Jenny, Liz, and I just got back from a great program in Wright Fellowship Hall put on by the children and youth who participated in the Great Plains Theatre’s summer camp. It’s been wonderful hosting the kids’ rehearsals these past three weeks and the program, “Hooray for Hollywood,” exceeded all expectations. Participants from First UMC included: Liz Collins, Kinsey Ford, and Jordan Luty.
John Wesley on Schism
This is my third post in a row on homosexuality. Sorry to keep bringing up the issue, but things keep coming up. This time it’s an article by Ricky Harrison that expresses my deep desire for the United Methodist Church to remain united despite our differences. Add to the fact that this article on a relevant issue references John Wesley and I just can’t help myself.
The article references John Wesley’s sermon “On Schism.” Schism is the formal term for a church split. It is an ugly term for an ugly thing. I agree with John Wesley when he says
“Do not rashly tear asunder the sacred ties which unite you to any Christian society. … take care how you tend the body of Christ by separating from your brethren. It is a thing evil in itself. It is a sore evil in its consequences.”
Abilene First United Methodist Church is a church of great diversity, theological and otherwise. I believe that our diversity enriches our common life together, despite the difficulties it sometimes entails. There are situations in which schism is an unavoidable evil, but I do not believe our current differences on the issue of homosexuality constitute one of those situations.
Link to John Wesley’s sermon, “On Schism”: bit.ly/1MzRKke
Link to Ricky Harrison’s article at the United Methodist Reporter: bit.ly/1MWjg8B
Biblical Interpretation, Not Biblical Authority
A disclaimer: I’m posting this in the hope that a better understanding of competing views on homosexuality will help us to better live together in the love and unity for which Christ prayed (John 17:20-23).
I don’t know who first asserted that the issue of homosexuality within the Christian faith is one of biblical interpretation, not biblical authority, but I certainly believe that statement to be true. I think United Methodists who support a change in the church’s stance on homosexuality trust that those who hold the traditional view do so out of respect and reverence for scriptural authority. However, I’m not sure that those who hold the traditional interpretation always understand that many of those on the other side of the issue share their respect and reverence for the authority of scripture. I think “How can someone who supports changing the church’s position claim to affirm the authority of scripture?” is a question often left unanswered because it is often left unasked. Below is an answer from Matthew Vines, author of God and the Gay Christian.
If you hold the traditional view and want to better understand those on the other side of the issue (or if you support changing the church’s position and want to be able to better explain why), I would commend God and the Gay Christian to you. However, I do not do this uncritically (for one thing, Matthew cites the Calvinist, John Piper, more often than I would like).
Wednesday Evening Meal and Conversation
As you may already have heard, Wednesday Evening Meals are being paired back to once a month for the 2015-2016 school year. The first one will be Wednesday, September 9, 2015, from 5:00 to 6:00. Following the meal, Jenny and I will lead a conversation about the United Methodist Church’s stance on homosexuality and gay marriage.
Podcast: Loaves and Fish, Hearts and Minds
A podcast version of my sermon from yesterday (July 26, 2015), titled “Loaves and Fish, Hearts and Minds.” My textual reference was John 6.1-15, which is John’s version of the feeding of the 5,000. I discussed the miracle Jesus did in feeding the 5,000 and the miracle of a change in our hearts and minds through the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you have an Apple product you can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.
Link: bit.ly/1DJe3eQ
What Dave Ramsey Gets Wrong About Poverty
In the past, Abilene First United Methodist Church has offered Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University.” Jenny and I took the class the first year we were here, and it has been a great help to us financially. But we had some reservations, theological and otherwise, about parts of it. Over at CNN, Rachel Held Evans has a good post titled “What Dave Ramsey Gets Wrong About Poverty” that aptly expresses some of our concerns.
Link: cnn.it/1OFsG9u
Carpet and Tile Update
So far, $36,419.89 has been given/pledged for new carpet and tile in the sanctuary and throughout the ground level of the church. As mentioned in our letter to the congregation, cost estimates for this project range from $52,000 to $66,000.
Great Plains Theatre Summer Camp
Like most of Abilene, I grieved when the Great Plains Theatre building burned to the ground last year, but I have to say hosting their summer camps has been a pleasure. It’s been wonderful to have a basement filled with (mostly) happy children and youth.
Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
This fall I am contemplating leading a Disciple I. Disciple is an in-depth, 34-week study that covers the entire Bible. I would like to try a new format for Disciple that covers the same material, but does so in a 1 hour weekly meeting instead of the usual 2 1/2 hour weekly meeting. The Disciple class would meet on Sunday evenings from 5-6 pm. Please let me know if you would be interested in being a part of this class by calling my cell phone, texting me, emailing me at jenny@revcollins.com, or contacting the church office.
Podcast: Jews and Gentiles and Our Current Church Debates
A podcast version of Jenny’s sermon of July 19, 2015 is now available online. Her text was Ephesians 2.11-22. The ancient disagreement between Jewish and Gentile Christians still has relevance for contemporary church debates.
If you have an Apple product you can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes.
Link: bit.ly/1g1Zcax
Vacation Bible School Starts Tonight
A Friendly reminder that Vacation Bible School (VBS) starts tonight (July 20, 2015) at 6 pm. Supper will be served (for children and parents) until 6:30 pm. VBS itself will last until 9 pm Monday through Wednesday, with a pool party from 7:30 to 9 pm at Eisenhower Park on Thursday.
VBS is open to all children in preschool through fifth grade. As in year’s past, we’re partnering with Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and this year it will be held in their building at 320 North Cedar.
Special Music: For the Beauty of the Earth
Below is a video of this morning’s special music. It was a duet performance of “For the Beauty of the Earth” on bells and marimba by Lisa Divel and Elizabeth Collins.