Upcoming Conferences (#1)

I want to keep everyone up-to-date on two opportunities that are coming up.  I will address the first meeting in this post, and I will address the second in a separate post.

On March 6-7, the Wesleyan Theological Society will be having their annual meeting.  This year it will be held at my alma mater, Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO.

The WTS originated as a commission of the Christian Holiness Partnership, but it seems to have long outlived the CHP.  -  From the WTS website we read this description:

     The Wesleyan Theological society (WTS) is a scholarly society that exists to encourage the 
     exchange of ideas among Wesleyan-Holiness theologians. We hold a yearly academic conference
     devoted to the topics of systematic theology, biblical studies, philosophy, missions, historical
     studies, and pastoral theology. In addition, the society publishes a scholarly journal twice a year,
     and stimulates scholarship among younger theologians, pastors, and inquiring laity who are
     invited to participate in the society’s meetings and activities and publish in the journal.

I have been a member of the WTS since the '80's, and I encourage other Wesleyan-Holiness pastors/theologians/scholars to consider membership.

However, the more particular reason that I want to draw your attention to this meeting is that there are related societies that fall under WTS's larger umbrella that will also be meeting in Kansas City on March 5, the day prior to the main meeting.  Specifically the Wesleyan Liturgical Society will be meeting. 

The WLS is a relatively new society.  I think this will be our fourth(?) meeting.  Up until this year, I have served on the oversight committee for the WLS.

During this year's meeting, I will be presenting and leading a discussion on World Wesleyan/Methodist Worship.  -  This topic flows from an assignment taken up by the Worship and Liturgy Committee of the World Methodist Council.  -  I have served on that Committee since 2016, when the Nazarene General Secretary appointed me to the WMC.

I was one of three people on the WMC Worship and Liturgy Committee tasked with producing a document, which the Committee will use to discuss the essentials or characteristics of Wesleyan/Methodist worship.  The hope is that the Committee will produce a document to give to the Council and through the Council to member denominations. 

My work has been based on my doctoral dissertation that focused on John Wesley's criteria for authentic Christian Worship.  (Versions of this work may be previewed using the links at the top of the sidebar.) -  I presented a version of this work at the recent meeting of the North American Academy of Liturgy in order to gain feedback from them.  I will be doing something similar at the upcoming WLS meeting.

So, if you have particular interest in Wesleyan/Methodist (or Anglican) worship, or if you have a background in the study of this topic, I would love to see you at the WLS meeting!  -  Information for registering for the meetings of the Wesleyan Theological Society, the Wesleyan Liturgical Society, and all of the other auxiliary societies can be found, here.

I hope to see you in Kansas City!  (And, if you are a member of the Wesleyan Anglican Society and are planning on being at WTS, let me know.  We may try to plan an opportunity to get together!)

Phineas F. Bresee



This portrait of Bresee hangs at the Nazarene
Global Ministries Center.  A copy of it hangs
 at the World Methodist Museum.

As a ("sanctified proud," as some have termed it!) Nazarene, I am happy to celebrate today's commemoration of The Rev'd. Dr. Phineas F. Bresee.  I am especially pleased that, thanks to For All the Saints: A Calendar of Commemorations (Second Edition), those in the larger Wesleyan/Methodist tradition are also observing this commemoration.  (It was my privilege to have had the opportunity of writing the hagiography for Bresee in For All the Saints.) 

Below is the hagiography, followed by the prayer for the occasion (the prayer was written by Daniel Taylor Benedict, Jr):

Phineas Franklin Bresee was born to Phineas and Susan Brown Bresee in Franklin, NY, on December 31, 1838.  At 16, Bresee experienced his own "warmed heart" through a personal faith in Christ.  Soon thereafter, he sensed a call to ministry and was granted a Methodist exhorter's license.  He was ordained a deacon in 1859 and an elder two years later.(301)

In 1867, in Chariton, Iowa, Bresee "entered into the blessing of entire sanctification."(302)  Bresee had been struggling with doubt.  The altar call after his sermon that night produced only one seeker; Bresee, himself.  ". . . [A]s I cried to [the Lord] that night, he seemed to open heaven on me, and gave me . . . the baptism with the Holy Ghost . . . it not only took away my tendencies to worldliness, anger and pride, but it also removed the doubt."(303)  That experience of Christian Perfection would have a huge impact on Breese's ministry.

