First sermon after the US election.....

[hopeforhappiness]

In almost the first sentence of the sermon of our circuit preacher came the words, "Trump is a liar and it's going to be really bad for the next 4 years"
He normally officiates in a very social justice city centre methodist church. I saw a respectful opportunity to push back a little as he had referred to how the Salvation Army used the chosen hymns or songs as the subject for an exposition. One Wesleyan hymn that morning had a clear emphasis on Christ dying on the Cross for our sins - the atonement. I raised this with the preacher and he went rather resentful in my opinion. I said that we had not heard the atonement gospel preached for all the 4 years I had been at my church, whereas it was written in the communion liturgy, and that most of our preaching was superstructural on absent foundations. But why did he appear so non-plussed. Had nobody challenged him like this before?

 

[Postvieww]

In almost the first sentence of the sermon of our circuit preacher came the words, "Trump is a liar and it's going to be really bad for the next 4 years"
He normally officiates in a very social justice city centre methodist church. I saw a respectful opportunity to push back a little as he had referred to how the Salvation Army used the chosen hymns or songs as the subject for an exposition. One Wesleyan hymn that morning had a clear emphasis on Christ dying on the Cross for our sins - the atonement. I raised this with the preacher and he went rather resentful in my opinion. I said that we had not heard the atonement gospel preached for all the 4 years I had been at my church, whereas it was written in the communion liturgy, and that most of our preaching was superstructural on absent foundations. But why did he appear so non-plussed. Had nobody challenged him like this before?

I would find a new church!

 

[hopeforhappiness]

I would find a new church!

Well, the thing is, we wanted to worship locally after years of travelling, many of the church members are lovely and sometimes the visiting preacher does centre the message on Christ (but not atonement)

 

[Postvieww]

Well, the thing is, we wanted to worship locally after years of travelling, many of the church members are lovely and sometimes the visiting preacher does centre the message on Christ (but not atonement)

You must make your own choice, I respect that. I merely stated what I would do.

 

[RileyG]

In almost the first sentence of the sermon of our circuit preacher came the words, "Trump is a liar and it's going to be really bad for the next 4 years"
He normally officiates in a very social justice city centre methodist church. I saw a respectful opportunity to push back a little as he had referred to how the Salvation Army used the chosen hymns or songs as the subject for an exposition. One Wesleyan hymn that morning had a clear emphasis on Christ dying on the Cross for our sins - the atonement. I raised this with the preacher and he went rather resentful in my opinion. I said that we had not heard the atonement gospel preached for all the 4 years I had been at my church, whereas it was written in the communion liturgy, and that most of our preaching was superstructural on absent foundations. But why did he appear so non-plussed. Had nobody challenged him like this before?

He should keep his opinions to himself. Are you still interested in Wesleyan and Holiness theology? I would find a conservative Methodist minister you can talk to.

Blessings

 

[tampasteve]

My Methodist church did not mention the election in the least.

 

[hopeforhappiness]

It's all a bit sad, really. There was an ideal opportunity this Christmas to focus on the person and work of Christ, initiated on earth at his incarnation.
Our minister, who is a nice lady, felt she had to interpret the Christmas story in terms of the suffering of certain groups (mothers, the pregnant, the homeless, the refugee, the low-waged, the sufferer under dictatorship). For once, I thought, just once, could we not heed Christ's words that we will always have the poor with us (and we should help them) but Christ will not always be present physically); indeed it is right to break occasionally the alabaster jar of rich offerings and worship and just consider Him. And Christmas IS the time when Christ is "with us".
Are we seeking justice for Christ? Have we begun to understand the Cost to Him and His Father?