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Methodists/Questions Answered by Expert Rev. Gregory S. Neal
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Communion | 2/6/2012 |
| Q: Does a pastor have the right to cancel Communion for two months because SHE has decided that ... A: Okay, this is a really tough one. Firstly, it must be noted that it is absolutely the pastor's duty ... | |
| Ministry | 2/5/2012 |
| Q: Is it permitted by the Book of Discipline for a member of the United Methodist Church to preach if ... A: The short answer to this question is "yes," the pastor has authority over who may or may not preach, ... | |
| My Faith has been Challaged | 1/31/2012 |
| Q: Dr. Neal, Last year I wrote you to tell you about how I almost faced blindness and after regaining ... A: God bless you! This is a very difficult situation, one which calls forth faith and a willingness to ... | |
| PPRC | 1/24/2012 |
| Q: Our PPRC met three weeks ago to evaluate and vote on keeping or not keeping our pastor. 5 out of 7 ... A: It sounds like you've got a very difficult situation there. I'm sorry. Firstly, the Pastor had ... | |
| church policy | 1/11/2012 |
| Q: I was very disturbed to learn that the methodist church sends money to palestine and pakistan to buy ... A: I cannot prove to you that this is not true because it is. I'm sorry if this is not the answer you ... | |
| 2012 General Conference | 1/9/2012 |
| Q: Rev. Neal: thank you for your time in answering my question. Yesterday we had a District Training ... A: I agree completely that the 2012 General Conference promises to be the most important General ... | |
| renting parsongage | 12/27/2011 |
| Q: I saw where you answered Jim about it being okay to rent a vacant parsonage when the pastor owns his ... A: Firstly, this must be approved by the Board of Trustees, who will manage the whole process. You can ... | |
| Stoles | 12/21/2011 |
| Q: I recently became a Lay Speaker in my local church and soon will be taking on visiting shut-ins for ... A: In my own church Eucharistic Lay Ministers and others who visit shut-ins and home-bound individuals ... | |
| Stoles | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: I recently became a Lay Speaker in my local church and soon will be taking on visiting shut-ins for ... A: I'm sorry I was delayed in getting back to you on this question. I had an unexpected absence due to ... | |
| apostles creed | 11/28/2011 |
| Q: I remarried in 2009 after losing my first wife in 2007. Through my new marriage I have become very ... A: Within the United Methodist Church we are allowed the freedom to have differing opinions and ... | |
| Lay Leader | 11/21/2011 |
| Q: My lay leader says he believes in the priesthood of believers and hence he doesn't respect the ... A: This is a violation of the discipline, which clearly seats authority over the pulpit -- i.e. who ... | |
| Differences between two very similar religions | 11/17/2011 |
| Q: What are contrasting differences between Methodist churches and African Methodist churches? A: I'm going to need some help in understanding your question. By "African Methodist churches" do you ... | |
| RevNeal.org and question about PhD Studies | 10/14/2011 |
| Q: Greg Neal, Again, thank you for previous answers. I looked at your website, revneal.org, and I ... A: It sounds to be as though you probably should be pursuing a DMin or a ThD in general Theological ... | |
| Abortion | 10/12/2011 |
| Q: Rev. Gregory, What is the Methodist stance on forgiveness after elective abortion? Are all sins ... A: The United Methodist Church's position is that Jesus died for all the sins of the whole world, and ... | |
| Communiion Rituals | 10/4/2011 |
| Q: Is there a John Wesley teaching that says a communion altar rail gift is to be placed there when ... A: I am not aware of any teaching of John Wesley which states that the altar rail gift is to be placed ... | |
| Trustee authority | 9/27/2011 |
| Q: "Receive and administer all gifts made to the congregation" Does this authority include cash ... A: Firstly, distinction is made between gifts, both undesignated and designated, given to the church ... | |
| Strict Dress Code ie, Donna's Question | 9/26/2011 |
| Q: I was a prior ordained minister in the Apostolic Pentecostal (AP) denomination helping pastor one of ... A: Wow! That's quite a long question, so I'm afraid my answer is going to seem rather short by ... | |
| Infant Baptism and Public Confession | 9/21/2011 |
| Q: If an infant or child is baptized does a public confession need to be made when they become of age? A: Yes. Infant Baptism is completed by Confirmation, and Confirmation occurs before the congregation ... | |
| nominations from the floor at charge conference | 9/19/2011 |
| Q: Can the pastor and/or district superintendant restrict voting in the charge conference to just those ... A: Yes. Please keep in mind that the Committee on Nominations and Lay Leadership has worked hard to ... | |
| Incense | 9/3/2011 |
| Q: Greetings, I am pleased to read your answer dated 8/7/2008 to one Lena on the issue concerning ... A: There are a lot of different incense suppliers, but my favorite is produced by "Monastery Incense." ... | |
| Reborn or surge of faith ? | 9/2/2011 |
| Q: After having a very close call with blindness, I thanked God and the Doctor for their blessings and ... A: What you are experiencing is sometimes misunderstood as a "born again" experience, when in reality ... | |
| re-saved | 8/31/2011 |
| Q: I was engaged in a conversation with another United Methodist and the question of choosing to ... A: God's grace enables our continuation in the Body of Christ, but does not compel our continuation. ... | |
| reverend vs elder | 8/25/2011 |
| Q: In an announcement of a pastor of a United Methodist being assigned to a church The bio given was ... A: I may need more information to be able to answer your question. Is the Pastor's husband a United ... | |
