Remembering the Jerusalem council, 45 C.E., the Apostle Paul shared, “We didn’t give in… for a single moment, so that the truth of the gospel would continue to be with you (the uncircumcised).” (Galatians 1-2) The Acts of the Apostles, along with Paul’s letters, tells how the church set aside its received traditions to embrace […]
Author Archives: paulrpurdue
Although, it would have much easier for the UMC Next conceiving team to lay out a detailed statement of faith and set of action plans during our time in Kansas City, we took time to listen. We sought to hear from God and each other before hoisting the seeds of a new methodist movement into […]
These are my general observations. Yesterday was a long day of deliberations, prayer, and listening. We are collaborating at tables and technology. Our tables represent people from all over the US church. After two days together, I count my tablemates as friends from whom I gained much insight. I was reminded how the UMC churches […]
UMC NEXT- I am so right brain, and I am trying to listen deeply: to what is being said by my colleagues but also the Holy Spirit. I want to be fully present at UMC Next! However, here are a few impressions. The opening worship called us to “‘practise living into the beloved community… to […]
No matter what our lesser rules or rulings might say, our United Methodist constitution declares: “The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, […]
My mother was terrified of water: terrified. She could sit on the edge of a pool almost shaking with fear. And yet, she sat on the edge of the pool. Mom’s almost irrational fear, of even the shallow end, came to me as a four year old through mandatory swim lessons. After ending one swim […]
May 18, 2019 Dear Belmont Family, As we continue to live into these times of change and transition, I am thankful to be joining a larger conversation about what’s next for the UMC to help shape and create the next Methodism – a Methodism defined by Wesleyan theology, a missional focus, evangelism and social justice, […]
