Posted on 01/18/2016 6:11:58 PM PST by truthfinder9
The slogan of the United Methodist Church (UMC) is "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." But UMC officials are now under fire for being closed-minded and intolerant after they banned Discovery Institute, from sponsoring an information table at the denomination's upcoming General Conference in May. Intelligent design is the idea that life and the universe show evidence of being the result of purposeful design rather than unguided processes.
"Preventing United Methodist leaders from even hearing about intelligent design isn't open-minded. It's intolerant and exclusionary," said Dr. John West, Vice President of Discovery Institute. "Maybe United Methodist officials should change their slogan to 'Closed Hearts, Closed Minds, Closed Doors.' As a private organization, the UMC has the right to exclude us as an exhibitor. But UMC officials' embrace of censorship undermines their own professed commitment to open doors and open minds."
"As a United Methodist, I'm disheartened and appalled," said Michael Flannery, a university professor who is also a Discovery Institute Fellow. "Methodist officials who are trying to stop discussion before it starts certainly don't speak for me or for many other United Methodists in the pews."
Discovery Institute is calling on those who think the United Methodist Church should live up to its slogan of encouraging open minds and open doors to contact Judi Kenaston, the chair of the UMC's Commission on the General Conference, the group that made the decision banning Discovery Institute. "Urge Ms. Kenaston and the Commission to live up to their church's slogan and be truly open-minded," said West. The Institute has set up a web page to make it easy to contact UMC officials.
Stonewall, I was asked by a friend to speak in a Methodist Church a few years ago in small town Midwest. The Lord led me to speak on 1 Cor 6:9 and Homosexuality being an exclusionary sin (but also God’s forgiveness and healing). After the service, the worship leader came up to me yelling and in tears. She castigated me for judging her and her wife! Crazy!?! I had NO IDEA!?! Just the Holy Spirit...but Needless to say, I was not invited back...nor do I want to go back...
I’m afraid you are right brother Jan.
You’ve got mail Jan.
Thank you so much for the update and for the understanding of the good fight you are fighting! You honor Him.
Either the universe was created, or it came into existence on its own (or always existed with no beginning). If not created, all rules of physics are the result of pure chance.
There is no room for God in this picture. Odd that it comes from a “church.”
Please keep in prayer, fellow Christians, Methodists, ex-Methodists whose family are spinning in their graves, all the prayer needs throughout the coming months until the General Conference May 20:
PRE-GENERAL CONFERENCE BRIEFING (JAN. 20-22, 2016 | PORTLAND, OREGON)
Central Conference Briefings:
Feb. 5 - 7: Manila, Philippines
Feb 12 - 15: Africa Univ. or Harare, Zimbabwe
Feb. 19 - 22: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Feb. 26 - 29: Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
March 6 - 9: Samara, Russia
>>Weâve won the voting at the last 4 or 5 general conferences keeping the denomination from going homosexual. If we can win just one more time, then the numbers in the growing African churches will be decisive. The forces against us in May are formidable. They have a sinister plan that appears âfairâ to sneak through the back door, that is, every church gets to decide itâs own position on that issue. However, if those churches are not also permitted to leave with their properties, then the denomination has allowed homosexuality to be imposed , hasnât it?
We won the last 10 times. You are right about the “plans”. They all impose homosexuality in bits and pieces. The congregations that say “no” will have their attitudes adjusted when it comes time for the pastor moves.
Have no doubt that even though the church has voted no 10 times, the gays always bring it back up every 4 years. But, if they win any ground, then it will be “settled” and will never get another vote. So you must hold the line until the Central Conferences become the majority in 2020.
Although I gave up on the UMC two years ago and joined the PCA, I still pray that it does not lose its way and follow TEC, the ELCA, and the PCUSA into gay apostasy.
Thanks, Bryan. Please continue to pray for us.
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