A CALL TO PRAYER

A Call to Prayer

Christmas is just around the corner. Songs of joy and cheerfulness fill the air. Children, young and old are being extra nice. I can smell the aroma of fresh baked cookies. The multi-colored lights, the evergreen trees decorate our homes. Yes, Christmas is just two days away. And, there is joy in the air. Or at least we think there is joy.

The month of December has been filled with pain, hurt, darkness and many, many tears. There are stories of marital discord and talk of separation; some have heard the painful news about their health; others have experienced near death and life changing moments, not once but twice. Depression and suicide—aspects of poor mental health—are evident in some, while others cover it up. A community is rocked by the multiple murders that happened at a mall, while others seek to end the violence that happens every day in their community. Domestic abuse increases along with drunk driving. A family struggles with addiction; another struggles with losing a job at Christmas.

These are just of few of the places where pain, hurt, darkness and tears have entered into the lives of people you know— or perhaps even yourself. As I sat at my desk this week, giving praises to God that my daughters were not seriously injured in a car – train wreck, I know of many who are hurting and are in need of prayer. I asked myself, “How can The Church help?”
When the Israelites escaped from their oppressors in Egypt, they continued their journey under the guidance of Moses towards Canaan. At Rephidim the Amalekites suddenly and unexpectedly attacked them. (Sounds familiar...the pain of life.)

However, the victory did not depend merely on Joshua and his weapons. Rather, it depended on prayer. Moses had taken up his position on the hillside overlooking the battlefield, where his only weapon was prayer. Here, Moses was totally dependent upon God alone to win the battle. He was holding his staff. By holding it up to heaven, Moses was appealing for God to defend his people.

As he watched the battle, Moses saw firsthand the importance of his gesture of prayer. When he raised his staff and prayed, Israel had the better in the fight. But when he lowered his staff, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. In desperation, Moses lifted his staff even higher, appealing to God for victory. But soon his arms grew tired. When he could not hold his arms up by himself, two men, one on each side, held up his arms.

In the same way, our spiritual battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil are won and lost through the weight of our prayer. If we do not pray, we start losing the battle. We can arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, and faith. But if we do not ask God to assist us, we will not be able to make our stand. We will be dragged down into doubt and discouragement.
Therefore, on Sunday, January 6th we will gather to have a Service of Prayer, Healing and Anointing at 5:00 p.m. Please save the date, circle your calendar, watch for more information. Invite others, come yourself, come to pray for yourself, come to pray for others. Come!!

Connected and Strengthened through our prayer,

Pastor William

Contact Pastor William at wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com

Loneliness and Brokenness

This week has been a week in which violence; pain and tragedy rocked,

shocked and stripped the innocence of many. It touched the lives of my

families, including mine.

On Monday morning, I received a phone call. On the other end was silence. Then I heard sobbing, a heaving fearful sobbing. It was Jenna, “Daddy, I was robbed.” She works at Bath and Body in One Pacific Place, 105th and Center. For the rest of the week she was afraid to leave the house. The robber not only stole the bank deposits, he stole Jenna’s innocence. He robbed her of a sense of security.

Then on Wednesday we hear about the horrifying shooting eight victims and a suicide at WestRoads Mall. Nine people dead, 20 injured and many family members and friends left to grieve and search for answers in the midst.
Yes, this has been a week in which we, again, were stripped of our innocence and our sense of security.

Each time a small child is killed by a stray bullet in North Omaha we feel the pain. Each time some killed because of a drunk driver, we feel the pain. Each time a person become addicted to “crack”, “meth” or tries for the first time, marijuana we feel the pain, each time someone come to suffer from depression, we feel the pain. Each time divorce or separation happens we feel the pain.

Jesus cries out in anguish for a city that will sleep with even more awareness of our brokenness and the fragility of life.

I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.” Psalms 69:29

We can find comfort, hope, peace and salvation in God.

On tomorrow night the Omaha area United Methodist Churches will be having a prayer vigil at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 120th and Burke at 7.PM. You are encouraged to attend this time of praying, hoping comforting and being comforted in the love and peace of Christ.

Peace – God Peace – Shalom

Pastor William.