Bresee served rural charges, and then large, urban churches in Iowa(304) and, after 1883, Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA.  He was appointed presiding elder in West Des Moines (1864)(305) and in Los Angeles.(306)  Further, Bresee served as a delegate to multiple General Conferences.(307)

Education was important to Bresee, as was seen by his serving on the board of Simpson College(308) and the University of Southern California.(309)  Later, Bresee became the president of Pacific Bible College (now Point Loma Nazarene University).(310)

By the mid-1890's, Bresee's commitment to the message of holiness led to his role as vice president of the National Holiness Association (NHA).  The experience of holiness also brought a passion for the poor.  The Church's first miracle after baptism with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost was upon a beggar, and so, Bresee reasoned, the priority of a Holy Ghost-baptized church ought to be the poor.(311)  This passion led him to withdraw from the MEC's appointive system in 1894 to serve with the Peniel Mission.  However, while away, preaching for the NHA, Bresee was ousted from the Mission.  he was now left without the Mission or a MEC appointment.(312)

Thus, at the request of a number of southern California's Holiness people, the Church of the Nazarene was organized on October 20, 1895 as a "Christian work, especially evangelistic and city mission work, and the spreading of the doctrine and experience of Christian holiness."(313)  Bresee was the general superintendent of a growing holiness denomination.  A series of mergers with other regional holiness groups established the church as a national denomination in 1908 at Pilot Point, TX.(314)

Bresee served as the denomination's senior general superintendent until his death on November 13, 1915.  He left behind his wife, Maria, six children, and what would become the largest denomination in the Wesleyan-Holiness wing of Methodism.

Common Prayer for Pastors, Bishops and Abbatial Leaders

Gracious God, our Shepherd, we thank you for raising up Phineas Bresee as bishop and pastor in your church.  Remembering his faithfulness and care, fill all shepherds of your church with truth in doctrine, fidelity in Word and Sacrament, and boldness and vision in leading the people, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever.  Amen.
__________________________________________________________
301 Ingersol, Stan. Nazarene Roots: Pastors, Prophets, Revivalists & Reformers. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. 2009. p. 87-88.

302 Bangs, Carl. Phineas F. Bresee: His Life in Methodism, the Holiness Movement, and the Church of the Nazarene. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. 1995. p. 71-73, 77.

303 Girvin, E.A. Phineas F. Bresee: A Prince in Israel. Kansas City, MO. Nazarene Publishing House. 1916. p. 50-52.

304 Ingersol. p. 88.

305 Kostlevy, William C., Ed. Historical Dictionary of the Holiness Movement. Lanham, Maryland, and London. The Scarecrow Press, Inc. p. 28-29.

306 Bangs. p. 286.

307 Ingersol. p. 88-89.

308 Ibid. p. 88.

309 Kostlevy. p. 29.

310 Ingersol. p. 91

311 Ibid. p. 88-89.

312 Kostlevy. p. 29.

313 Bangs. p. 195-196.

314 Kostlevy. p. 29.

*(This is a copy of my blogpost from previous years)

Happy New Year from the World Methodist Council

Some people think that the slide from Sunday, December 31st, into Monday, January 1st, is just a matter of one day over and another begun – and there is some truth in that. For many, however, it is a time to reflect, to remember and to pray.

How was 2017 for you and for those who are part of your life? Were there moments of sadness as well as of joy? Times of challenge as well as of success? Flashes of anger as well as of love? Times when you felt like giving up as well as times when you felt that the whole world was on your side? If so, then you’re very like the rest of us! And it is highly probably that 2018 will be much the same, at least in principle.

Right at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel, we are told that the baby Mary is carrying is to be called ‘Immanuel’, ‘God with us.’ And the Gospel concludes with the same thought: ‘Surely, I am with you always’. We are assured that, whatever happens, God is with us.
Being thus assured, it is our responsibility to live courageous and prophetic lives, upholding the Law of Love, speaking for the voiceless, defending the vulnerable, caring for God’s creation. I believe that those are the New Year’s resolutions we need to make, both as individuals and as ‘the people called Methodist.’

As this is being written, we are approaching what would be the 310th birthday of Charles Wesley (December 18th). On one occasion, he wrote a hymn commemorating the day; it has twelve verses and is probably not sung very often. Nevertheless, we are challenged by his thinking as, in personal terms, he moves from one year to another at the same time as we move from one year to another in calendar terms. The final verse is an appropriate prayer of dedication for us all as we commit ourselves to living to God’s praise and glory. I leave it with you and wish you all, wherever you are, every blessing and strength for 2018 and for all that it may bring.

