Tag Archives: a traditional methodist

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Christian Owner’s Manual: Advice from and Acts of Jesus

Matthew Chapter 10

He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Matthew 10:1

“Let your peace rest on the house of the worthy person if the home is deserving. If not, let your peace return to you.” Matthew 10:13

“If anyone will not listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet.” Matthew 10:14

“Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16

“Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. It will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:20

“When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.” Matthew 10:23

“You will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 10:23

“It is enough for the student to be like his teacher.” Matthew 10:24

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight.” Matthew 10:27

“Be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

“The very hairs on your head are numbered.” Matthew 10:30

“Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:33

“I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34

“A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” Matthew 10:36

“Anyone who does not take up is cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38

“He who receives me, receives the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:40

 

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Christian Owner’s Manual: Advice from and Acts of Jesus

Matthew Chapter 9

Matthew Chapter 9“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Matthew 9:12

“Do you believe I am able to do this?” Matthew 9:28

“According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matthew 9:29

Jesus had compassion on them. They were harassed and helpless. Matthew 9:36

“Ask the LORD of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:38

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Will the New Traditional Methodist Welcome LGBT Persons?

UMC Split — Traditionalist Methodist Questions and Answers - FAQ

Lubber OpinionLubber Opinion

The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised. – Staff

 

Question: Will the new Traditional welcome LGBT persons?

Answer: Great question. Many Methodist have asked if members of the LGBT community will be welcomed in the new Traditionalist Methodist denomination. Before answering, I thought it might be helpful to look at what the Apostle Paul said regarding the standing of every individual before God.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romance 3:23-24 “There is no one righteous, not even one. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12. In writing to the Romans Paul quoted from Ecclesiastes. 7:20: “Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” and Psalms 14:3: “There is no one who does good, not even one.”

If God only accepted into church those who were without sin there would be no church. We are all sinners before God. In many ways the worst sinner is the one who thinks they are more righteous than someone else — that their sins are not “as bad.” Jesus himself made it clear that those who hold this attitude are in danger of missing his grace and mercy.

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'” Luke 18:9-14

Yes, members of the LGBT community will be welcomed to worship with Traditionalist Methodist. At least I pray so. Those who consider themselves “Traditionalist Methodist” have family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, who are gay. We love, like, and interact with LGBT persons every day. A person’s sexual orientation does not exclude them from God’s love and grace, nor should it exclude them from worshipping in God’s house. The key point to remember and acknowledge is that we are all sinners in need of a savior from sin: namely Jesus Christ. He alone can free us from the bondage of sin. His Spirit can and will defeat the flesh — if not in our lifetime then in the age to come. We are only asked to acknowledge our sin (confess), agree to turn from sin (repent) and ask Christ to fight for us. He will. He came for this very reason: to die and save you from sin and the eternal death it brings.

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Why Must the United Methodist Church Split Over the LGBT Issue?

UMC Split — Traditionalist Methodist Questions and Answers

Lubber OpinionLubber Opinion

The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised. – Staff

 

Question: Why Must the United Methodist Church Split Over the LGBT Issue?

Answer: Great question. Many Methodist have asked why those who support the LGBT community and want to preserve an inclusive nature within the United Methodist Church are at odds with those who oppose same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay clergy. Before answering, I thought it might be helpful to look at the UMC Book of Discipline.

Article IV of the UMC Book of Discipline states: “We believe the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation. It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice. Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scriptures is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.”

Regarding Scripture, the UMC Book of Discipline states: United Methodists share with other Christians the conviction that Scripture is the primary source and criterion for Christian doctrine. The Bible is sacred canon for Christian people. We interpret individual texts in light of their place in the Bible as a whole.

Article VI—of the UMC Book of Discipline states: “The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and Man. Although the law given from God by Moses as touching ceremonies and rites does not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.”

The split within the United Methodist Church, while focused on moral issues regarding sexuality, is actually rooted in two diverse views of Scripture. The Traditionalists hold that the Bible is God’s living and final authoritative word on matters covered in Scripture. Progressives hold to the statement in the UMC Discipline that says, “We interpret individual texts in light of their place in the Bible as a whole.” Since the Law and Prophets were written at a time when women had few rights, slavery was condoned, polygamy among God’s people was acceptable (though marriage between one man and one woman was God’s stated preference), Progressives contend that sexual orientation was never correctly addressed in Scripture. If love is love and love among two members of the same sex is something God created, Progressives asks, how can it be wrong?

