|
|
By Allen McGraw, on January 27th, 2010
6. What is your understanding of the kingdom of God; the Resurrection; and eternal life?
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done…” It is a prayer that has been central to the Christian faith from its inception. But what is it that we envision God’s kingdom to be? It is easy for us to . . . → Read More: Ordination Question 6
By Allen McGraw, on January 27th, 2010
5. What is your conception of the activity of the Holy Spirit in personal faith, in the community of believers, and in responsible living in the world?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus talks with the disciples about how the paraclete, an advocate, a comforter, a counselor, an intercessor – the Holy Spirit – . . . → Read More: Ordination Question 5
By Allen McGraw, on January 22nd, 2010
4. How do you interpret the statement Jesus Christ is Lord?
The very earliest confession of the Christian church was, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” To those who made this declaration, these words summarized the theology that encompassed all other faith statements. Jesus of Nazareth, the god-man, had transformed our understanding of what it meant . . . → Read More: Ordination Question 4
By Allen McGraw, on January 20th, 2010
3. What is your understanding of humanity and the human need for divine grace?
One of the most troubling passages in the Bible for me comes from Romans 7 where Paul contrasts who he is with who he wants to be. He makes the very human statement that, “I do not understand my own . . . → Read More: Ordination Question 3
By Allen McGraw, on January 20th, 2010
2. What is your understanding of evil as it exists in the world?
One of the most difficult questions we face as humans deals with the existence of evil. The existence of evil, I think, is beyond question. Very few would argue in the face of the unspeakable suffering in the world that evil . . . → Read More: Ordination Question 2
By Allen McGraw, on January 19th, 2010
I am currently completing the requirements for provisional membership in the UMC. Provisional membership is the next step in the process towards being ordained as an Elder. Part of the requirements include answering sixteen question from the Book of Discipline. I’ll begin posting the questions and answers (in no particular order) here as I . . . → Read More: Ordination Questions
By Allen McGraw, on June 23rd, 2008
I’ve been working on a new website for the Courtland Charge. Let me know what you think.
http://www.courtlandumc.org
By Allen McGraw, on June 17th, 2008
The 2008 Mississippi Conference of the UMC, began its legislative session on June 8 in Jackson, Mississippi. Guided by the theme “Arise, Shine, Magnify” members from across Mississippi gathered to discuss budget items, changes to the conference structure, “direct billing” of pastors insurance premiums, as well as many other administrative items. The Annual Conference ended its legislative session . . . → Read More: Mississippi Annual Conference
By Allen McGraw, on May 12th, 2008
The highest policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, began its legislative session on April 23 in Fort Worth, Texas and conducted its business around a communion table made from trees destroyed by Hurricane Katrina at the historic Gulfside Retreat Center in Mississippi. Guided by the theme “A Future with Hope,” . . . → Read More: General Conference Highlights
By Allen McGraw, on July 26th, 2006
"I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, . . . → Read More: John Wesley on Methodists
|
|