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Wedesday, April 29, 2009

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Do not hold your breath, Global Ministries & Mission Society cooperating – by Dr. Riley Case / The Confessing Movement
“Global Ministries and Mission Society” is the title of a significant resolution passed by the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth (see Book of Resolutions, p. 727). The resolution mentions the fact that the Mission Society has “conducted itself with Christian grace and cooperation.” That the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) has worked collaboratively with other sending agencies (with the implication that such has not been the case with the Mission Society). Also, that for too long there have been “some attitudes of competition around the notions of shared ministry” between the two agencies; and that the church is better served by cooperation rather than competition. The statement then resolves that the church commend the Mission Society, and that there be new conversations and liaisons between it and GBGM, and that bishops, cabinets, and conferences acknowledge and support the work of the Mission Society.
     Do not hold your breath. It has been a year since the resolution was passed and so far, no conversations are on the horizon. Nor are there any evidences that acknowledgment and support are coming from bishops, cabinets, and annual conferences. An article in the newsletter for retired GBGM missionaries was highly critical of the resolution. When a positive relationship was developing between the society and some GBGM work in South America and a breakthrough seemed imminent, GBGM intervened and the project was not developed. A feature article about this work was prepared by United Methodist Reporter but never published.
 
United Methodists respond to hate group report
By John Coleman / UMNS
An African-American U.S. president is bringing out the best and the worst in the nation, say United Methodists who advocate against racism.
     A recent report published by the Southern Poverty Law Center states there are more suspected hate groups in the United States now than ever in recorded history. The annual survey revealed 926 active hate groups in 2008, a 4 percent increase from the year before and a 54 percent increase since 2000, when there were 602 such groups.
 
UMW seeks changes in denominational relationships
By Linda Bloom / UMNS
Under the proposal, the Women’s Division would:
Retain funds it currently allocates to the mission board for mission personnel and missionary direct support.
Directly administer funds for international grant making and church program funding.
Assume direct responsibility for relationships with national mission institutions.
Take direct responsibility for the board’s program of ministries with women, children and youth.
Directly oversee the office of deaconess and home missioner, but no longer contribute to the program for church and community workers.
Cease its contributions of 5 percent to 10 percent of several administrative budgets within the Board of Global Ministries.
 
Methodists launch Business Sunday / Ekklesia [UK]
As the recession continues to tighten its grip, the Methodist Church is pioneering ways of bridging the gap between work and place of worship.
     There are 150 Methodist workplace chaplains working with people in industry and commerce, from Bluewater Shopping Centre through to Asda. Rev Rob Jones, Chaplaincies Coordinator, said: “We pray for teachers and health workers, but when do we pray for people working on the shop floor of a car manufacturer? We don’t, on the whole, we don’t see the faith link, but in actual fact these people carry their faith into the work place in a vigorous and often a very creative way and we want to support them in what they do.”
 
Youth invited to create logo for international fund
By Kathy Gilbert / UMNS
A team of United Methodists working in an office in Nashville is looking to youth for some divine inspiration.
     United Methodist students, grades 6-12, are invited to design a new logo for the Youth Service Fund administered by The United Methodist Division on Ministries with Young People. The contest is open from May 1 to July 31.
 
Methodists provide compassionate response in Myanmar
By Jody Madala and Karen Cheng / UMCOR
Allen Zomonway tackles the problems of malaria and other community health needs with passion. As the project manager for the Child Survival Project at Ganta United Methodist Hospital in Liberia, Zomonway is committed to helping improve community health through malaria education and other life saving programs.
     Ganta United Methodist Hospital is working to restore its infrastructure and revive its health care facilities following Liberia’s civil war.
 
Scripture lesson from the lectionary: John 10:14-18
10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
10:15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
10:16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
10:17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."
 