| Pastoral Staff Reduction | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: Pastor, Due to reduced attendance and the associated dollars, our church can no longer support our ... A: If the SPRC determines that it needs to reduce the non-ordained / non-appointed clergy staff levels, ... | |
| SPPRC and Finance | 8/16/2011 |
| Q: My spprc chair has been in the position for 15 years and is also the lay leader. There are some ... A: The Discipline doesn't bar the Lay Leader from Serving as SPR chair, but it really isn't something ... | |
| PPR Committee Containing 2 Members of the Same Family | 8/4/2011 |
| Q: I understand from the Book of Discipline that the PPR Committee should not contain two members from ... A: You are correct in stating that the PPR cannot have more than one member of the same family residing ... | |
| Communion | 7/31/2011 |
| Q: Is a UM Pastor allowed to refuse to give communion to the congregation? At our church our senior ... A: Firstly, what is the reason your pastor gives for "refusing to give" the contemporary service ... | |
| Early Methodists | 7/30/2011 |
| Q: Rev. Neal, When the first Methodists came from England to America, what was their mode of worship ... A: You ask an interesting question. Perhaps it would be helpful to begin by realizing that the ... | |
| Certified Lay Speaker vs Lay Minister | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: What is the difference between a Certified Lay Speaker and a Lay Minister? What can they do or not ... A: A "Certified Lay Speaker" is someone who has been trained and certified by a District Committee to ... | |
| Baptism | 7/26/2011 |
| Q: Rev. Neal, Should the sacrament of baptism in the UMC be celebrated in church setting only and be ... A: The Sacrament of Baptism is an act of the whole church and should, therefore, be celebrated within ... | |
| about methodist | 7/15/2011 |
| Q: Many people ask the Methodist religion. is true religion according to scripture or the bible.? It is ... A: Methodists do not tend to believe themselves to be the only true Christians, but just one among many ... | |
| marrying outside of state | 7/10/2011 |
| Q: I am a pastor of 30 years. I had a former parishioner come to me and confessed living with another ... A: In the circumstances you have described, with a couple who wish to enter into marriage before God ... | |
| Forgiveness | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: I have a 2 part question regarding this. When faced with a situation were the person you have ... A: I'll address your question in its two parts: 1. "When faced with a situation were the person you ... | |
| God | 7/6/2011 |
| Q: Is God in charge or is God in control? The reason for my asking is needing to understand how much of ... A: The United Methodist Church still tends to espouse Wesleyan-Arminianism, and hence on this subject ... | |
| Kingdom | 6/29/2011 |
| Q: I hope is all well with you and that God is blessing your work. I have a question concerning the ... A: By "Kingdom" I assume you mean the "Kingdom of God." Ultimately, God is the ruler in the Kingdom of ... | |
| great thanksgiving | 6/28/2011 |
| Q: Where can I find a version of The Great Thanksgiving appropriate for A Service of Christian ... A: Word and Table I contains the general form of the Great Thanksgiving that is, certainly, appropriate ... | |
| Moving pulpit furniture for special occasions | 6/26/2011 |
| Q: What is the Book of Discipline's ruling on removing all the pulpit furniture in order to present a ... A: The Discipline is silent on the subject of sanctuary furniture, so I would say that if one needs to ... | |
| Methodist and Calvinist | 6/25/2011 |
| Q: Gregory, Can you please explain to me the theology that Methodists use to advocate a homosexual to ... A: Firstly, according to the Discipline Self-Avowed Practicing Homosexuals are not to be considered as ... | |
| Please help me | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: Help me what to believe.. my mother is a methodist while my father is a catholic. im studying in a ... A: It sounds to me like you have some problems with some important, fundamental practices within Roman ... | |
| Trustees | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: I understand that the Trustees are responsible for the care and maintenance of the church facility ... A: Firstly, if the expenses for the upgrade or repair are more than 25% of the value of the buildings ... | |
| Dismissal | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: Can the Pastor dismiss an employee and replace him, without PPR? Adjust wages without Finance or ... A: The Pastor can dismiss an employee, but only contingent upon the approval of the PPR/SPR. The need ... | |
| Apotsle Creed | 6/10/2011 |
| Q: I was recently on the site Bible-Basics-layers-of-understanding.com I came across two versions of ... A: Yes, the version you reference is valid. The version of the Apostles' Creed which you're ... | |
| administration of communion | 6/8/2011 |
| Q: can an elementary aged person, without training, assist in the administration of holy communion in ... A: Yes. While they do require instruction and direction prior to serving so that they know what to do ... | |
| Story Research | 5/30/2011 |
| Q: A woman in California gives up her baby for adoption when she's 18. She later falls in love with a ... A: In the circumstance you describe the United Methodist clergy person would be protected by the First ... | |
| Story Research | 5/28/2011 |
| Q: A woman in California gives up her baby for adoption when she's 18. She later falls in love with a ... A: I assume that the man is at least 18 years of age ... i.e., that he is of legal age and that this ... | |
| Communion | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: I am a member of a UMC and have been asked several times to assist with communion and I refuse every ... A: I'm not married and yet I preside at the table. I'm not sure where you heard that one must be ... | |
| Sola Scriptura???? | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: I am forced to conclude that the Protestant Faith is based on faulty and selective Biblical ... A: To put it simply, in my opinion the divisiveness on the part of some, and the authoritarian ... | |
