Pastor's Ponderings:
As United Methodists face General Conference 2020 to be held in Minneapolis in May, it appears that the potential of once again forming new church bodies is ever more likely. I say, “once again” because this is not the first time that we “Methodists” have split over conflict.
The truth is that Methodist history is fraught with conflict. Two centuries of it. It’s part of who we are. Splitting and reforming and then splitting again is woven into our very being. There are more divided Methodists than united Methodists.
Splits in the 1800’s produces the following new denominations: African Methodist Episcopal; The Methodist Protestant; the Primitive Methodist; the Methodist Episcopal Church North; the Methodist Episcopal Church South; the Free Methodist; Salvation Army; Christian Methodist Episcopal; and Nazarene. So did you know all those churches came from a Methodist split?
But wait, there’s more. In the 1900’s, we split again forming these denominations: Pentecostal Holiness; Social Gospel; Methodist Church; Southern Methodist Church; Evangelical Methodist; Association of Independent Methodist Church; United Methodist Church; Autonomous Methodist Churches; and the Autonomy of Methodists in South and Central America.
Splitting is in our blood. On average, splitting has occurred every 20 years. We split over three basic issues: theology, inclusion, and polity.
And so my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, what I want you to hear, is this, “No matter what happens at General Conference 2020 in Minneapolis, the United Methodist Church in Hebron, Indiana, will continue to be the church of Jesus Christ in this community and as far as we can reach. We will continue to do what you have done so well, Love one another. We will continue to be the arms and feet of Jesus right here in our little community and we will continue to bring the Good News of salvation for all that was given to us through the death and resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ.
May this Lenten Season bring you closer to you Lord and your Savior, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Pete
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The truth is that Methodist history is fraught with conflict. Two centuries of it. It’s part of who we are. Splitting and reforming and then splitting again is woven into our very being. There are more divided Methodists than united Methodists.
Splits in the 1800’s produces the following new denominations: African Methodist Episcopal; The Methodist Protestant; the Primitive Methodist; the Methodist Episcopal Church North; the Methodist Episcopal Church South; the Free Methodist; Salvation Army; Christian Methodist Episcopal; and Nazarene. So did you know all those churches came from a Methodist split?
But wait, there’s more. In the 1900’s, we split again forming these denominations: Pentecostal Holiness; Social Gospel; Methodist Church; Southern Methodist Church; Evangelical Methodist; Association of Independent Methodist Church; United Methodist Church; Autonomous Methodist Churches; and the Autonomy of Methodists in South and Central America.
Splitting is in our blood. On average, splitting has occurred every 20 years. We split over three basic issues: theology, inclusion, and polity.
And so my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, what I want you to hear, is this, “No matter what happens at General Conference 2020 in Minneapolis, the United Methodist Church in Hebron, Indiana, will continue to be the church of Jesus Christ in this community and as far as we can reach. We will continue to do what you have done so well, Love one another. We will continue to be the arms and feet of Jesus right here in our little community and we will continue to bring the Good News of salvation for all that was given to us through the death and resurrection of our savior, Jesus Christ.
May this Lenten Season bring you closer to you Lord and your Savior, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Pete
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