A Lasting Friendship

A single great event signaled both the beginning of Jonathan and David’s friendship and their falling from love and favor in Saul’s eyes—David’s defeat of the giant Goliath.
Goliath had been mocking and challenging the army of Israel for forty days. to all who saw him, he seemed invincible—their worst nightmare! He stood well over nine feet tall and wore chest armor weighing about 125 pounds! His armor bearer could barely even carry his shield.
Yet this did not frighten or deter David. He willingly challenged this champion of the philistines, knowing that God would deliver him just as He had done from the bear and the lion. God was truly with David, and David knew that the Eternal would grant him victory over the man who defied the army of the living God.

Running straight toward him, David killed this mighty giant with nothing but a sling and a small stone. He then stood over Goliath, cut off his head and brought it before Saul, speaking to him in the presence of Jonathan. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled before the army of Israel, who then chased after them in victory.

David’s courage and bravery that day affected Jonathan deeply; he was moved to love him as much as his own life. He realized that they shared much in common in the areas of courage, bravery, strength, loyalty, trust and faith in God. From that day forward, they were the best of friends. Jonathan was moved to the point of giving David some of his treasured items: His robe, sword, bow and belt, and even his armor.

Jonathan and David’s bond was so strong that they promised to never let anything come between them. Yet, Saul, upon hearing the people praise David in singing, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his ten thousands,” sought to kill David from that day forward.

However, Jonathan’s love for his friend only grew. Many times, he interceded for David, warning him that his father was seeking to take his life. Jonathan urged his father not to do this, saying, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been towards you very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: you saw it, and did rejoice: wherefore then will you sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause” (I Sam. 19:4-5)?
Jonathan warned David and interceded for him so often that he put his own life in danger, one time narrowly escaping death at the hand of his father. He even risked his life by traveling a great distance to see David in hiding, knowing that his father surely had spies watching every move. And he did this knowing that David would ascend to the throne in his place. Understanding that he must decrease while David increased, he pledged to stand loyally beside him.

Think how easy it would have been for Jonathan to go along with his father’s plotting, giving in to carnal nature and lust for power. It would have been easy for him to fall into the same attitudes as Saul, to have a bitter state of mind, saying, “it’s not fair, God! Why should I be punished just because my father messed up?” instead, he not only accepted god’s decision, he became best friends with the man whom his own human nature would have considered his rival! In all of this, he showed great loyalty not only to David but also to God and his will. In a way, Jonathan showed loyalty to his father as well, preventing him from committing a terrible murder.

Yet, David also showed great loyalty to Saul and Jonathan. As many times as Jonathan and David were alone, it would have been very easy for David to give in to his human nature and kill a potential rival. Even when presented with the opportunity to sneak up on Saul (the very one trying to murder him) and kill him, David restrained himself. David well remembered the covenant made with his best friend, recalling the words Jonathan spoke:
“And you shall not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not: But also you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever: no, not when the Lord has cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth” (I Sam. 20:14-15).

Even though David had been anointed king, he still showed great respect toward Jonathan—even to the point of bowing before him three times. So great was his love that, upon the news of Saul and Jonathan’s death, he composed a song of lamentation called the Song of the bow, and instructed that it be taught to the children of Judah. What a wonderful tribute to true friendship, when so many would have rejoiced at the death of rivals.

Even after the death of Jonathan, David kept his promise to show kindness to his friend. He searched out Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, and provided for him the rest of his life.
You Can Have This Kind of Friendship!

Much can be learned from the friendship of Jonathan and David. They were both princes of Israel, one by birth, the other by marriage. They were both in line to assume the throne of Israel. Both were mighty men of valor, and were respected and trusted by the men they led in battle. Each had accomplished great feats, relying on God for victory. They were zealous, driven, resourceful, courageous, bold, meek, humble, and so much more. They knew and respected government, wielded authority and zealously served those under and over them. They were loyal to one another and to their king.

They could have been enemies and rivals, yet they set aside jealousy, resentment, bitterness, competition and lust for power, choosing instead to become the closest of friends. They knew how and when to laugh together, cry and show their emotions together, sharing hopes and dreams, thereby cementing their friendship forever. They were real men, able to show the true, proper and right love of a brotherly friendship, willing to lay down their lives for one another. So great was their friendship that at one of their partings, “they kissed one another, and wept one with another, but David more so” (I Sam. 20:41; NKJV).

How rare this kind of friendship is in the world today!
Yet, you can have this kind of friendship with God and Christ. Recall Christ’s words to his disciples: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:13-15).