Traditionalist counter that if sins listed in the Bible are no longer considered sins and if acts in the Bible that God called “grievous, bad, detestable” are now “right and loving,” then all aspects of the Bible are called into question: including that Jesus is the son of God and is, in fact, God himself.

In the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22, Jesus says, “Outside are the dogs (not literal dogs, but the morally impure), those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” These are the ones Jesus says will not have the right to the tree of life and may not go through the gates into the new city.

For Progressives the split is over the issue of love as they define love. For Traditionalist the split is over obedience to God’s word and God’s instructions of how we are to live our lives. Traditionalist argue that there is power in God’s word and that the spirit of Jesus can transform everyone who receives him. Progressives argue we are all God’s children, he made us male, female and male-female-combined, and he loves us as we are.

The split will not resolve these two opposing views, but it will give both factions the opportunity to form community and worship God and Jesus as they see fit.

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Must “Traditionalist” Leave UMC

UMC Split — Traditionalist Methodist Questions and Answers

Lubber OpinionLubber Opinion

The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised. – Staff

 

Question: Must “Traditionalist” Leave UMC?

Answer: Great question. Many Methodist have asked why those who support the teachings of John Wesley and believe the word of God be the ones “forced out” of the U.S. UMC rather than those who deny the authority of God and his word. Before answering, I thought it might be helpful to look at a similar division of property from the Bible.

In Genesis 13:5-13, Abraham and Lot, due to quarreling among the two men’s families and flocks, agree to separate. Abraham lets Lot pick the territory he desires.

Now Lot was moving about with Abram but the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. Quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company.  – Genesis 13:5-13

Currently the United Methodist Church’s global membership stands at 12.5 million. In 2016 UMC’s U.S. membership total fell to 6.95 million people, a decrease of about 1.6 percent from 2015, roughly the same percentage decrease seen in the last two years. U.S. UMC weekly attendance is less than 2.6 million, a 3.3 percent decline. If we assume in 2020 that membership declines have held steady at 1.6 percent, then today there are around 6.5 million U.S. UMC members.

Updated in 2022: In 2020 U.S. UMC membership stood at 6.2 million. Weekly membership attendance stood at 1.7 million. By comparison U.S. SBC weekly attendance was 4.4 million.

Mark Tooley, President of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, believes around 2.5 million will join the conservative church, and 3.5 million will remain in the progressive, liberal UMC denomination.

“Nearly all the 5.5 million overseas members, mostly in Africa, will join the conservative church,” Tooley says, “so the conservative denomination will have about 8 million members globally.”

When it comes to church growth and making disciples of Christ, it’s not the land and location that matters but the God you worship and obey. Follow and serve him only and, be it a desert or a well-watered pasture, his word will not return empty.

One final note: the example sighted above regarding Abraham and Lot is in no way meant to pass judgement on those in the progressive, liberal faction of UMC or to call out those in the LGBT community. I selected that passage simply because it shows how two groups who are in conflict can agree to separate and still love and support one another.

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Christian Owner’s Manual: Advice from and Acts of Jesus

Matthew Chapter 5

A Bible Study of the Words and Acts of Jesus from a Traditionalist Methodist“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

“Blessed are those who mourn.”

“Blessed are the meek.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

“Blessed are the merciful.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers.”

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because they are righteous.”

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, say all kinds of evil things against you because you are a follower of Christ.” Matt 5:3-12

“You are the salt of the earth.” Matt 5:13

“You are the light of the world.” Matt 5:14

“Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.” Matt 5:16

“I have not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come to fulfill them.” Matt 5:17

“Until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law.” Matt 5:18

“Anyone who breaks the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:19

“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:20

“Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement.” Matt 5:22

“Anyone who says, ‘You fool’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” Matt 5:22

“Go and be reconciled to your brother.” Matt 5:24

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who takes you to court.” Matt 5:25

“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her.” Matt 5:28

“If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.” Matt 5:29

“If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” Matt 5:29

“Anyone who divorces his wife except for martial unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress.” Matt 5:32

“Anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.” Matt 5:32

“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matt 5:38

“Do not resist an evil person.” Matt 5:38

“If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matt 5:39

“If someone wants to sue you, let him.” Matt 5:40

“If someone forces you to go one mile, go the extra mile.” Matt 5:41

“Give to one who asks.” Matt 5:42

“Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Matt 5:42

“Love your enemies.” Matt 5:44

“Pray for those who persecute you.” Matt 5:44

“Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:48