My church is dying, please pray for the UMC.

It's been ages since I went to a Methodist church, 1990 or so.


Unless the pastor is a personal friend of yours, I would not prop up a failing church. In my years growing up as a Lutheran I saw something similar as the what you describe from this lady preacher not sympathizing with the flock etc. I also don't think it is your responsibility to enable that etc.


I also think that the UMC is failing for good reason, that someone of them are way too liberal on their theology. I knew an old UMC pastor back in my college days, I attended his church back in my younger agnostic days because he was very sympathetic and understanding and I liked him a lot. But I got the feeling based on what he said in class (he taught to of my junior college classes) that he was a Jesus Seminar guy (he believed in God, but did not really believe in the divinity of Jesus according to the Nicene Creed). So I went to his church, because living under my parents roof I felt pressured to go to church on Sunday, but as a self identified Christian now, I would want something more committed to the Faith.


But anyway denominations that are more open to liberalism been in decline for nearly a century, and I think their are good reasons for that as far as the Bible and social psychology goes (People like to go to a church that seems to stand for something etc.).

67_Reasons said:

should I go to the other church or should I try to help mine?

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May I suggest that you spend some time reading John Wesley's sermons at Forty-four Sermons - Wikisource, the free online library
And that you compare what he preached with what your current pastor preaches.
If he isn't preaching the same sort of message, talk to him and if he is unwilling to change you will have to find a church that does preach the gospel.

Regardless of what you do about your church, I'd still recommend reading John Wesley and learning about his life. He's so inspiring and is the primary reason I chose to become Methodist! (And will continue to be Methodist.)

Also keep in mind that if there are people leaving a church, it's common for people to blame the pastor, being that he or she is often the most visible,but there are often other underlying reasons for a church's problems. You might want to make an appointment with the pastor and just talk to her about your concerns. Maybe she even shares some of them.