church in Asia and Africa. Short answer was no. The far right and far left are entrenched in their theological understandings. The group also faced a reality that by 2020 and beyond our African United Methodist sisters and brothers would control the church so what this would mean practically is that the United Methodist Church would be on a trajectory to become ever more conservative on a whole host of issues.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It isn’t a “grudge”. It is a valid questioning of the
tenets & practices of a religion, the sincere doubt about
calling any mortal man “Father”. - I thought you were a
Mormon. - The dispatchment of the Protestants in France by
the Catholic hierarchy was bloody & resulted in many deaths.
I know.......
“The liberals want a split so they can leave”
My understanding is just the opposite
The liberals know they are in the minority and if there were a split, they would not be able to fund the denomination
Historically, although owned by the conference, the church has been pretty reasonable with allowing local congregations that wanted to leave to purchase the real estate for a token fee ($1)
This is because, if there is a mortgage, the conference is ultimately responsible for it
I’m sure there would be specific instances of property fights, but overall, conservative churches pulling out would either start over with less overhead (apportionments would be removed) or continue in place
There are relatively few (number wise) financially healthy congregations that foot the overhead bill for the weak, dying congregations
The left CANNOT allow a split or they will own nothing but debt and largely run down real estate
That’s why the call for unity is being heralded
But the truth is simple
If the left gets their way at general conference (and I don’t think they will) there WILL be a split
Further, if the left continues their disobedience to the discipline, and sanctions and penalties ore overturned or non existent, there WILL be a split in the next 18 to 24 months
Of course, the longer the left can stretch it out, the more people who will be co-opted by our western culture as opposed to the Bible
In either case, within 2-4 years (before the next general conference) I expect that trying to leave the denomination because of the radical homosexual agenda will be considered a hate crime
if you ‘bold’ everything
you ‘bold nothing
first rule of graphic design
Is that why Luther said to sin boldly?
The PCUSA he grew up in is not the liberal swamp it is now.
“And of course both will now claim they are following the plain teachings of the Bible to the letter.”
THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^
it’s what all of them do, whenever they split or show fragmentation over major or minor issues...each claims to be following the bible and/or word of God....and the other side claims the same thing....wonder why that occurs? hmmmmm.....
Make up your mind.
If you quote something; be sure to also endquote something.
Just an observation.
The lgbtzaw folks want to BOLDLY go where no man has gone before.
Elsie, Thales was asking you to judge, that was what he asked you to do in the first two posts. I believe the reference to Matthew was that you be willing to use the same discernment that you have used on others on your denomination. (Not trying to mind read, but that is what I got from the comments.)
Thanks for a visual I did not need after lunch.
The Roman Catholic Church was sinning boldly. Martin Luther boldly exposed the lies, hypocrisy and errors of the Church. They would have burnt him alive but God protected him.
Verga is exactly correct. I have seen you judge others harshly, perhaps you should judge the actions of those that profess to be your faith as you do others.
Would this be the same way that your god protected Michael Servectus from Calvin burning him at the stake.
No; he was DARING.
You want me to judge softly?
Meekly?
Wimpishly??
I'll leave that up to you.
Also; I'll chose whom and or what I wish to judge.
I don't need help selecting victims.
YOUR bible says to judge all with the same measure, how do you rationalize anything less?
Isn't this the church Hillary claims to be a member of?
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