February 9 - There Was This Guy

We're wrapping up six weeks today on Methodism loosely based on the book A Disciple's Path by Jim Harnish. We will be using this material for small groups in the future. If you aren't part of one of the current groups keep your eyes open for an announcement soon about a new group forming.

Our Scripture today comes from John 4, but I started with John 3. You can read the story of Nicodemus in John 3:1-20. As I said in the sermon, there is no indication in that story that Nicodemus left with any understanding of Jesus' identity. If anything he seems more confused. But Nicodemus reappears in John 19 as a follower of Jesus. Someplace in between he did change. So it often goes for us. We look back on an experience or a word from a person after the fact and realize its significance. Nicodemus wasn't "born again" when Jesus talked with him about being "born again" (or "born from above"), but that doesn't mean change didn't come eventually.

This article talks about the addition of the word witness to our membership vows. This happened at General Conference, the quadrennial gathering of UM leadership in a legislative body. General Conference is the only group that can officially speak for the United Methodist Church. You can read more about General Conference here (btw, the people in the center was our delegation from 2008).

Triumphalism made the news last fall in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis made a statement that included an indictment of triumphalism. Catholics responded in a variety of ways, represented pretty well by this and this post. Obviously we don't come from a Catholic perspective, but the posts may be helpful to you in understanding the concept better.

If you're new today the story of my conversation with a gay man might make you uncomfortable. Make sure to read our welcome statement, printed every Sunday on the bulletin. St. Paul's is and always has been a church that fully welcomes all people into our community of faith. I'm proud to be a pastor of a church that is committed to sharing God's unconditional love.