For the past several years, I’ve
served on a District Committee on Ordained Ministry. As an extension of the Conference Board of
Ordained Ministry, our task is to work with Ministry Candidates and Local
Pastors to provide a setting for support, encouragement, evaluation and
accountability.
When the topic turns to theology, at some
point we will want to hear some reflections on Grace. To be entrusted with pastoral leadership in
a United Methodist Congregation, it’s essential that the “theologian in
residence” be able to articulate a clear working knowledge of Grace in our
Wesleyan heritage.
So, feel free to find
yourself a United Methodist Pastor and ask about Wesley’s understanding of
Prevenient, Justifiying and Sanctifying Grace, and he or she should be able to
talk at length without batting an eye!
Grace is fundamental to our
theological heritage. Every aspect of
our understanding of Salvation is bathed, informed and shaped by Grace. A common phrase you may hear from good
Methodist-types is “grace upon grace.”
Grace.
I’m thinking about grace
these days. And though I’ve been
immersed in a theological tradition dripping with Grace, every now and again I feel challenged to consider my own, potentially limited, perceptions of Grace.
Is it possible that God’s Grace could prove to be even more sufficient, than even I (a good Methodist “theologian
in residence”), might believe? Could it
be that God’s Grace might possibly extend even beyond the fairly broad boundaries I have
crafted for it in my very inclusive theology?
Hmmm….
Stay tuned…….
Grace and Peace!
Pastor Randy
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