My remnant of days
I spend in his praise,
Who died the whole world to redeem:
Be they many or few,
My days are his due,
They all are devoted to him!
 

Gillian Kingston
WMC Vice-President

(The above was first posted on the World Methodist Council page, here.)

Lent and Prayer & Fasting Bookmarks

Lent is nearly upon us! One thing I have done as a part of the Lenten observance over the years is to provide for my congregations the Prayer & Fasting bookmarks provided by World Methodist Evangelism.

These bookmarks include an explanation and challenge on one side.  On the other, there are prayers for Thursday Evening, Morning Prayer, Mealtime Prayer, and a Prayer for Breaking Fast.  The bookmarks call on us to join with other Wesleyan/Methodist Christians in more than 130 countries who practice the same weekly fast which John Wesley observed most of his life. The Friday fasts are focused in prayer on the vision that we would be empowered to become channels for the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. 

As an elder in a WMC denomination, serving in another WMC denomination; as a representative on the WMC, itself, and a member of the Order of the FLAME through World Methodist Evangelism, I heartily commend these bookmarks to you and to your congregation!  -  Further, if you are a member of the Wesleyan-Anglican Society, I would remind you that, in our "Special Rules," we encourage Society members to seek to "follow the Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting" as encouraged by the World Methodist Council.

You can purchase the book marks (unfortunately, they are no longer free), by making contact with folks from World Methodist Evangelism.  

An Invitation to The Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting

The following explanation of the "Wesley Fast" comes from World Methodist Evangelism (a part of the World Methodist Council). 

As a member of the Order of the FLAME, I have participated in the Wesley Fast for years.  I have found it to be of such significance that we included it in the constitution for the Wesleyan-Anglican Society.

If you do not currently have a regular pattern of prayer and fasting, I encourage you to join with Methodists around the world in the Wesley Fast!

Hear this invitation from World Methodist Evangelism:

The Wesleyan Pattern of Prayer and Fasting

Fasting is a significant part of the Christian experience. Jesus fasted and prayed for 40 days and taught his disciples to fast. First century churches fasted twice weekly. John Wesley encouraged those in the Methodist Movement to fast and pray.

In more than 130 countries, the Wesleyan/Methodist family joins in the same weekly fast which John Wesley observed most of his life: going without solid food after their evening meal each Thursday until mid-afternoon each Friday. This time of fasting is focused in prayer on the vision that those who follow Jesus in the company of the Wesleys would be empowered to become channels for the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Our world desperately needs the healing, hope, and salvation offered in Jesus Christ. You can become part of this important movement by joining us as we fast and pray weekly for Holy Spirit power to share the good news so that the world may know Jesus Christ. 

Thursday Evening Prayer

To you, O God, we offer the coming day's devotion of prayer and fasting. We thank you for the example of Jesus. Grant that we may die to ourselves. Make us new in Christ. Feed the starvation of soul, of thought, of will, and after the quiet rest of sleep; open our mouths to praise you in the morning. Through Christ your son, our Light and our Strength. AMEN 

World Methodist Council Celebrates Church of England's Decision

By now it is old news, I realize.  But, back on July 14 the General Synod of the Church of England (John Wesley's church) voted to approve allowing women to serve as bishops.  This was an historic move overturning centuries of Anglican tradition in the Church of England.  (Though some other jurisdiction within the Anglican Communion already have women serving as bishops, the Church of England, itself, restricted the episcopal office to men, only.)

This news was met by mixed reactions.  Even within the Anglican world, itself, there were various responses.  While I have Anglican friends who rejoice over this decision, I also have a number of Reformed Episcopal, Anglo-Catholic, and other traditional Anglican friends who are not happy at all.  The latter are likely ready to give up on Canterbury!

Outside of Anglicanism, the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches look on this with less than favorable eyes.  Undoubtedly, this move by the "Mother Church" of Anglicanism will further strain relationships with Rome and those connected with Constantinople.  -  This is significant because Anglicanism has understood itself as a "third branch" of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, along side of Rome & Orthodoxy.  With these historic churches of the West and the East condemning the idea of women in holy orders at all, and certainly condemning the idea of women as bishops, this move only separates Canterbury even further.  - Of course, it must be said that, even though Canterbury sees itself as this "third branch," Rome and Constantinople have always been less then convinced.  As it stands, neither Rome nor Orthodoxy accept Anglican orders as valid.  But, if they were ever to change their minds, this recent move by the General Synod surely closes that door.

