Thursday, December 28, 2023

O God, Our Help In Ages Past

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations…” (Psalm 90:1)


January 1st marks the beginning of new year.  But where is the future going?  What unknowns await us?  What will happen this coming year in our community? …in our church? …in our nation?  What will happen in our personal and family lives?

Whatever happens, I am comforted by the fact that there is nothing that we might face that’s bigger than the God we serve.  In 1708, Isaac Watts wrote one of the most famous of his hymns to remind people of his day of the faithfulness of God in the midst of the unknowns of the present:

God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.

Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home.
            [--Isaac Watts (1708), UMHymnal #117]

As we begin this new year, always remember that the same God who has been with and for us all in our past will guide and direct us in our future, no matter what it holds.  And never forget that God loves you and I do, too!   

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Sing We Now of Christmas

"The Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen…” (Luke 2:20)

“Sing we now of Christmas, Noel sing we here
Sing our grateful praises to the maid so dear.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

From the Eastern kingdoms come the wise men far
Bearing ancient treasure following yonder star.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

From the distant mountains hear the trumpet sound
With angelic blessings on the silent town.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!

Come let us surround him on this magic night
Gather here around him wondrous babe of light.
Sing we Noel! The King is born, Noel!
Sing we now of Christmas Sing we here, Noel!”

[--Traditional French Carol, The United Methodist Hymnal #237]

Whether you can “carry a tune” or not, I pray that you will have a song in your heart as you listen for hope in the coming of Christ in your life this Christmas!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!


Thursday, November 30, 2023

WAITING...

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

I don’t know about you, but I have never been very good at waiting. Whether it is waiting in those long lines at stores or waiting on a parking space in the parking lot, it often seems that the closer something is, the more difficult it is to wait for it. In fact, our impatience seems built right into our culture and society – these days, Christmas carols and decorations appear even before Halloween!

Yet, the Christian season of ADVENT (from the Latin adventus, “coming” – a reference to the “coming” of Jesus in the past, present and future) encourages us to learn the hard and difficult lesson of waiting, of watching, of anticipating, and of expecting good things still to come. It encourages us to learn to wait for God to reveal Himself in His own way and time.

In the weeks leading up to our daughter Jennifer’s birth over twenty-eight years ago, Trish and I both were very much on edge. The due date arrived, then passed, and I remember thinking constantly, “How much longer, Lord?!” I’m sure it was the same for the early Hebrews as they waited for the Messiah to be born, probably also thinking, “How much longer, Lord?!” And it’s the same for us today as we often ask of our problems, “How much longer, Lord?!” Maybe it’s God’s way of trying to remind us that some of the best things in life (including true, genuine fulfillment, contentment, and joy) often come only through long, hard waiting.

So, during this Advent season (which begins this coming Sunday, December 3rd), I invite us all to let God teach us to wait… with patience, anticipation, and joy. One tool that can help us “wait” and prepare for the coming of Christmas is through our use of what is called an “Advent Wreath” — a circle of four candles which are progressively lit during the four Sundays of Advent, culminating in the lighting of the central white (Christ) candle on Christmas Eve. CLICK HERE for an order for an Advent Wreath lighting that you can download and use each week leading up to Christmas.

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Monday, November 27, 2023

Ba, Humbug Christmas?


Do your holiday preparations ever leave you feeling like “Bah Humbug!?” Does it sometimes seem like a challenge just to celebrate at all?  If this has ever been you, then join Pastor Brian and your fellow church family and friends in rediscovering the real meaning of Christmas through a holiday worship series called A ‘DICKENS’ OF A CHRISTMAS.  Offered at all of our Sunday worship services December 3 - 24, you’ll experience the power of Christmas like never before as we relate Charles Dickens’ familiar “A Christmas Carol” to the biblical Christmas story.

December 3 -- The Chains We Forge (Isaiah 61:1-3; Galatians 5:1)

Learning how to break the “chains” of our past

 December 10 -- Needing A Little Joy (Philippians 4:4-9)

   Discovering the Joy of Christmas through Music  

     (presented by our Music Ministry)

December 17 -- The ‘Business’ of Humanity (Micah 6:6-8; Luke 1:46-53)

   Remembering our task of serving the needs of humankind

December 24 -- The Person That I Was... (Isaiah 6:1-7; Matthew 2:1-18)

    Celebrating the power of Christmas to change us. 

