tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post1142565781396417994..comments2023-11-05T00:58:55.352-07:00Comments on A Peculiar Prophet: A New World, and Its DetractorsWilliam H. Willimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-64545450541499336962012-04-25T11:50:09.512-07:002012-04-25T11:50:09.512-07:00I find it ironic that in the midst of their call t...I find it ironic that in the midst of their call to greater accountability, the Bishops themselves remain the least accountable individuals in the church. If current legislation is approved, their obligations will be limited to one meeting a year with a Jurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy, a meeting which, if past behavior is any guide, some will choose not to attend and will face no consequences for avoiding. Until the Council of Bishops begins to hold its own accountable for their performance in office they will continue to be mistrusted in their efforts to hold others accountable.Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02140460609810327917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-48998677593284213052012-03-05T08:58:09.962-08:002012-03-05T08:58:09.962-08:00I too am a South Carolinian and find myself in agr...I too am a South Carolinian and find myself in agreement with allot of what the good Bishop is saying. Yet, Tim also makes some valid points! Our Bishops must be deeply involved and provide vital and passionate episcopal leadership if this "new world" is to occur. I recently re-read John Harnish's "The Orders in The United Methodist Church" in which I found the 'pattern' and history of our denomination has always been to adapt so that the spiritual and sacramental needs of the laity and the unchurched are met! At the same time we continue to live out the Great Commission in our ministry and outreach! One thing is for sure; we either change or we will die!Len Ripleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04720732215876216140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-22024290032199487382012-02-17T04:17:27.779-08:002012-02-17T04:17:27.779-08:00This blog does not accept anonymous posts.This blog does not accept anonymous posts.BPUMChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617382054311048395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-49075644995771284212012-02-15T19:58:10.168-08:002012-02-15T19:58:10.168-08:00I do not know Bishop Willimon. I do know Tim McLe...I do not know Bishop Willimon. I do know Tim McLendon. This rather vicious attack is unwarranted and uncalled for. Tim McClendon loves the United Methodist Church and is one of the greatest teachers and preachers of the Wesleyan theology of grace that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I would imagine that Bishop Willimon knows that too.<br /><br />I am disappointed to say that I have lost all the respect that I once had for Bishop Willimon.<br /><br />Wayne Cook<br />Rising Fawn-Sand Mountain UMCTN Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13337932588414375173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-56693342618851348882012-02-14T21:38:25.500-08:002012-02-14T21:38:25.500-08:00I am not sure that the Call to Action is the full ...I am not sure that the Call to Action is the full answer unless included is the suggestions for vital congregations to begin to include fully people who have been excluded from the church's activities and governance. I was born into a nominally Methodist family in the Twin Tiers of PA & NY whether in the Elmira Heights Oakwood Avenue UMC or Chemung, NY UMC or Athens, PA 1st UMC or Waverly, NY 1st UMC, but being raised in the Waverly, NY 1st Church of the Nazarene because my Mom came back to The Lord through VBS and became a part of Waverly, NY !st Church of the Nazarene was similar in theology to the Elmira Heights, NY Oakwood Avenue UMC and practice with Sunday School, Morning Worship, Sunday Evening Youth Group, Sunday Evening Worship, Wednesday Prayer and Praise Worship with once a month missionary worship as well as twice a year Revival Worship. I am discovering that part of the renewing of the local congregation is being a Reconciliation Congregation where the excluded are included whether people with disabilities or LGBT, whether you believe that homosexuality is sin or not, we must begin to trust God to allow us to love and realize that only He saves not us. For me, Vital Congregations are Inclusive Congregations for people with disabilities or people who are poor or people from diverse cultures or people who are LGBT. Maybe the lessons from John Wesley, Phineas Bresee, and Joseph Widney from Wesleyan Theology as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. from the Baptist Theology and Mahatmas Ghandi from the Hindu Tradition. Where and how is God working in our community to love God fully and to love other people unconditionally as He loves us. Shalom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com