The record of David and Jonathan’s friendship has been preserved in the Bible for our benefit. It pictures the close relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ. they desire that same close, personal relationship with every human being. Jonathan and David’s friendship is a lasting legacy.
When David sees Jonathan come up in the resurrection, it will be just like the last day they saw each other, and they will continue to enjoy a friendship that will last for eternity. You can develop that kind of friendship with God and Christ, and with all others of like mind, who share the same goals, hopes and dreams.

Is F.ET.T.S ?

Pastor Williams
you can contact me @ wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com

Advent Christmas
at ROCKbrook
United Methodist Church

ADVENT / CHRISTMAS SERIES:
Questions and Answers at Christmas
Pastor Williams preaching / teaching at all services


December 2nd “Why Am I Here?”
I have heard many young adults and yes, older adults ask what is their purpose in life and how do they find it. This Advent season, we will explore the gift of finding meaning and purpose in your life.

December 9th “How Do I Overcome This Lonely Feeling?”
Christmas is supposed to be filled with cheer, joy and celebration, but many celebrate alone and even if you are with others, many still feel alone. We will explore, how you can overcome.

December 16th 8:30 service “Why is Life Hard?”
Life is hard, hard for us all. For some, it is a better harder which causes us to as the question more often and louder. Join us as we open the question, “Why is Life Hard and search for the answer. You could be surprised.
10:30 services: Our Children at worship.
Join us as we hear and experience the Christmas story through the “acting and singing of children. They will inspire you to live out the Christmas Spirit and remind us again of the birth of Christ in the world and your life. Join us for your annual Ad vent Dinner following our worship celebration

December 23rd “How Can I Find that One Special Relationship?”
Join us as we explore the question; is there really someone for me?

December 24th “Only One Day a Year?”
Service time: A Service of Carols and Lights 3:00 pm and 7: 00pm
At our 3:00 pm service, the Omaha Brass Quintet will be our special musical guest.
At the 7 00 pm service ROCKbrook’s Chancel Choir will lead us in singing as we hear the Biblical story of the Birth of Christ.
With the pageantry and excitement of Christmas, we soon realize that the day after Christmas is next. What do we do? How do we feel? How can I keep that Christmas spirit alive in the world? How can I keep that Christmas spirit alive in me? Join us as we find out how to open The Gift of Christmas year round.


Peace and Grace


Pastor William

wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com to share your comments

A Lesson from William, III

A Lesson from William, III

Read: Psalm 107:1-19
They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses -- Psalm 107:19


It was Wednesday, and it was grocery day! It was the day that I stayed at home with our 3 small children while Idalene went to the grocery store. Idalene didn't go to get just a few things we needed! It was her major grocery shopping day.

There were times when we braved that day and all 5 of us went shopping together. But, those days often turned into adventures with all kinds of cereals and highly sugared snacks finding the way into our 2 carts. Why 2 carts? Because all our children wanted to ride. I guess it made it easier for them to access all the items they wanted--especially the cereals with the "free gifts."

Anyway, on this particular Wednesday, I was the stay-at-home dad while Idalene went grocery shopping.

Upon her return from the Winn Dixie store in Lubbock, Texas, she honked the horn, and we all ran out the door to help her bring in 100 sacks of food and other items. Okay, maybe it wasn't a hundred sacks, but it seemed like it.

We all pitched in to do our share. William, III was about 7 years old, Jamise was 6 years old, and Jenna was 3 years old. Each child carried a sack that was appropriate for his or her age and size. Each child wanted to take part in helping us.

All was going well until William, III decided he wanted to carry the sacks filled with canned goods, a gallon of milk and other heavy items. These were the sacks that I usually carried in, but William, III wanted to help me and show off his muscles and impress me.

He reached to pick up an extra heavy sack, and I said, "Sport, I will carry that one. It is real heavy." To which, he replied, "Dad, I can carry it. I have strong muscles," and he proceeded to show me his "strong" muscles.

I consented, giving him the go ahead to carry the heavy sack. I watched him as he stooped over to pick up the sack. He strained. He groaned. He really struggled with it, but he picked up the sack and took a few steps. Then, I could see his little arms begin to struggle, and he could not move. His eyes got bigger, as the sack began to slip from his small but willing arms. With his voice straining, he looked up at me and said, "Dad, this is too heavy, will you help me?"

