"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, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out." -– John Wesley

• Theo Bids You Welcome :-)
• United Methodist Links
• 2002 Annual Conference Reports Get a good summary at what happened in each conference, those interesting membership stats, etc.
• The "Shootout" Continues!
• The UMC Bishops big hush hush affair!
• Some Still Contending!
• A Selah Moment!
• Alvin's View of Denominations!
• Another Link to Some Contenders
• UMC Priority Problems!
• More Links to UMC Happenings!
• The Profound Light Bulb Issue!
• Search All of Circuit Rider's Range

To find out a lot of things about the organization and workings of The United Methodist Church, then go to the United Methodist Church Offical Home Page. Also some of the latest happenings are reported here. Lots of things to explore here within the denomination.

What all happened at those annual get togethers? Take a look at 2002 Annual Conference Reports. Oh, oh -- looks like the membership hemorrhaging is continuing!

The big meeting at UMC General Conference 2000 took place at Cleveland, Ohio and it was at points a modernized version of the OK Corral shootout, with a fascinating religious twist to it

The pressure really was on for the UMC to change its Book of Discipline and essentially say yes

THIS...

However, votes in 4 crucial areas related to same gender coupling said

THIS!

In light of those votes, Mel White and his Soulforce gang has interesting plans for you UM's over the next 4 years -- see A Declaration of Unholy War! -- so, get ready -- it's going to be a real hoot at Pittsburgh PA in spring of 2004 -- uh, if you are a little bit concerned, you might do some praying (and some protesting) between now and then too!

Western PA Annual Conference of the UMC had some interesting developments, which are bound to impact GC2004 which will be held in Pittsburgh PA -- check into Lesson in Compromise! Just think of the "progress" that can be made between now GC2004 -- maybe that will finally be the time when same gender coupling will finally receive the sanction and blessing of the 2nd largest protestant denomination! The W Pa Conference has set an example -- who will follow?

Hey, they're coming out of their holes all over the place -- "conversions" taking place right and left -- ooops! to be politically correct, make that far, far left! See UMC Episcopal Endorsement of Same Gender Coupling! and while there, you can click on a very familiar object and flush a bunch more out into the open!

OK, OK! I guess I deserve to be in the middle of this ongoing shootout since I sowed some "seed" decades ago, and now it's "harvest time!" Seed does sprout, grow, and bear fruit you know! If you don't know what I am referring to, then you need to check out the Special Place Circuit Rider set up for me -- that's not the real name, however. You will have to wait until you get there to see what it is called :-))

While there are those who are trying to play the same gender coupling issue down, it is a "keystone" issue in a number of ways -- for an overview of happenings related to this issue take a look at The UMC's Version of the Energizer Bunny!. It's a guarantee -- some of you won't want to see it, and when you do, you won't want to believe it! Just remember, FACTS don't lie when they are well documented!

Special Announcement! Remember that General Conference 2004 is approaching -- it's not too early to be thinking and praying about submitting petitions -- individuals, groups (such as Sunday School classes), administrative boards, etc can submit petitions -- check with your pastor and borrow the Book of Discipline on procedures! Let your voice be heard! Don't forget -- a number of UMC bishops have already done their endorsement thing condoning sodomy and lesbianism! So, why shouldn't you let your voice be heard in protest against such abominations?

Order "no-no" same gender coupling union badges! There will be an even greater need for them over these next 4 years!

And just what might future headlines in the United Methodist Church read if General Conference 2004 fouls up in "speaking for the church?" Go to United Methodist News from the Future!

Another critical issue for each General Conference is one that the UMC Bishops won't speak about...

Here is what they "sweep under the rug,"
keeping lips absolutely locked, glued, and sealed! Watch the
little number cruncher for 60 to 90 seconds and see what happens!

Unborn Babies Killed since Roe vs. Wade January 1973

Do you think they would dare to take a leisurely tour of the following? And do you think they might be moved to let at least one little peep out of their mouths about this kind of violence? Or could it be a conspiracy of being sworn to silence on this issue????

United States Holocaust Gallery OR Fighting for Your Life!

Ah, you do agree that these are violent acts committed each day, do you not?
And the tally just keeps adding up -- is there a church leader somewhere who willing to speak up about this? As we have now moved into the 21st Century, the grand total is at least 40 million or more unborn victims since the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973! What other nation which claims to be "civilized" can point to a record of that kind? BTW, Nazi Germany's total victims was in the 14 million range, 6 million of which were Jews!

And of course you hear some whiney voices here and there crying, "Aw, why can't we just focus on the good being done and forget that negative stuff?"

Want to find out more about the annual conferences and districts? Then go to United Methodist Conferences & Districts
You can visit many web sites and even locate a number of churches, pastors etc through this site -- of course, it will take a little time & patience, because there's a big bunch here -- ah, I'm not referring to the bananas either! :-)

The above links provide a wealth of information that spells out plainly what the battle within the UMC is all about -- yet, the persons involved are often branded as the "trouble makers" and labeled as "bigoted", "prejudiced", "mean-spirited", fostering "homophobia" ad nauseum -- face it, folks -- we're going to have to wait a while, but the time will come -- Almighty God will confirm the truth of His Word and render the final decision! And it's good to remember an important fact -- no appeals on this one either!

Ah, a little question -- when your doctor diagnoses a critical illness and recommends what action is to be taken for the cure (surgery, radical treatment, etc), do you label him as a trouble maker, mean spirited and other flattering labels which are applied to those who long to see the UMC healed, revived and recapture the unity, passion, zeal, and mission aggressiveness for Jesus Christ it used to have in the decades of its beginnings?