Methodists in their local news:
•
 Ill. clergy push for medical marijuana OK / Chicago News
"Medical marijuana is an issue of mercy and compassion," said Rev. Bill Pyatt of the First United Methodist Church of Carthage. "We pray that the Illinois legislature will have the compassion to stop this war on patients."
•
 Good Shepherd hosts Emergency Preparedness Seminar
By Andrea Galabinski / North Ft Myers Neighborhood
FT. MYERS, FL — "I lived through Andrew in Miami," said Pastor Willetts in his introduction. "I wasn't prepared. And the Methodist Church donated $36 million to help the community and we realized that we could make a huge impact."
•
 Hugh Hefner to Holly Madison: Move back in! / Gossip Girls
Hugh also confessed that as he grows older he’s increasingly interested in learning more about Christianity. “[I’d] like to find out what [Jesus Christ] was all about. Separate the reality from mythology. Find out the roots of what has become a major religion of my time. I was raised in a good Methodist home and I had questions about organized religion, and I would love to have the answers.”
•
 Methodists meld traditional with modern
By Renee Fite / Tahlequah Daily Press
TAHLEQUAH, OK — “We try to embrace and hold on to important traditions and historical heritage,” Schneider said, “while being open to the working of the spirit in the present day.”
 

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China could be Christian country in a decade
By Anne Thomas / Christian Today
  With the growth of the church in China, one mission organisation is predicting that the communist nation could become a Christian country in a matter of ten years.
      Jonathan Shibley, Vice President of Global Advance says there has been substantial growth in the number of Christians, especially in Chinese business circles.
      "All of a sudden, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of small businessmen fellowships taking place, both within major corporations in China, and within homes," reports Mission News Network.
      "China is potentially on the tipping point in the next decade of either becoming a Christian nation or submitting to the god of materialism…"
 
Estimates of economic costs of a flu pandemic / Reuters
  The World Bank estimated in 2008 that a flu pandemic could cost $3 trillion and result in a nearly 5 percent drop in world gross domestic product. The World Bank has estimated that more than 70 million people could die worldwide in a severe pandemic.
 
Love in a time of swine flu – by Albert Mohler
  "The history of humanity is the history of sickness, disease, and death. When sin came, death came, and sickness remains the leading agent of death...
      "For many years medical authorities have warned of a coming influenza pandemic – a modern plague – that could kill on a magnitude similar to the 1918 outbreak that killed over 100 million persons worldwide...
      "We are made of fragile stuff...
      "The public discussion about swine flu and the threat of a breakout pandemic should prompt Christians to think seriously and soberly about what all this means. Biblical Christianity has much to say about disease and sickness, and the Christian tradition is rich with thought about how Christians, churches, and pastors should think of sickness, disease, and death...
      "In the end, sickness points to sin and sin points to our need for Christ...
      "Christians will, sooner or later, be called upon to show the love of Christ in the midst of sickness. Perhaps we will minister out of Christ's love in a time of swine flu..."
 
Democrats define pedophilia as sexual orientation
By Bill Donohue / Opposing Views
  When this subject came up last week in the House Judiciary Committee, an amendment to the hate crimes bill that would have excluded pedophilia from the definition of sexual orientation was defeated by Democrats along party lines, 13-10. This was considered good news by gay organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, left-wing groups like the ACLU and various Jewish groups like the ADL.
 
New Kenyan Anglican archbishop will 'keep stand' against same-sex unions
  (ENI) – "Eliud Wabukala of Bungoma, who becomes the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya in July, will not likely reverse his predecessor’s opposition to same-sex unions...
      "We know there are challenges of building bridges among our communities, reconciling and healing the people. That's basically what I will do," said Wabukala, adding he would ensure that God's word is preached, taught and lived out...
      "Wabukala is 58 years old, and other bishops said he is humble, well educated and experienced...
      "Kenyans expect the new leader to steer one of the country's most powerful churches, in which there are more than 2.5 million Anglicans among the country's 39 million people. His election comes at a time when church leaders acknowledge the country is deeply divided along political and ethnic lines..."
 
