Do not be Conformed but Transformed

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Dear Renew Network,

Paul perfectly describes the choice before The United Methodist Church as delegates and concerned Methodists make their way to St. Louis, where in just three weeks, they will decide the dividing issue of our time. Will we be conformed to the demands of our culture? Or not.  Will we give in to the loud voices who want the church to liberalize her sexual ethic? Or not.

We are well aware that the church has been dealing with this issue for decades. The Commission on a Way Forward has been deliberating since shortly after General Conference 2016 and has come up with three plans. As traditional, orthodox, evangelical Methodists, we know that the Modified Traditional Plan is the only plan that does not conform to a worldly understanding of Human Sexuality, and the only plan that gives us any hope of transforming a hurting world that has lost its way.

Our progressive fellow Methodists disagree. They believe the One Church Plan is the answer to the impasse over sexuality. They firmly believe that both a traditional and progressive view of sexuality can successfully be held together even though they are diametrically opposed to one another. They seem to ignore the division and decline of every denomination, that has embraced a progressive sexual ethic similar to the proposed changes to our Book of Discipline in the One Church Plan before The United Methodist Church now.

I feel safe in saying: God clearly speaks in Scripture; his Word does not have to be reinterpreted to be understood. But believing what is right and standing for the truth is just part of the battle. We must pray. The next four weeks are critical.

And as we pray, may we stand in humility, calling on God’s grace to abound that the faith once delivered to the saints would be preserved in The United Methodist Church. May we pray with thankful hearts for all the work that already has been done and will be done at the conference. Let us pray God will move mightily in St. Louis and that His will shall be done.

I am grateful to our brothers and sisters of the Wesleyan Covenant Association in the Texas Annual Conference for providing a 27 day Prayer Guide to use along with the prayers we individually are led to pray. You can find this guide here. You will also find the daily prayer from the guide posted on the Renew Facebook page.

As we enter the month of February, let us not lose heart or get distracted. But like Paul entreats us, may we each be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

Please be in prayer for our church. Your gift will make it possible for Renew to be present at the Special General Conference in February 2019.

Stand with us by going on the Renew Website and printing the Donations Form. Or you may designate a check to Renew Network and send to:

 

Good News
P.O. Box 132076
The Woodlands, TX 77393-2076
Fax: 832.813.5327

In His Service,
Katy Kiser
Renew Network Team Leader
832-381- 0331
renew@goodnewsmag.org

 

Katy Kiser

Katy Kiser

Katy teaches in her local church and serves on several committees. She served for seven years on the Good News board of directors. Along with writing for Renew, Katy is a freelance writer, and co-author with Faye Short of Reclaiming the Wesleyan Social Witness – Offering Christ.
Katy Kiser

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