Comments on: Being United Methodist: Identity and Purpose

By: Henry Neufeld

Henry Neufeld — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:05:35 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Richard. I would like to emphasize that I’m not blaming pastors in particular. I think there are pastors who don’t do their job, just as in any other calling. As a teacher, I’m also aware of the number of times one can say things without having it soak in!

I do think there is a United Methodist problem (though it exists in other churches as well) in which we are unwilling to admit the possibility that our denomination, or more importantly a specific congregation may just not be the one for certain people.

My current congregation and pastor make it pretty clear. Now you will find people in the pews who still don’t get it, but the mission of the church and the parameters that define us are much more clearly understood. It’s not an exclusive club, else I’d personally find somewhere else to worship, but it is a defined “people with a mission.”

By: Richard H

Richard H — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:25:40 +0000

Good post, Henry. A couple of observations.
1. I preach on holiness/Christian Perfection in my congregations. I don’t think it’s even sunk in to the degree that my people, when polled, would admit to having heard it.
2. In my earlier days as a UM Christian (the UM came first) I used to be angry at the preachers who never preached the gospel. I had to go to other places to hear it. In my later years as a preacher & pastor I’ve agonized over people – I preach the gospel over and over and they just don’t hear it. Now I’m less judging of other preachers. While I’m sure some don’t preach the gospel, I’m equally sure there are many more who just don’t hear it.
3. Some of us are much more aware of denominational identity than others. At least around here people seem to care more about whether the people are friendly and the preacher keeps them awake. They seem to know little and care less about what we call theological distinctives. While I’ve benefited from this (through church growth), I don’t think it’s a wholly good thing.

By: Richard H

Richard H — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 03:20:38 +0000

Reno wrote about living in the ruins and then he left. As a UM I understand living in the ruins. I still think there’s something worth saving.

By: John B

John B — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:23:07 +0000

Wonderful post! I think you've hit the nail on the head by identifying one of the biggest problems within the UMC. We don't know who we are. The Confessing Movement is the best hope for this to change. I'm quite conservative in my theology, and still I agree with almost everything you said, with the exception of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. The Bible is very clear that Jesus died for our sins in order to take away the wrath of God. Is that the only thing or "metaphor" that explains what happened on the cross? No, but it is primary. Jesus died to save sinners.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:29:00 +0000

Wonderful post. It reminds me of an incident I had about 20 years ago when I was involved with planning a college age retreat for a group of UMC college students. In the midst of discussion I stated that, unfortunately I see the UMC trying to be everything to everyone and we were going to end up being nothing to nobody. The reaction was silence before I was attacked for being discriminatory and not open minded enough. Being a preachers kid (at at one point a seminary student) I would like to find my way back to the UMC, however too many of the congregations I visit fit your “fellowship” description.

Keep up the good work!

By: Pseudo-Polymath » Blog Archive » Dwelling in Ruins

Pseudo-Polymath » Blog Archive » Dwelling in Ruins — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:17:25 +0000

[...] R.R. Reno has a book In the Ruins of the Church: Sustaining Faith in an Age of Diminished Christianity, in which he discusses the state of the modern church. In the creed, we say “We in We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church”. but “one” church is a funny thing to say in the age of cafeteria Christianity made lukewarm by our prosperity. At Threads from Henry’s Web , Henry Neufeld writes about his spiritual journey, his falling away for a decade or so, and then coming to joing a United Methodist church. Both of these items have some resonance with me now, having recently also “come back” into the fold and presently having chosen to change denomination, though in my case from the ECUSA to Orthodoxy (OCA). [...]

By: Vicki

Vicki — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 19:29:59 +0000

Good stuff. I am a lifelong United Methodist and come from a long line of Methodists. Some UM history is taught in confirmation classes, but what kid is going to remember that later in life? And adults who become UMs do not have even this advantage.

The Online Learning Center at UMCom (dot) org offers an excellent 2-month course in the basics of the history of Methodism, Theology & Beliefs, Organization & Governance, etc. This would be an excellent course for the beginner UM to take, but there is a $12 fee that may be cost-prohibitive to some (maybe some churches could encourage new adult UMs to take the course & provide a scholarship where needed). Even though this just covers the basics, resources for further studies are provided and the moderated discussions can get pretty intense and thorough.

I feel the Church needs to emphasize that new members learn about United Methodism and not just the local church. In my church’s New Member Class, spiritual gifts and areas of service are emphasized, but there is no “who are these people called United Methodist and how did we get here” taught at all.

And how many United Methodists actually own their own copy of the Book of Discipline, much less have time to study it?

By: John Meunier

John Meunier — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 18:31:49 +0000

Excellent post. I wonder how to overcome this problem.

Despite your “small picture” view, I believe you touch on something that is broadly true of the denomination.

By: Art Ruch

Art Ruch — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 17:10:41 +0000

Excellent post. I too am an adult “convert” to Methodism. When I joined the UMC, I wanted to find out eveything I could about Methodist beliefs and history. Many lifelong Methodists never do that and, sadly, do not not have the awareness you wrote of.