Sadly there seem to be fewer and fewer Methodists in employment. Frankly in many churches sermons about the workplace are largely theoreticel as most congregations consist of people who are retired.
However at the end of the working week many Methodists start on their church work. For me this means preparing a service (OK I know that I shouldn't leave it to Saturday morning) and getting the paperwork ready for a church council meeting.
Over the years I have thought about getting more involved in the denomination. Perhaps getting onto the circuit committee, then district synod, then conference. But actually I find the day to day work of supporting a church in one of Britain's poorest communities is more than enough and is where I am called.
Then there's the preaching. Tomorrow there are expectations that I shall "preach nothing at variance with our doctrines" (CDP 563 (2) (ii)). I don't have a problem with that. I am a Methodist. I am proud (as far a Christian can take pride) to be a Methodist Preacher. Doctrinally I have no problem with the Methodist Church.
I do however think there is a two way relationship. I am obliged to preach to certain standards. I am pleased to do so.
Conversely I have expectations about the way in which the denomination expresses itself on my behalf.
When the leadership of our denomination produce bigoted reports attaching the Jewish people in their quest for peace and security in their homeland, I know that something is seriously wrong.
For an entire Christian denomination to act in a discriminatory manner, especially when wrapped up in the sort of mystical hocus pocus that in previous generations lead to pograms and death camps, it becomes dangerous.
Praise God, we now have a legal framework that protects minorities from this sort of sanctified abuse. It is a real condemnation of Methodism that a Methodist is about to appeal to that legal framework to protect his Jewish neighbour from the Methodist Church.
And thanks John for your kind words.![]()
However at the end of the working week many Methodists start on their church work. For me this means preparing a service (OK I know that I shouldn't leave it to Saturday morning) and getting the paperwork ready for a church council meeting.
Over the years I have thought about getting more involved in the denomination. Perhaps getting onto the circuit committee, then district synod, then conference. But actually I find the day to day work of supporting a church in one of Britain's poorest communities is more than enough and is where I am called.
Then there's the preaching. Tomorrow there are expectations that I shall "preach nothing at variance with our doctrines" (CDP 563 (2) (ii)). I don't have a problem with that. I am a Methodist. I am proud (as far a Christian can take pride) to be a Methodist Preacher. Doctrinally I have no problem with the Methodist Church.
I do however think there is a two way relationship. I am obliged to preach to certain standards. I am pleased to do so.
Conversely I have expectations about the way in which the denomination expresses itself on my behalf.
When the leadership of our denomination produce bigoted reports attaching the Jewish people in their quest for peace and security in their homeland, I know that something is seriously wrong.
For an entire Christian denomination to act in a discriminatory manner, especially when wrapped up in the sort of mystical hocus pocus that in previous generations lead to pograms and death camps, it becomes dangerous.
Praise God, we now have a legal framework that protects minorities from this sort of sanctified abuse. It is a real condemnation of Methodism that a Methodist is about to appeal to that legal framework to protect his Jewish neighbour from the Methodist Church.
And thanks John for your kind words.