Monday, November 20, 2023

Three Ways To Be Thankful


“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.” (Psalms 92:1-2)

Back when I was still living at my parents' home in Fayetteville, I remember hearing my pastor share a Thanksgiving sermon that was especially meaningful to me -- enough that I wrote down the main points and have kept them all these years!  As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, I share with you these same “Three Ways To Be Thankful” in the hope that they will inspire you as they did me.

During Thanksgiving, we are challenged to have…

1) Thankful Minds - learn to become aware of all the blessings given to you by God… your family, friends, health, and for people that helps us be the best we can be.  In the words of a famous hymn, “Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”  In other words, learn to acknowledge the outward blessings of God.

2) Thankful Hearts -- Philippians 4:6 says “Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart.” Learn to be thankful for the inner, spiritual “gifts” of God in our lives… blessings that may not be outwardly apparent, but which one can choose to see as blessings with the right perspective.  This could include things like being “thankful” for being laid off, for an illness that causes us to see our need for (and reliance on) God even more, and even learning to be thankful for the troubles and trials of life that help us grow.  In other words, learn to acknowledge the inward blessings of God.

3) Thankful Hands -- James 1:22 says that we are to “be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.”  “Hands” here represents our actions and deeds.  In other words, we are not called to keep our thankfulness of “mind” and of “heart” to ourselves.  Instead, we’re called to show thankfulness through what we do…  through our loving and caring for others, sharing their joys and sorrows, their good times and bad.

My prayer is that this Thanksgiving holiday, despite any challenges and hardships that you've faced lately, you’ll remember and enjoy God’s blessings in your life.  But more than that, I pray that you’ll also allow those blessings to inspire you to practice your thankfulness in the three ways above.  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Friday, November 3, 2023

Give Thanks for God's Saints



“To the church of God that is in... [Coweta County], to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, 

called to be saints...” (1 Corinthians 1:2)

“Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days; a world without saints forgets how to praise.
Their faith in acquiring the habit of prayer, their depth of adoring, Lord, help us to share.

Some march with events to turn them God’s way; some need to withdraw, the better to pray.
Some carry the gospel through fire and through flood; our world is their parish; their purpose
is God.

Rejoice in those saints, unpraised and unknown, who bear someone’s cross or shoulder their
own. They shame our complaining, our comforts, our cares; what patience in caring, what
courage, is theirs!

Rejoice in God’s saints, today and all days, a world without saints forgets how to praise.
In loving, in living, they prove it is true: the way of self-giving, Lord, leads us to you.”


[--Fred Pratt Green, from the United Methodist Hymnal, #708]

Each November 1st is “All Saints Day” on the church calendar -- a day for God’s people to celebrate and remember the lives of all God’s “saints”: those living now who call Jesus their Savior; and those who’ve gone on to be with the Lord this past year.

I pray that you will join me this Sunday (November 5th) as we celebrate and remember the lives of all God’s “saints,” including those of our church membership who’ve gone on to be with the Lord this past year. Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Football Faith


“Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good things they do, to be generous, and to share with others. …That way they can take hold of the life that truly is life”
  (1 Timothy 6:18-19, CEB)

In the game of football, the ultimate goal is to get the ball into the end zone.  No team ever wins a game without moving the ball forward, and -- likewise -- no quarterback can advance the cause of the team without distributing the ball to others. 

So it is with the Christian faith:  growing and maturing as disciples of Jesus Christ requires us to share the “ball” that God has given to us. In the scripture above from 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul advises his young apprentice Timothy that sharing is necessary not only for ourselves, but also in order for God’s “team” (the church), to move forward on the “playing field” of life. 

From October 15-29, through a spiritual journey called Football Faith, we as a church will be exploring the value of being part of God’s “team” through the practice of generosity:  the sharing of our resources and lives for the work of God’s kingdom.  We’ll learn the difference between ownership and stewardship, the importance of being a “team player,” the great benefits of at least one God-given tool for sharing, and the joy that results from generosity itself.

And by the time we celebrate “Touchdown Sunday” in our one combined worship service on October 29, our hope is that we will have been challenged to understand and claim how true life – true “victory” -- is not found in what we have (i.e., in “keeping the ball”) but in what we give away (i.e., in “passing the ball to others”).  You won’t want to miss a single Sunday in this unique and special spiritual journey!

In the meantime, however, I ask you to join me and your church leadership in praying that God will prepare our hearts to hear His message of transforming generosity, and to commit to being present in worship each week as we do so!

