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04-07-2008, 11:18 PM
|  | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Vernon, IN
Posts: 8
Thanks: 0
Thanked 20 Times in 4 Posts
| | | Its good to be here
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.
__________________
Lance G. Marshall
Pastor
North Vernon, Indiana Soli Deo Gloria (my Reformed webpage)
| | The Following 17 Users Say Thank You to Whitefield For This Useful Post: | Archlute (04-08-2008), Blue Tick (04-08-2008), Blueridge Baptist (04-08-2008), Daniel Ritchie (04-08-2008), HaigLaw (04-08-2008), Ivan (04-07-2008), jaybird0827 (04-08-2008), JBaldwin (04-08-2008), joshua (04-07-2008), KMK (04-07-2008), North Jersey Baptist (04-08-2008), panta dokimazete (04-08-2008), Poimen (04-07-2008), Presbyterian Deacon (04-07-2008), Semper Fidelis (04-07-2008), Southern Presbyterian (04-08-2008), Theoretical (04-07-2008) |
04-07-2008, 11:21 PM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leduc, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,497
Thanks: 90
Thanked 300 Times in 146 Posts
| |  as I greet you... 
Welcome.
__________________
Rev. Daniel Kok
Pastor of Grace Reformed Church (URCNA)
Leduc, Alberta CANADA Church Blog
"there is no creature, either in heaven or on earth, who loves us more than Jesus Christ" Belgic Confession, Article 26
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04-07-2008, 11:21 PM
|  | Administrator | | Join Date: May 2003 Location: Texarkana (Border of Texas and Arkansas)
Posts: 13,195
Thanks: 941
Thanked 950 Times in 496 Posts
| | Welcome, Sir! |
04-07-2008, 11:22 PM
|  | Puritanboard Sophomore | | Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Monrovia, CA
Posts: 920
Thanks: 50
Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts
| | | Very cool!
Awesome!
Welcome, thanks for the intro!
__________________ WWW.SURFWRITERS.BLOGSPOT.COM
Trevor
Christian/Husband/Father/Writer/Teacher--
--In that order.
Bethany Church, Sierra Madre, CA.
God is my King
"You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmitive, and don't mess with Mr. in-between." Tony Bennett.
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04-07-2008, 11:26 PM
|  | Puritanboard Junior | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rockville, CT
Posts: 1,291
Thanks: 187
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| | UMC 
Welcome to the PB! 
__________________ Sterling Harmon
Coventry, CT
PCA
Deacon
________________
"Whatever is laudable in our works proceeds from the grace of God."
--  John Calvin, Institutes III:xv.3.
"Our Lord God must be a good man, to be fond of worthless fellows. I cannot like them, and yet I, myself, am one."
--  Martin Luther, Table Talk |
04-07-2008, 11:26 PM
|  | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montgomery, ALabama
Posts: 357
Thanks: 67
Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts
| | | welcome writer of creative introductions!
__________________
Jeff Rod
Eastwood Presbyterian Church PCA
member.
webpage: myspace.com/reformationforever
To live a simple, peaceable life before God
To owe as little as possible, to few as possible.
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04-07-2008, 11:27 PM
|  | Puritanboard Graduate | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wrightwood, CA
Posts: 3,499
Thanks: 1,028
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| |
I am overjoyed to hear your testimony!
I was raised in the UMC, baptized in the UMC, attended youth camp for four years straight at the camp in Estes Park, CO, and remained in the UMC until 1998.
The UMC will always be a part of me and am so excited to hear that there is a remnant of Whitfieldians in the UMC. I look foward to hearing your POV on the subjects discussed here.
__________________  | | The Following User Says Thank You to KMK For This Useful Post: | |
04-07-2008, 11:31 PM
| | Moderator | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mandeville, LA
Posts: 5,594
Thanks: 1,041
Thanked 468 Times in 336 Posts
| | I was raised and baptized in the UMC as well. 
__________________
C.P. --Attending Grace Community Baptist Church, Mandeville, LA "Where is the young man who fears the judgment to come? What is the breath of an enemy of God to the blast of the soul by the breath of the Almighty? If you fear the frowns of a fellow worm, how will you stand in judgment with an angry God?" --Asahel Nettleton Click to get: Board Rules--Signature Requirements--Suggestions? | | The Following User Says Thank You to Pilgrim For This Useful Post: | |
04-07-2008, 11:33 PM
|  | Megster | | Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Portland,OR
Posts: 5,900
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| | | Welcome, Sir! |
04-07-2008, 11:34 PM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 1,049
Thanks: 79
Thanked 159 Times in 110 Posts
| | Welcome, welcome, welcome! 
We're delighted you're here, and hope you find the fellowship you crave. 
__________________ Anne Ivy
Christ Chapel Bible Church
Fort Worth, Texas
Married to Don, mother of six, grandmother to an ever-increasing brood.
The Ivy Vine (my blog)
| | The Following User Says Thank You to Gryphonette For This Useful Post: | |
04-07-2008, 11:37 PM
|  | Administrator | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Okinawa, Japan
Posts: 10,152
Thanks: 559
Thanked 1,515 Times in 699 Posts
| | Apt user name considering Whitefiled was considered to be the leader of the Methodists while Wesley was in a failed mission work in Georgia and then handed the reins over to Wesley when he departed to preach during the Great Awakening.