| communion | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: Can the lay leader of the church(Methodist) administer communion to the congregation in the absents ... A: No. Within the United Methodist Church one must be either an Elder or be a Licensed Local Pastor ... | |
| Sola Scriptura???? | 5/21/2011 |
| Q: I am forced to conclude that the Protestant Faith is based on faulty and selective Biblical ... A: United Methodists do not subscribe to the concept of "Sola Scriptura." While we do, indeed, ... | |
| Trustees responsibilities in dealing with custodian | 5/16/2011 |
| Q: Are the trustees considered to be the supervisors of the custodian? Please describe, step by step, ... A: The Trustees, having direct responsibility for the church facilities, would be the logical ... | |
| Use of 7 branch brass floor candelabra in the altar area | 5/11/2011 |
| Q: Where is the proper place to use memorial candelabra in the United Methodist Church? When should the ... A: "Where is the proper place to use memorial candelabra in the United Methodist Church?" On either ... | |
| Managing Youth Fund | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: I am a member of our Finance Committee and would like to know who is responsible for managing our ... A: In general, those decisions are made by the youth group under the guidance of their youth ... | |
| Confession of Sin | 4/30/2011 |
| Q: How does the UMC go about confessing their sin (as individuals) the bible and early church tradition ... A: For the most part Protestants don't practice individual confession of sin out of a negative reaction ... | |
| Special Charge Conference | 4/27/2011 |
| Q: Our DS has called for a "special charge conference". A e-mail was sent saying only "chairs of ... A: Yes, this permissible under the Book of Discipline ... if the issues involved are highly ... | |
| A call to serve | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: Recently,At almost 60 yrs old, I decided to answer God's call into service and I am exploring my ... A: A Lay Leader is a lay member of a congregation tasked with representing the congregation, at large, ... | |
| A call to serve | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: Recently,At almost 60 yrs old, I decided to answer God's call into service and I am exploring my ... A: Local pastors have to be certified as candidates for ministry -- this involves interviews with the ... | |
| sin | 4/12/2011 |
| Q: I love God and I pray everyday, and I go out and spread his word to people in other towns and I ... A: What you describe is characteristic of the sin nature within us all. Even when living in Christ ... | |
| Sanctuary Gifts | 4/11/2011 |
| Q: Its great to be asking you another question. My mother's church is building a beautiful new ... A: So good of you to write again. A Celtic Cross for the Sanctuary's Communion Altar-Table would be ... | |
| baptism | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: i was baptized methodist in another religion such as catholic i was never baptized does that mean i ... A: I'm not entirely sure what you're asking, however I'll give it a try. In the United Methodist ... | |
| Pension | 3/30/2011 |
| Q: I am 56. I have served in Indiana Conference for 26 years. I have been told there is not ... A: I think you can access your PIP (Personal Investment Plan) funds, but not your CRISP or your other ... | |
| Guarantee Appointment | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: When I became an elder in 1987, Indiana was under guaranteed appointment. Now 24 years later they ... A: According to the Book of Discipline at Paragraph 334.1, under the Ministry, Authority, and ... | |
| Releasing Trustee's Funds | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: My church received several undesignated bequests about 20 years ago. At the time our church ... A: You are in a difficult situation. However, there are several steps that you can take which might ... | |
| alcohol used in recipes | 3/22/2011 |
| Q: I hope you can help me with the issue of whether it's permissible to serve a food that has been ... A: What an INTERESTING QUESTION! Thank you for asking. I truly don't think that the Social Principles ... | |
| Lay Leader to Annual Conference | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: Is the Lay Leader to the Annual Conference only Lay Leader to Conference? If he was elected as Lay ... A: The Discipline recommends that the Church Lay Leader also serve as a Lay member of the Annual ... | |
| Children's Ministry Council | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: What are the functions of a Children's Council and how does it differ from the functions of the ... A: I'm afraid I cannot really answer this question as it deals with an organizational structure that ... | |
| Pastor/Parish committee | 3/20/2011 |
| Q: Are all Pastor/Parish committee meetings to be closed, or are they to be closed ONLY when discussing ... A: Yes, all formal sessions are closed. Please keep in mind that the PPR meetings involve more than ... | |
| The time before Jesus | 3/17/2011 |
| Q: If no one comes to the Father but by Jesus Christ what happens to the faithful who lived and died ... A: Firstly, any/all who come to the Father come to the Father though what Jesus did for us by dying for ... | |
| The time before Jesus | 3/16/2011 |
| Q: If no one comes to the Father but by Jesus Christ what happens to the faithful who lived and died ... A: While many different Christians will have different ways of addressing this issue, my preference is ... | |
| Finance committee | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: Is the lay member to annual conference a member of the finance committee? The financial secretary ... A: Yes. The Lay member to Annual Conference is a member of the Finance committee. See The 2008 UM ... | |
| SPRC | 3/11/2011 |
| Q: I am considering taking Lay speaking classes. Here is my problem.Our Pastor has made the comment ... A: I'm sorry to read that you've had some relational issues/problems with your pastor. It is correct ... | |