On the other hand (and though this is old news, as well, I just became aware of it!), the response from Methodism has been quite favorable.  -  Upon hearing the news from England, World Methodist General Secretary, Bishop Ivan Abrahams issued a letter to Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.  In the letter Bishop Abrahams said, "The news that the Church of England has voted in favor of allowing women to become bishops is welcomed with open arms by the World Methodist Council.  Our global body has long welcomed, appreciated and been strengthened by our sisters in our faith tradition, and we know that this news will be seen as another common belief that affirms not only the bond between the Church of England and its members, but also within the World Methodist Council's ongoing  ecumenical dialogue with the church."

In reality, the first women to be ordained in modern times (i.e., we see women ordained as deacons in Scripture, itself) were ordained by those in the Methodist tradition.  More specifically, such ordinations took place in the Wesleyan-Holiness wing of Methodism.  In fact, the Church of the Nazarene (for example) was ordaining women as elders a quarter of a century before the United Methodist Church made that move.  However, United Methodism has been much quicker and more consistent in seeing women serve in the episcopal role than either the Church of the Nazarene or The Wesleyan Church.  But, neither of those denominations ever barred women from the office of general superintendency.  The only relevant restriction for serving in the superintendency for Nazarenes was being ordained an elder, and, as I said, elders orders were always open to women. 

Bishop Abrahams went on to say, “As the Church of England acts upon this landmark decision, know that by doing so they are doing it with the blessings and prayers of the Methodists throughout the world who are part of the World Methodist Council."

The full article from the World Methodist Council can be read, here.

World Methodist Council Statement on the Mass Abduction in Nigeria

Twenty days ago, an estimated 234 girls between 16 and 18 years old were taken from a school in northeastern Nigeria by a group of Islamic militants called Boko Haram. Boko Haram was founded in Northeastern Nigeria and has been very active, and very violent, since 2009. The name translates, literally, as “Western education is sinful.” This mass abduction has recently began to make news outside of Nigeria, and now is drawing attention to a search that has left more questions than answers. Recent news from Nigeria includedubious reports from the nation’s military about rescue efforts, a crackdown on those protesting the government’s response to the kidnapping and also claims by the leader of Boko Haram that the girls will be sold. But the missing girls and their safe return home isn’t being spoken about enough. The World Methodist Council would like to express concern over both the abduction and efforts to return of these children to their homes. We believe that every human being is born with a God-given dignity, and a fundamental right to an education. As the collective voice of 80 million Christians in the Methodist, Wesleyan, United, Uniting and Nazarene faith traditions, the World Methodist Council has been a key player in ecumenical discussions between faiths, and an advocate of peace building throughout the world. The Boko Haram’s actions are contrary to everything that the World Methodist Council stands for. During this time where the lives of 234 young girls hang in the balance, the World Methodist Council asks for prayers and solidarity.   ____________________________________________________________________________ Note:  This article came straight from a World Methodist Council email.  The original links for the news reports referenced in the article were not included when copied to this blog. Another note: Completely as an aside, this is the first time I have seen the WMC list "Nazarene" as a separate designation.  -  Interesting.

A Reflection on Easter from the World Methodist Council

One of the deepest convictions of the Easter story is; Christ is Risen. He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia. The Easter message is that of unlimited, boundless grace, victory, joy and hope because in Christ’s resurrection death has been overcome. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, death is described as, “The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveller returns”. (Hamlet Act 3 Scene 1) Christians however believe that one did return and his name is Jesus, the Christ. The story of Jesus would have been nothing more than an occasional point of reference of an inspirational teacher, a charismatic figure or martyr if it had simply ended with the crucifixion but Jesus defeated death and rose from the grave on the third day. For this reason we are people of the resurrection. We are a people who know that we cannot have Easter without Good Friday. We cannot have Christ without a cross which is a symbol of a compassionate, loving God who identifies with human suffering. The cross is God’s instrument of salvation. No other faith speaks of a suffering God who opposes injustice and oppression. Theologians like Jürgen Moltmann (The Crucified God), James Cone (God of the Oppressed), Kazoh Kitamori (The Pain of God), Maria Pilar Aquino (Our Cry for Life) Mercy Odduyoye (Beads and Strands) and Allan Boesak (Farewell to Innocence) who all lived through their own modern day Golgotha’s in their various countries. Their scholarship bear eloquent testimony to this suffering God who is the hope and salvation of the world. Throughout history, God uses human beings, the signet of God’s creation to continue the healing and transforming ministry of the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. It is my sincere prayer that we will all know the hope, joy and peace of Easter. Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed. Alleluia. Happy Easter. Ivan Abrahams General Secretary, World Methodist Council   (The reflection, above, was originally sent via email from the WMC)

