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  1. Origen

    Pastor should be praised, not punished!

    In addition to stating that homosexual practice is "incompatible with Christian teaching," the Discipline also states that: Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth; We affirm that God's grace is available to all, and we will seek to live together...
  2. Origen

    Pastor should be praised, not punished!

    This has and will play out according to the Disciple. The pastor was removed because of his violation of the Discipline, as discussed above. He was removed by the Clergy Session according to the Discipline. And their action will be upheld by the Judicial Council in a couple of weeks, as per the...
  3. Origen

    Pastor should be praised, not punished!

    Agreed. Good job connecting the dots. ;) It is while in the body of Christ that I'm most likey to be convicted of my sin by the Holy Spirit and by Grace led to freedom. During our Baptism, we are asked and we affirm this: "Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the...
  4. Origen

    Pastor should be praised, not punished!

    Yes. This is not a hypothetical question.
  5. Origen

    UMC's position on homosexuality?

    Hungree, here is some information straight from UMC.org. And:
  6. Origen

    Pastor should be praised, not punished!

    A question, not hypothetical, for those who think the pastor in Virginia acted correctly in denying membership to another: Should Church membership be denied to whites who belong to whites-only social organizations outside the church, for example a country club? For reference, the Church...
  7. Origen

    Any advice for leading Disciple I Bible study?

    This is the first year that formal training is not required (see here for more about that), but I'd still recommend the formal training if you can do it. I got certified to instruct several years ago and I thought the training was outstanding: in addition to the solid foundation you recieve...
  8. Origen

    United Methodist Beliefs

    This story was provided by the news service of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America just this week and reprinted by the United Methodist News Service: I would also share your assessment the ELCA and the UMC share a common heritage with Christians of every age and nation and share basic...
  9. Origen

    Anyone know how to become Methodist Lay Speaker/Pastor?

    The first step is to take the Basic Course. Completion of the Basic Course will qualify you as a Local Church Lay Speaker. To become a Certified Lay Speaker, able to preach throughout your Conference, you need to take one or more of the Advanced Courses. Talk to your Pastor or District...
  10. Origen

    What does your Username mean?

    Fascinating figure from early, early Church history:
  11. Origen

    Disciple Study

    SandyLou, This may sound premature, but I'd like to plant the seed that you may be hearing a call to teach. Just something to think about while you enjoy this and later Disciple classes. I can tell you from my personal experience that taking the Disciple Training Seminar and later facilitating...
  12. Origen

    trying again... ? for free methodists

    Hi Kayanne: I think you'll get a better, more accessible and personal answer from WesleyJohn, but this would be a book answer:
  13. Origen

    I'm visiting a United Methodist Church for the first time...

    I imagine it's natural to feel a little nervous, but that will only heighten your experience on Sunday. And don't worry, Methodists are usually very friendly to visitors; that "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" campaign is not just marketing hype. And they won't have any problem at all with...
  14. Origen

    I'm visiting a United Methodist Church for the first time...

    Many, perhaps most, United Methodist Churches celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month, and this weekend is World Communion Sunday, so I'd be surprised if you aren't invited to table. We practice open communion, so you will be welcome and invited to table. Communion Sundays...
  15. Origen

    What Bible version do United Methodists most commonly use in church?

    Best guess would be NIV or NRSV. Let us know. And Welcome! (Pew bibles are not uncommon, perhaps even the norm, so no one is going to look at you funny if you don't carry your own, they'll likely have one waiting on you with your name on it.)
  16. Origen

    Disciple Study

    Actually, it is mentioned prominently (set apart and in bold) on the Jesus in the Gospels website: "Completion of DISCIPLE: BECOMING DISCIPLES THROUGH BIBLE STUDY is prerequisite for JESUS IN THE GOSPELS" (Cokesbury). The prerequisite is also mentioned in the free promotional literature, the...
  17. Origen

    Disciple Study

    I mentioned in post #25 that I expected the New Interpreter's Study Bible to become the recommended bible for Disciple. I can confirm that with Jesus in the Gospels, the New Interpreter's Study Bible is the recommended study bible. The leader's guide goes into some detail why they make this...
  18. Origen

    Disciple Study

    Requiring Diciple I as a prerequisite for JITG may be partly to measure commitment, but I suspect it has more to do with the fact that Disciple I covers 80% of the bible in 32 weeks, providing great foundation for later studies; in other words, JITG (or Disciple II, III, or IV, for that matter)...
  19. Origen

    Disciple Study

    I've heard some folks call "Jesus in the Gospels" the Disciple V, but the publishers are framing it as the first course in a second series of Disciple studies. Here's some information from Cokesbury. I'm starting this month, so I'll post more when I've experienced more of it.