| Sprinkling | 3/9/2011 |
| Q: I had asked a question about Methodist sprinkling, and in the answer I got from Carl Fuglein.He ... A: The Book of Worship contains the officially adopted and approved liturgies of the United Methodist ... | |
| communion | 2/15/2011 |
| Q: Are lay members allowed to give communion to shut-ins if the bread and wine have been blessed by the ... A: Lay members are most definitely allowed to take communion to shut-ins. Proper training is called ... | |
| communion | 2/15/2011 |
| Q: We have recently formed a visitation ministry which involves giving communion to the homebound. We ... A: This is an excellent question. In my opinion, while it is not strictly necessary for those who take ... | |
| Communion to Homebound | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: Our pastor decided to make packets for a large number of members who she thought had not been able ... A: I have trained lay people in how to carry the left-over consecrated elements to those who are ... | |
| Sabbath Worship | 2/12/2011 |
| Q: Please advise why Methodists still continue to worship on Sundays. Most documentation points to the ... A: Actually, the New Testament Church worshiped in their homes on "The Lord's Day" ... the weekly ... | |
| Cancellation of Meeting - one more Follow-up question re: Admin Council | 2/10/2011 |
| Q: Can the chairperson of the PPRC abruptly cancel the meeting without input from other members of the ... A: Actually, the BOD states exactly the opposite: The Administrative Council Chairperson is NOT listed ... | |
| job description for the Chairperson of Finance | 2/9/2011 |
| Q: Due to some problems in the area of finances at my church. We are in the process of revamping our ... A: The Chair of the Finance Committee chairs the sessions of the committee, leads the committee in ... | |
| Entering Ministry Later in Live | 2/8/2011 |
| Q: Rev. Neal, In my teens I began to sense a call to enter the ministry and tried to fulfill it at the ... A: I want to encourage you in responding to your calling. Based upon what you've stated above you are ... | |
| Cancellation of Meeting | 2/8/2011 |
| Q: Can the chairperson of the PPRC abruptly cancel the meeting without input from other members of the ... A: Yes. The PPRC can be called by the Bishop, the District Superintendent, the appointed pastor(s) of ... | |
| Nominating Committee | 1/27/2011 |
| Q: Can a member of our church be nominated for the SPRC committee from the floor of a meeting it ... A: Yes. The Nominating Committee's report to the Charge Conference can always be amended from the ... | |
| missions committee | 1/26/2011 |
| Q: Neal: Our missions committee was surprised this year to find out that the previous way of doing ... A: "1. if it ok for a minister to tell the missions committee what the missions of the church will be, ... | |
| Sabbatical leave and compensation | 1/24/2011 |
| Q: In the past 4 months our church has dropped in attendance from an average attendance of 250 to 120. ... A: You state that your SPR was meeting on Sunday January 16 to address the Sabbatical leave request, ... | |
| Time cards for paid employees of church | 1/23/2011 |
| Q: I serve as chair of the SPPRC. Our lay leader has emphatically voiced a desire to have all paid ... A: To put this simply, the nature of a pastor's job is not amenable to time-card record keeping. If it ... | |
| Rapture | 1/22/2011 |
| Q: Neal, I am doing a study on the rapture and am curious about how the Methodists present it. To ... A: The United Methodist Church doesn't hold any official position on the subject. Most United ... | |
| use of alchol at a church sponsored event | 1/13/2011 |
| Q: how should I respond to church members drinking at a sponsored church event - a bowling night, open ... A: In general and as an individual Christian I tend to consider such issues to be between believers and ... | |
| Spprc | 1/12/2011 |
| Q: If you volunteer at the church to do admin work. not paid. Can I be a member of the spprc? A: Yes. You cannot serve on the SPRC if you are a paid staff-member, but members who volunteer their ... | |
| Church treasurer | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: I have been a member at a church for five months in United Methodist. Want to know if I can become A ... A: No. The Church Treasurer is the one who keeps the books and writes the checks for purchases and ... | |
| chairperson | 1/9/2011 |
| Q: I have been a member at a church for five months in United Methodist. Want to know if I can become A ... A: As far as I know there is no regulation that says you can't be nominated and serve as chair of the ... | |
| Holy Communion | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: I am a retired Methodist Pastor looking for a church home in my area. After visiting several ... A: It sounds as if you've had some bad luck in terms of the churches you've visited and the pastors who ... | |
| baptism | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: mydaughter was asked to be a part of a baptism, what does she have to do A: You do not say if she's going to be a God-parent. In general, the duties of someone involved in a ... | |
| Pastor Behavior | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: I heard second hand that my pastor has been accused of rape. The victim has contacted the DS and ... A: My counsel to you is to first pray about this. Ask the person you heard it from how they know that ... | |
| advent wreath | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: Rev. Neal: my question is late for this season, but will be helpful in the future. Our Advent ... A: In the churches I have served as pastor we have kept the Advent Wreath in-place with all four ... | |
| Confession | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: The Bible and the early church fathers and even found in the 'Didache' says we should confess our ... A: The United Methodist Church has communal confessions that are prayed by the congregation, together, ... | |
