Economist Warns (UMC)Church is in Crisis

Good News ^ | May 26, 2015 | Good News

[xzins]

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From the article: "“There is no question that our church is in trouble,” said the Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president of Good News and an observer at the meeting. “What I fail to understand is why church leaders are not considering that the theological shift among many of our clergy in a more progressive direction could account for a significant part of the decline. The Connectional Table reveals a schizophrenic approach when it acknowledges our crisis of decline and at the same time proposes a ‘Third Way’ on marriage and homosexuality that will drive many traditionalists and evangelicals out of the UM Church. If their plan is adopted, it will only accelerate the decline of the U.S. church, as we learn from the experience of The Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran, and Presbyterian Church (USA).”

[Obadiah]

Good.

The UMC has long surrendered their belief in the inerrancy of the Bible. Maybe all their homosexual members and lay leaders will save their church.

How very sad. So many historical and notable people came from this once great and God-fearing church.

[Dr. Thorne]

Most mainline churches have rejected the Gospel, alienated real believers and have mostly elderly congregations.

This article is correct, but should include the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Congregational churches across the country. They are all spiritually dead and will soon be shuttered.

[Obadiah]

Like so many organization after them, the UMC succumbed to the pressure of 1% of homosexuals (the Boy Scouts come to mind) and then imploded.

Let their destruction serve as a warning to others.

[CharlesOConnell]

Oh, instead of taking a cue from Congregations in Africa, Asia and South America which are growing~

Let's promote self-indugent policies like "Marriage Equity" (not that we care anything about marriage, except to drag it through the gutter)…

[xzins]

Their belief in inerrancy is still on the books. On the books, they also reject homosexuality. What is happening in the UMC right now is sinister. It is the rebellion against the rules without consequence.

[TexasFreeper2009]

BS

Jesus started with only 12.

If you teach the truth and stop pandering to liberals that hate you and God both, you will start growing.

[fwdude]

From what I understand, there are other Methodist groups which still adhere to the Wesleyan doctrines of holiness. I’m hoping that they’ll take in the fleeing biblical UMC members.

[xzins]

Instead, they are actively seeking ways to prevent the Africans from having the right to vote. Sort of the 2/3rds person rules of slaves are now applied to the Africans.

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This economist says that if things continue as they are that this denomination is dead in the US in 2050. I agree.

[PrairieDawg]

The background hum is from John and Charles Wesley spinning in their graves. :-(

[fwdude]

Most mainline churches have rejected the Gospel, alienated real believers and have mostly elderly congregations.

I know of one Episcopal congregation in Dallas were the youngest member is 65!

They are not gaining any membership, so they are basically on their death bed.

[Louis Foxwell]

Church leadership, the Council of Bishops and others, have known for 30 years that the UMC is declining because it has lost its way theologically. Their commitment to social gospel issues over rides their willingness to make necessary changes. Elders leave the church or are driven out because of their fundamentalist and charismatic beliefs. Kangaroo courts abound in the UMC aimed at purging the denomination of conservatives. While there are a few exceptions this is the rule and it is devastating one of the most important movements in Christianity.

[xzins]

Most Methodist groups have abandoned their teachings on holiness.

[PGR88]

Wheat that has fallen among the stones

[fwdude]

On the books, they also reject homosexuality.

Haven't you heard the latest? The UMC has voted to capitulate on homosexuality as a sin - completely. They'll now be celebrating it.

[fwdude]

I’m sorry to hear that. I thought the Wesleyan group was the last bastion of holiness.

[xzins]

That supposed vote is by a group with no power to do anything except take their vote as a request to the General Conference that meets in May 2016. The General Conference is the ONLY body that can change our rules.

[originalbuckeye]

Absolutely. I was a life long member of the UMC. I stopped going to my church the Sunday after 9/11 when my pastor blamed the terrorist attack on World Hunger. He said ‘we must redistribute the wealth so that everyone has enough’. Tried the other UMC in town with similar results. I had found out earlier that the United Council of Churches had been taken over by Leftists and had hoped my church wouldn't go down with them. Unfortunately, the UMC has brought this on itself. I miss the church in which I was baptized, confirmed and married. I'm afraid it no longer exists.