Ordination of Francis Asbury CHOSEN FOR A PURPOSE A Homily for the congregations of the Global Methodist Church {I have published portions of this homily in various places over the years. If you are a frequent reader, parts will sound familiar} This church has been preserved through a great and continuing conflict. This morning weContinue reading “CHOSEN FOR A PURPOSE: A Homily for the Congregations of the Global Methodist Church”
Author Archives: omniamethodist
Caution Precedes Confidence: Avoiding the John Wayne Syndrome
by Bob Phillips John Wayne remains one of my favorite Hollywood (re-actors). I say it that way because he famously said, “I don’t act. I react.” He charges into the saloon and gets the bad guys. He charges into the barn and saves the horse. He charges the hill and whacks the enemy. Cover fromContinue reading “Caution Precedes Confidence: Avoiding the John Wayne Syndrome”
Recovering Doctrinal Integrity through the GMC: The Way of Salvation
The GMC could benefit by a return in some form of the four articles concerning salvation that were omitted in the 1784 abridgement. We will look at them in this order: XV. Of Christ alone without Sin XVIII Of obtaining eternal Salvation only in the Name of Christ XIII Of Works before Justification XVII OfContinue reading “Recovering Doctrinal Integrity through the GMC: The Way of Salvation”
South Carolina Update, Pigs Still Can’t Fly
This is the second essay for those already involved in the separation process in the SC Conference of the UMC. The first essay is here and stresses the importance of having an attorney. That applies to this commentary also. If you are not in the process, then this commentary may not be understandable. In theContinue reading “South Carolina Update, Pigs Still Can’t Fly”
How the GMC Could End Up Like the UMC, and Why It Won’t
I recently had reason to learn who is the Chair for the Conference Board of Trustees in South Carolina. I found a name on the Conference website, but no other information. What are his professional qualifications? What is his day job? What is his commitment to the Christian faith and involvement in the church? ThisContinue reading “How the GMC Could End Up Like the UMC, and Why It Won’t”
Concerning a Date with “Miss Information”
by Bob Phillips “Miss Information’ is the new hiss word in the kerfuffle roiling the United Methodist Church. The outgoing North Georgia bishop (I am sure to the everlasting gratitude of her successor), listed Miss Information as the unprincipled tart that wrecked an otherwise smooth and agreeable process of disaffiliation. Of course, the public announcementContinue reading “Concerning a Date with “Miss Information””
South Carolina, UMC Separation, and Flying Pigs
UMC Disaffiliation: Twelve Observations with Twelve Months Remaining
by Chris Ritter Less than a year ago United Methodist separation was at a standstill awaiting an August 2022 General Conference and approval of a large-scale Separation Protocol. On March 3, 2022 everything shifted. Citing COVID-related concerns, the General Commission on General Conference delayed convening the only body empowered to speak for the UMC… untilContinue reading “UMC Disaffiliation: Twelve Observations with Twelve Months Remaining”
Reaching Younger Generations for Christ
One of the challenges facing the Western church is that the percentage of young people with no faith (“nones”) is growing. In fact, it may be as high as 30% in the United States. For a variety of reasons, the trend is that fewer members of younger generations find organized religion compelling, and Christianity inContinue reading “Reaching Younger Generations for Christ”