Via Sojourners:
"Because the church is not an elite body separated from a doomed world, but a community placed in the midst of the cosmic community of creation, its task is not merely to win souls but to bear the burdens of creation to which it not only belongs, but to which it must also bear witness."—J. Christian Beker, Paul the Apostle
From Lisa Diehl, Director of Communications,
"The 2008 General Conference adopted an addition to the United Methodist mission statement. “The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” This is the expanded mission statement the Council of Bishops has been using throughout the quadrennium." [Previously the mission statement was simply "The mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ."]I'm with Adam on this one. Currently our local church mission statement is "The Mission of First United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ." There is much that we can/could add to this statement, but keeping it short was one reason we adopted the denominational statement as our own in the first place. Another reason is that the motivations me have to seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ are not exhausted by "for the transformation of the world" or any other single reason.
"A lengthy discussion on the mission statement and what it should include preceded the vote. Rev. Adam Hamilton, Kansas East delegate, spoke in opposition to adding words to the proposed mission statement because “mission statements should be short.” The details of how that mission statement should be lived out can be done through preaching and teaching in the annual conferences and local churches."
From United Methodist New Service:
"FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS)—The United Methodist Church in Côte d’Ivoire, the largest regional conference of the worldwide denomination with almost 700,000 members, has received its full rights and responsibilities."
"The action came April 27 at the 2008 General Conference, which meets every four years to conduct the business of the church. As a result, United Methodists in the West African country, which has only two delegates at this General Conference, will receive significantly greater representation at future assemblies. Expenses related to its bishop will now be covered by the United Methodist Episcopal Fund instead of by its own conference."
"Four years ago, the Methodist Protestant Church of Côte d’Ivoire, an autonomous church, was admitted to the United Methodist fold, but the Judicial Council later ruled that the decision of the 2004 General Conference was incomplete."
"In practical terms, the 2004 General Conference short-circuited the process for admission outlined in the United Methodist Book of Discipline, a legal and procedural guide. The church’s highest court ruled in 2006 that the disciplinary process required that the 2008 General Conference confirm the action."
“'I am very joyful today, more than yesterday,' said Bishop Benjamin Boni, leader of the Côte d’Ivoire Annual (regional) Conference. 'We are today fully united in the church, and members in Côte d’Ivoire share together fully with others in The United Methodist Church.'”
Bishop Jones will be presiding over the plenary session of General Conference this evening. You can watch here.
From United Methodist News Service
"Noting that United Methodist churches in Africa are the fastest-growing components of the denomination, delegates [to General Conference] approved a request for $2 million for United Methodist theological schools on that continent."
"The $2 million request for African theological schools would help seminaries across the continent train additional pastors for the growing church."
"Tshibang Kasap Owan, a professor of the Mulungwishi Theological School in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, told delegates that the school receives 500 applicants each year, but because of budget constraint the school can only accept 10 to 20 students. The request for $2 million would help several African seminaries struggling in a similar manner."
We're looking at trying to schedule another VeggieTales™ Movie Event. Possible dates are June 15, 22, 29. Let me know if you have a preference at john@coffeyvillefirstumc.org.
Thanks to all the folks who have signed up to bring treats and make coffee for the fellowship time between early worship and Sunday school. The next open date if you want to contribute is June 22.
I've been reading through the postings by the United Methodist News Service. So far the most newsworthy things seem to be a pension initiative to help retired pastors in Africa, the Phillipines and Eastern Europe survive (this is really what it is, survival) and the appointment of a task force to evaluate the church's contribution to global climate change. It seems to me that we are still in the slow phase of general conference when the groundwork is being laid for heavy lifting later. I'll try to keep you updated.
I just checked out the schedule for General Conference they're starting the day at 7 am and ending at 11 pm.
The 2008 General Conference is in session in Fort Worth, Texas. General Conference convenes every four years and is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church. The 2008 conference started April 23 and will continue through May 2.You can keep up with events online.
Link: www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3989461/k.1E85/General_Conference_2008.htm
"Paul and Harry Potter at the Areopagus" is my working title for this Sunday's sermon. The lectionary reading is Acts 17.22-31.