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

        Pastor Brian
 

Tuesday, August 22, 2023



“REVIVE: to return to consciousness or life; to become active or flourishing again.” 

All things in life from time to time go through periods of stagnation, dryness, and lifelessness, where we “go through the motions” of work and living, but lack energy, passion, and meaning. In those times, for life to continue and thrive, we must experience revival.




Join me September 3-October 1 as we share in a new worship series called “REVIVE” in which we’ll be using the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt to remind us of lessons about what it takes to experience personal and corporate revival, and for us all (like the Israelites eventually did) to find and live in our own “promised land.”

September 3 – “There’s A Burning Bush Near You” (Exodus 3:1-12)
        Experiencing revival by answering God’s call(s)

September 10 – “Cloud and Fire” (Exodus 13:20-22)
        Experiencing revival by trusting God’s protection

September 17 – “Manna and Water” (Exodus 16:2, 11-15 & 17:1 & 6-7)
        Experiencing revival by claiming God’s provision

September 24 – “Following God’s Directions” (Exodus 20:1-17)
        Experiencing revival by allowing God to guide and lead us

October 1 – “Remember” (Exodus 12:1-14)
        Experiencing revival by remembering God’s presence in all situations 
        and circumstances

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

How to Live "The Great Life"


What are the essentials of a “great life” with God?  And how do we go about practicing them?   When Jesus was asked these questions, he didn’t share a statement of faith to sign, or give an elaborate set of rationale propositions to adhere to.  

Instead, he simply gave two commands for us to follow. 1700 years later, the founder of Methodist Christianity, John Wesley, expressed these commands as three simple guides that have remained at the heart of the living and practice of faith ever since then.  

During the first three weeks of August, join myself and your fellow Cornerstone UMC family in this 3-part series as together we explore what it takes to experience THE GREAT LIFE with God.

         August 6 – Do No Harm  (Matthew 22:34-40; Romans 13:9-10)

         August 13 – Do Good (Luke 10:25-37)

         August 20 – Stay In Love With God (Matthew 22:34-40; Col.2:6-7)

 Remember that God loves you and I do, as well!

Monday, July 3, 2023

Faith Of Our Founders

“Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord….” (Psalm 33:12)

As we celebrate our nations founding, it is good for us to also recall the faith of those who were our founders. By no means could all of them be consider stalwart and orthodox church-goers. However, most of them did espouse and presume a Judeo-Christian spiritual context for America that is often either ignored or downplayed today. For example, consider some of the writings/sayings of our founders:

--George Washington’s First Inaugural Speech (April 30, 1789): “It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe... that His benedictions may consecrate to the... peoples of the U.S. a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes.... No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the U.S.”
[Jared Sparks, ed., THE WRITINGS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, 12 vols. (Boston: American Stationer’s Company, 1837, NY: F. Andrew’s, 1834-1847), Vol. XII, pp. 2-5]

--Thomas Jefferson’s SECOND INAUGURAL SPEECH (1805): “I shall need the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessities and comforts of life.” [March 4, 1805 in Saul K. Padover, ed., THE COMPLETE JEFFERSON, CONTAINING HIS MAJOR WRITINGS, PUBLISHED AND UNPUBLISHED, EXCEPT HIS LETTERS(NY: Duell, Sloan & Pearce, 1943), p. 412]]

--Benjamin Franklin: “There is one God, Father of the Universe. That He is infinitely good, powerful, and wise. That He is omnipresent. That He ought to be worshiped, by adoration prayer and thanksgiving both in publick and private. That He loves such of His creatures as love and do good to others: and will reward them either in this world or hereafter... That knowledge and learning is to be cultivated, and Ignorance dissipated. That none but the virtuous are wise, that man’s perfection is in virtue” [Leonard Labaree, ed., THE PAPTERS OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1959), Vol. I, p. 213]

In response, some have argued that statements such as these represent only pro-forma (i.e., “politically correct”) acknowledgements of religion from their authors, and do not therefore represent their personal views. However, the fact that they were written or said at all is significant – their authors must have believed enough truth about them to write or state them, whether they believed everything in them personally or not. As historian Noman Cousins explains, “Not all of the founders acknowledged a formal faith, but it was significant that their view of [humanity] had a deeply religious foundation.” [Norman Cousins, ‘IN GOD WE TRUST: THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND IDEAS OF AMERICA'S FOUNDING FATHERS (Harper and Brothers, 1958), p. 10]

The point here is that regardless of their own personal beliefs, our founders obviously recognized the truth that nations are only as strong as the moral and religious life that undergirds them, and that when that is threatened, the fabric of society begins to unravel.

