Today a judge in California issued a ruling overtunring the results of Proposition 8 which banned gay marriages in California.

When I heard the ruling I was saddened for our nation. Marriage has consistently been a relationship between a man and a woman. But today that changed. Or at least took a major step in changing as there will be an appeal to this ruling within a very few days.

The boundaries of marriage relationships have been stretched beyond what most Christians believe are moral and right. All the way back in Genesis the relationship between a man and a woman was established. If God would have wished he could have ordained the relationship between man and man but he chose to make a woman and provide her as the mate for Adam. LIke all of the other animals in the kingdom, in the human realm God created two sexes -- man and woman, both created in his image.

To these first two humans was given a charge "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Genesis 1:28

God's direction provides insight into his plan for relationship between men and women. Marriage between men and women is the traditional way we have lived out the Genesis 1 charge. Today a man changed that. What will the ultimated effect of this ruling be? Time will tell.

Zion Teens

Ok guys you now have my Blog. As you can see I have never really been serious about "blogging" before, but now there is a reason -----YOU.

The heading of my blog gives you a clue to my favorite verse Philippians 3:10 -12. It's a pretty powerful verse. Why don't you take the time to read it right now? (BTW I am going to put a link on this site that will allow you to read verses and do some Bible Study right from here. Be watching for it. I think you will enjoy it. And you can put it on your site as well.)

What do you think about the words "I want to know Christ..." What are some reasons you would really want to know him? Leave a comment and tell me what you think. I will read it and talk with you about it.

Now this Thursday evening I am looking forward to seeing several of you at my home. We'll have some food, some fun and some serious time together. I am looking forward to getting to know you much better and you will get to know me.

BTW, you haven't forgotten to invite that one person have you.

Keep the faith guys.

Pastor Rick

General Conference 08 The Wesleyan Church

The General Conference of The Wesleyan Church is now history. At least the public action is over. All of the Memorials that were passed will not be effective until the new Discipline is printed and that will take several months.
Some of the highlights include:

• First woman elected General Superintendent - JoAnne Lyons, CEO of World Hope International
• Membership voting privileges extended to Community Members AND Churches desiring to have Community Members no longer have to get permission from the DS or District.
• Leadership (Local Boards, Trustees, etc.) will have to be Covenant Members and that will have to be reaffirmed on a yearly basis.
• A strong and spiritually sensitive statement on Immigration. The Wesleyan Church can be among the leaders of a Christian response to immigration. (I suspect this will enrage Rush and Hannity)
• Communion is encouraged to be a monthly experience within the church!
• Churches are encouraged to be aggresively involved in evangelism. If no converts in two years the church may revert to Developing Status.
• Twenty five members are needed to have a church be established. Churches may revert to Developing Status if it drops to twenty or fewer members.

I am thankful to a friend from long ago who provided feeds from the Conference via his blog. Thanks Keith.

My thoughts about the conference from a long ways away are that it was a very typical conference. I am surprised there is not real time information coming from the Conference or that there was no broadcast or podcast of the major addresses. Hopefully we will be able to do this in the future. It would be healthy for the whole church to be able to hear our leaders and significant spokespeople.

I am looking forward to reading Jim Garlows message. I understand the two women speakers, one of which is a new GS, were also great messages. Looking forward to seeing them as well.

Today was one of those days I don't like yet at the same time wound up enjoying. Lately I've been meeting with a bunch of guys on a monthly basis. Today was the day. I didn't look forward to it.

We spent a lot of time reviewing a book which I didn't like. The book didn't fit me. I found several good things in it but I was constantly aggravated by the author (Donald Miller).

I really do love the church. I always have (at least as far back as I can remember) and Miller was doing a job on it. "Us and them" seemed to come out so often-- the church being "us" and the rest of the world being "them." I've never felt that way about the church. I have always seen the church as actually caring about "them" although as I look back the efforts were often feeble.

I don't want to be phony about caring for people. I really don't. What will it cost?

I have a lot to learn. The church is changing so much. People are changing so much. Am I?

OK It's Up And Going

Ok, I finally have a blog up and going. I hope to post to this every day or two with some cogent thoughts (which will be exciting for me and I hope stimulating to you). I really do want to connect regularly with you. Hope you stop by often.

PR