This is part of a series of posts on my understanding of faith, ministry and the church. I would enjoy feedback and your response to my answers to these questions.
Question – How do you intend to affirm, teach and apply Part II of the Discipline (Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task) in your work in the ministry to which you have been called?
Response – My response begins:
I intend to apply Part II of the Discipline in “the testing, renewal, elaboration, and application of our doctrinal perspectives in carrying out our call ‘to spread scriptural holiness over these lands’” (The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2004, par. 104). This theological task is carried out in different ways at different times. I intend to affirm teach and apply Part II of the Discipline to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, and personal discipline in a way that invites individuals to respond.
The Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task contain basic Christian affirmations and the heritage and theological emphases that are distinctive to the Methodist. As a clergy person of The United Methodist Church, I believe that it is important to both proclaim and live tenets outlined in this section. Understanding one’s self as a Christian and as a United Methodist leads to particular commitments and patterns of behavior (i.e. extending grace, forgiveness, concern for the poor, etc.) that affect the way a person lives and interacts with others. The goal is to offer God’s invitation of relationship to all people in a way that is faithful and relevant. All persons need to be able to hear the story of Jesus in such a way they will be able to understand their life as a part of Jesus’ story.
Discussion
- How would you respond to this question?
- Where do you agree with my response?
- Where do you disagree with my response?
Rev. Andrew Conard 