So, as we celebrate our nation’s birthday, may we celebrate by also remembering the God who has made it all possible, and by each of us helping to keep firm our commitment to being “one nation, under God.” Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Sunday, June 25, 2023

The Gospel According to Dogs


“Dogs do much more than just keep us company and give us love and attention -- they are models for how we can live better lives as humans.”
 So writes Robert L. Short in his book “The Gospel According to Dogs: What Our Four-Legged Saints Can Teach Us (HarperOne, 2007).

It's this book that I've used as inspiration for a new four-part sermon series of the same title that I'll be preaching at our worship services at Cornerstone U.M.C. June 25-July 23 (with the except of July 2).  

This light-hearted, yet genuine, exploration of a few lessons we can learn about Christian faith from “man’s best friend” will give us all things to “chew on” as we go through the “dog days of summer!”

June 25 -- Woof! Goes the Christian (2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 15:21-28)

                Remembering the Christian values of humility, obedience & surrender

July 2 -- Patriotic Sunday Sermon and theme

July 9 -- Did Someone Say Food?!  (Matthew 5:6; Hebrews 12:1-2)

                Recalling the importance of singleness of purpose/devotion to God

July 16 -- Handsome Without Clothes (Matthew 7:6-8; Luke 12:1c-3)

                Learning to be real/transparent with others and God

July 23 -- Faithful and True, Happy to See You! (Luke 15:1-10; Zephaniah 3:17)

                Celebrating God’s unconditional love

To watch these sermons either live or via recording, visit our church's YouTube channel HERE.  In the meantime, remember that God loves you and I do, too!

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Cruise Ship Christianity



"Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 8:17

There once was a widowed woman who more than anything wanted to experience the enjoyment of just one, single cruise aboard a luxury cruise ship before she died. So, she saved up her hard-earned savings and finally bought a ticket for a trip on a famous cruise line.

The day arrived for her departure, so she got on board and the ship set sail. Once seaborne, however, the woman never left her cabin. She ate food that she had smuggled aboard, and entertained herself in the cabin with games she had brought. All of this she did thinking that because she’d spent all she had on the cruise ticket, she wouldn’t be able to afford the high cost of the ship's meals or entertainment. What the woman didn't understand was that the price of her cruise package already included all these things. Consequently, she was living like a miser when she could have been “living-it-up” like a queen.

All too often, we Christians are like this: living life in our OWN strength and power, all because we aren't aware that when we “purchased our ticket to heaven” by accepting Jesus, the Holy Spirit was already included “in the package.” The Spirit is imparted to each and every Christian in order to give us the strength and power and wisdom to actually help us to LIVE our Christian lives.

Sometimes we need special experiences to help us understand, acknowledge, or “actualize” His presence, but it’s not like he’s never been within all the time -- when we become a Christian, we automatically receive the Holy Spirit. The question then becomes NOT “Do we have the Holy Spirit?” but “Does the Holy Spirit have us?” That is: have you allowed the power and presence of God’s Spirit to have free reign and access in your life? Or are you just skimping along, trying to live your Christian life and faith in your own strength and ability (and most often failing)?

Well, this past Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, the day we celebrate that part God’s Holy Trinity who we all too often hear little about, but who is absolutely indispensable to our spiritual life. He is, after all, that part of God’s being whose constant presence helps and empowers us to be God's people. So, my prayer is that each day, you’ll remember and celebrate His power and presence within you and within each of us! Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

New Mission/Purpose for Cornerstone U.M.C.

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” (Psalms 138:8)


I am pleased to announce that our church’s top leadership group (Church Council) recently received and adopted a recommendation from our new Vision Team for a newly articulated Mission/Purpose for Cornerstone UMC, which is as follows: 


Creating a community that reflects the love of Jesus by

 

1) Nurturing individuals through healing and spiritual growth;

 

2) Connecting groups through relationships; and

 

3) Impacting our diverse world through acts of service

 

The mission we’ve adopted above describes what we feel to be our church’s DNA and “reason for being” -- it captures the essence of Cornerstone’s current ministry and work as a congregation of Jesus Christ.  Our members and friends will start seeing and hearing more about this new mission (and perhaps even some further renditions of it that are shorter and more “marketable”) in future church communications.

