Posted on 01/03/2023 12:56:39 PM PST by fwdude
The theological fracture within the country's largest mainline Methodist denomination has grown more contentious as a church conference in Georgia has temporarily blocked churches from disaffiliating.
The United Methodist Church North Georgia Conference last week cited "misinformation" for its decision to "pause" any further disaffiliation efforts from congregations attempting to leave the denomination, according to a Dec. 28 email sent to member churches.
The email claimed "many local churches have been misled about the disaffiliation process and have been presented with information about the process" and about denominational leadership "that is factually incorrect and defamatory."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Hummmmm !!! Catholics have their own problems with decades if not centuries of pedo and homo priests being shielded by cardinals and bishops. And then there's Jesuit Pope Francis's progressive (in a bad sense) views and influence. The Pope is supporting/appointing progressive Cardinals and Bishops with anti-Catholic (pro-homo, marxist, etc.) views.
Sadly, churches and denominations are made up of men and women who do not always represent Christ. When a denominations like the Methodists and Episcopalians embrace sinful behavior as not being sin and go so far as to ordain homosexuals - it's time to leave.
I feel your pain and pray you find a fellowship of believers who are orthodox in their Christian beliefs and teachings. A non-denominational church meeting Christ's criteria may be the ticket.
I am glad to report that our Baptist Church, small in number (currently) and big in Spirit consider ourselves the remnant. Certain issues caused some to leave. We welcome everyone; however, it’s all about Jesus in our church.
“I think many Methodist churches and facilities are built and owned by the United Methodist church as a whole.”
The UMC follows the Catholic model in that local churches are built and paid for by the local congregations/parishes while the denomination typically holds the title and ownership.
In Fresno there was the case of St. Luke’s Church where the congregation had built the church and then leased it to the UMC while retaining ownership. When the congregation voted to leave the UMC the UMC tried to seize the property arguing that they ‘traditionally’ had this right even if they didn’t actually hold title.
In a rare correct ruling the California Supreme Court found that the congregation held the title and that the apostates and heretics of the UMC could go pound sand.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/high-court-decides-breakaway-church-can-keep-property.html
I agree. They just need to walk away.
Looking at the membership statistics it looks like it peaked in 1970 at 10,671,774.
http://www.gcah.org/history/united-methodist-membership-statistics
In 2010 it had dropped down to 7,679,850.
According to this UMC website the current membership number as of 2020 is 6,268,310
http://www.umdata.org/UMFactsHome.aspx
According to this UMC News website they are expecting their numbers to drop below six million by 2025.
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/us-dips-below-majority-of-membership
As long as the UMC continues to liberalize in all the wrongs I expect their membership number to drop.
Therefore:
Lutheran (EL C S*A) Ping!
* as of August 19, AD 2009, a liberal protestant SECT, not part of the holy, catholic and apostolic CHURCH.
Christ is Born, Glorify Him!
The August 19 date refers solely to the adoption of the gaysbian agenda, NOT to the “Full Communion” agreement.
Just leave. A church isn’t real estate.
Eve and Romans one…. Can’t remember about 1 Cor. Clearly it all starts with a “did God really say” moment. It seems if women can e corrupted, without repentance…. The children have no chance.
width=400>
Bingo. While destroying Christianity from within.
My mom is an alumni from the 50’s. Always begging her for money. She said they were “liberal as hell” even way back then.
You’re missing the point. The Bishops say they own the church real estate. They want the gelt.
The Bishops say it’s o.k. for them to revolt against the world Methodist Church on gay priests, but not the local churches to revolt against them.
Yep, and they keep sinking lower and lower.
“It’s about grabbing the property and endowments of the churches that are trying to leave.”
***
Exactly right.
All the old-time Mainline Protestant churches have been taken over by democrats at the highest levels. I escaped from the Presbyterian Church USA in 2000. They’re obsessed with LBQT, and they’re pro-abortion, but they hate Israel.
” just result in the members of that congregation finding a new church to attend.”
No, because the denomination owns the building and many of the people in these congregations worked to raise money to purchase and build the churches. So they don’t want to go to another church. They want their church to be faithful to scripture.
“The church leadership is stupid. Blocking a member church from leaving will just result in the members of that congregation finding a new church to attend. The church leadership just needs to accept the results that these congregation members of selected and move on with life.”
I disagree. They are not stupid. The real and unspoken issue with the church leadership is not about members fleeing to other churches, but instead it is about maintaining control of the “property” and facilities. We are talking about millions upon millions of dollars in real estate.
The church leaders are more concerned about the almighty dollar rather than the immortal souls of their flock.
JMHO
“The church leaders are more concerned about the almighty dollar rather than the immortal souls of their flock.”
The church overhead is expensive. The UM Church has lost nearly 40% of its membership since its peak at 10 million. If another 20-30% leave, the cost of administrative overhead at the national, regional, and conference levels will become more burdensome for the remaining congregations. Selling off the real estate and other property of congregations closing or leaving the church will provide funds to support the overhead for years to come.
In other words, by keeping the property of departing congregations, the church hierarchy is protecting salaries today, and pensions in the future.
Go for it:
“The church also urges congregations to advocate for laws that prevent or reduce gun violence, such as:
Universal background checks on all gun purchases
Ensuring all guns are sold through licensed gun retailers
Prohibiting gun purchases for those under restraining order due to threat of violence and those with serious mental illness who pose a danger to themselves and their communities
Ensuring greater access to services for those with mental illness
Establishing a minimum age of 21 years for a gun purchase or possession
Banning large capacity ammunition magazines and weapons
Promoting new technologies to aid law-enforcement agencies to trace crime guns and promote public safety
Yeah, understood, which was my point.
I understand there is a financial burden involved, bur again, their motivation is not spiritual or altruistic. It still boils down to $$$$$.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.