It initially seemed to be a perfect fit. They were, after all, two United Methodist congregations dedicated to sharing the Gospel and working for social justice, so sharing the same church building seemed to make sense.
And so when members of the primarily Spanish-speaking Via Abundante ”” or Abundant Life ”” United Methodist Church moved from their old church building on Cranston Street three years ago, joining with the newly formed Open Table of Christ United Methodist Church in having services at the former Washington Park Methodist Church on 1520 Broad St., both had reason to rejoice: it was a visible symbol of churches working together….
Neither had realized it at the time, but their shared fellowship was about to be tested. In much the same way a number of mainline denominations across the United States have had to wrestle with divisions in their ranks over issues involving homosexuality, the two congregations were about to discover that what was perfectly acceptable to most members of one was not acceptable to the other.
Underscores the two Gospels. The original calling us to a new life in Christ and the most recent one blessing our own personal desires under the aegis of inclusive love.
Poor Methodists, their African brethren are telling ’em the same things the African Anglicans told ECUSA/TEC and they are “listening” and “dialoguing” just like the “liberals” in that defuncting organization. Obviously, slow learners or just as into the NEW THANG GOZPELL (c) as the demising episcopal thingy. By their fruits ye shall know them.
I commented on Schori’s wishful thinking about attracting Hispanics to TEC. This is an example of what I have in mind. TEC’s mad rush to the Church of Sexual Immorality runs contrary to any meaningful “Hispanic ministry”. It is more likely to repel Hispanics than to attract them. Look at those churches–Catholic and Evangelical/Charismatic–that have significant Hispanic involvement. Then look at TEC. The cultures are utterly foreign to each other.