 

However, I wanted to share its adoption with you today as a new articulation of the foundation out of which – over the next few months -- our church’s Vision Team will be prayerfully discerning God’s Vision together for the next 2-5 years of our future.

 

Remember that God loves you and I do, too!

 

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

TRUTH FROM FICTION: “Splits,” “Heresy,” & Lawsuits in Contemporary American Methodism?

 


“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one.” (John 17:20-21a)

Over the past half year or more, many (if not most) of you reading this have read or heard about various conflict and division facing contemporary Methodist Christianity in today’s American culture. While the current controversies are rooted in debate and challenges that have been around since the early 1970s, various events have caused them to come to a head over the last four years, and to make an even greater “splash” over the past 12 months.

Unfortunately, much of what is making the rounds on the internet, social media, interpersonal gossip networks, and in secular media is based on a lot of misinformation (and even, unfortunately, some intentional DIS-information). This means that much of what you may hear or read is either blatantly untrue, or at the very least, grossly distorted.

While our primary focus at Cornerstone United Methodist Church is intentionally not on the details of these challenges, but on creating and being a community which reflects and shares the love of Jesus with others, we nevertheless need to be aware of the reality of this misinformation out in the public, and how it can negatively affect our witness and focus on being Jesus to the world.

In an attempt to provide you with a resource for discerning truth from fiction regarding the current challenges facing contemporary Methodism, I want to encourage and invite you to read the following set of articles from our denomination’s UMC.org website, which seek to address the most common questions being asked by people today (perhaps even by many of you). A reasonable person doesn’t even have to agree (or trust) the veracity of all of these “official” responses to be able still to recognize and acknowledge that not all things reported as “true” are always the one and only “truth” – that there are always more ways to interpret and understand an issue than merely the sensational aspects which are popularly reported and passed around as “truth.”

So, with that in mind, below the following list is the website where you will find responses to many various iterations of the question “Is the United Methodist Church really…”

● Changing the Bible or altering our core doctrine?

● Splitting at this time?

● Asking biblical “traditionalists” to leave the denomination?

● Asking all local churches to vote on whether to remain in The United Methodist Church or join the newly formed Global Methodist Church?

● Ignoring or refusing to implement our own church’s statements, restrictions, and requirements regarding practicing homosexuals and same sex weddings?

● Dropping (or going to drop at General Conference in 2024) all current prohibitions related to human sexuality?

● Forcing (or going to force) congregations that don’t want a self-avowed practicing homosexual as a pastor or deacon to accept one?

● Going to require local churches and/or their pastor to host same-sex weddings?

● Going to renew the legal allowance for disaffiliation (Book of Discipline, Paragraph 2553) at the next General Conference in 2024?

● …and responses to many other questions.


While I do want to encourage you to read the complete article responses, the short answer to each of these questions is “NO!” Given this reality, it is disturbing and unnerving that so many people in our culture (and many members of the United Methodist Church) have fallen under the spell of this misleading misinformation, leading to two major consequences:

(#1) using a paragraph (2553) in our latest Book of Discipline that is open through December 2023, many United Methodist Churches around America have chosen to undergo a process of discernment about whether or not to “disaffiliate” (i.e., exit/leave) the U.M.C. denomination entirely; and

(#2) the unilateral formation (not mutual “split”) in 2022 of the Global Methodist Church (or GMC, a more conservative branch of Methodist Christianity). As a clergy colleague of mine commented in a recent email about these phenomenon, "I find it ironic that so many are jumping off a ship [meaning the United Methodist Church] that isn’t sinking." How sad but true are his words!

What about the current Disaffiliation Lawsuit
against the NGA UM Conference?

Doubtless some of you are also aware that late last year, our then-Bishop announced that she was pausing the ability of UMCs in the North Georgia Conference to continue their “disaffiliation discernment” process due to the “misleading, defamatory, and false statements and materials shared with local church members by certain organizations as well as clergy and lay members of various churches and outside groups” leading to a lack of “confidence in the validity of upcoming church conference disaffiliation votes.” You can read the entire rationale for pausing the disaffiliation process HERE. As a result of this pause, nearly 200 North Georgia U.M.C.s filed a lawsuit in late March against the North Georgia Conference, feeling that their “rights” had been abridged. Read about this lawsuit HERE.

