Holston WCA
Scriptural, Orthodox, Positive, Faithful
From the Judicial Council …
Petitions in harmony with the purpose of the called 2019 General Conference will be allowed. Good news! Orthodox proposals can be heard and voted on in 2019! You also will want to read the statement from the national Wesleyan Covenant Association.
A Word from Dr. Tennent
We want to encourage everyone to take time to read Dr. Timothy Tennent’s “Seven Reasons Why the ‘One Church’ Plan Should Be Rejected.” Dr. Tennent is president of Asbury Theological Seminary.
The Critical Role of the Laity
This is a simple plea. Laity, step up and be counted.
Methodism, like any properly structured collection of Christians, traditionally has emphasized the leadership of spiritually mature, scripturally astute lay people. Clergy have an important role, too, but these professionals have failed in their role if there is no vibrant community of lay people once they’ve done their work. Clergy exist to equip the laity to do the work of the kingdom, not to perform that work in their stead.
If the work of the Wesleyan Covenant Association is to succeed, orthodox lay people who have immersed themselves in God’s word must take a more active role. As a clergy person, let me put it this way: Please, don’t wait on us.
In places where you see clergy leading, pull alongside them, quickly, so their strength does not flag. In places where you don’t see clergy leading, respectfully challenge what is going on, letting the Bible be your guide and the source of your authority.
Some helpful actions:
- Pray for your pastors. Pray hard; pray they hear directly from the Holy Spirit. Ask they be inspired to teach and preach from God’s word. Seek for them a clear sense of assurance that what they find in the Bible can be declared with confidence.
- Encourage your pastors to be in small groups, either with other clergy or mixing with mature lay people. These groups should, in particular, emphasize how we live what Scripture teaches us.
- Ask the right questions. What is your church doing to execute the basic mission Jesus gave us? (Matthew 28:19-20) What is your church’s position on scriptural authority? How deep is the average church member’s understanding of the Bible, and what is being done to grow that understanding?
- Gather as laity. You have the right to band together in small groups any time you want. If you’re starting a group, a good resource would be Kevin M. Watson’s “The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience.”
- Join the Wesleyan Covenant Association. We need joiners, not watchers.
The Holy Spirit already is with you, beautiful lay folk. Be the blessing to the kingdom you are called to be.
Chuck Griffin is an ordained elder serving in the Hiwassee District.
Bishops’ Motion: Some Guidance
As you may have heard, the UM Council of Bishops made its recommendation regarding General Conference today. You can read the press release here.
In short, they’re sending all three options—”traditionalist,” “one church,” and “connectional”— to the 2019 General Conference, but recommending “one church,” which, if approved, would strip out our Discipline’s language regarding homosexual marriage and ordination and essentially liberalize our denomination.
The WCA’s overview of what has also been called “Option 2” is available via the link below.
Should We Each Do
What Is Right in Our Own Eyes?
WCA Global Assembly
The national WCA just announced the date and location for our Global Assembly, and it will be a short trip for many of us in the Holston Conference. We might need to start thinking about buses!
WCA Global Assembly
Saturday, Nov. 3
Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church
Marietta, Ga.
Save the date and spread the word! The theme is “Unashamed,” a reference to Romans 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
