Thursday, January 04, 2007

THURSDAY MORN...


I made it to this morning's plenary to hear Bishop Scott Jones speak. This morning he spoke on "Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing" for United Methodists. Today, the "main thing" he was speaking of were the "essentials" that united methodist ought to hold in common.

HERE WERE SOME "UN"ESSENTIALS THAT MIGHT DISTINGUISH METHODISTS FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS/ FAITH SIBLINGS:
1. A 1 time/ 1 moment born again experience: while other denominations hold this understanding of salvation, methodists do not.
2. That you MUST be a part of a certain denomination and others are NOT Christian.
3. Believing in one certain perspective of a second coming of Christ.
4. Modes of baptism are not essential
5. Political preference (both Hilary Clinton AND George Bush are Methodists)

HERE ARE SOME OF THE ESSENTIALS FOR UNITED METHODISTS
1. The Church is a spirit filled missional community
2. Emphasis on the Trinity
3. Creation:by having a doctrine of creation we value that every human being is created in the image of God and precious in God's sight. We value human dignity.
4. Sin is the human problem and a violation of God's will.
5. Repentence: for methodist this is about turning.
6. Justification: this is the entry into the Chrisian life; a LONG PROCESS, connected to baptism, not one step. Emphasis on "being saved" not a saving moment.
7. New Birth: all Christians must be born again
8. Assurance: the holy spirit gives us the assurance that we ARE indeed children of God.
9. Maturity: growing up in the faith/ Christian perfection
10: Grace

Jay and RevMom just finished an EXCELLENT presentation. Now it's off to lunch!! Woohoo!!!

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