| UMC may allow Gay Clergy! | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: I've been a Methodist my whole life (32 yrs.) and just had a discussion with a group of pastors who ... A: You're welcome, Chris. I'm glad it was of some help. I am acutely aware that this is not an easy ... | |
| UMC may allow Gay Clergy! | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: I've been a Methodist my whole life (32 yrs.) and just had a discussion with a group of pastors who ... A: The question is beyond the scope of this section of AllExperts. I can only give you my opinion as a ... | |
| UMC may allow Gay Clergy! | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: I've been a Methodist my whole life (32 yrs.) and just had a discussion with a group of pastors who ... A: This is the third question I've had about this subject in the past few weeks via AllExperts. I don't ... | |
| Affirmation of Faith | 12/27/2010 |
| Q: Why does the Affirmation of Faith state that we belive in the Holy Catholic Church? What is the ... A: In the Apostles' Creed we profess: "I believe ... in the holy catholic Church.” This often catches ... | |
| Service of Word and Table | 12/25/2010 |
| Q: We have a new minister at our church in Northern Virginia. During a recent communion service I was ... A: The United Methodist Eucharistic Liturgy, as found in the Book of Worship and the United Methodist ... | |
| Church's view concerning homosexuality | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: I highly respect you as a pastor and share many of your views especially concerning rituals and ... A: I agree with you. In my prior responses to others regarding the UMC changing its position on ... | |
| Methodists and Rosary | 12/22/2010 |
| Q: Is it inappropriate for me (or any methodist) to want to get and keep an archangel or guardian angel ... A: There is nothing wrong with you, or any Methodist, obtaining such a "tool" or "instrument of ... | |
| Gay Clergy? | 12/22/2010 |
| Q: I'm a member of a United Methodist Church and to my surprise I read in an article that at the 2012 ... A: This is the second question I've had on this matter in recent days. I have not read the article ... | |
| Gay Clergy in the UMC! | 12/17/2010 |
| Q: I was looking to join the UMC, but heard in 2012 that there is a very high chance they will vote to ... A: In the United Methodist Church there is plenty of room to disagree with the General Conference on ... | |
| methodist view on Calvinism | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: I'm wondering what the view of the Methodist church would be in regards to Calvinism, and the ... A: The United Methodist Church is, officially, Arminian when it comes to matters of import to ... | |
| Gay Clergy in the UMC! | 12/16/2010 |
| Q: I was looking to join the UMC, but heard in 2012 that there is a very high chance they will vote to ... A: I'm wondering where you've heard that, in 2012 at our next General Conference, there's a "very high ... | |
| Advent | 12/15/2010 |
| Q: I am looking for the prayers of confession and absolution for our carols service. I need to do the ... A: The basic prayer for Confession and Absolution would be the one found in the United Methodist Hymnal ... | |
| women in the Methodist Church | 12/10/2010 |
| Q: Last year I got the call to go into missions. But the Baptists will not allow me to go full time ... A: You ask several rather HUGE questions. I've set parts of your question aside as I've considered it ... | |
| Sanctuary and Communion Table | 12/3/2010 |
| Q: Our Pastor has quite literally turned our Communion Table into an Altar and does not allow anything ... A: Firstly, his requirements regarding the Altar-Table, the conducting of the Eucharist, and the ... | |
| Worship Leader | 11/18/2010 |
| Q: I have been nominated by my church to be next year's Worship Leader. We are a very small ... A: I'm not entirely sure, since most churches tend to use worship leaders on a regular basis to assist ... | |
| chairman duties | 11/18/2010 |
| Q: can fiance chairman make church deposits, prepare income statement, do all the church purchase and ... A: The person who does the church deposits should NEVER be the same person who writes checks. A ... | |
| Crucifix | 11/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a question regarding the UMC stance on a crucifix in the church sanctuary. We currently have ... A: Firstly, you are correct in that the United Methodist Book of Discipline doesn't address this ... | |
| Board Meetings | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: We are having trouble with the structure of board meetings...does the pastor have to be present? ... A: The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2008 edition) is the official guide for the ... | |
| Liturgy in the UMC | 11/8/2010 |
| Q: I am a UM but have recently been employed by a Presbyterian Church. I am learning SO much about ... A: We absolutely DO have a written liturgy. Indeed, we have many written liturgies for all kinds of ... | |
| PPRC | 11/5/2010 |
| Q: Each year by January 15th, the PPRC has to present to the Conference recommendation of reassignment ... A: Policies and procedures for the annual evaluation of the pastor is to be developed by each Annual ... | |
| Wesley on the Lord's Supper | 11/4/2010 |
| Q: I've been reading a biography of John Wesley (Reasonable Enthusiast by Rack). One point it makes is ... A: 1. Terminology: For John Wesley a "Converting Ordinance" was a means of grace which could serve as ... | |
| Liturgy in the UMC | 11/3/2010 |
| Q: I am a UM but have recently been employed by a Presbyterian Church. I am learning SO much about ... A: It's a serious one, and I find it most unfortunate that your pastor appears to not care about good ... | |
| communion | 11/3/2010 |
| Q: why do some people prefer drinking from a small individual cup and some prefer dipping the bread ... A: For nearly 1800 years the Church used fermented wine in Holy Communion. Regardless of denomination ... | |
| communion with 4 year old baptised in UMC when an infant | 11/1/2010 |