While I understand the concern and feelings of these churches (some which I have served as Pastor or on staff), I must nevertheless respectfully disagree both with their lawsuit and the purported motives behind it. For one, most of these seem to be based on a faulty assumption: the disaffiliation provisions of Paragraph 2553 were graciously provided specifically to allow those churches who felt the 2019 General Conference decisions were too harsh (i.e., generally progressive churches) to be able to leave the denomination. Yet, most every church that has applied to use this paragraph to exit has done so claiming their fear of a change in the Book of Discipline that has not yet happened. In other words, their argument of why they want to leave the denomination seems to be based NOT on the faith-reality of what now IS, but their fear of a potential “WHAT IF” of the future. What they are failing to acknowledge is that if the denomination were to change our current Book of Discipline LGBTQ prohibitions in the future (i.e., at General Conference 2024 or 2028), I have no doubt that those who are fearful of such things would most assuredly be given an opportunity to exit the denomination graciously with their property and honor intact (as was given to progressive Methodists in the 2019 adoption of Paragraph 2553). However, the current provisions were not designed for a conservative exit based on “what ifs” (which is what most of those filing the lawsuit are advocating for).

Not only that, but despite the pretense that the lawsuit is aimed at protecting the “right” of churches who want to make their own choice based on their view of the high authority of scripture, they are seemingly overlooking the fact that lawsuits against fellow Christians are blatantly and clearly unbiblical (read 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, where Paul makes it clear – especially in verse 9 -- that those who do this put themselves in the same company as the “wrongdoers who will not inherit the kingdom of God”). As such, in my humble opinion, the current fear and panic of so many churches in pushing to engage in a “disaffiliation process” – to the point of disregarding the clear imperatives of scripture by suing their fellow Christians -- is not only ungracious and unnecessary, but also unbiblical.

What Does This Mean for United 
Methodism of the Future?

All that I’ve discussed here begs the question, “What does all of this mean for United Methodist Christianity of the future? And what does and will it mean to be and to live as a UNITED Methodist Christian, both today and in that future?”

As a United Methodist Christian for all my life, and as a United Methodist Pastor now for 34 years, I shared a number of answers to these questions in a sermon series (“Christianity the Wesleyan Way”) that I preached at Cornerstone UMC January 8-February 12, 2023 (view these sermons on YouTube HERE). You can also read more about these themes in my 2020 book of the same title found on Amazon.com HERE.

But in addition to what I’ve shared personally and professionally, the following link on our NGA Conference website has many articles, blogs and videos to help interpret these questions and also to share thoughts about the future of our UMC denomination that I invite you to read for yourself…


The bottom line: through all the divisions, disruptions, and challenges we have been facing recently, God is in the process of birthing new forms of Methodist Christianity: some forms will be more conservative/traditional in view and practice (like the G.M.C.); some forms will be more liberal/progressive in view and practice (there have been discussions of a more progressive branch of Methodism breaking away from the U.M.C. in the future); and still other forms will hold both conservative and liberal qualities in tensional balance through what is currently referred to as “centrist” views and practices (such as will likely be found in the future U.M.C.). The tensions we experienced as a denomination over the past 10-20 years were but the labor-pains; but now we are experiencing the birth process itself. Yet, if that is true, then let’s not forget that all births are uncomfortable, messy, and painful. And unfortunately, to some people birth feels so much like death that they have a hard time seeing beyond the pain and mess to the more beautiful and lovely thing that’s created as a result of it. All of this is certainly what we’re experiencing now.

Another biblical metaphor for what we’re experiencing is the “pruning” parable that Jesus describes in John 15:1-2, where God “prunes” that which is not bearing fruit, so that what is left can actually begin to bear fruit again. For many years, there have been parts of the (old) United Methodist Church which (truthfully, I agree) have not borne spiritual fruit. Yet, in the recent creation of newer forms of Methodist Christianity now found in the U.M.C. and G.M.C., each “pruned” branch has a better opportunity to produce genuine spiritual fruit in their future.

Consequently, I do not live in a state of “doom and gloom” or “panic-mode” (as some people appear to be doing) about either the present or the future of Methodist Christianity. It (actually Christianity, in general), has undergone numerous divisions and reunifications throughout its history (1792, 1830, 1844, 1870, 1939, and 1968!), making the divisions of 2020 and 2022 neither the first such things in our Methodist history, nor the last. God’s church is “bigger” than any division, and tends to be more resilient and durable than we humans think that it is because it is GOD’S church and not OURS! As a result, God’s work and power in the world has and will continue through the differing expressions of Methodism.

