FEATURES 40 Years of Vision for United Methodist Renewal James V. Heidinger II touches the keystones of the Good News mission.
Methodism's Silent MinorityCharles Keysor's pivotal editorial that birthed a movement.
From the Margin to the Mainstream Riley B. Case tracks evangelicalism from its grassroots beginning.
A Requested Critique J. Richard Peck weighs Good News dogma and decisions.
Vision for the 21st Century
Rob Renfroe urges leadership from clergy and laity alike.
Bill Hughes confronts today's United Methodists with an open-air message.
Jorge Acevedo glimpses Wesley's vision from the pews of the New Room.
George Hunter directs readers to the main business.
Lindsey Davis issues an urgent summons for new church plants.
Adam Hamilton calls reformers to the radical center.
Rudy Rasmus serves as prophet for intentional spontaneity.
Will Willimon offers a crisp assessment of Good News at age 40.
General Conference
Tom Lambrecht surveys the upcoming
ecclesial arena.
COLUMNS
Editorial Reflections on 40 years of Good News ministry
RENEW Women's Network Christmas is coming!
Next Generation Youth ministry as wind chime II
The Great Commission Imprinting
From the Heart Know El
DEPARTMENTS
News United Methodists seek spiritual renewal at Aldersgate.
We all have lamented that Christmas is marketed earlier and earlier each year. Christmas merchandise now appears in September, and we feel compelled to make choices early lest we miss the best selection. This year, however, I experienced deep appreciation for the early arrival of the Holy Season and I want to share this with you.
During the first weekend in autumn, the Renew Network held its fall Steering Committee meeting, followed by its annual retreat for committee members and guests. Something happened at these meetings that catapulted us toward Christmas.
We did a lot of "business"-plans for General Conference, discussion of needed program resources and visioning for the future of this ministry. However, it was not during the business sessions that we "found" Christmas.
Our Christmas discovery began when our opening devotional pointing us toward passages of scripture pertaining to the unprepared bride of Jeremiah 2:32 contrasted with the prepared bride of Isaiah 61:10 and Revelation 19:7. We were asked to consider the false voices we hear as individuals, and collectively as the church, which keep us from being prepared to meet the bridegroom. Who is the one true bridegroom of the Church? Jesus.
The next devotional challenged us to the excitement of finding a valuable treasure, such as the farmer and the merchant did in Matthew 13:44-46. The farmer accidentally discovered the treasure hidden in his field, the merchant intentionally went looking for rare pearls-and found the one pearl of great price. We were asked if we were willing to surrender all for such a priceless treasure, or if there were some things we would not give up. Who is the embodiment of the rare pearl in this parable? Jesus.
The retreat message brought the Incarnation of Christmas home with full force as we pursued the topic "No Other." Peter declared boldly in Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." We were challenged to give all of our ambitions, hopes, and dreams to the One in whom "we live and move and have our being" (Act 17:28). Who is the "first cause" of everything? Jesus.
And yet.Are we ready for the bridegroom's coming? Do we want the treasure God offers more than we want anything else in the world? Is Jesus truly the "first cause" in our lives and relationships?
As we consider the demise of the mainline denominations and the compromising stance of the Church, documented by many studies, it seems that a serious end-time prediction is coming to pass. I Peter 4:17 says, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?" One devotional leader said, "We must turn our hearts and lives back to God, back to righteousness, justice, love, and compassion. We, the bride of Christ, must come to repentance or perish" (Luke 13:5). Will we?
Are there "treasures" we are unwilling to give up for the greatest treasure of all? What might those be: position, power, pride, control, possessions, addictions, habits? Someone once said to Billy Graham, "I would give everything to be as dedicated as you are." To which Graham replied, "That's exactly what it will cost you." The leader reminded us that the three wise men brought their "treasures" and lay them at the feet of Jesus. Will we?
"The shofar is blowing.God is calling His people into His presence," said the retreat leader. We were reminded that the place of His presence is both an incredibly wonderful and, yet, an awesomely holy place-God allows "no other" gods before Him (Deuteronomy 4:39). When we as individuals, or as the Church, allow gods of our own making to remain in our midst, God is the one who is offended. When we dare to say that there are ways to God other than through Jesus, God is the one who disagrees. When we say God's standards for our behavior have changed with the times, God is the one who is affronted by our sin. In Acts 17:30 we are told, "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent." Will we?
Scripture and history overflow with accounts of those who found Jesus. At the time of His birth-the Incarnation-angels came from heaven, shepherds came from the hills, wise men came from afar, and Mary and Joseph marveled and wondered at the child, Jesus. Will we?
Christmas is coming-get ready!
Renew is the women's program arm of the Good News movement. Visit us at www.renewnetwork.org or contact us at renew1@hemc.net; P.O. Box 889, Cornelia, GA 30531; 706-778-4812. Your contributions to this ministry are appreciated.
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