Very well argued, even a good defense of episcopal government. We have district superintendents, but I wish we would just go back to the term Bishop. Please get into synodal and counciliar elements of ecclesiology
After witnessing the recent goings-on at UMC, it seems an odd time to make this argument. But I, of course, agree with your assessment. And, as an aside, thanks for always including us humble Nazarenes. I have to wonder if you have some connection to the CotN, or if it's your Wesleyan/Anglican ties that have made you aware of the Nazarene church?
Yes, I think on an emotional level it is really weird for someone in my shoes to be making the case to be a part of a larger body, but I think this too is a matter of Biblical faithfulness and I've been trying for years to push back against the "separationist individualist spirit" that is so common (both for individuals and congregations) in the USA. I don't have any personal connection to the church of the Nazarene, besides having some friends who are/were clergy colleagues in the CotN. I do like to keep the Nazarenes on people's radar as a reminder that there are other Wesleyan/Methodist bodies besides just the UMC and the GMC.
The biggest reason I believe in being part of a denomination is that like you said, it is not the Biblical model to go it alone. Your other points were very good as well. God bless, I hope you are doing well Rev. Hixon.
By joining the Methodist ordinariate in the ACNA, can you call your church for instance St James Methodist or Methodist Anglican? How can you know a ACNA church is part of the Methodist ordinariate? Is it clearly identified as such? Do you see the ACNA or it's ordinariate joining the World Methodist Council or another international Methodist body? Can the ordinariate do connectionalism with other Wesleyan, Methodists, and Holiness churches?
The need much less the desirability and utility of being joined to other churches via extended denominational structures is highly overstated. The danger so poised by such unnecessary entanglements far exceeds any demonstrated benefit for the local church or any general group of churches.
With appreciation for and agreement with the background and rationale presented I believe that a common agreement in Theology is very important. The Methodist Church in its various iterations has clearly stated its theological stance as have other mainline denominations. Members are incorporated into a body in which they profess a shared belief and when asked can describe the tenets of that belief or identify some person along with documents which attest to that. Denominational hierarchy assures that local congregations adhere to and support those beliefs. Catechisms provide means for learning those beliefs with consistency across any geographical barriers. California, Texas, Massachusetts, Peruvian, German and Philippines members are united in their biblical faith and understanding as compared with other denominations or stand alone churches. Stand alone churches are at the "mercy" of their clergy as regards belief and Church governance and risk drift... with the potential for "anything goes" on the one hand or rigid autocracy on the other. Independent churches are also more susceptible to financial impropriety and nepotism in staffing.
Thanks for this! I’m praying that The GMC and ACNA can come together in some way!
Hello Daniel, I am a Priest in the REC. Your personality reminds me of our Presiding Bishop - +Ray Sutton. Welcome to the ACNA!
Very helpful.
Very well argued, even a good defense of episcopal government.
We have district superintendents, but I wish we would just go back to the term Bishop.
Please get into synodal and counciliar elements of ecclesiology
After witnessing the recent goings-on at UMC, it seems an odd time to make this argument. But I, of course, agree with your assessment.
And, as an aside, thanks for always including us humble Nazarenes. I have to wonder if you have some connection to the CotN, or if it's your Wesleyan/Anglican ties that have made you aware of the Nazarene church?
Yes, I think on an emotional level it is really weird for someone in my shoes to be making the case to be a part of a larger body, but I think this too is a matter of Biblical faithfulness and I've been trying for years to push back against the "separationist individualist spirit" that is so common (both for individuals and congregations) in the USA.
I don't have any personal connection to the church of the Nazarene, besides having some friends who are/were clergy colleagues in the CotN. I do like to keep the Nazarenes on people's radar as a reminder that there are other Wesleyan/Methodist bodies besides just the UMC and the GMC.
The biggest reason I believe in being part of a denomination is that like you said, it is not the Biblical model to go it alone. Your other points were very good as well. God bless, I hope you are doing well Rev. Hixon.
By joining the Methodist ordinariate in the ACNA, can you call your church for instance St James Methodist or Methodist Anglican? How can you know a ACNA church is part of the Methodist ordinariate? Is it clearly identified as such? Do you see the ACNA or it's ordinariate joining the World Methodist Council or another international Methodist body? Can the ordinariate do connectionalism with other Wesleyan, Methodists, and Holiness churches?
The need much less the desirability and utility of being joined to other churches via extended denominational structures is highly overstated. The danger so poised by such unnecessary entanglements far exceeds any demonstrated benefit for the local church or any general group of churches.
With appreciation for and agreement with the background and rationale presented I believe that a common agreement in Theology is very important. The Methodist Church in its various iterations has clearly stated its theological stance as have other mainline denominations. Members are incorporated into a body in which they profess a shared belief and when asked can describe the tenets of that belief or identify some person along with documents which attest to that. Denominational hierarchy assures that local congregations adhere to and support those beliefs. Catechisms provide means for learning those beliefs with consistency across any geographical barriers. California, Texas, Massachusetts, Peruvian, German and Philippines members are united in their biblical faith and understanding as compared with other denominations or stand alone churches.
Stand alone churches are at the "mercy" of their clergy as regards belief and Church governance and risk drift... with the potential for "anything goes" on the one hand or rigid autocracy on the other. Independent churches are also more susceptible to financial impropriety and nepotism in staffing.