For over 30 years I have been a United Methodist Pastor and for all of my 54 years I have been a Methodist. I have seen much change over my life time. There were the days when we sought after holiness. Seeking to be better ambassadors for Jesus. In the decades that followed we went so far as to use a word - pluralism - which many took to mean we accepted anything and everything. It was a painful time we have not fully recovered from yet. But, I believe we are moving back toward a Biblical holiness, albeit a slow turn. God is not through with us and I pray that the decades I have left in life will see our church become the strong evangelical voice it was once, drawing people to Christ.I have seen slogans like "each one win one" but have not seen the true heart to reach the lost for some time. If there were slogans or programs to grow the church it was more to survive, to grow the numbers. I am beginning to see more and more pastors and congregations with a true heart to reach the lost for the sake of Christ and the kingdom. I am seeing more and more evangelical pastors and churches in our conference, which is one of the more liberal conferences in the United Methodist Church. I take this as a good sign. God is at work. I pray we stay out of God's way and let God use us and use us up for the kingdom's sake. I pray God will work in us, through us, and in spite of us to draw people unto salvation!
What are your views of the United Methodist Church - where she has been, gone and is headed?
What other views do you have from other faiths or denominations that help you decide your current spiritual journey?
Where do you see Mt. Oak fitting into this process and how could we be of more help to you during your journey?
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3 comments:
I don't know all that much about the United Methodist Church. When I chose to join Mt. Oak, I did so because of the qualities that I saw in Mt. Oak and the people that make up this particular church. The church that I was a part of in Iowa (Cornerstone Family Church) really didn't have a particular denomination attached to it. I did however participate in activities that University Baptist church in Ames,Iowa would have since it was much closer to my house than my actual church (Cornerstone was an hour drive away) and the activities were geared towards reaching the university students. Mt. Oak reminds me somewhat of that Baptist church. Not sure if the quote Rev. Ray referenced has anything to do with it: "Mt. Oak is the most Baptist Methodist church I have ever see". :) (I might be messing the quote up. Check with Rev. Ray.)
I feel the same way as Melissa. I cant comment on the "whole faith" but I too have stayed at Mt. Oak because I feel WE are heading in the right direction. Coming from a Christian Church in Ohio that wasnt really attached to any denomination I was leary at first about Mt. Oak. I was raised Catholic I was NOT looking for a faith that had more rules and wasnt so worried about sharing the Word. I was looking for a church that would dig deep into the Word, work to reach others and be real people who try everyday to walk in the Word. Mt. Oak, I feel is all of that. I feel that we have really set the steps in motion to continue to reach others. I think years from now long after some of us are gone our "reach" will still be being felt. Get ready folks. God is moving at Mt. Oak! Pam Lowry
I have never joined Mt. Oak because I do not want to join the Methodist Church. As they become more Biblically based I will consider it in the future.
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