>>I understand that you are trying to hold the line, so to speak, but even the very act of voting on accepting or rejecting portions of Scriptures can be seen as sedition against Christ.
I agree with you. There are certain liberal factions in the UMC that would send us straight to Hell if that’s what it took to follow the liberal/progressive agenda. They can bring an issue to a vote and the rest of us can say “No” through our votes.
I would defect and go across the street to become a Southern Baptist, except that there are some interpretations of scripture and doctrines in that church that I do not agree with. As things stand right now, I am a United Methodist in my service to Christ. If they decide to become apostates, I will take my bible and leave. If I am told something that doesn’t smell right in my church, I do the research in a bible (checking a couple different translations to be sure) and decide if it is good and scripturally based. My pastor tells me that I’m 80% Baptist and I only stay a Methodist because I like to argue theology. He’s probably more right than wrong on this. He and I are well aware of my spiritual gifts and he respects my arguments and the conclusions I draw from my studies.
After looking at my post, I came off the wrong way in it. I don't mean to not vote at all, just that when they do vote, the proper response is to do just exactly what you've been doing and vote "NO". My preference would be that the issue not be brought to a vote at all, as it's cut and dried in Scripture, but since the Church elders are going to bring it up, the historic understanding of the text needs to be defended. That you have done so is a great credit to you, as you have helped hold true to God's word.
I would defect and go across the street to become a Southern Baptist, except that there are some interpretations of scripture and doctrines in that church that I do not agree with. As things stand right now, I am a United Methodist in my service to Christ. If they decide to become apostates, I will take my bible and leave. If I am told something that doesn’t smell right in my church, I do the research in a bible (checking a couple different translations to be sure) and decide if it is good and scripturally based. My pastor tells me that I’m 80% Baptist and I only stay a Methodist because I like to argue theology. He’s probably more right than wrong on this. He and I are well aware of my spiritual gifts and he respects my arguments and the conclusions I draw from my studies.
It appears that you've given this extensive thought already, so I won't insult your intelligence, but I say that while I also agree with about 80-85% of Southern Baptist Doctrine, I'm not completely sold on their views either and have since found a home in an unaffiliated Fundamentalist Church. While I hope that you don't have to resort to abandoning your home Church completely because it became apostate, if that becomes a recourse of last resort let me know so I can put you on the prayer list here. We've got dark days ahead of us and we've got to stick together, no matter what the denomination.