Ben Franklin records his skepticism that Whitefield could really be heard by 30,000+ people in an open field until he actually paced it out once and found that it was true. He also recorded that Whitefield was such a persuasive speaker that he gave money even when he had absolutely resolved he would not. 
Sad that he did not have the prescience to give the Methodist movement to a man with greater integrity than Wesley. Wesley had agreed not to speak against Calvinism and then, while Whitefield was away, published and re-published articles excoriating the doctrines. Whitefield loved Wesley too much to ever treat Wesley in kind. | | The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Semper Fidelis For This Useful Post: | |
04-07-2008, 11:47 PM
|  | Puritanboard Junior | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 1,474
Thanks: 296
Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts
| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitefield  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. | As a former Methodist from a huge church in Dallas (Highland Park UMC) that is attached to a UMC seminary at SMU, I applaud your efforts, Reverend.
__________________
Scott
Dallas, Texas
PCA
"I believe that pluralistic secularism, in the long run, is a more deadly poison than straightforward persecution." - Francis Schaeffer | | The Following User Says Thank You to Theoretical For This Useful Post: | |
04-07-2008, 11:50 PM
| | Puritanboard Freshman | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lyndon, VT
Posts: 472
Thanks: 23
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| |
You have chose a very difficult road, friend. I would love to hear how it is going for you. Do you see much fruit among those to whom you are disseminating reformed theology?
Blessings
__________________
Rev. Adam King
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPCUS)
Lyndon, VT www.vt.wpcus.org |
04-07-2008, 11:57 PM
|  | Puritanboard Senior | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 2,171
Thanks: 139
Thanked 92 Times in 60 Posts
| | | Welcome!
__________________
--chRis
Psalm 115:1
Christopher Reeder
Husband to Kara, Father to Abigail (7), Caleb (6), Grace (4 1/2), Zoë (2 1/2), Elijah (1) and Baby Girl due 8/6/08
Member: Pilgrim Presbyterian Church (OPC), Raleigh, NC
|
04-08-2008, 12:04 AM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 3,601
Thanks: 349
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| | | Welcome!
__________________
Yours sincerely, 
"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."
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04-08-2008, 12:16 AM
|  | Puritanboard Sophomore | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fleetwood, PA
Posts: 566
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| | | Welcome sir!
__________________
Ian Kemmerer
Covenant Presbetyrian Church,Reading,PA
Fleetwood,PA
"Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, And all is darkened in the vale of tears, Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart, Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears. Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay From His own fullness all He takes away." |
04-08-2008, 12:37 AM
|  | McFadderator Maximus | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: San Gabriel, CA
Posts: 2,531
Thanks: 493
Thanked 684 Times in 421 Posts
| | | Welcome! We are blessed to have you ministering among the mainline. I look forward to getting to know you. (I am an ex-mainliner - ABCUSA).
__________________
Dennis E. McFadden
Atherton Baptist Homes, CEO
First Baptist Church of Alhambra, Member, Transformation Ministries (CA)
Last edited by DMcFadden; 04-08-2008 at 12:03 PM.
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04-08-2008, 12:43 AM
|  | Puritanboard Senior | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wytheville, Virginia
Posts: 2,093
Thanks: 486
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| | | Greetings and salutations!
__________________ ~James Helbert~, Wytheville, VA
Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCUS TheBibleAlone.com / The Edinburgh Inn "Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” - Zechariah 3:2 |
04-08-2008, 01:01 AM
|  | Bubba | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Poplar Grove, Illinois
Posts: 4,762
Thanks: 339
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| | Quote:
Originally Posted by Semper Fidelis Apt user name considering Whitefiled was considered to be the leader of the Methodists while Wesley was in a failed mission work in Georgia and then handed the reins over to Wesley when he departed to preach during the Great Awakening.
Ben Franklin records his skepticism that Whitefield could really be heard by 30,000+ people in an open field until he actually paced it out once and found that it was true. He also recorded that Whitefield was such a persuasive speaker that he gave money even when he had absolutely resolved he would not.
Sad that he did not have the prescience to give the Methodist movement to a man with greater integrity than Wesley. Wesley had agreed not to speak against Calvinism and then, while Whitefield was away, published and re-published articles excoriating the doctrines. Whitefield loved Wesley too much to ever treat Wesley in kind. | Amen, Rich!
And welcome, Lance!!
__________________ Ivan Schoen, Pastor
Maranatha Baptist Church
Poplar Grove, Illinois USA http://maranatha-sbc.org/ Husband to Nancy
Father to Sherril, Sarah, Kathryn
Grandfather to Phillip Faith is the refusal to panic. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
|
04-08-2008, 03:25 AM
|  | Clinging to grace | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MD
Posts: 5,514
Thanks: 512
Thanked 437 Times in 281 Posts
| | | Welcome!
__________________
B.B.
Elder
GBC
Deo volente |
04-08-2008, 03:40 AM
|  | Puritanboard Sophomore | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Davenport, IA
Posts: 893
Thanks: 127
Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts
| | Greetings and Mega Ditto's Whitefield! I'm PCUSA, so I would love to hear some of your stories in your dealings with the arminians! Start a thread and spill the beans. |
04-08-2008, 05:10 AM
|  | Puritanboard Librarian | | Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Warrenton, VA, USA
Posts: 18,986
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| | Welcome to the Puritan Board!
__________________
Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project
"On land, at sea, at home, abroad, / I smoke my pipe and worship God." -- J.S. Bach
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04-08-2008, 05:59 AM
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