[RainCaster]

I know many of us grew up in the Methodist Church, but have left for more relevant pastures. I've seen it for many years in my own church, and after fighting the ageism battle for too long, I have played my last service and I'm moving on to a more Christ-led church family.

Empty hearts. Empty minds. Empty pews.

[ICTHUS]

The Wesley brothers are spinning in their graves...

[ImOnFire]

Originally Posted by RainCaster

I know many of us grew up in the Methodist Church, but have left for more relevant pastures. I've seen it for many years in my own church, and after fighting the ageism battle for too long, I have played my last service and I'm moving on to a more Christ-led church family.

Empty hearts. Empty minds. Empty pews.

Agh, I know what you mean. Frankly, I think people just come to my church because of the building itself and the wealthy people that go to it.
I'm in the Methodist church because my family is and has been, even though I personally disaggree with some things they do, and some of their beliefs (like Liberal church).

[BillSPrestonEsq]

This looks like insuls and flamebaiting to me. Nice way to judge an entire denomination.

This looks like a cage period to me. Do you think so Ryan?

While I have beefs with a lot of modern Weslyan theology, one of the CGR members who I most admire for his behavior is Wesleyan (Smitty).

[RainCaster]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

This looks like insuls and flamebaiting to me. Nice way to judge an entire denomination.

No flame baiting intended Bill. Sorry to appear that way. Spent too much time at annual conferences where everyone argued about being "more inclusive" while a simple nod would close two more churches forever. (head slam icon here) The Confessing Movement may have the right idea, but IMO it is too little too late. My young children need to be fed, not tolerated, and that is all we had felt in our UMC church for the last 5 years.

Not that the whole denom is that way- the UMC church we got married in is still our second home, even though it is a 5 hour drive. We get over there once or twice a year and it is always a wonderful experience.

I could be a Presby, but I just don't get the whole predestination thing. (Calvinism vs. Arminianism) Trying to find a purpose driven church nearby- not as easy as it sounds.

I'm curious, where have ex-UMCs found a home? Looking at the numbers shows that so many have left the denomination in the last 20 years. I want to know where did they go and how is it in their new home?

[ICTHUS]

Originally Posted by RainCaster

I could be a Presby, but I just don't get the whole predestination thing. (Calvinism vs. Arminianism)

What confuses you about it? Maybe I can help?

....to find a purpose driven church nearby- not as easy as it sounds.

Rick Warren. Yuck.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by RainCaster

No flame baiting intended Bill. Sorry to appear that way. Spent too much time at annual conferences where everyone argued about being "more inclusive" while a simple nod would close two more churches forever. (head slam icon here) The Confessing Movement may have the right idea, but IMO it is too little too late. My young children need to be fed, not tolerated, and that is all we had felt in our UMC church for the last 5 years.

Not that the whole denom is that way- the UMC church we got married in is still our second home, even though it is a 5 hour drive. We get over there once or twice a year and it is always a wonderful experience.

I could be a Presby, but I just don't get the whole predestination thing. (Calvinism vs. Arminianism) Trying to find a purpose driven church nearby- not as easy as it sounds.

I'm curious, where have ex-UMCs found a home? Looking at the numbers shows that so many have left the denomination in the last 20 years. I want to know where did they go and how is it in their new home?

Icthus is a calvinist and I myself find myself in the OSAS arminian camp, so between the two of us, you could get either perspective on predestination. Though that would be an issue for PM's or the theology forum, though I reccomend the PM's.

[smitty2622]

While the Methodist Church as a whole may have some problems it’s hardly on it’s own, several if not all Churches have problems. The idea of Church hoping is a problem for all of us, and should cause us to ask why people change so much. I’ve experienced this problem personally also; I did leave the Methodist Church for a while. I attended a non denominational Church for about a year and a half. I really liked the Church and I’m still friends with most of the members there, but I’ve come back to Methodist Church, It’s a Free Methodist Church that just started up about three years ago. I had a chance to do full time music ministry in a Church of almost all new converts, and I am really enjoying watch people learn and grow. As far as the Methodist Church being inclusive, I don’t think that’s a problem but a strength, after all Jesus didn’t come for the righteous, he came for the sinners. We should be reaching out to these people. I don’t really consider myself Methodist even though my theology does tend to line up with the Wesleyan almost perfectly I would rather just call myself Christian as I love all my brothers in Christ even those who disagree with me. If you feel you must leave the Methodist Church because of some conviction or theological disagreement then by all means do so, but remember those you left are still your brothers and sisters in Christ and show them compassion and love just as you should any other believer. When it’s all said and done the most important thing left is that we love one another, in this we will show that we are His followers.



Peace

[wwjdnow]

Originally Posted by RainCaster

No flame baiting intended Bill. Sorry to appear that way. Spent too much time at annual conferences where everyone argued about being "more inclusive" while a simple nod would close two more churches forever. (head slam icon here) The Confessing Movement may have the right idea, but IMO it is too little too late. My young children need to be fed, not tolerated, and that is all we had felt in our UMC church for the last 5 years.

Not that the whole denom is that way- the UMC church we got married in is still our second home, even though it is a 5 hour drive. We get over there once or twice a year and it is always a wonderful experience.

I could be a Presby, but I just don't get the whole predestination thing. (Calvinism vs. Arminianism) Trying to find a purpose driven church nearby- not as easy as it sounds.

I'm curious, where have ex-UMCs found a home? Looking at the numbers shows that so many have left the denomination in the last 20 years. I want to know where did they go and how is it in their new home?

I grew up in a UMC, but when I married a Catholic and moved to a new state, I told my wife we would look into the Catholic churches first. When we couldn't find one that was anything like she was used to, we looked into other denominations, including UMC. One of the more fundamental churches we attended tried to make her feel uncomfortable about her Catholic heritage. We attended two UMC churches, but felt that the pastor of one was way too liberal. The other did not have a vision for youth, which we thought was a serious deficiency, even though we had no children at the time.

We ended up at an evangelical free church that met in a mill and was always packed. We appreciated the variety of music in the worship time as well as solid, Biblical preaching. While we have had issues over the years (no church is perfect), we are still there.

[wwjdnow]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

This looks like insuls and flamebaiting to me. Nice way to judge an entire denomination.

This looks like a cage period to me. Do you think so Ryan?

While I have beefs with a lot of modern Weslyan theology, one of the CGR members who I most admire for his behavior is Wesleyan (Smitty).

When one is part of a denomination, one has to look at the doctrines of the denomination as a whole. Methodist churches are ultimately denominationally, not congregationally run, unless it has changed. This means that the denomination owns church property and assigns pastors. It also means that each church has an apportionment to the methodist denomination to support its activities.

If you're a United Methodist and put money in the offering plate, you are supporting the policies of the entire denomination. It's the same if you're a Catholic, or part of any centrally controlled denomination.

[Sean]

I know this is 4 months old but I still wanted to comment.

Originally Posted by ICTHUS

What confuses you about it? Maybe I can help? Rick Warren. Yuck.

That article barely critiques the actual purpose of the "purpose-driven" movement or whatever it is. Its much more a critique of the church-growth movement and the seeker-sensative churches. Certainly Rick Warren is full engulfed in each of those movements, but that doesn't invalidate the actual major theological points of the "purpose-driven" movement.

[Reedolo]

I'm a former Methodist!

I don't hate the Methodist church at all. I was a member of a UMC for about four years. I enjoyed the Methodist church more than any other Protestant church i ever attended.

take care everyone