You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. --- Psalm 60:4

"Most unfortunate indeed that you earthlings are plagued with a thing called denominations. As your own God given writings tell you, there are "winds of doctrine" and then you have that deadly threat in each generation of false teachers, prophets, etc. Your Savior said there would be "wolves in sheep's clothing" and He warned repeatedly about being on guard against being deceived. On my planet we are all one in spirit and fully agree on Who God is, what He expects of us by way of moral and ethical conduct, what His purpose for us involves, and we do it without question! You earthlings can't imagine how rich and full our lives are because of this. You have my deepest sympathy on your affliction with this very chaotic condition of denominations and dealing with all those "winds of doctrine!" Sorry I had to bring this up -- my people back home won't want to believe this just as they will find a number of other things hard to believe about planet earth as well!"

There's a lot of frustration on part of those UM's who respect the authority and integrity of the Holy Scriptures and who take their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ seriously -- some are leaving the denomination while others feel called to stay and press the battle for truth and righteousness from within -- for some encouragement and a bit of an uplift check out what is going on with some organized groups that want to see the UMC recapture and regain the fire, zeal, passion for souls, etc it once had in the earlier days -- stats don't lie folks -- something different was going on many decades ago that isn't happening now -- anyway, check out Renewal Links -- information provided by Unofficial Confessing group at its site.

United Methodists have a bit of a problem prioritizing social issues -- gambling is the biggie when it comes to evils in society and we really blast that one -- PA is dealing with possible riverboat gambling and UM's are to launch a broadside against this -- and for "authority" quote the Discipline!! This is not to suggest that gambling is not an issue to be addressed, but why do we give so much time, effort and expense to that issue -- Bishops, DS's and many, many others constantly speak out, while on other hand not a word about the massive slaughter of the unborn!! It has happened in W. PA Conference that a lot of platform time with the bishop sitting a few feet away has been given to the subject of fighting the evils of gambling, but never has even a small percentage of that time been given for a person to stand in the same location and appeal for a stop to the destruction of the unborn, or appealing to the "rights" of the unborn, etc! The common "dodge" I have usually received in communications on this subject is, "It's a complex issue!" And of course there is more than a little division over this matter -- there are UM's, pastors and lay persons, who have enough clarity of vision to see abortion on demand for what it really is -- an abomination in the sight of a holy God Who will deal with this nation accordingly if this extermination process is not ended very soon! -- by the way, see the suggestion for a motion to amend the gambling statement at Circuit Rider's Cauldron -- you will have to scroll down past some other subjects first. The amended statement will help to put first things really FIRST in dealing with social evils of the day!!!!!

There is also what is known as The Unofficial UMC Page with a lot of resources for information related to the United Methodist Church.

The "connection" of course goes far beyond the borders of the United States -- check out Methodist Church in the United Kingdom and Methodist Church - International. At both these sites you can venture further into what is going on in churches in other countries -- many, many church web sites along with pastors with whom you can contact and get to know. At least one positive with the Internet has been the privilege to meet and correspond with people you otherwise would never have met in this life.

Yes, there is evangelizing going on within the United Methodist Church, in spite of a lot of the negatives publicity wise which you have heard about, and which in part are discussed above and in other areas of the CR Range -- people are coming to know Jesus Christ -- go to The Foundation for Evangelism and see for yourself!

For books and other materials for help on your faith journey go to Discipleship Resources -- you can order directly on line if you desire.

Keep abreast of latest newsbreaking events within the UMC -- it was here that details of the Creech escapade were reported with more accuracy than the secular media boys, who most times can't see beyond the end of their noses anyway! Just go to United Methodist News Service.

Another source of information is the UM Reporter -- CR has a time with their editorials -- you can interact with their articles -- go to The United Methodist Reporter.

For a publication by the United Methodist Publishing House that is exclusively for United Methodist clergy go to Circuit Rider Magazine -- this link will take you to the home page and also give you access to a number of other sites related to publishing interests of the United Methodist Church.

Want to see what the "Supreme Court" of The United Methodist Church is up to? Then go into the "chambers" of the Judicial Council and find out! The decisions of this group affects millions!

Want to see first hand more presentations from the "other side" -- these are some more folks, in addition those mentioned earlier, that have often been labeled "bad news" bearers -- the "mean spirited" church wreckers, causing division, etc? Of course, it depends on whose ox is being gored, or what dog yelps when you throw the stone into the pack -- hee hee! Go to Good News Magazine. On the front page are titles of breaking news articles and other links. For a direct link to current news, go to Current News.

Check out something special for United Methodist Women -- it is the Renewal Network for women who are concerned about the UMC.

Good News Magazine folk invite you to partake of Means of Grace -- try it, you might even like it!

Over the past 30 years or so a lot of articles have been published in Good News Magazine that have dealt with a number of issues related to the UMC -- you can take a look at these by going to the Good News Library where the list of general topics is given.

Question: How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?

Answer: At least 10, as they need to hold a debate on whether or not the light bulb exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the light bulb, they still might not change it, to keep from alienating those who might use other forms of light.

Question: How many United Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?

This statement was issued: "We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb traditions (or light source, or non-dark resource), and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life, and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence."

NOTE: In order to protect him from loss of ministerial credentials and excommunication, I refuse to reveal my source on the above information. Hey, don't whine about that -- media people do this all the time! hee hee

---