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Exactly! I get mourning the past for a bit. But talking about what you used to be constantly is just looking backwards all the time. And visitors to your church have zero interest in what you used to be. They want to know what you are and intend to be.

Was this in reference to something in particular?

The Traditionalists are leaving of their own accord. They are doing so because while they can still dominate the UMC organizational structure officially, the moderates and progressives are just not going to continue to play that game. And they like the opportunity of creating a new denomination...

By the way, you asked a question (according to my email) that I now don't see. But it is worth answering. You asked about the GC kicking out clergy who disagree with the Discipline. That isn't something the GC can do. They have on the books rules that if you perform a same sex wedding you can...

I guess it depends on your perspective. Protestants and Methodists split when the issue is important enough. I believe in the value of unity. But there are times when people are too different to be in relationship in the same organization.

Not ultimately. If the General Conference meets and if some how not enough delegates have left for the new GMC and the GC votes to continue to prevent same sex marriages and ordinations I believe several of the six UMC jurisdictions (3-4 or them) in the US then would either split to form another...

Here is the deal. No one in the UMC asked the WCA to form and to decide to pull out and start the GMC. Even now Progressive conferences are NOT asking anyone to leave. We are encouraging traditionalists who don't feel like every church and pastor has to do everything the same way to stay...

They can if they pay their full apportionments and pay the contribution to the pension system. Each conference has a formula for how to do that. But none of that will be cheap, particularly for churches that have been withholding apportionments and now have to catch up.

Everyone in the UMC feels pain over the division. But like a divorce, it helps no one to take parting shots at each other. I will choose not to rehash old long arguments in this thread.

Welcome to The United Methodist Church, and this forum!

The Global Methodist Church has only been in existence since May 1st. But, Facebook and other forums are full of people who feel the need to take a shot at the UMC on the way out. If you have felt led to move your ordination or membership to the Global Methodist Church, be blessed in your...

I run into a few interesting people here. But I seldom leave this forum as the rest of the site is just so right wing and the rules are so restraining.

Yes, you most certainly got the gist. I do think there were early opportunities to connect the Methodist Episcopal Church to the also forming Episcopal Church. But it just never worked out.

BTW, was the General Baptist seminary you attended at Oakland City University?

Yes, Licensing is different than ordination. Persons from other denominations can be licensed to preach in UM church with approval of a District Committee on Ordained Ministry and them meeting requirements of the Board of Ordained Ministry. Of course, they still have to be appointed by a Bishop...

Wesley, as an Anglican, of course borrowed a lot from the prayers of the Church of England etc. The Episcopal Church and the UMC are about as close as two denominations can be historically. When the UMC split gets finished I hope the full communion agreement between the Episcopal Church and the...

If I were not or could not be a United Methodist I would join the Episcopal Church myself. I love high church worship and the Book of Common Prayer. It would be a pretty easy transition for me.

I have a lot of older Disciplines. But, the view of Communion as a "converting element" comes from Wesley himself. There would have never been any closed communion theology in American Methodism that I know of. The only possibility I can think of is a difference between Methodist Episcopal...

Just something for you to think about. If you consider baptism a sacrament or more than it can't be a personal decision you or I make to be baptized. By definition a sacrament is a gift of grace from God. It is unmerited favor from God. So it can't be earned. That is why Wesley maintained...

Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!