Hunger has a profile
Working at my local food pantry helped me personalize the statistics.
By Cindy Crosby / Christianity Today
  "...I was doing my monthly shift at the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry, housed in a church in an affluent Chicago suburb. While waiting for our clients to arrive, I sorted donations and stocked shelves. As I went through bag after bag, box after box – and threw into the trash what some people considered "good enough for the hungry" – I felt increasingly angry. I also felt ashamed.
      "I used to think these things were good enough, too..."
 
Christians to mobilise for outreach at London Olympics
By Jenna Lyle / Christian Today [UK}
  Christians from all denominations will come together in July to see how they can maximise the presence of the church during the 2012 Olympics in London.
      The conference is being hosted by More than Gold, a church charity that has been coordinating outreach at the Olympics since the 1996 Games in Atlanta, when local churches distributed more than three million cups of water across the different Olympic venues.
      More Than Gold, chaired by Lord Mawhinney, Chairman of the Football League, is hoping that the conference will pave the way for similar outreach during London 2012. The charity is looking to inspire community festivals, prayer, performing arts initiatives, sports mission, chaplaincy and the mobilisation of thousands of volunteers in the run-up to and during the Games.
 
Ignoring the rational reasons against assisted suicide
By Wesley J. Smith
  Yale School of Medicine professor Constantine A. Manthous, MD, has published in Critical Care Medicine advocating for the permissibility of physician-assisted suicide.
 
Pat Robertson to retire as Regent University president
  Robertson informed Regent University’s Board of Trustees that he plans to retire effective July 1, 2010, but that he will continue to serve as the university’s chancellor and member of the board.
 
A Federalist case for gay marriage
Let each state decide the issue for itself
By Steve Chapman / Reason
  "The country used to be unanimous in rejecting gay marriage. But that consensus, like the polar ice sheets, is showing some cracks...
      ."It's at moments like this that the framers of the Constitution begin to look even wiser than usual. Somehow they anticipated that people in Massachusetts would not want to live under exactly the same laws as people in Mississippi. So they set up a system known as federalism, which allows different states to choose different policies. Thus we simultaneously uphold majority rule and minority rights.
      "This, at least, is how federalism is supposed to operate—letting subsets of the national population get their way in their own locales. There's only one hitch: In this case, it doesn't quite work that way.
      "Why not? Because of a huge imbalance created by that longtime nemesis of state sovereignty – the federal government. Under the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Virginia has complete authority to deny the privileges and responsibilities of marriage to same-sex partners. But Iowa doesn't have the complete authority to grant them..."
 
Why evangelicals must learn to think like a minority
By Logan Paul Gage / San Francisco Examiner
  "Newsflash: Evangelicals must face a new reality. No, not the advent of the Obama administration but the reality that they are a minority.
      "On one hand, this is not new at all. Misperceptions notwithstanding, evangelical values didn’t exactly dominate America’s culture or politics during “the last eight years.” Daily Kos prophesies of theocracy failed to materialize.
      "Yet a shift has occurred...
      "The real lesson, the big picture, is that America is rapidly losing a shared frame of reference, and Evangelicals must think ahead. They must see through the secular stereotype of Evangelicals behind all the levers of power and view themselves as a minority that they might ensure religious freedom for all."
 
A warning – blog by Viola Larson
  "Here are some thoughts about two sides of an issue. Moreover, my thoughts are warnings both for others and myself...
      "On the orthodox side is the problem of far rightwing groups that also believe that the practice of homosexuality is wrong. Once, several years ago, these groups, most of who are and were racists and into conspiracy theories, attempted to integrate conservative Christians into their spheres of action. They continue to do so...
      "Christ’s grace... doesn’t have room for ideology, be it conservative or progressive. Biblical Christianity tied to the ugly grime of extreme far right groups would be a monstrosity...
      "And here is the problem I see looming in the progressive side of the issue... in the event of the passing of proposition 8 in California... I see this turn by progressives towards taunting and insult and... even some violence... Resorting to such words as spiritual violence, bigot and homophobes won’t be an end but a beginning. That kind of characterizing of those who disagree with you on the basis of the biblical text won’t end with words..."
 
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