It's Earth Day, a good day to post a reminder about our recycling program. You can learn more about it on our recycling page.
Link: http://www.coffeyvillefirstumc.org/Recycling.html
The Alban Institute, a respected think-tank for churches and synagogues, has an article by Lynne M. Baab posted titled "Our New Front Door: How Congregational Web Sites Communicate Church Vision." It's reinforced my thinking that an effective church website is an important component of evangelism. The article is here.
Link: http://www.alban.org/conversation.aspx?id=5906
A Google "site search" has been added. It searches both www.coffeyvillefirst.com and this blog.
I added a "Beliefs" page to our website last night. I was going to try and find links for all the sources of United Methodist beliefs, theology, and doctrine. I assumed I would have to hunt high and low for them, but was instead pleased to find there is already a great page on our denomination website. I've linked to it from our "Beliefs" page.
Within the offerings, iss this excellent definition of faith:
"Faith is the basic orientation and commitment of our whole being—a matter of heart and soul. Christian faith is grounding our lives in the living God as revealed especially in Jesus Christ. It’s both a gift we receive within the Christian community and a choice we make. It’s trusting in God and relying on God as the source and destiny of our lives. Faith is believing in God, giving God our devoted loyalty and allegiance. Faith is following Jesus, answering the call to be his disciples in the world. Faith is hoping for God’s future, leaning into the coming kingdom that God has promised. Faith-as-belief is active; it involves trusting, believing, following, hoping."
We've added a third Yoga class. It will begin next Thursday (April 24) and will be led by newly certified instructor, Kimberly Smith.
Youth Sunday has been rescheduled for May 4, 2008. Come and show your support for our youth, the service is sure to be a treat.
Jenny's working sermon title for this coming Sunday: "The Parable of the GPS."
In my last post, I gave a hard time to Olathe Grace United Methodist Church for being the largest church in the Kansas East Conference without Wi-Fi. Well, when I got home I realized that the domain for this blog had finally been transferred (after several months of waiting) and that the blog was down. We're back up and running now, but the irony isn't lost on me.
Jenny and I have "Quadrennial Sexual Ethics Training" today at Olathe Grace United Methodist Church. Olathe Grace is one of those little United Methodist Churches* without Wi-Fi. You'll have to excuse the lack of posting.
*Actually, in attendance, it is the second largest church in the Annual Conference, but still no Wi-Fi.
We'll be doing another "Question and Answer" session this Sunday for the sermon. People have mentioned that they would like for us to do this again, so I hope there will be plenty of questions. In case you missed it the last time here's a run down of how it works: Members of the congregation ask questions in oral or written form, I answer them as best I can.
The word "Mythic" is sometimes used in Biblical scholarship. It's usage can be disturbing for those of us who believe the Bible reveals the truth of God. I came across the following definition while searching for a biography of Luke T. Johnson. It's from the "Ancient Evangelical Future" Blog. It's the best most succinct definition of mythic in this sense of the word that I've found.
Note: Mythic here does not mean “fictitious,” but refers instead to the language that transcends the natural world and provides an explanatory framework for why things are the way they are.Link:
"Newsboys," a contemporary Christian rock group I'm normally quite fond of, has a dynamic song titled Blessed be Your Name that repeats over and over: "You give and take away, you give and take away, but my heart will choose to say blessed be Your name." I'm troubled by this refrain. I've been troubled by it ever since I first heard the song, and my hope is that by putting pen to paper (or keyboard to blog) I can get it out of my system.
I think the scriptural basis for the refrain "You give and take away, but my heart will choose to say blessed be Your name." comes from Job 1.21 in which Job, after losing everything, says “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (NRSV). This seems to be a good scriptural warrant and the same is implied/proclaimed elsewhere in the First (Old) Testament. The problem is that I think Job is wrong. The book of Job clearly has God allowing these things to happen to Job, but it is just as clear that Satan is the one doing them. To allow Satan to take away is not the same as God taking away. The reader has information that Job does not have and can therefore know that Job is wrong, God did not take away.
