CHANGES IN WORLD METHODISM
1 – It is my prayer that the United Methodist Church will return to ideals of John Wesley. Over 45 years ago, God took me from my parents and brought me to another land. The purpose was to follow God’s will as to revival, renewal and worship.
2 – This past week, Safia Fousa of the Global Board of Discipleship (GBOD) presented an intriguing piece of information at the United Methodist Evangelists meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. She shared that the United Methodist Church in the United States is being confronted by a force called the “global south.” The United Methodist Church of the global south possesses the following characteristics: faith, orthodox community, mysticism and Puritanism. The global south is emphasizing worship and renewal. On the other side, the theological west is entrenched in superstition, dogma, and hierarchy.
3 -There are three major emphases within the United Methodist Church worldwide, according to Dr. William Bouknight, UM pastor and past president of the Confessing Movement: 1) the authority of the scripture, 2) the centrality of the cross, and 3) the seriousness of sin.
Dr. George Morris added to the list, citing evidence of two other emphases being seriously considered within worldwide Methodism: the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
4 - God is pouring His Holy Spirit upon thousands of United Methodists. The United Methodist Church will bring revival to America and usher in the fire already present in the global south. Praise and worship will produce an increase of membership not seen before.
5 - The United Methodist Church has 76,000,000 members worldwide. Due to the influence of the global south, the number of bishops from overseas is increasing. In the very near future the global south, which includes Africa, will add more bishops, meaning that the number of bishops from the US will decrease proportionately. This will bring a change of focus from homosexuality to world evangelism and other issues of great importance.
6 -There is a decline in United Methodist membership in some areas. Ten years ago, California had 210,000 members, as did the North Georgia Annual Conference. Today California has 96,000 members, which is a fifty percent decline from years past. The North Georgia Annual Conference has over 300,000 members. California, which presently has five bishops, may be losing two bishops due to the decline in membership.
7 - Contemporary services within the United Methodist Church are changing the membership. Inclusion of praise and worship is adding to membership in thirty-five percent of churches nationwide. This trend is so prevailing that funding for a new position of “praise leader” is being added to church budgets.
8 -The word “charismatic” is being replaced by the word “evangelical.” Today anyone who aspires to Wesley theology, holding dear the principles of faith against attacks from the liberal left, are considered to be “evangelicals.” Evangelicals are those who believe in the centrality of the cross, the authority of the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
9 -The most sought-after topic in the Christian kingdom is the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thousands of Christians are searching out web sites which will instruct them regarding the gifts. In the month of November, this site (www.LatteRain.com) was visited by over 74,000 people hungry to learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and other vital topics.
10 -If you want to change anything in the kingdom, you have to be under orders given by God Himself. Honestly, I am under orders, but I do not have the full revelation as to the total picture or the outcome of these matters. My responsibility is to be obedient to the inner voice in my spirit and to follow the call of God on my life. A good soldier does the job and follows orders. The high thinking is done by Someone above. There are thousands of men and women like me, serving in the United States. There are many who are under orders and who are sold out to the call of the Kingdom. Are you one of them?
Rick Bonfim
Edited by Betty McKinney
Dear Brother Rick,
I am moved by this article concerning the UMC. I anticipate the Lord to increase the North Ga. Conference double by the end of this year. A move of God is underway and a great spiritual hunger is developing not only among God’s people but the people who have yet to be introduced to Jesus the Christ. Here at Dahlonega UMC we are seeing growth every week. Many backslidden folks are returning and the Spirit is drawing adding to the ranks of the glorious Bride in rapid fire quickness. I want you to know that I am praying for you continually that the Lord will give you a”door of utterance” into the hearts and minds of the UMC leadership. May he raise up a powerful army among us in these tremendous last days.
Blessings,
Jim
Comment by JIm Brown — January 12, 2006 @ 4:49 pm
Dear Rick - These are wonderful words of hope. Thank you for being a leader in this renewal/revival. God bless. Pam Morrison
Comment by Rev. Pam Morrison — January 14, 2006 @ 1:49 pm
Dear Rick,
Such encouraging words about the UMC. After leading worship in the Methodist Church for 20+ years, I am so excited to hear that Praise and Worship is desired by the Church in general. Not only the music but also the revelation of Praise and Worship. Blessed Be God.
Connie Melvin Culver
Comment by Connie Melvin Culver — January 17, 2006 @ 11:08 am