CLUB 444: If You Were, You Would Not

Bishop Ken Carter said this on Friday – – –

Good News

If you were going to start an evangelical church you would not share misinformation about an existing church—this is a violation of the 9th commandment, bearing false witness.

And you would not recruit people from an existing church—this is not evangelism, but proselytizing.

And you would not ask members of an existing church to do harm to itself, by withholding gifts—this is Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.

The good news is that the United Methodist Church is an evangelical church. We are seeking to share God’s free and infinite grace with all people. We are better together in connection. And we are on a path to holiness—and we are not there yet—as we love God and each other.

I’m grateful for the people of the United Methodist Church—an evangelical church—and all you’ve taught me about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Be encouraged!