| Q: We plan to take our visiting granddaughter, who is 4, and was baptised in the UM Church as an ... A: Bring her forward and let her receive communion if she wants to! We welcome all people, of all ... | |
| Finance Committee Nominations | 10/26/2010 |
| Q: The Committee on Nominations and Lay Leadership Development would like to nominate the sister of our ... A: Yes, two related members can serve on the Finance Committee. The Discipline states, however, that ... | |
| baptism | 10/18/2010 |
| Q: Our pastor recently baptized a 10 year old girl who did not profess Christ as Lord (her mother spoke ... A: Firstly, there is no fundamental difference between infant and adult baptism: both are means of ... | |
| statues | 10/14/2010 |
| Q: does the methodist religion have statues? A: In general, no ... we do not have or use statues in our worship. One will often find stained glass ... | |
| Committee Membership | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: Is membership required for eligibility to serve on the various committees within a United Methodist ... A: Yes and no. To serve on Church Council, to serve as Lay Leader or Member of the Annual Conference, ... | |
| Lay Leader | 9/25/2010 |
| Q: As Lay Leader at our church I attend and am ex-officio on most all committees. As such what are my ... A: The Discipline lists the Lay Leader as being a member on most of the Committees of the Church, but ... | |
| Baptism | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: Who may perform baptisms in UMC services? If an ordained elder is not available to conduct the ... A: In addition to Elders only Licensed Local Pastors who are under appointment to that particular ... | |
| lay leadership | 9/22/2010 |
| Q: Is it necessary for a nominee to be a member of the church? A: Your question is somewhat imprecise. Specifically what is it that a person is a nominee for? A ... | |
| Sprinkling | 9/20/2010 |
| Q: How and when did sprinkling originate as part of the Methodist Church? A: Sprinkling our pouring as a form of Baptism has been part of Methodist Church practice since its ... | |
| Authority | 9/15/2010 |
| Q: How much power does a Methodist minister have, as Administrator of a local church, if the minister ... A: According to the Book of Discipline at Paragraph 258.4d -- The Committee on Finance "... shall make ... | |
| lay member to annual conference/staff parish committee | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: can you tell me the responsibilities of the lay member to annual conference in regards to the staff ... A: According to Paragraph 251.1, the Lay Leader/Lay Member of Annual Conference shall be a full member, ... | |
| Authority | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: How much power does a Methodist minister have, as Administrator of a local church, if the minister ... A: According to the Book of Discipline (Paragraph 340.2c), the Pastor is the administrative officer of ... | |
| Evidence for Noah's arch | 9/11/2010 |
| Q: In a Bible study at our church which is being taught by a layperson, he had several things to say ... A: I would be very skeptical regarding any claims of such evidence or findings. To this date I have ... | |
| + at the end of names | 9/1/2010 |
| Q: Hey Greg, I was wondering why some preachers have a + or ++ at the end of their names. Thanks! ... A: The use of a + or ++ symbol at the end of some clergy's names is used to identify them as ministers ... | |
| understanding the Methodist practice | 8/23/2010 |
| Q: This was an answer to a lady’s question. I took some sentences out of the answer and made questions ... A: "1- We read the Bible (although with fewer books, since we are Protestants) and find it it a ... | |
| Liberalism in the UMC. | 8/20/2010 |
| Q: Neal. I am a teen and I am a PCUSA Christian. But I LOVE the Methodist tradition and church. I ... A: On your first question, the United Methodist Church supports a Woman in her bodily integrity; hence, ... | |
| communion | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: i am catholic thinking about joining a Methodist church. can i still receive communion at the ... A: While Methodists would not have any problem with you receiving the Eucharist in both the United ... | |
| Methodist Sunday School Book | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: I have an old "Sunday School and Youth Library" Book. Memoir of Hannah Syng Bunting. Volume II. ... A: This is somewhat outside my specialization and experience, however books - if they're in good ... | |
| finding a church | 8/17/2010 |
| Q: A lot of my questions were answered from a previous question ( Blair-9/29/09) but, I do have a ... A: I'll address your questions in order: "...which bible do Methodist teach from?" There is not any ... | |
| Lay Leaders | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: Can an active member who is serving as the Lay Leader in a UMC also serve as the Chair of the ... A: The Lay Leader of the church is automatically a member of the S/PPR-C (251.1.c). There is nothing ... | |
| Ecumenicalism between UMC & Evangelical Lutheran Church | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: I thought both denominations had agreed to form a close alliance and to share churches and pastors. ... A: The details or how the UMC might enter into membership within the Anglican Communion has not yet ... | |
| Trustees/Bk. of Discipline | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: If the Trustees of a UMC vote and approve usage of a church annex for a local food pantry (Am. Red ... A: According to the 2008 Book of Discipline at Paragraph 2532.1, the Board of Trustees carries out its ... | |
| baptism | 6/29/2010 |
| Q: We have a 6 month month little girl that we are planning on getting baptized soon. I grew up in a ... A: What you describe happens often in the UMC. Family wish to have their babies baptized at their ... | |
| Lay Leader's responsibilities | 6/29/2010 |
| Q: Is the Lay Leader of a United Methodist Church an ex officio member of every committee including the ... A: The Lay Leader of a United Methodist Church is a statutory member of the Pastor-Parish Relations ... | |
