Circuit Thoughts

Last week, I mentioned the 500-pound gorilla in the room. Being the pastor of two United Methodist Churches, I can tell you we probably need to open a zoo. Not only do we have a 500-pound gorilla, we have an elephant and a couple of giraffes and two or three penguins waddling around. We got issues folks.

One issue you have probably heard about, (this is the elephant) is the turmoil with the United Methodist Church organization. There is turmoil, and if you want to know more, we can talk later. But for now, let me assure you of something.

The Doniphan and Neelyville churches are Bible-believing, Christ-following, God-loving congregations. We see ourselves as Disciples, making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the SALVATION of the world. We follow the teachings of John Wesley, who followed the teachings of Jesus Christ. We believe in the holiness of life and heart. We believe that Christ is the way the truth and the life and no one can come to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6).

These two churches and their minister are going to continue to do the work of the kingdom, regardless of what goes on in the world and in our denomination. The fact is, the UMC isn’t the only one to have problems, we just seem to be more public about it.

I also believe that no one has ever been saved by a denomination. The UMC does provide connections and tools to help reach out to folks. But, it is the individual Christian who leads people to Christ. Remember, Christ chose individuals to fish for men, not the Temple. Our task is to equip people with the Truth that they may share Christ wherever they go.

So amongst all of the turmoil denominationally, politically, nationally and grammatically, I can assure you that like Joshua, we will serve the Lord in whatever way God calls us to serve.

Friends, we live in some all too interesting times. The last thing we need is our churches working against each other. I am saddened by the press this denomination has received, just as I am saddened by the bad news that comes from other denominations. But the kingdom of God is strong.

Historically, the human part of the church has always been in conflict. Look at Acts chapter 6. The turmoil of perception that one group was getting fed better than another. Humanity hasn’t changed, we are still in turmoil. But followers of Christ are supposed to be better than that.

If you have doubts about your own denomination, start getting involved. If you don’t like what is happening, start working for change. In the case of Acts 6, the apostles recognized the issue and got others involved. Perhaps it is time for you to get involved and start the change.

We could just sit around and complain about the circumstances we have very little control over, or we can walk with Christ and change the world. I’m going to do the latter, how about you?

Shalom, my friends.

See you in church.