More importantly in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Christ, God's fullest self-revelation to humanity, states that "the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" and those killed by the falling tower of Siloam did not die at the hand of God. Likewise, in the Gospel of John, the man born blind was not born blind because of his sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus makes it clear that God is not in that business of punishing, much less the business of "taking away." There is a lot of evil in this world, but God is never the author of evil. We must remember that the world is not as God created it to be.
If you have any thoughts you're willing to share, drop me a line at john@coffeyvillefirstumc.org.
Update: I do like the song, both because it's catchy and because I like the idea of blessing God come what may. I just don't like attributing evil to God.
The Parsons District Celebration will be held at Coffeyville First on September 14, 2008. No other details yet.
From www.kansaseast.org:
"As of March 31, the "Bridges to the Future" capital campaign has surpassed the $3 million mark in pledges toward the campaign goal of $5.3 million."That would include our church pledge of $25,000.
The Youth, Jenny, Elizabeth and I all had a great time at the "spiritual spendover" at Manhattan First UMC. We left Friday afternoon about 3:30 and got back on between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm on Saturday. It was exhausting (at least for the adults), but fun and informative.
The latest copy of our newsletter, The Parish Visitor, is now up on our website on the "Newsletter" page.
Here's my article for the April edition of The Parish Visitor:
Last Sunday at 2:00 pm two important events occurred simultaneously here at Coffeyville First United Methodist Church. The first was Dick Conklin’s 80th Birthday Party. The Second was a presentation by Marcee Binder (Carter when she was here preaching last) on the “Bridges to the Future” Capital Campaign of the Kansas East Conference. With this Capital Campaign, the Kansas East Conference is seeking to raise $5,350,000 for Campus Ministry, Camp Chippewa, New Church Starts, and Church Revitalization. Of this amount, our “suggested tithe goal,” which is more easily understood as our share is $24,471. This is based on our 2006 expenditures. Over the five years of the capital campaign this daunting sum would break down to $4,894.20 per year or $94.12 per week. With our current average attendance that amounts to less than $1 per person per Sunday. At Monday night’s Church Council Meeting, the Council voted to round up to a commitment of $25,000, which bumps the weekly break down to $96.15. But even with the bump the total per week is still less than $1 per person. You can contribute by writing “Capital Campaign” or “Bridges to the Future,” or even just “Bridges” on your check or offering envelope.
On the expenditures side, the breakdown of the “Bridges to the Future’s” goal of $5,350,000 is: $1 million for Campus Ministry, $900,000 for Camp Chippewa, $3 million for New Church Starts, $200,000 for Church Revitalization and $250,000 for the expenses of the campaign itself. In the weeks, months, and yes, probably years to come we will be telling you more about why each of these ministry areas is important and deserves our attention. At this point I will simply say that all of these areas are in desperate need of the funding they are seeking and all of these areas are key to the ultimate goal of better fulfilling Christ’s commandment from Matthew 28.19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Because they are in line with Matthew 28.19 they also are all in line with the Mission of First United Methodist Church, which is to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ.”
It is only in recognizing that the ultimate goal of the campaign is to better equip new and existing churches, Camp Chippewa, and campus ministry to make Disciples of Jesus Christ that a second aspect of the campaign comes into focus. That second aspect is prayer. I name it here in this column as the second aspect, but in truth prayer preceded and accompanied everything that has been done so far. A great deal of prayerful discernment has been exercised along every step of the campaign. Indeed, as a member of the Conference Leadership Team I was a witness to the fact that prayerful discernment was a major component of the decision about whether or not to have a campaign at all. Now we’re asking you to pray; for the success of our own church in reaching it’s commitment to the campaign and for the success of the campaign overall.
I very much need to be reminded of this on a regular basis:
Sabbath ceasing [means] to cease not only from work itself, but also from the need to accomplish and be productive, from the worry and tension that accompany our modern criterion of efficiency, from our efforts to be in control of our lives as if we were God, from our possessiveness and our enculturation, and finally, from the humdrum and meaninglessness that result when life is pursued without the Lord at the center of it all.
Because of some scheduling problems, "Youth Sunday" will not be held this coming Sunday as was announced last Sunday. Instead, I'll be preaching on the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24.13-35).
I could have written this article. All of it except for the "my husband and I."
Link: http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2008/04/prosperity-preachers-and-perso.html
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