I am an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church (wait .. read on, please). I have served in the UMC as a pastor for 30 years (this year). I grew up UMC, and felt the call to ordained ministry in the UMC, and even received my M.Div. from a UMC seminary (ok, stop rolling your eyes and get back to the text). In 1986, while an active duty chaplain in the U.S. Army, I bought Boice’s
Foundations of the Christian Faith and that book started me on a journey which took several years to complete: the Reforming of my theology. By 1988 the change had become complete as I returned to civilian ministry. At that point I had to decide whether to stay UMC or transfer my credentials to a Reformed church (it would have been PCA). After a long period of prayer and seeking the counsel of other believers, I came to the realization that God was calling me to stay in the UMC. So, I came to view myself as a missionary to the UMC. I remained so I could preach the gospel in a denomination that doesn't hear it much anymore. The road has been tough and very frustrating at times, but what mission field isn't that way. To be one of only a few Calvinists in the UMC is professionally dangerous and I have felt persecution at times from my superiors. As an outlet of my Reformed theology, I started a webpage on which I could post what are for me the more helpful Reformed writings, in hopes they would be a help to others. Understandably, my main interest is in the debate with and refutation of Arminianism; this is an emphasis on my webpage:
Soli Deo Gloria. There are several links to my webpage in the theological links forum.
The short of it is: I am Reformed missionary (in full agreement with the Westminster Standards) whom God has placed in the Arminian territory. Hopefully, participation in these forums will supply me with the Reformed fellowship I so sorely lack in my placement.
Postscript: the Mods and Admins on this board have given me a waiver so that I do not have to list my denominational affiliation in my signature. The appearance of UMC would probably require me to explain myself over and over and over. I bow to their wisdom. It’s good to be here.