I reached down to help him with the sack, and I helped him carry the sack into the kitchen. After the sack was securely placed on the counter, he proudly looked at me and said, "Dad, sometimes, I just need a little help!"

What a great story of faith! There are times in our lives when we carry heavy burdens or sacks. Most of the time, we can carry them by ourselves, but often we try our hardest to carry heavy burdens or work out difficult problems with no success.

After having done our best, we wonder why we have met with failure. Lovingly and patiently, our God reminds us that we must learn to depend on Him. We must call upon God for help when the sacks of life get too heavy!

Let's stop struggling to carry the sacks of trouble and difficulty in our lives that far exceed our own strength.

Like the Israelites of old, let's call on the Lord to save us from our distresses. Psalm 107:19

Do you remember this song?

Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.


Peace and Grace

Pastor William

What Would You Change?

How does or did this video speak to you?

Are there things that you would like to change about your life?

What is God calling you to change in your life?

Are you ready to make that step?

Email me at wwilliams@rockbrookumc.com

ROCKbrook United Methodist Church

9855 West Center Road

Omaha Nebraska 68124

Service times: 8:30 am and 10:30 am

http://www.rockbrookumc.com/

wwilliams@rockbrookumc.om

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE FOR CHRIST

What is Discipleship? What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to make disciples of Jesus Christ? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “disciple” means, “One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.” Jesus Christ!

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to make disciples of Jesus Christ? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, “disciple” means, “One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.”

Jesus Christ!Called to be a discipleWe are first called into relationship with Jesus Christ before we even know it. God’s grace is available to us before we can even recognize it. Some have said that our soul / spirit is “wired” to seek God.

Yes, we are all called in someway to be a Disciple for Christ.For some of us who were brought up in the church, our faith is something that has always been a part of us. Others come into relationship through a gradual recognition of God in their lives or perhaps through a conversion experience where their hearts “are strangely warmed.” John Wesley’s Aldergate experience.
When he recognized the presence of Christ in his life.

Nurtured as a disciple Disciples are life-long learners – students of the master. Through prayer, worship, the Sacraments, and Bible study we grow in our faith, becoming more like Christ as our faith matures and becomes an integral part of who we are. We share in Christian community in our churches and in small groups like Sunday School, United Methodist Women or Men, and Bible Studies or other faith development opportunities. Disciples sent out in ministry As disciples, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. We participate in ministries of compassion and justice such as Habitat for Humanity, supplying the food bank, mission trips, cooking and serving meals at The Stephen’s Center, participating the Nothing But Nets program, rebuilding a church destroyed by a tornado and so much more. We make a difference in a hurting world, giving people a hand up to a better life or creating systems of justice that will end cycles of injustice. Disciples sharing faith Disciples are called to complete the circle of discipleship.

Discipleship: It is for Life. We share our faith, as well as invite and welcome new disciples into our community of faith. Why do we do this? To be able to report higher worship attendance numbers or to get more funds into our church for ministry? No, because, every person in the pew means another soul saved and another person to become the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world.

Do you remember the old Breck shampoo commercial (I couldn’t use it now)? The commercial celebrated the product by saying it was so good that each person who used it would “tell two friends, and they’ll tell two friends, and they’ll tell two friends…” Imagine what ROCKbrook would be like – imagine what our world would be like - if each of us told two friends about the Good News, and they told two friends, and they told two friends! As Jesus commanded us, we are called to share our faith: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Pastor William

WE ARE FAMILY!

The weekend of August 24th was a weekend of joy and delight!

Nearly 100 of my relatives and extended family members from across the United States gathered in Omaha to have a family reunion. "It was a grand and glorious time."

The family reunion was not only a time to get reacquainted with family members that we already knew, but it was an opportunity for us to meet new extended family members. My family reunion was a reunion of the Bobo family and the Danner family? The Danner family is from my mother's side of the family. It has been traced back to 1835 In South Carolina, and the history of the Danner family has been traced back even farther then this.

Our reunion was about discovery and connecting and building a family. It was an amazing time for all who attended. We laughed, and we shared personal stories of tragedy and triumph. We remembered the funny and the not so funny stories about others, and we discovered how we were connected to the relatives we met for the first time. It was a grand and glorious time!

