PNW Evangelical Community Mission Statement
[released October 18, 2001]
Gary Starkey gms2u@aol.com
The "PNW Evangelical Community" exists to promote a faithful
witness to the unique Lordship of Jesus Christ, and to support
those who believe that theological relativism has eroded the
historic Wesleyan commitment to Scriptural authority and sound
doctrine.
Rationale
- We can no longer sit idly by and watch the Gospel come under
attack by those who have elevated personal experience to such a
degree that it has become the de facto authority for PNW United
Methodism. It appears we have lost connection to the apostolic
witness of ecumenical church history that has consistently held
Jesus Christ as the unique Savior of the world, and the Bible as
the final authority for Christian faith and practice. It grieves
us to see the atoning work of Christ treated as unnecessary, even
heretical.
- Under the guise of inclusiveness our conference has openly defied
the General Conference voice that has consistently held "the
practice of homosexuality" to be "incompatible with Christian
teaching," and have aggressively supported the ordination of
practicing gay and lesbian persons. As a result, we have left
thousands of lay and clergy persons across our Conference confused
and frustrated with what is perceived as a lack of episcopal
leadership and an abandonment of our Christian heritage.
- Therefore, we believe the time has come to stand firm as a
covenant community committed to recovering the historic witness
of our faith ancestors. We are not looking to begin something
new in our Conference, but rather to reclaim that which has been
lost. We are proud to call ourselves United Methodists because
we believe our Wesleyan heritage offers the perfect combination
of Biblical faith and holy living. We invite all those who share
our perspective to join in this important cause. "For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the
salvation of everyone who believes" Romans 1:16
For more information contact: Gary Starkey
gms2u@aol.com |
