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Dear San Marco Church Family and Friends: I enjoyed leading a lively discussion on Wednesday night regarding our identity as United Methodists. Those who attended asked some great questions and offered some insights for me to explore. Next Wednesday, September 23, we will continue the discussion in the sanctuary at 6:30pm. I hope you can join and bring your comments and questions. I have noticed over the years that many people assume Methodists focus so much on God's love and grace that practically "anything goes" in our tradition. In fact, during the turbulent recent years of disaffiliation, many critics of our denomination argued that a slippery slope existed in which the basic beliefs of Christian faith could be changed by something as simple as a vote of what critics perceived as the very liberal voices of the General Conference. This fear is completely without merit. Our blessing, and sometimes curse, as Methodists is that we have a very organized set of procedures for the general functioning and belief system of the church. The fundamental beliefs of Christian faith are an unchangeable part of our identity. For example, Article 17 of the Constitution of the United Methodist Church states that, "The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Articles of Religion or establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine." Within the Articles of Religion, there is a statement entitled "Of the Resurrection of Christ." It states that "Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he return to judge all men on the last day." Despite this clear language, many critics have argued that Methodists do not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus or the power of God's redemption of humanity through Jesus. This has never been, nor can it ever be, the official position of the United Methodist Church. Only the General Conference speaks for the church, and the General Conference is explicitly prohibited from changing the Articles of Religion. Personally, what has kept me loyal to the United Methodist Church over the years is the balance between solid doctrine and the experience of God's grace showing up, often in surprising ways, to remind us that the very essence of the God we worship is self-giving love. Church life, at its best, is the practice of sharing the experience of God's transforming love. Human life is often difficult, yet we are able to experience joy in Christian community. This is the practical manifestation of the love of Christ. Of course, we are followers of Jesus first and members of a church denomination secondly. Yet occasionally I feel the need to stand up for our denomination! I will continue our series entitled "The Altogether Christian" this Sunday. The message will focus upon what it means for the human soul to long for the presence of God. What does it mean to thirst for the love of God? How does that longing influence what we do and say in daily life? The scripture I will use is Psalm 42: 1-2. I encourage you to read Psalm 42 and reflect on it prior to worship. Finally, please continue to pray for our church and our community. God is at work all around us, and sometimes all we need to do is be alert and open to what God's Spirit wants to reveal. See you Sunday! Steve Hart
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