The Bobo family is from my mother’s side of the family, and it originated from the Fulani tribe in the country of Nigeria. This fact was discovered when my cousin, Charlotte, had a DNA test, made famous by Oprah Winfrey and many others. The test has been proven to be 99% accurate. Wow! What a discovery! I can still recall my sense of awe as I stepped off a plane in 2000 when I went to Nigeria with a group from the Nebraska Annual Conference. As I looked around, I paused for a while -- taking in the moment and wondering if this was where it all began for me. And now, seven years later, I discover the answer is "Yes." I now know more about my genealogical roots. What an enlightening fact this is for me!

I will share more discoveries at a later date, but for now, I want to concentrate on family.

As I reflect on my weekend, I can't help but think how the Church is like Family.

1 Timothy 3:15, 5:1-8

The Church Is Family! That' is good news!

Now, did you read Timothy 3:15? "I am writing this message to you, so you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth." In this scripture verse, the word "household" is the term used for family.

Read 1 Timothy 5:4 "Children of widows should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family."

Read 1 Timothy 5:8. "If you do) not provide for your relatives, and especially for your immediate family, you have denied your faith and your family. Doing this is worse than being an unbeliever."

Two truths are obvious here. First, family matters! And second, the church is family!

There are other scripture readings where the Bible makes this same claim.

Ephesians 2:19-20 reads, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household . . ." Here, we notice the use of the word "household" again.

Hebrews 2:11 contains an amazing statement. The passage is talking about the Son of God identifying with humanity and becoming a man who will die on the cross for us. "Both the one who makes us holy and those who are made holy are of the same family, and Jesus was not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters."

We are family on earth and in heaven. That's good news!

The church is family. We all have the same heavenly Father, and we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We also have family resemblances.

In our biological families, we may look like our parents. Of course, there are exceptions. Take my family, for example. I have four brothers and two sisters. None of us look exactly alike, but we have the same features. Some of us look like my father, while others look like my mother. I look a lot like my mother. The same is true of Idalene's and my three children. William, III looks like me, Jenna looks like Idalene, and Jamise resembles both of us.

At first glance, you might not think the church family resembles each other much, and externally that's true. We come from different races and different ethnic backgrounds. Some are tall, and some are short. Some have dark hair, and some have almost no hair. Our personalities are different, too. Some are outgoing, while others are more reserved. Some folks bubble over with energy, while others are more laid back.

We are all individuals, and we all have different characteristics. There are family resemblances though! Morally and spiritually, in our behaviors
and in our reactions to things around us, there are (or at least there should be) resemblances.

That's what the Bible is driving at when it says that God's plan is that we "be conformed to the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29) "and that your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5. We resemble one another because the same Spirit is trying to produce the same inner qualities in our lives--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:26.

We are family. That's the good news. We are not alone. We have a big family that cares about one another. Our brothers and sisters are here to support and encourage us. When we are down, they lift us up. When we are discouraged, they cheer us up. When we hurt, they hurt. When we are honored, they share our joy. Our family includes older folks, from whom we can learn. And, there are younger folks who make us laugh, encourage us, and remind us that the family will live on, even when we cannot. That's good to know.

We are family, and we are all headed for a great family reunion some day. We are going to spend eternity loving the Father and getting better acquainted with one another. We will meet relatives we never knew we had. It will be a wonderful reunion when the family meets at our Father's house.

Aren't you glad we are part of the family--the family of God! Amen.

A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE

“And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”(Galatians 2:20 NRSV)
The path to true fruitful and successful living comes when we daily take up the cross of Jesus Christ. It has been said that we are living in self –centered times. Even a self-centered generation knows that self-denial is the path to success. But, there is a catch. Self-denial will not bring us fulfillment if we only live for ourselves.

If you're exercising to improve your health, you may say, "I am not doing this for my husband or my wife. I'm not doing this for my children. I am doing it for me." Or you may say, “I am changing my eating habits for me not for my family but for me”.

That is all fine. That may help you stay on your diet. That may help you begin your exercise schedule. But, it will not bring you ultimate fulfillment. Ultimate fulfillment comes only when we say, "I'm doing this for God and for the people I love." “My wife / my husband or my children. We should care for ourselves because we care about our family.

I heard once that our will and God's will is like this, "Imagine a person carrying two buckets, one of them filled with oil and one filled with water. Now they are completely filled so that you cannot pour the oil from its bucket into the water bucket because there is no room and besides oil and water don't mix.