| Conservative UM ministers today | 6/28/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I are conservatives with assemblies of God/baptist background. We both have had ... A: The United Methodist Church does, indeed, have many "conservative" clergy. However, keep in mind ... | |
| Ecumenicalism between UMC & Evangelical Lutheran Church | 6/24/2010 |
| Q: I thought both denominations had agreed to form a close alliance and to share churches and pastors. ... A: The United Methodist Church has entered into full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. ... | |
| Laity serving communion | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: I am a newly ordained pastor finishing the first year in my current appointment. I am getting flack ... A: God bless you in your ministry! Sometimes issues like this come up; the good news is that you are ... | |
| Inerrancy | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: I read with interest your reply re: creation to a previous writer. In your reply you stated:" ... A: Not at all! Even those that are literary constructs, which serve significant metaphorical and ... | |
| Inerrancy | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: I read with interest your reply re: creation to a previous writer. In your reply you stated:" ... A: I spent a few days, during our annual conference here in North Texas, thinking about your question. ... | |
| Book of Discipline | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: If a UM church is a preaching point church without a full time pastor, can certified lay speakers ... A: You will need to check with your District Superintendent on this. The Discipline places such ... | |
| Communion | 6/6/2010 |
| Q: This has been an embarrassment to me, as I cannot hear well and don't know what the minister is ... A: Please do not be concerned or embarrassed. The communion prayer used in most of our United ... | |
| Deciding Whether to Join The Methodist Church | 5/31/2010 |
| Q: I'm a long-time Christian who, after attending evangelical churches for many years and not getting ... A: To explain about Wesleyan/Arminianism allow me to begin by giving you a bit of background about the ... | |
| Islam & Methodism | 5/28/2010 |
| Q: Does the Methodist Church have have any sort of "official policy" concerning Islam in our social ... A: The United Methodist Church really doesn't have any specific "official policies" concerning Islam. ... | |
| Eucharist | 5/22/2010 |
| Q: I am not a Methodist but a member of my family is. She is wanting her 10 you child to take Holy ... A: In the United Methodist Church people of all ages are welcomed to partake of the Means of Grace in ... | |
| Baptism | 5/20/2010 |
| Q: Rev. Neal: As a life long Methodist I have been in many worship services that have included the ... A: You ask an excellent question! I was baptized as an infant and cannot, with my own mind or memory, ... | |
| Priesthood of Believers | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: What is the Methodist understanding of the 'Priesthood of all believers'? A: The "Priesthood of All Believers" is the idea that all Christians are called to ministry within the ... | |
| The Resurrection | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: Rev. Neal, In an earlier question (12/1/09) you seemed to indicate that it was possible to be a ... A: The short and simple answer to your question is that "yes," Elders and Deacons in the UMC are free ... | |
| Entire Sanctification | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: John Wesley taught about 'Entire Sanctification' and I know some churches (e.g., Nazarenes) that ... A: The United Methodist Church is a diverse denomination with many different theological perspectives ... | |
| Baptism: Methodist vs. Baptist | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: My daughter recently got married and her cousin (my nephew), a Southern Baptist, acted as the ... A: I appreciate your quandary in regard to Baptism as viewed by Baptists vs. Methodists. It's not an ... | |
| Development of Liturgy in Methodism | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: I'd like to have a clearer idea of how liturgical worship has developed in the Methodist church. I ... A: The movement grew, initially, among the large city churches that desired greater decorum in their ... | |
| Interpretation of Sermon on the Mount | 5/13/2010 |
| Q: Neal: I have recently had a “breakthrough moment” where I have felt that I understood the Sermon ... A: I would absolutely agree with you that you've put your finger on a valid interpretation of the ... | |
| The Resurrection | 5/13/2010 |
| Q: Rev. Neal, In an earlier question (12/1/09) you seemed to indicate that it was possible to be a ... A: I understand your concern on this issue, and to a large degree I share it. For me, the centrality ... | |
| Job Description for Pastor of 200 member church | 5/12/2010 |
| Q: What should be included in a job description for pastor of a 200 member church? A: Fletcher, To put this simply, the job description for the pastor of a 200 member church would be ... | |
| Development of Liturgy in Methodism | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: I'd like to have a clearer idea of how liturgical worship has developed in the Methodist church. I ... A: You pose an excellent question. You're correct in that Methodism went through a long period during ... | |
| Deciding Whether to Join The Methodist Church | 5/1/2010 |
| Q: I'm a long-time Christian who, after attending evangelical churches for many years and not getting ... A: I have not been a United Methodist my entire life. I spent quite a while as an Episcopalian, and ... | |
| Job Description | 4/23/2010 |
| Q: Neal, Our S-P/PRC is currently revising the job description of our Children's Ministry Coordinator. ... A: I'm sorry for the delay in my response ... it's been a weird couple of days, to say the least! ... | |
