Here is my struggle: I feel God’s calling in my life. I feel a great sense of responsibility to it. Being responsible to my calling is being responsible and faithful to God. It’s that serious for me. I know others, not exclusive to clergy, have a similar view. But, under an episcopal system such as United Methodism, my calling is subject to the system of itineracy, whereby … Continue reading Itineracy and God’s Calling in Your Life
I support the decision by the Judicial Council to uphold Rev. Frank Schaefer’s reinstatement to Ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. But let’s be clear: it was a technical win. The changing of hearts for full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the church remains the chief goal and the tougher work. [Insert cold water here.] As a disciple of Jesus Christ as well as one Michael G. … Continue reading It’s a Good Day for Frank Schaefer but only a Partially Good Day for Methodism
Joan Chittister’s well-being is at the mercy of her community. She has a commitment to God, codified in her Church’s discipline that marries her fate to that of her town. It is group salvation. As she told Religion and Ethics Newsweekly “Benedictines take to this day a vow of stability.What does that mean? It means we’re in Erie for life. We go down with this … Continue reading Itinerancy Means Never Having to Say “I’m There for You”
Note: I have a file of things that I have written that never made it to their original destination. Usually, these are impassioned defenses of something I believe, in which I find my own statements too strong. Every now and then, I will go through this file and read these things. In January, as I am reorganizing my files, I came across something I wrote that I wanted to … Continue reading I Love the UMC
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