Now imagine that one of these buckets is you and your will and your purpose and your plan for your life and the other is God's will and plan and purpose for your life. Before you can know God's will and plan and purpose for your life you're going to have to empty your bucket to receive what God has to give. Now whom do you trust the most to know where real purpose, joy, satisfaction, and peace lie, with you or with the heart of God?"

I have come to know that my peace, joy and happiness comes from God and my willingness to let William die! I am not speaking physically, but spiritually. The key to successful living is to deny my self (William) so that Christ can live in me. So that Christ’s love and grace will fill me. To have my life overflow with God's presence and power. Praise the Lord.

As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, "and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." There is our path to joyful and fruitful living. If we who are followers of Jesus will embrace this teaching, we could turn this world upside down.

Jesus thank you for loving me so much that you would give your life for me!


Pastor William
What is your favorite scripture? Why? I would love to know.

United Methodist Bishop Reponse to Catholic Pope

Response of the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church to the “Certain aspects of the doctrine of the church” issued by Pope Benedict XVI

August 03, 2007

The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has welcomed the Roman Catholic Church as a dialogue partner for over forty years. As sisters and brothers in Christ we are also living out partnership in God’s mission in places all around the world. The two ecclesial bodies have reached clarity on several major theological issues including “grace,” “sanctification” and “justification.” We find John Wesley’s “Catholic Spirit” as our starting and continuing point of dialogue.

We find nothing new or radically different from classical Roman Catholic ecclesiology in the Pope Benedict XVI’s “Responses to Some Questions Regarding Certain Aspects of the Doctrine of the Church,” June 29, 2007.

The Pontiff, because of all the writings since Vatican II, felt a need to clarify the phrase “that the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church subsists in the Catholic Church.” The meaning and definition of the word “subsists” was a major clarifying theme of the statement. In classical Catholic ecclesiology Benedict XVI affirmed with Vatican II that elements of “sanctification and truth” are operative in other churches, but since these churches are not in communion with Rome, they do not fulfill the nature of “Oneness.”

We, as heirs of Wesley, affirm in our liturgical introduction to the creeds that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true Church, Apostolic and Universal.” We believe that apostolicity is based on the faithfulness of the Church through the ages rather than on historical succession.

As viewed by the Roman Catholic Church, what is The United Methodist Church? It is our understanding that all the positives remain in our relationship. According to Catholicism, we are baptized. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We show evidences of sanctification, that is the holiness of the Church.

We lack in their view certain aspects of unity and catholicity. Nonetheless the Holy Spirit has “not refrained from using [us] as instruments of salvation,” as stated in Question Three of the Pope’s Responses.

We have a teaching of apostolic succession, but it hinges on faith, not historic leniarity.

We do not consent to the specific Roman view of Petrine succession, but we share with Rome the revered memory of the successors of the apostles, and understand ourselves to stand within that succession.

In their view, we are not “churches” in the full sense, because we lack from their viewpoint the mark of oneness and sacramental priesthood and the fullness of the Eucharist. We understand ourselves, by God’s grace, to share in the fullness of the Church through faithful ministry and mission, and the Table of the Lord. That is a difference we can continue to explore. Someday we pray that this difference will be overcome.

As United Methodists, we share in the pain of the brokeness of Christ’s Body and prayerfully long for unity around the Table of the Lord. Until then, we live out of John 17:11 and Jesus’ prayer that all his followers may be one, and we affirm Article VI of our Constitution compelling the Council of Bishops to lead the Church in the search for Christian unity. In that spirit, we look forward to our continuing dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.

(Signed)

Bishop Janice Huie, President, The Council of Bishops

Bishop William B. Oden, Ecumenical Officer, The Council of Bishops

Bishop Ernest Lyght, Secretary, The Council of Bishops
Bishop Roy I. Sano, Executive Secretary, The Council of Bishops

We Begin our Journey

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.

I am excited to enter the world of blog writing. Though, I am not exactly sure what a "blog" is, I am excited. It is my attempt to enter into the electronic age of mass communications and connecting you and you with each other.

This blog, a "Walk with Pastor William", will include a variety of writings. It will be some serious writings, some opinions, some whimsical writings., reports from the world of Methodism and my thoughts on those reports and what is happening in and around ROCKbrook United Methodist Church. I will share with you what my be happening in my personal life and faith journey.

Occasionally, I will pose a question and you can join an online discussion and Bible study. Your opinion matters and counts.

I look forward to walking together in our faith journies.

Much Peace and Love,

Pastor William