My heart breaks for the hurt and wounded feelings that these contemporary challenges and parting-of-ways are causing. I have many laity friends and clergy colleagues who are choosing to go a different way than myself and my family. But I still love them and pray that God will use them in their own way(s) to reach and touch people with the gospel of Jesus. In the meantime, despite its flaws (and each branch has these) my family and I choose to remain part of the branch of Methodist Christianity called the United Methodist Church, not only because it has fed and nurtured us in our Christian walk thus far, but also because, for us, it has both the greatest power and possibility to continue to do so into the future.

I understand and accept the fact that not all who read this article will agree with this assessment, or of all that I’ve written. Nevertheless, regardless of one’s personal views on the individual topics discussed herein, if we follow Jesus, then we can hopefully at least agree that we all have a common responsibility to respect one another in Christian love, and when we do disagree, to do so in way that honors Jesus, who we both love and serve (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

My prayer, then, is that whatever you believe or wherever you stand on the issues, we can still work together as partners in faith to share the love of Jesus with the community and world around us, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Only then can the unity of the Church that Jesus prays about in John 17:21 come to pass. Always remember -- no matter who you are (or whether or not you agree with me) – that God loves you and I do, too!

Sunday, April 9, 2023

He's Alive!


Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!” (Luke 24:5)

Growing up as a young Christian, I remember one of the most meaningful songs I heard on the radio was a Contemporary Christian rock ballad by Don Francisco called “He’s Alive!”  It later went on to become the 1980 Dove Award’s Song of the Year. Because it is written in ballad form, you don’t need to know the tune to enjoy the power of its words:

“The gates and doors were barred and all the windows fastened down,
I spent the night in sleeplessness and rose at every sound,
Half in hopeless sorrow half in fear the day,
Would find the soldiers crashing through to drag us all away.
Then just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall,
The gate began to rattle and a voice began to call,
I hurried to the window and looked down to the street,
Expecting swords and torches and the sound of soldiers feet,

There was no one there but Mary so I went down to let her in,
John stood there beside me as she told us where she'd been,
She said they moved him in the night and none of us knows where,
The stone's been rolled away and now his body isn't there.
We both ran toward the garden then John ran on ahead,
We found the stone and the empty tomb just the way that Mary said,
But the winding sheet they wrapped him in was just an empty shell,
And how or where they'd taken him was more than I could tell.

Something strange had happened there but what I did not know,
John believed a miracle but I just turned to go,
Circumstance and speculation couldn't lift me very high,
Cause I'd seen them crucify him and then I'd watched him die,
Back inside the house again all the guilt and anguish came,
Everything I'd promised him just added to my shame,
But at last it came to choices I denied I knew his name,
Even If he was alive it wouldn't be the same.

But suddenly the air was filled with a strange and sweet perfume,
Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room,
Jesus stood before me with his arms held open wide,
And I fell down on my knees and clung to him and cried,
He raised me to my feet and as I looked into his eyes,
Love was shining out from him like sunlight from the sky,
Guilt and my confusion disappeared in sweet release,
And every fear I'd ever had just melted into peace.

He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heavens gates are open wide.
He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heavens gates are open wide.
He's alive, He's alive, He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heavens gates are open wide.   He's alive!”

[--Written & performed by Don Francisco, 1980 Dove Award Song of the Year 
© Warner/Chappell Music Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group]

May the news that Jesus is alive bring hope and joy to your life today!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Sunday, April 2, 2023

The Paradox of Jesus

Think of yourself the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God, but... instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death – and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.”  (Philippians 2:5,8, The Message)

On that first Palm Sunday, with all the shouts of “Hosanna!” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”, one would have expected Jesus to enter Jerusalem on a mighty horse --a symbol of might and power.  But instead, he chose a lowly donkey.  Before he could come as a King to reign, he had to come as a Savior to die.   Consider the many contrasts of Jesus' life, described by one writer:

            “He who is the Bread of Life began his ministry hungering;

             He who is the Water of Life ended his ministry thirsting;

             Christ hungered as a human, yet fed the hungry as God;

             He was weary, yet he is our perfect rest;

             He paid tribute, yet he is a King himself;

             He was called the Devil, yet he cast out demons;

             He prayed, and yet he is the one who hears our prayers;

             He wept, and yet he is the one who dries our tears;

             He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet he redeems sinners;

             He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet he is called 'The Good Shepherd';

             He who is the Resurrection gave up his own life, and by dying, he destroyed
                  death itself.”

