Crosspoint (the church Jeremy serves) in Niceville, Florida, was the host church for the Alabama-Emerald Coast GMC annual conference in April. Jeremy was one of the speakers and he really lays it out there. Was very impressed. Enjoyed this conversation today.
I appreciated this conversation. In reflection of my own church, I think that we have a good organizational clarity; we have a good foundation for what sorts of disciples we are developing and a welcoming approach to new methods. We are developing in the areas of spiritual renewal and discipleship motivation. They are both areas of, "We know it's important" but there isn't quite the "fire" that comes from that sort of conviction. That's a rough summary, but I do think it's an accurate representation of where we are. And I also say that because that's where I feel I have been working recently. As Rev. Jeremy Smith was going through his own church process, the steps, the process and the focus and motivation, I had a personal feeling of common ground. We are a *very* small church, but we are working on and building in those exact areas he identified. That may have been a garbled statement, but it comes down to this: I was very encouraged listening to this and I believe that God brought this forward as an encouragement for me as I continue leading my little church in this same way.
I had lunch with my new pastor yesterday and we talked about the three former UMC churches in that town. I honestly thought all three had become GMC because I didn't to my homework. Turns out the other two went independent. One has a GMC pastor, but the church is still independent. I do understand that too much change is a risk, so if a church isn't sure GMC is right it makes some sense to see how things settle out a little rather than to try it and change again. But it could also be a sign of wishy-washiness, which is sorta how we all got here in the first place.
Except for no trust clause and lower connectional funding cost, GMC is basically the same as UMC in practice. Im interested in GMC operating differently.
Re: Carrot and Stick - In Wesley's day the reality of hell was assumed. His first requirement for joining a Methodist society was the desire to flee the wrath to come. Today, the foundational understanding of God's judgment is not there.
I think the reason you weren’t synched up on the hell/disorderly walker conversation was because from listening to him I’d speculate he doesn’t think saved believers go to hell. He then started clarifying that the church needed to guard doctrine (people have to understand what it means to be Christian..)(I think I that’s what he was getting at). You’ve said you think believers can lose their salvation by being sexually immoral. That’s still a GMC question I have. Technically (to my understanding) that’s not supposed to be a seperatable issue. To the GMC does one have to state they believe all aspects of that catechism are true? A lot of people who are not Calvinist believe in eternal security. I’d lever lie about my belief on that. I think it’s right doctrine. But 99% of the time agree with you otherwise.
Good point. There are both pros and cons to women as lead pastor. UMC unfortunately was not very cognizant of the social implications, and it went sideways. Hopefully GMC will do better.
Crosspoint (the church Jeremy serves) in Niceville, Florida, was the host church for the Alabama-Emerald Coast GMC annual conference in April. Jeremy was one of the speakers and he really lays it out there. Was very impressed. Enjoyed this conversation today.
Crosspoint has a sweet spirit for the community. The pastors preach a biblically sound message. Crosspoint is a blessing to this community.
My husband was raised Southern Baptist as well, and is now our pastor. We were a Texas UMC & have remained independent & is going very well 😊
Another awesome closing prayer! I think you should have all your guests give the prayer at the end of your podcast!
I appreciated this conversation. In reflection of my own church, I think that we have a good organizational clarity; we have a good foundation for what sorts of disciples we are developing and a welcoming approach to new methods.
We are developing in the areas of spiritual renewal and discipleship motivation. They are both areas of, "We know it's important" but there isn't quite the "fire" that comes from that sort of conviction. That's a rough summary, but I do think it's an accurate representation of where we are. And I also say that because that's where I feel I have been working recently. As Rev. Jeremy Smith was going through his own church process, the steps, the process and the focus and motivation, I had a personal feeling of common ground. We are a *very* small church, but we are working on and building in those exact areas he identified.
That may have been a garbled statement, but it comes down to this: I was very encouraged listening to this and I believe that God brought this forward as an encouragement for me as I continue leading my little church in this same way.
I love the humility in both of you!
I had lunch with my new pastor yesterday and we talked about the three former UMC churches in that town. I honestly thought all three had become GMC because I didn't to my homework. Turns out the other two went independent. One has a GMC pastor, but the church is still independent. I do understand that too much change is a risk, so if a church isn't sure GMC is right it makes some sense to see how things settle out a little rather than to try it and change again. But it could also be a sign of wishy-washiness, which is sorta how we all got here in the first place.
Except for no trust clause and lower connectional funding cost, GMC is basically the same as UMC in practice. Im interested in GMC operating differently.
Re: Carrot and Stick - In Wesley's day the reality of hell was assumed. His first requirement for joining a Methodist society was the desire to flee the wrath to come. Today, the foundational understanding of God's judgment is not there.
100%
I think the reason you weren’t synched up on the hell/disorderly walker conversation was because from listening to him I’d speculate he doesn’t think saved believers go to hell. He then started clarifying that the church needed to guard doctrine (people have to understand what it means to be Christian..)(I think I that’s what he was getting at). You’ve said you think believers can lose their salvation by being sexually immoral. That’s still a GMC question I have. Technically (to my understanding) that’s not supposed to be a seperatable issue. To the GMC does one have to state they believe all aspects of that catechism are true? A lot of people who are not Calvinist believe in eternal security. I’d lever lie about my belief on that. I think it’s right doctrine. But 99% of the time agree with you otherwise.
Row tide, chickin fried, married yo cuzzin on yo diddy's side
Why does the GMC. Accept Women clergy? Isn't that starting something all over again ?
That surprised me too. In fact, it was a dealbreaker for me when I left the UMC nearly 20 years ago.
Maybe because Jesus affirmed the ministry of women!
Good point. There are both pros and cons to women as lead pastor. UMC unfortunately was not very cognizant of the social implications, and it went sideways. Hopefully GMC will do better.