New Regional Secretary for World Methodist Evangelism's Pacific Area

Bishop B. Michael Watson, President of World Methodist Evangelism, and World Director, Dr. H. Eddie Fox, announced and installed Dr. Richard Waugh as World Methodist Evangelism Regional Secretary in the Pacific area. Dr. Waugh joins the Regional Secretaries of World Methodist Evangelism in Africa, Europe, Asia, Pacific and the Americas.  Dr. Manase Tafea from Tonga previously served effectively for many years as Regional Secretary for the Pacific area.

  

The Regional Secretaries are key leaders in linking together the world-wide ministry of World Methodist Evangelism.  The World Methodist Council is unique among world communions in having an evangelism wing.

 

The Rev'd. Dr. Richard Waugh is the National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand (i.e., "The Wesleyan Church," for those in the U.S.) since 2002 and he is the current President of the denomination for the South Pacific Conference. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Auckland and a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary (where I received my D.Min., as well).  His award winning dissertation was titled "Discover Your Wesleyan DNA". He has been honored by Queen Elizabeth with a Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for his extensive ecumenical, aviation and community work. Dr. Waugh chairs the National Church Leaders Meeting (all denominations) in New Zealand. He is married to Jane, an architect, and they have three young adult children.

 

During a gathering of the Methodist/Wesleyan Movement in New Zealand including leaders in the Methodist Church, The Wesleyan Church, and the Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Fox and Bishop Watson gave thanks for the commitment to the vision of World Methodist Evangelism, and offered prayers for Dr. Waugh’s leadership as Regional Secretary in the region. They declared, "This is a time for the people called Methodist/Wesleyan to ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’ We are one family with one mission THAT THE WORLD MAY KNOW JESUS CHRIST.”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The above article was taken from the April edition of the "First Friday Letter" of the World Methodist Council.  The original article can be read, here.  The entire letter, as well as previous letters, can be accessed, here.

The Final Meeting of the Anglican-Methodist International Commission for Unity in Mission

The following article has been copied from the original post at the Anglican Communion News Service.  -  I am very pleased to report it, here, and I look forward to the final reports being made public in 2014.

I have two great (personal) hopes for this:  1.) That the Wesleyan-Anglican Society, in our pursuit of affiliation with the World Methodist Council, might contribute to the proposed Anglican-Methodist International Coordinating Committee, the purpose of which would be to oversee and foster relationships between Methodist and Anglican member churches; and 2.) That the Church of the Nazarene (a WMC denomination) might take advantage of this report and the "toolkit" for opening talks with the Anglican Church in North America (which, I understand, is not an official Anglican Communion province, at this time).

Here is the article:

The final meeting of the Anglican-Methodist International Commission for Unity in Mission (AMICUM) took place 22 February to 1 March 2013, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, hosted by the Anglican Communion. Members of the Commission worshiped together morning and evening, and the Eucharist was celebrated according to both traditions.

