February 11, 2008

When John Paul II was elected Pope he stood on a balcony and spoke to the throng in St. Peter’s square and to the world.  His first words were, “BE NOT AFRAID!”  These were the words he spoke when he first came to America.  “BE NOT AFRAID!”  In his last trip to America in 1995 where he spoke in Central Park, New York City, he spoke these words again, “BE NOT AFRAID!”

I use these words in this letter because, though we face dangerous challenges in The United Methodist Church as we approach General Conference, we have a deep faith in the presence of our Lord that He is with us.  This is His Church and He is our sure foundation and hope.  So, the first thing that we must do as we face General Conference 2008 is to seek His presence, guidance, and wisdom in prayer.

As we pray, we must be aware that some people in our Church would radically change United Methodism.

1)      They will seek to get approval for homosexual practices and ordination of practicing homosexuals.

2)      They will seek to get approval for the union of practicing homosexuals in Church performed rituals.

3)      They will seek to gain legal approval of all abortions including “partial birth” abortions, in other words, infanticide for unwanted babies.

4)      They will seek to remove the local Pastor’s authority in determining those who are ready for membership in the Church.

5)      They will make a strong move to place African, European, and Asian Central Conferences in separate structures and to create an American Central Conference.  This will ultimately take away the vote of the orthodox African and Asian Churches and make more possible a radical American Central Conference.

So, our work is cut out for us.  Though we should not be afraid, at the same time, we must work to keep United Methodism an Apostolic Church in the future.  Some of our leaders will try to demythologize scripture and orthodox theology so that we will be more a Unitarian Church and not a faithful Church.  Upholding Jesus as Son, Savior and Lord must be our primary purpose at 2008 General Conference.

Along side the orthodox delegates in the committees and on the conference floor, we must have workers at the conference supporting an orthodox agenda.  This will be costly, and your generous gift to The Confessing Movement is needed now!  We should not be afraid, but we must be faithful in support of an Apostolic Church at the 2008 General Conference.  Thanks!  So very much!

                                                                       For the Cause of causes,

                                                                        Dr. John Ed Mathison

 

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