and now, something lighter
discernment in a single meme
Things have been heavy of late. It's time for something lighter around here. My lovely wife found this single image which sums up the discernment process pretty well. Enjoy!
"Eight Contrasts Between the Confessing and Compromising Church"
by Joseph Mattera
Note: the following article was recently written by Joseph Mattera, one of the leaders of the U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, a Charismatic/Pentecostal reform movement. While I do not endorse or affirm all the beliefs of this movement, this article is a solid critique of the issues facing Christianity around the world as exemplified in . . .
Posted in: aldersgateumc
hey, Jude, don't let me down
thoughts on our present circumstances from the book of Jude
The little book of Jude probably isn't read very often and certainly isn't typically read as prophetic, but as I stumbled upon it the other night, I was stopped in my tracks in light of the current situation in the UMC. Reading through it was like reading a commentary on the recent decades, but especially the past couple months in our . . .
Posted in: aldersgateumc
a prayer for the week
I stumbled upon the following prayer today. It is from the Gelasian Sacramentary, which is the second oldest liturgical book known in the Western church, dating back to the 8th century. I thought it too good not to share given the struggles and strivings which many are enduring these days, especially in our local parish. As I read . . .
don't change denominations to find the perfect church
the grass may be greener, but every pasture has cow pies
If you've stayed this long, you deserve a shorter and more light-hearted post. Well, this is it. My short plea here is for all those thinking about disaffiliation to take off your rose-colored glasses, check your Pollyanna attitudes, and be realistic about one thing.
Just like there are no perfect local congregations, there are . . .
Posted in: aldersgateumc
denominational affiliation: does it matter?
what's in a name?
Those on both sides of the arguments for remaining in the UMC and disaffiliating from the UMC are asking the question, "What difference does denominational affiliation mean?"
It's an important question and one that everyone should seriously consider.
What difference does it make? What's it matter what sign . . .
Posted in: aldersgateumc
loving sinners without loving (or condoning) their sin
One of the great challenges faced by anyone in a position of leadership is the constant struggle of loving people in all their brokenness without loving the things that make them broken. It is an uncomfortable position to be in. It is difficult to love people while holding them accountable for their actions. Parents, teachers, supervisors, . . .
Posted in: aldersgateumc
