A Time of Change???

Dear All in Christ,

     I just received my Nebraska Annual Conference Resource Book for our upcoming Annual Conference, June 1 – 4 in Lincoln, NE.

     As I read through the booklet, I stopped at page 43 and began taking a close look at the Resolutions and Petitions to be voted on in Lincoln.

     On one hand, I was very surprised.  On the other, this came as no surprise given the ‘progressive theology’ we are fed at St. Paul School of Theology.  I was surprised because I actually though the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church held to solid Biblical truths and beliefs.  Not surprised because of the secular influence society has had on the church in general.

     Because of the vocal minority and the push of many sub-culture groups, the church has obviously taken the position to pacify these secular entities by changing the language used to specify or identify God, and to alter the meaning of Scripture so as to not ‘offend’ anyone.

     Under the ‘Inclusive Language’ banner, we can no longer address God as Father, Heavenly Father, Lord of Lords, or King of Kings.  We can no longer refer to the Bible as ‘His Word’, or say ‘He said’, or use any other masculine identifier to indicate God – even though that’s the way it is written in the Holy Bible.  This offends too many people.  Who cares if it offends God?

      To further indicate how society has encroached and distorted the church, we are voting on a Resolution which in part reads, ‘Therefore be it resolved that each church be encouraged to study the United Methodist Church’s stand on abortion relative to the position of RCRC (Religious Coalition for Reproduction).

     The RCRC is in fact a pro-abortion organization.  Their Mission Statement reads (in part), ‘RCRC was founded in 1973 to safeguard the newly won constitutional right to abortion.'

     We are being ‘encouraged’ to study the issue of abortion ‘relative to their position’, as opposed to the traditional Methodist or Christian view, or from a Biblical perspective.  Like the RCRC has now become the leading authority on the abortion issue.  Basically, we are being asked to follow their leading on abortion, instead of following what God has to say about it.

     The other issue up for voting at Annual Conference is covered in Resolution #1 and Petitions 1 through 4, and is summarized in the third and second to last paragraph of Resolution #1 which read,  

    ‘Be it further resolved, we call upon the United Methodist Church to acknowledge that the most important foundation of any relationship, including marriage, is love, fidelity and commitment shared mutually between two consenting adults, regardless of their race, gender or sexuality. 

     Be it further resolved, we call upon the United Methodist Church to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy and allow clergy to perform the Rite of Christian Marriage for homosexual couples.’

      So now we have gone from supporting wholesome, Biblical marriages between male and female as outlined in Genesis (and other Scripture), to supporting love, fidelity and commitment shared mutually between two consenting adults, regardless of their race, gender or sexuality, including marriage.  As I read this, it not only supports homosexual unions/marriages, but it also supports folks just living together (love, fidelity and commitment shared mutually between two consenting adults).

     Along with this abhorrent attempt to destroy the sanctity of marriage, we are to vote on allowing homosexual clergy and to right for clergy to perform homosexual marriages.  I must not understand Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, or Deuteronomy 23:18, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 or Romans 1:26-27. 

     But wait, our instructor at St. Paul School of Theology, Dr. James Darby, said this is not what homosexuality was about.  According to Dr. Darby, ‘the homosexuality mentioned in the Bible was NOT the same as we know it today.’  Another classic case of convoluted interpretation and theology designed to pacify society.

     I guess I must not understand 1 Tim 3:1-15 either.  This is a guideline for service in the church.  In its context here we can be quite certain that the phrase means that the Christian leader must be a loyal husband, preserving marriage in all its purity and sanctity.  Like husband and wife!  Perhaps I missed that part.

     It would seem to me that if this were to pass, and we were to follow the logic which is being used to push this through, then it would only stand to reason that even a cross-dresser or transgender, or a ‘self-avowed practicing’ pedophile could be a pastor in the United Methodist Church.

    Time and time and time again we see how the church is allowing society to dictate how we interpret the Bible and how we present the Gospel and how we are to conduct the business of the church.  Seems the Bible nor the church have the right to set any standards, morality or ethics – everything is now dictated by society and every little sub-group who is offended or who doesn’t like what the Bible or God says.

     Remember Exodus 32:1-6?  That's exactly where we (the UMC) are now.  While Jesus is away, the people (society) have come to the church for/with their little gods.  And they have offered the church their tokens of golden earrings...and the church has gladly received their offerings and filled their requests for new gods.

    Also reminds me of the church in Pergamos, Revelation 2:12-14!   From my International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - 'Balaam is the type of a teacher of the church who attempts to advance the cause of God by advocating an unholy alliance with the ungodly and worldly, and so conforming the life of the church to the spirit of the flesh.'

     The next time I hear one of our so called leaders complain that attendance and membership is dropping off, I'm going to tell them exactly why.  Because the church is not following sound Biblical teaching, but rather following the current winds of society.  I will tell them we are now the Church of Balaam and God fearing, Bible believing Christians do not appreciate this detestable shift from solid teaching and theology.  It offends those of us who love and honor the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  It offends those of us who believe in His word and try to live it and share it.  It offends us who worship our Heavenly Father and base our faith on His word, and the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, and not the whims and ways of the world.

    It offends us that the United Methodist Church has decided to cater and coddle to the direction and demands of a corrupt society, while espousing the lies and deceit of the evil one.  It offends us that the United Methodist Church has sold out, has sold it’s soul, to appease and pacify the spirit of the flesh.

    Is this how you were brought up?  Is this how you want your children brought up?  Are you OK with society dictating how the church does its job?  Are you OK with society forcing these types, and other changes to your core belief system?  Is this how we as God fearing, Bible believing, Spirit led children of the Most High wish to see the direction of the church go?

    It’s up to YOU!  We cannot just sit passively by and watch the church self destruct.  If we do, it’s our own fault for not becoming involved or letting our voices be heard.  You only have two choices – to sit idly by, ignore the situation, hope it goes away or see the church and the faith destroyed; or you can take a stand for God and for good, and let your voices be heard.

    In Matthew 12:30, Jesus reminds us of this eternal truth – ‘He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.’

     I'll close with these final words from Joshua 24:14-16, 'Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!  "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.''   So the people answered and said: "Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods.....'