AMICUM Group Photograph

Photo Credit: ACNS

The Commission has after five years completed the phase of work mandated to it by the World Methodist Council and the Anglican Communion, and has now prepared a report for both bodies. As the last three words in its title suggest (Unity in Mission), AMICUM aims to foster the unity of the Church so that the Church can engage more fully in God’s mission of love to the world. The report begins and ends with biblical reflections, on our Lord’s prayer for the unity of his people that all might believe, and on the radical nature of Jesus’ ministry as a mandate for mission.
AMICUM has set out key points of agreement concerning the interchangeability of ordained ministries, and the awareness of each Communion’s need of the other. It sees a common, interchangeable ministry as crucial in making the unity of the Church visible.
The report analyses the place of the apostolic tradition and the nature of the oversight (episkope) in the life of the Church. It explores the history of oversight, and the way it has been exercised in the Methodist and Anglican traditions, and the way it is exercised today.
AMICUM has closely monitored dialogues and agreements around the world, and has drawn lessons and recommendations from these which it now offers to both Communions. The report shows that each tradition has affirmed the authenticity of the other’s ministries, and encourages churches that have not yet entered into mutual agreements to do so.
A toolkit is provided for churches wanting to move into closer co-operation, giving questions for consideration to enable this process to advance.
AMICUM is recommending that the World Methodist Council and the Anglican Consultative Council establish an Anglican-Methodist International Coordinating Committee to oversee and foster relationships between Methodist and Anglican member churches.
The Report will be published during 2014.
The Commission is grateful for the warm hospitality given by the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, at the Parish of St John’s Ocho Rios, by the United Theological College, where the Commission worshiped, and by Bishop Howard Gregory. At this meeting AMICUM met the President of the Jamaica Methodist Church, the Rev Everard Galbraith, and the Rev Dr George Mulrain who gave a lecture on Anglican and Methodist relationships in the Caribbean and the Americas.
Present at the meeting were,
Methodists
The Revd Professor Emeritus Robert Gribben (Uniting Church in Australia) (Co-Chair)
Dr Elizabeth Amoah (Methodist Church, Ghana)
The Revd Dr Wong Tik Wah (Methodist Church in Malaysia)
The Revd Professor Sarah Lancaster (The United Methodist Church)
The Revd Gareth Powell (The Methodist Church) (Co-Secretary)
AnglicansThe Rt Revd Harold Miller (The Church of Ireland) (Co-Chair)
The Revd Canon Professor Paul Avis (The Church of England)
The Revd Garth Minott (The Church in the Province of the West Indies)
The Rt Revd Dr P Surya Prakash (The Church of South India)

Lutheran World Federation ObserverThe Rt Revd Walter Jagucki (Great Britain)

StaffThe Revd Canon Dr Alyson Barnett-Cowan (Co-Secretary) (Anglican Communion Office)
Mr Neil Vigers (Anglican Communion Office)
- See more at: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2013/3/1/ACNS5331#sthash.6uKebMXU.dpuf

World Methodist Response to the Pope's Resignation

 

It is old news, now, I realize.  Everyone knows that the Pope has resigned, effective 28 February.  However, as I finished the previous post, I thought that it might be good to include on the blog the response made to this news by the World Methodist Council.

I posted a link to this article on my Facebook page, and on the Wesleyan/Anglican Facebook page.  However, I failed to mention it, here.

+Ivan Abrahams

In the article, General Secretary, +Ivan Abrahams recalls his time with Pope Benedict.  Also, the WMC offers prayers for the Pope, the Cardinals as they seek to elect a new Bishop of Rome, and to our sisters and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church.

I would encourage members from all of the World Methodist Council denominations, as well as members of the Wesleyan-Anglican Society and those who read this blog, to join the WMC in these prayers.

World Methodist Council Statement on Sexuality

As the United Methodist Church continues in General Conference and begins, yet again, its internal debates concerning issues of sexuality, I would point out that, in September of 2004, the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council issued a statement on sexuality.  That statement continues to appear on the new WMC website in the Resources section.

The WMC statement is not long, nor is it an in depth theological study.  I would also point out that the churches of the World Methodist Council are understood to be completely autonomous denominations.  (The WMC is much different than the Anglican Communion, for example, and certainly far different from the Orthodox Churches or the Roman Catholic Church.)  No statement made by the WMC is binding on any of its member denominations.

However, having said that, the WMC statement may serve to remind the UMC that they are a part of the larger Wesleyan/Methodist family, and it is good to take into consideration the thoughts of their fellow Methodists from around the world.

The statement can be read, here.

I would suggest that this statement, along with statements by other Wesleyan/Methodist denominations, should be studied along side of, and to an even greater extent than the decisions of TEC, ELCA, PCUSA and UCC, to which a good number of UMs tend to point.

The position of my own denomination (and sister WMC member), the Church of the Nazarene, can be found, here.  It seems to be quite similar to the current position of the UMC. 

New Website

It has taken quite some time, but the World Methodist Council has finally finished their updates on their new website!

I have not yet had the opportunity to thoroughly check out the site, but I hope to, soon.  I encourage readers of Wesleyan/Anglican to check it out, as well.

