Introducing...... A First Book.... From a Wonderful Writer Introducing... Peace for the Journey By...Elaine Olsen
Happy Fourth of July!
We at RENEW pray that you have a wonderful time with family and friends this holiday, being ever mindful of the many privileges we hold dear as Americans. May we remember our brave men and women who are serving overseas and their families, as they continue to honor their country with their sacrificial service. May we pray for our nation that she will return to the godly foundation upon which she was founded. And may we pray for our church--the bride of Christ--that she will return to the biblical foundation upon which she was established. Our freedom certainly isn't free--it was bought at a price. Many lives were given. And God gave the ultimate sacrifice in His Son Jesus Christ--the cornerstone of our church, our nation, and our freedom.
RENEW is proud to introduce a wonderful new book by a woman with deep Methodist roots and a heart for drawing women closer to Jesus Christ. Elaine Olsen is a prolific writer and speaker who has great wisdom to share for anyone who desires to live in perfect peace "in the pleasure of His company". Her first book is suitable for individual and group study. Visit Elaine's website at www.peaceforthejourney.com to read her blog and order the book.
"Occasionally a writer comes along that not only grabs your mind, but your heart as well. Elaine knows the gospel story; she has lived it. With her rare gift of expressing the message in creative and powerful ways, she invites you to begin your fruitful journey toward peace." -Dr. Maxie Dunnam, Chancellor of Asbury Seminary and best-selling author
NEW! UMC Restores funding to Claremont School of Theology (6/27/2010) On a late Friday afternoon (June 25,2010), the United Methodist University Senate quietly announced it would lift sanctions imposed on Claremont School of Theology and reinstate its $800,000 subsidy from the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF). The Univeristy Senate is an elected body of professionals in higher education created by the General Conference whose job is to determine which schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries meet the criteria for listing as institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church. The MEF is one of seven funds financed through apportionment giving and represents between 12-20% of seminary annual budgets.
Claremont, one of 13 Methodist theological schools, was put on "public warning" in January 2010 over failing to submit a budget and its plans for "a substantial reorientation" of the school's mission. Claremont is establishing a multi-faith entity at the school called The University Project, whereby it will train Muslim imams and Jewish rabbis along with Christian pastors. The program plans to expand in the future to add programs for Buddhists and Hindus. The school will partner with the Academy for Jewish Religion and the Islamic Center of Southern California.
Objections have been raised by many evangelicals and conservative Christians who believe the project reflects a huge step towards the radical leftism so prevalent in many American schools of theology. Prominent evangelical Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. denounced the project as an "abdication" of the Christian faith on his radio program and stated, "Liberal Protestantism long ago grew embarassed by the exclusive claims of biblical Christianity and the historic Christian faith. Adopting pluralist and inclusivist reconstructions of the faity, liberal theologians and theological schools have been pressing the margins for over a century now. Given that trajectory, a multifaith theological seminary was an inevitability."
Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, a conservative organization that monitors mainline denominations, responded that Christians have had to deal with a multi-religious environment for the past 2000 years and have maintained its truth claims amid the diversity. "If they are faithful to the Gospel then they should be accepting the multi-religious environment as a challenge rather than trying to accommodate it or succumb to it", Tooley said. Tooley also reminded listeners that decades ago, Claremont was promoting "process theology", which denies the sovereignty of God and suggests God is always evolving and maturing along with the world.
Claremont President Rev. Dr. Jerry Campbell has responded to criticism of the project by saying, "We must develop new ways of being Christian, and educating Christian leaders, for a very different global and migratory environment." The school says it will continue to educate Christian leaders, while at the same time its new "evolving university" will "welcome and embrace adherents of other religions to its faculty, staff, and student body and reflect the multireligious context of today's world".
Dr. Riley B. Case, associate director of the Confessing Movement, argues that Claremont's move to a multi-faith model should disqualify it from being an official United Methodist seminary. "Claremont can obviously do what it wants to do, but does the United Methodist Church need continually to pour almost one million dollars into such an institution? Isn't the UMC supposed to be about winning disciples to Jesus Christ?"
