General Posts

Some Things About General Conference 2016

There are always controversial issues at General Conference (GC) and this was no exception. Concerning the issue of sexuality, all pertinent resolutions were tabled and a commission was formed to study more. GC also voted down a motion to have a special Conference in 2018 to decide this issue. This kept the Discipline as is. Concerning abortion, General Conference voted to end United Methodist membership in the pro-abortion group Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. A resolution supporting the RCRC was defeated. A resolution opposing gender selection abortions was readopted. This kept the Discipline as is on the issue with only our support of RCRC changed.

Other actions include adding 5 more bishops in Africa starting in 2020, starting two provisional annual conferences; one in Rwanda and one is Southeast Asia/Mongolia passed 715-56. (Yes, taking the Gospel around the world is something United Methodists still have great agreement on.) The United Methodist Church in Africa is growing by leaps and bounds. We “boasted” an increase in membership worldwide because their gains are greater than our losses. By the year 2020, there will be more United Methodists in Africa than in North America. We must ask what we can do, not only to help their growth, but turn around our decline. Maybe they know something we don’t or practice something we shun. Let’s learn from them.

The GC voted to allow supplemental ministries for men and women in the local church. (Under the present Discipline only United Methodist Women’s program’s and resources are to be used in the local Church.) I take it that UMM did not have that restriction. In a move to affiliate with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, the GC voted to mandate the General Board of Church and Society to devote the time of one staff person to the cause of persecuted Christians everywhere.

This is a small tip of the iceberg of all GC did this year. Know that our church is active around the world; not just as “us” reaching out to “them.” WE are around the world as US, United Methodists, a growing part of the church of Jesus Christ. -- Ben

Mission Project For July

Family Promise Vision Statement:  The vision of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of York County is that homelessness will cease to exist in this community and that the families touched by this program will graduate better equipped to meet life's challenges.

Mission Statement:  The mission of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of York County is to provide a comprehensive and compassionate program of meals, shelter and case management to homeless families through a Community network of congregations and staff that foster long-term self-sufficiency, independence and success for families.

Diversity Statement:  Interfaith Hospitality Network of York County seeks to promote growth, in a network that reflects the richly diverse community in which it serves.

Wish List:

  • Any type of cleaning supplies
  • Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
  • Hygiene products (Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.)
  • Brooms
  • Mops
  • Paper Towels
  • Toilet Paper
  • Toilet Bowl Brushes
  • Copy Paper
  • Pens
  • Post It Notes
  • Over the counter medications.

Quotes from a Patriot

              As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, let the wisdom of these quotes from Thomas Jefferson ring with the truth that we all too often have forgotten. I don’t think these are taught in our schools’ history classes. “When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.”

“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”

“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.” (Over 18 trillion and counting.)

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government comes from too much government.”

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” (Does anyone in Washington know this?)

“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”

“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will derive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.” (The Federal Reserve is not federal, but private.)

“And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God: that they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”

These ideas helped make us great. By the grace of God, they can again.--Ben