We are covering all Church splits in America in prayer. Oh My! Satan’s way in having his way with the American Church. Only 4% of Americans have a Biblical Worldview and JUST 37% of Pastors have a Biblical Worldview. Barna research.
From CHURCHLEADERS:
(RNS) — A North Carolina Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed last year by 36 United Methodist churches demanding to sever their ties to the denomination.
Superior Court Judge Richard L. Doughton issued an oral ruling Monday (March 20) dismissing the suit brought against the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, its board of trustees and Bishop Kenneth H. Carter Jr. More Here
Henri Nouwen: “Our lives are destined to become like the life of Jesus. The whole purpose of Jesus’ ministry is to bring us to the house of his Father. Not only did Jesus come to free us from the bonds of sin and death; he also came to lead us into the intimacy of his divine life.”
“It is difficult for us to imagine what this means. We tend to emphasize the distance between Jesus and ourselves. We see Jesus as the all-knowing and all-powerful Son of God who is unreachable for us sinful, broken human beings. But in thinking this way, we forget that Jesus came to give us his own life. He came to lift us up into loving community with the Father.
“Only when we recognize the radical purpose of Jesus’ ministry will we be able to understand the meaning of the spiritual life. Everything that belongs to Jesus is given for us to receive. All that Jesus does we may also do.”
Dr. Jim Denison asks: Are you seeking “the intimacy of his divine life” today?
Just 4% of Americans have a Biblical Worldview! JUST 37% of Pastors have a Biblical Worldview! The result is chaos! Barna research.
Being interested in this matter, I clicked until I was able to see the originating news story. I still don’t know what to think about the 100-church focused NC lawsuit because there was no indication as to what specific legal charges were filed and subsequently reviewed by the judge. The judge’s position about not interfering in church, doctrinal matters (1st Amendment) makes sense if that’s what was filed with the court, but it isn’t clear at all whether that was an excuse to avoid stepping into the fray or if the churches failed to file actionable legal complaint(s) citing violation(s) of civil statues or criminal law. There was commentary alleging that the United Methodist disaffiliation plan was tantamount to extortion, but no discussion about the real properties, people affected or specific examples of how the disaffiliation plan would unlawfully ruin persons or entities financially. It seems that if the churches believed they owned the properties and that their faith tenants had been broken, they could simply leave the denomination and see if “corporate” files suit against them. If “corporate” does, then there would clearly be standing for a court case, but one must be careful what they wish for… The sad part of all of this is the degrading of biblical truths provoking this situation, and that legal fights are happening in the first place – as these matters directly affect real persons and their faith walks.