As we begin Holy Week today on Palm-Passion Sunday, it is good to recall the wondrous love that God has for each one of us in giving his only son for our salvation.

Remember, Jesus suffered and died then so that we might have victory and life today as Christians. Our salvation might be free to us, but it cost Jesus everything! Blessed, therefore, is Christ, who comes in the name of the Lord!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Be Still My Soul - Hope In the Midst of Congregational Loss


 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”     (Psalms 34:18)

 “’Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge’ Selah” (Psalms 46:10-11)

Over the last three months, we as a church family have faced an unusually challenging and traumatic season in which we have lost nine of our members to death.  While we certainly celebrate their homecoming resurrection in heaven, they will be sorely missed by us here on earth. 

As part of this, I am also fully aware of how these consecutive losses have taken an emotional toll on each of us both as individual church members and friends, and as a congregation as a whole.

Yet, even in the midst of these heartbreaking losses, I wanted to offer not only the two scriptures above (from Psalm 34 and Psalm 46) but also to offer the lyrics of a famous Christian hymn that I hope will provide to each (and all) of us an invitation to -- and source for -- courage and hope in this difficult season.

In 1899, hymnwriter Jean Sibelius read the lyrics of a poem by Katharina von Schlegel from a century earlier and was led to set them to a famous tune that ended up creating one of the most enduring Christian hymns – one that we still sing today:

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to thy God to order and provide;

in every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

to guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice, who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

and all is darkened in the veil of tears,

then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

from His own fullness all He takes away.

 

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”

[--Words by Katharina von Schlegel (1752), Tune “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius (1899), found in The United Methodist Hymnal #534]

May each of our souls “be still and know" that God is with us through all the losses we’ve experienced lately.  May we remember that the Lord is “close to the brokenhearted” (us!) and that – as the hymn says -- “in every change He faithful will remain!”  

Whatever loss, change or transition you are facing today, I invite you to join me in trusting that God is with you and with us all!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Monday, March 13, 2023

What's YOUR "Wrap"?


In my March 19, 2023 sermon, I used the encounter with Jesus in the story of him raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:32-45) to talk about the various things that "wrap us up" and keep us from being who God wants us to be.  What you find below is the content of the "What's Your Wrap?" handout that I provided for in-person worshippers to complete that day.  

As you read this online, I invite you either to print this post out and then to circle (or separately to write down) the item(s) you feel are binding you up in your life... things that are keeping you from being the person that God wants you to be.  So, what is it that you are "wrapped up" by?

☹ Stress and Worry? ...About your job, family, marriage, children, finances, friendships, etc.

☹ Fear? ...Of failure, illness, success, loneliness, the unknown, the future, the present, the past

☹ Memories? ...Painful memories of tragedies, personal mistakes, or hurt caused by others

☹ Harmful, Unhealthy Attitudes? ...Such as anger, bitterness, apathy, unforgiveness, un-dealt-with grief, etc.

☹ Illness or sickness? ...Is it a chronic illness or medical issue that is preventing you from reaching your potential for God?

☹ Grief? ...Is grief over the loss of a loved one, friend, job, marriage, or even a pet hindering your walk with God? 

☹ Destructive, Unhealthy Behaviors? ...Bad habits and/or addictions to things like smoking, abusive drinking of alcohol, drugs, pornography / sexual addiction, gambling, overeating

☹ Selfishness? ...Which can include pride/arrogance (too high a view of ourselves = a refusal to allow God to keep us humble), low self-esteem (too low a view of ourselves = a refusal to see ourselves as God’s sees us, as His child), materialism (too attached to “things”) and  perfectionism (setting standards for ourselves or others too high)

☹ Smugness/comfortableness ? The mentality “it’s the way I’ve always done things” and “it’s just the way I am” can sometimes reveal that our own comfort is more important than the doing of God’s will and God’s way

☹ Prejudice and/or Jealousy? ...Towards people or persons who look, dress, act, or think differently than you.  If followed to their ultimate end, these can lead to hate and violence

☹ Other? _______________________________________________________________ 

After you've circled or written down the item(s) you feel have gotten you "all wrapped up," at some appropriate time, take them outside and burn the paper as a sign that you're committing them to God for Him to bring about healing and resurrection in your life.

Always remember that God loves you and I do, too!