Our Lutheran church started the same way twelve years ago. We are doing very well financially. We have found that having a part time pastor helps us all step up. No one relies on someone living in another city to run the church by himself. The one thing I wish would change is that we need to continue to grow in Bible knowledge and application for church leadership. (I Timothy 3). I believe the best thing our church did is that they chose to maintain an atmosphere of forgiveness. Best wishes to everyone going through such a change. It can be wonderful and exciting to follow God in a new, decided way.
Jeffrey, another good and timely interview, thanks. In my opinion, as our former Christianized culture continues to fade, we’ll seem a lot more of this type of situation taking place. This will not be restricted to Methodism alone. There are massive numbers of true disciples that are walking away from the status quo ways of “doing church “. I was encouraged by brother Dan’s willingness to both cross over denominational lines and to serve as a volunteer shepherd to this group of former UMC refugees. I was also impressed by your statements about the need for greater “laity “ involvement in service to Christ and his Church. I’m convinced that the Bible model of every member ministry within a local congregation by serving within their gifting, is the key to the much needed Spiritual renewal movement here in America.
I just want to recognize Pastor Dan Latta for setting aside some of his personal convictions to work with this church. That is not an easy thing and the fact that he's doing it without a hint of pride or protest is beyond commendable. I pray God richly blesses him for his work (and that he would have a change of heart and embrace Methodism).
Thank you for the kind words. It has been a joy to serve the congregation of Rock and Refuge Church. I have also really enjoyed getting to know more about the Methodist / Wesleyan history and theology. I find that it has challenged me to reexamine some of my own convictions and see if I have been properly interpreting certain scriptures.
There was a global church plant in our area that met in a funeral home chapel (free) for months. They have now purchased their own building. This new church was a traditional group that left a large progressive church.
The Pastor in Winder, Georgia basically got forced out of the UMC and did just that, started over with nothing, but God. That was enough. Last I heard, Rev Hinson now leads 2 churches in Winder and has a combined larger congregation, in about 1 year than he did at "the big church". 2/3rd of membership left initially. Not sure what is going on there now, but as many have said, did not have to happen. Could have been handled better. (North Georgia Conference)
Jeffrey (constructive criticism).... This video is better than others. How? The volume levels are relatively equal ... others have the guest not loud enough ... very hard to listen to. In fact, I couldn't ... without constantly having to adjust the volume levels ... so I had to opt out. If this could be addressed, folks like me with tinnitus (ringing ears) will be able to watch. Thank you.
Of course vying for church attendees as service provider / consumer model is not just a UM problem. Perhaps the "main line" denominations started the drift, but this is a universal church problem, with few exceptions. Acknowledging it is the first step; exhorting each other in good deeds is the next.
Our Lutheran church started the same way twelve years ago. We are doing very well financially. We have found that having a part time pastor helps us all step up. No one relies on someone living in another city to run the church by himself. The one thing I wish would change is that we need to continue to grow in Bible knowledge and application for church leadership. (I Timothy 3). I believe the best thing our church did is that they chose to maintain an atmosphere of forgiveness.
Best wishes to everyone going through such a change. It can be wonderful and exciting to follow God in a new, decided way.
Jeffrey, another good and timely interview, thanks. In my opinion, as our former Christianized culture continues to fade, we’ll seem a lot more of this type of situation taking place. This will not be restricted to Methodism alone. There are massive numbers of true disciples that are walking away from the status quo ways of “doing church “. I was encouraged by brother Dan’s willingness to both cross over denominational lines and to serve as a volunteer shepherd to this group of former UMC refugees. I was also impressed by your statements about the need for greater “laity “ involvement in service to Christ and his Church. I’m convinced that the Bible model of every member ministry within a local congregation by serving within their gifting, is the key to the much needed Spiritual renewal movement here in America.
I just want to recognize Pastor Dan Latta for setting aside some of his personal convictions to work with this church. That is not an easy thing and the fact that he's doing it without a hint of pride or protest is beyond commendable. I pray God richly blesses him for his work (and that he would have a change of heart and embrace Methodism).
Thank you for the kind words. It has been a joy to serve the congregation of Rock and Refuge Church. I have also really enjoyed getting to know more about the Methodist / Wesleyan history and theology. I find that it has challenged me to reexamine some of my own convictions and see if I have been properly interpreting certain scriptures.
There was a global church plant in our area that met in a funeral home chapel (free) for months. They have now purchased their own building. This new church was a traditional group that left a large progressive church.
The Pastor in Winder, Georgia basically got forced out of the UMC and did just that, started over with nothing, but God. That was enough. Last I heard, Rev Hinson now leads 2 churches in Winder and has a combined larger congregation, in about 1 year than he did at "the big church". 2/3rd of membership left initially. Not sure what is going on there now, but as many have said, did not have to happen. Could have been handled better. (North Georgia Conference)
oh, we had 50 lay pastors in training at our Church last week, a GMC sponsored thing, getting back to the roots.
Jeffrey (constructive criticism)....
This video is better than others. How? The volume levels are relatively equal ... others have the guest not loud enough ... very hard to listen to. In fact, I couldn't ... without constantly having to adjust the volume levels ... so I had to opt out. If this could be addressed, folks like me with tinnitus (ringing ears) will be able to watch. Thank you.
Of course vying for church attendees as service provider / consumer model is not just a UM problem. Perhaps the "main line" denominations started the drift, but this is a universal church problem, with few exceptions. Acknowledging it is the first step; exhorting each other in good deeds is the next.