NEW! Bishop Scott Jones addresses clergy renewal group at North Georgia Annual Conference (6/25/2010) During the 2010 North Georgia Annual Conference, Bishop Scott Jones spoke at a breakfast held by the Wesleyan Renewal Movement, a group of clergy and laity that promote a commitment to "ensuring the Book of Discipline and the election of bishops reflect the principles of Wesley and the Bible". He was invited to speak about the Committee to Study the Worldwide Nature of the UMC which Bishop Jones chairs. The General Conference 2008 had voted by a 2/3 majority to restructure the United Methodist Church into a series of regional conferences due to the shifting demographics of church growth. The proposed constitutional amendments were then sent to individual annual conferences for a vote, where they were soundly defeated. Bishop Jones acknowledged the dramatically different results between the General Conference votes and the annual conferences votes was unprecedented and quite shocking to the Committee.
Bishop Jones denied that the restructuring legislation was used as a strategy to separate the U.S. and African voting blocs, whereby progressive sexuality petitions would have a greater chance of passage. The African delegations tend to be theologically conservative and vote overwhelmingly against the acceptance of homosexual practice. Many evangelical Methodists believe that without the conservative votes of the African delegations, the likelihood of holding the line on the church's historical stance on the acceptance of homosexuality would be slim. Crossing this line has proven disastrous for other mainline denominations in the United States, creating an unrepairable schism as laity and clergy leave the church.
Jones explained that many issues are at play concerning the future of worldwide Methodism and how it is structured. By General Conference 2012, it is expected that 40% of the delegates will be from outside the United States. This is due to the rapid growth of the UMC in Africa and the Phillipines and the continued decline in membership in the U.S. and Europe. He explained that currently that the Book of Discipline and the work of our boards and agencies are U.S.-focused and cumbersome to other regional areas.
Many of the points and concerns Bishop Jones shared with the group are important ones for Methodists to ponder, and his audience seemed to gain more clarity from hearing his perspective. He said that one task facing the Worldwide Nature Committee is to make clear recommendations regarding which parts of the Book of Discipline should apply to all United Methodists and which parts should be "adaptable to local contexts". Bishop Jones saide the study committee has determined that a few things are so crucial to the unity of the worldwide church that they must be determined by the General Conference such as the Constitution, our Doctrinal Standards, the Social Principles, the mission statement, basic descriptions of church entities, and sexuality issues, including ordination.
Perhaps the great difference in votes between the General Conference and the annual conferences illustrate the deep disconnect which exists between our church institutions and the people in the pews. As the church continues to form committees and study groups to "rethink church" and "redefine structures", perhaps the answers to revitalizing the American church can be found at the grassroots and local church level.
Chicago 2010: Answering the Call Join us for this incredible event sponsored by the Association of Church Renewal where clergy, laity, and church leaders will come together to hear internationally known speakers on a variety of topics concerning bringing new life into the mainline churches. Church growth, leadership training, and missional ministry are just a few of the topics to be presented. There will be a special women's workshop held on Saturday. Register today at www.mainlinecall.org
NEW! RENEW Spring Newsletter (PDF Here) NEW! RENEW Column The May/June 2010 issue of Good News Magazine, "The Masters-A View From Augusta", click here.
NEW! FOCUS ON MARRIAGE Marriage in America is under attack from without and within. There has been a major cultural shift in this country concerning traditional marriage resulting in major consequences on our most sacred and unifying social institution. From judicial decision that seek to redefine marriage to our over-sexualized entertainment industry, marriage is attacked and trivialized in every sphere life. Cohabitation is considered normative behavior and having children out of wedlock is rarely discouraged.
Young adults today have a much different worldview as a result which is disturbing for the future of families. Social scientist agree that children and adults fare much better physically, emotionally, and psychologically when they live in a traditional family unit of married, biological parents raising their children. Marriages are also under attack from within as pornography, infidelity, economic hardships, infertility, and daily stresses tear at the fabric of marital relationships.
RENEW is beginning a new mission focus of offering support for building strong marriages and healing for troubled ones. We have compiled a list of good books and Bible studies on building strong marriages and will be adding more in the weeks ahead. We will offer books on healing from divorce, help for single parents, and hope for desperate families dealing with all sorts of issues. Let us know if you have an inspiring story of how Jesus provided healing in your own experience that you may want to share to give hope and support for others.
