SHEEP SWAPPING IS GOOD NEWS?

The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Mission Statement of the United Methodist Church

An article was recently posted by the United Methodist News Service (UMNS) appears to give the image of being some good news in a season when sad news has saturated the United Methodist Church (UMC). So far over 2,000 congregations in the U.S. have disaffiliated (withdrawn) from the UMC. And though the UMNS quickly points out that that’s somewhere around 9% of UMC congregations, for many Annual Conferences it represents 40% or more of their average weekly attendance, as well as 40% or more of the funds for those Annual Conferences. And now it’s being touted as, well, let me put it in the exact words of the UMNS: Growth For Some Churches Staying United Methodist (read the entire article here)

Some growth? As the article stated, that growth happening from people migrating from other churches that had disaffiliated from the UMC. In other words, they grew by sheep swapping! Sheep swapping is when one member from one church joins with another church. Thus they brag they are growing their church. Now, a most serious disclaimer. There are moments and situations when one moves from one church to another for just cause. Perhaps that church has deeply wounded them–and they know that they cannot grow in faith if they stay there. Or those moments when The Spirit transplants them from one congregation to another because of His plans for them and/or their new church.

But simply to move because a local church didn’t meet their needs? That’s not a just cause, in my humble opinion. Now, back to the UMC. Their mission statement is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. But it seems to me, a former tribal member, that the best they can do is to tout they have pulled in folks from other congregations. Nothing about making new disciples and nothing about for the transformation of the world. Isn’t this their stated purpose?

Now, here’s a reality check for my former tribe. Your leadership isn’t following your mission statement. I’m right because of four words: the transformation of the world. The UMC leadership in its theological direction should have this as its true mission statement: The Mission Of The United Methodist Church Is To Compromise With The Values Of The World So That No One Is Offended! A final word to any United Methodist who is still considering staying in the UMC. They tell you they haven’t changed any other part of your beliefs–YET! If they are willing to compromise with the values of the world in one area, then it won’t be long until they will compromise with the world in another area. . . and then another. . . and then another . . .and. . .

Advertisement

ANOTHER ATTACK–BY EVIL!

Thursday, June 16, 2022, at approximately 6:22 p.m. another 911 call was made from a church because of an active shooter. This time it was at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama near Birmingham. A lone individual walked in during a potluck supper and opened fire–3 were shot. One died at the scene and another died at a local hospital. The third victim is recovering. This happened only 54 miles from us, measuring by the way the crow flies. The responsible individual is in police custody. At this writing, no motive has been released by law enforcement officials.

But what about the “motive”? Motive and cause are not the same. In fact, the cause creates the motive. And while we do not yet know the motive behind this horrendous act, the cause is plain to see. Evil! And while attempts are made through legislation to eliminate evil, the root of evil is being ignored. And he loves it this way. Without calling him out by his name, he has free reign of the house. Chaos, ruin, and brokenness lies in the wake of his work. The disciple Peter nailed it in his letter First Peter chapter 5, verse 8:

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

from the New Living Translation

And he has been having a feast in our culture. It’s been an all-you-can-eat buffet for him. But there is something that drives him out of the cafeteria of life and sends him running as fast as he can! I said “something”, but what I mean is some ONE! His name is Jesus. But it takes more than just saying His name “Jesus”! It demands our surrender to Him. One of Jesus’ “half-brothers”, who by the way at first doubted his brother’s claim to be The Messiah, wrote in his letter James chapter 7 verses 7-10:

⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. ⁹ Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

New Living Translation

We cannot agree with what the world tells us and take the hand of God in relationship and friendship. In a world of “selfies” and “pride” Satan continues to feast! But when we humble ourselves before God and place Him as our “above all other things” relationship, Satan goes into the famine stage! Casting Crowns has song called God Of All My Days. And it ends with these lyrics:

In my blindness
God, You are my vision
And in my bondage
God, You are my freedom
All my days

God of All My Days lyrics © My Refuge Music, So Essential Tunes, Be Essential Songs

Would you like to see Satan denied a plate at this all-you-can-eat buffet? You would? For this to happen it begins with you humbling yourself before God and resisting Satan. Don’t be the Gideon hiding in a winepress threshing wheat–be the Gideon who is greeted by the angel with these words: Mighty Warrior! Gideon became that Mighty Warrior when he walked humbly with his hand in God’s hand.