Two Upcoming Events at Heritage to Answer Questions about the Future of the United Methodist Church

Dear Members and Friends of Heritage United Methodist Church,

As I wrote on our church blog a little over a week ago, I have heard from a couple different people that you are very concerned about the continuing conversations over the degree to which LGBTQ persons will be included in United Methodist churches in the future, and have many questions to ask about it.

I tried to compile all of the information I could scrape together about it for inclusion in the blog articles, and a few hundred people have taken a look at it. I hope it was helpful.

The feedback I've gotten from those who initially shared about your concerns is that the blog articles are biased and incomplete, and that there are still lingering questions.

I want people to meet Jesus Christ and enjoy a deepening, life-giving friendship with Him. That is my top priority, and I am eager for our congregation to focus upon it.

However, if there's something getting in the way of focusing on that, it obviously must be addressed as quickly as possible. Therefore, I have scheduled the following opportunities for sharing information in-person.

Sunday, August 21, 6:30pm

I will be holding an informal gathering in the church sanctuary in which I will share my own journey and thoughts on the issue of LGBTQ inclusion in the life of the United Methodist Church. One of the first questions I was asked in a "meet the new pastor" event when I first started at Heritage four years ago was where I stood on this subject, and if you were there you know that I responded without answering the question. I've never preached a sermon about it, and have not dedicated much administrative council time to it either, but the evening of August 21st will be set aside just for that.

It will also be a night during which I address my approach to studying, preaching, and teaching the Scriptures, as people have on multiple occasions said things about my beliefs regarding the Bible that are inaccurate. Perhaps offering clarity about that will be helpful to you as well

Lastly, I will stay there as long as necessary until I have answered every question you might have for me, regardless of how late into the night it might take us. You can stay as long or as little as you like!

Monday, September 19, 6:30pm

I've invited representatives from the United Methodist Church and the Global Methodist Church to come share and answer questions you might have about each.

Rev. Emily Hotho is the Gulf Central District Superintendent, and will join us as a representative of the United Methodist Church.

Rev. Brent Byerman is the pastor of Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church in Tampa, a large church that is in the process of disafiliating from the UMC and joining the Global Methodist Church.

Brent and Emily are gifted leaders and communicators, and will do a great job answering questions you may have. They cannot stay all night, however, so we will conclude this event at 8pm.

Both of these events will be livestreamed at heritageumc.com.

Please mark your calendars for these two nights, and share them with anyone you know that has questions or concerns about the future of the United Methodist Church.

Sincerely,

Pastor Matt