As I understand it, this is the first year that the WMC has not produced a copy of their World Methodist Council Handbook of Information.  Instead, all of the contents of the Handbook is supposed to be on-line through the WMC website.

Pray For Peace On the First Sunday Of Advent

First Sunday In Advent
November 27, 2011
WORLD METHODIST EVANGELISM,
WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL
CALLS THE WORLD METHODIST MOVEMENT TOPRAY FOR PEACE IN EVERY TONGUE
IN THE NAME OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Click here for FREE Pray for Peace Resources!

On the first Sunday in Advent, 27 November 2011 the World Methodist Family on every continent will observe a sacred time of fervent prayer for peace and for all humankind. From the dawn of this day in the Kingdom of Tonga til the end of the day as the sun sets in Samoa in the South Pacific, the Methodist/Wesleyan family around the world will be praying for peace in many languages. Click here for Pray for Peace Resource Booklet and many other Pray for Peace Resources to help you make your First Sunday in Advent celebration a Prayer for Peace!  (The above was taken from the WME website.)

In the United States, the World Methodist Council denominations are the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Church of the Nazarene, the Free Methodist Church, The United Methodist Church, and The Wesleyan Church.  -  I would encourage all pastors in these denominations to use the materials provided on the World Methodist Evangelism website.  This need not dominate the service of worship or otherwise be "an imposition."  But rather, simply including the bulletin insert and remembering to pray for peace during the prayers of the people (or pastoral prayer) can be an important act in union with our sisters and brothers in the larger Methodist family around the world.

Additional WMC Information

Just wanted to post a couple of additional comments concerning the post, below, about the World Methodist Conference.
In the post, below, I listed a page link for news releases from the WMC.  That page now contains newsletter download links for Day One, Two, and Three.  -  Even though the Conference concludes tomorrow, I would encourage those interested to keep visiting that page for continued/late updates.

Also, the Facebook page has really been putting out a considerable amount of information and pictures, including the one, below, which shows the Church of the Nazarene banner among some of the other denominational banners.

2011 World Methodist Council/Conference

The World Methodist Council is currently meeting in connection with the 20th World Methodist Conference in Durban, South Africa.  The Council has been meeting since August 1, and it will end its meeting today, August 3.  The Conference will begin tomorrow, August 4, and continue through August 8.

The World Methodist Conference takes place every five years.  In 2001, I had the privilege of serving the Church of the Nazarene as one of four official delegates to that year's Conference in Brighton, England.  The 2011 theme is "Jesus Christ - for the Healing of the Nations."

The WMC, having just received three new denominations into its membership, now has 77 member denominations in 135 countries.  (-  I have to say, I have always had a problem with that last number, because the Church of the Nazarene, itself, has a presence in over 156 world areas!  So, I'm not sure where they are getting their figures, but . . .)

For news releases throughout the Conference, you can visit this page at the World Methodist Council site.  (I would have had this information up earlier, but they just published news articles, today.)

There are seven World Methodist Council denominations in the United States.  They are:  the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; the Church of the Nazarene; the Free Methodist Church; the United Methodist Church, and The Wesleyan Church.

May Issue of WMC First Friday Letter

After several months of hiatus, a new "First Friday Letter" has been issued.  It has been the usual practice of the Rev'd. Dr. George Freeman, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council, to issue a "First Friday Letter" to members of the Executive Committee of the WMC.  This letter has been distributed to other Council members, as well as to interested other parties.  As far back as October of 2009, these letters have been made available online at the WMC website.  They typically contain news items and other information from the various denominational members of the Council, as well as general WMC information.

In the current issue covers such topics as the newly nominated successor to Dr. Freeman (the election of +Ivan Abrahams as General Secretary will take place at the upcoming meeting of the World Methodist Council in Durban, South Africa); The 20th World Methodist Conference; updates on Anglican-Methodist dialogue; Prayers for Disaster Victims; The Global Digital Theological Library; World Methodist Evangelism Institute Seminars; WMC/Salvation Army Dialogue; World Sunday for Peace; And +Thomas Hoyt of the CME being honored.

A link to download the current and previous letters can be found, here.

Presiding Bishop Ivan Abrahams Nominated to Lead the WMC

It is being reported that Ivan M. Abrahams, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, has been nominated to the position of General Secretary of the World Methodist Council.  His election will take place during the World Methodist Council meeting at the World Methodist Conference in August.

Presiding Bishop
Ivan M. Abrahams

For the complete story, click here.