| Retired Clergy | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: Can a retired UM clergyperson, who is on staff at a local church, participate in that local church's ... A: Certainly! I'm sorry I didn't include the Disciplinary paragraphs in my prior post! According to ... | |
| Job Description | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: Neal, Our S-P/PRC is currently revising the job description of our Children's Ministry Coordinator. ... A: You ask some interesting questions, and -- with one exception -- there really is no right or wrong ... | |
| SPRC Meetings Schedule | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: If SPRC meeting is scheduled and pastor cancels it for no apparent reason,can members still have ... A: No. Given the circumstances which you have outlined for the cancellation of the meeting, the SPRC ... | |
| Committe Rules | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: Can an elected lay member of a Committee be removed temporarilly for a discussion of a specific ... A: I'm sorry, but I'm really not able to give precise advice from the Discipline on this one. The ... | |
| tithing | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: I attend and work at UMC church and have been investigation the abortion issue in the church. I am ... A: I appreciate your concern on this issue. It is one which many people share. Please keep in mind ... | |
| Retired Clergy | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: Can a retired UM clergyperson, who is on staff at a local church, participate in that local church's ... A: According to the Book of Discipline, retired clergy who are resident in a congregation (who have ... | |
| safeguarding church funds | 4/5/2010 |
| Q: Neal, Our church has a volunteer treasurer and is doing a good job of paying church bills in a ... A: Excellent question! This is, of course, a judgment call; at least, as far as I am aware, there is ... | |
| communion bread | 3/31/2010 |
| Q: My church has recently changed from using a whole loaf of bread for communion to using unleavened ... A: The use of bread without leaven in it helps to symbolize the lack of sin in Christ Jesus. It is not ... | |
| UM Book of Discipline | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: May a paid UM church employee(secretary) also serve as church treasurer and write checks? She is not ... A: The Book of Discipline does not restrict paid employees from serving as church treasurer or from ... | |
| statistics | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: How many Methodists are there worldwide? A: There are, roughly, 75 million Methodists worldwide. Nearly all Methodist denominations / societies ... | |
| pprc meeting | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: Is it permissible for the chairman of the board at attend PPRC meetings A: The Board chair should only attend the PPRC meetings if s/he is a named member of the committee. ... | |
| years as lay leader | 3/8/2010 |
| Q: I have been the lay leader of our church for the last 6 years. Is there any time limit for the ... A: To the best of my ability there is no term-limit articulated in the Discipline for Lay Leader in a ... | |
| Holy Communion | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: Recently our youth had an overnight sleep-over at the church. They raised money for the needy by ... A: I also find this very troubling, reflecting a lack of good teaching on both our theology of the ... | |
| Communion | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: I am troubled by the fact that our Pastor celebrates Holy Communion by saying, "Jesus said this ... A: It may very well be that your pastor has not been properly trained in the theology and celebration ... | |
| Baptism, comfirmation, holy communion | 3/4/2010 |
| Q: My sister and I have recently started volunteering our time at church to be confirmation leaders, ... A: Vicky! You ask an excellent question! It may be that the confusion, here, comes from different ... | |
| Ex officio | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: Ex officio means that a person is on a committee because "of their position." Could you give a ... A: Firstly, apart from the Church Council/Administrative Board there is only one committee in the local ... | |
| Veto power of the pastor | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: I have been in the ordained ministry of The United Methodist Church for 38 years and I have never ... A: The "veto power" which I referenced is not specifically codified anyplace within the discipline but ... | |
| Abortion & Homosexuality | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: What is the Methodist stand on Abortion and Homosexuality? A: The UMC's official positions on both issues can be found articulated in our Social Principles as ... | |
| Bishop Responsibility | 2/21/2010 |
| Q: What is the Bishop's responsibility and response to lay members of a local church who have presented ... A: In the United Methodist Church the congregation (i.e, the PPR) is not the pastor's supervisor or ... | |
| Salvation | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: Let me first say your time you contribute here is a blessing to many people, including myself. I ... A: I am a Wesleyan Arminian, meaning that while I tend to agree with the Reformed viewpoint that ... | |
| 1COR 15:50-54 | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: Paul refers to the "last trump". What trumpets have sounded before in order that this will be the ... A: This question is somewhat outside of my specialization, being beyond the subject of Methodism in ... | |
| Sprinkling | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: I was raised as a Methodist and was sprinkled. What scripture is sprinkling taken from? Where in ... A: Baptism by sprinkling or pouring water (i.e., not by immersion) is a subject that is of particular ... | |
| Methodist Worship in 1860 | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: Rev Neal: Thank you for your time in accepting this question. I am the Music & Worship Director ... A: After re-reading several works dealing with worship in the mid-19th century, the best I can do is ... | |
| Pledge of Allegiance | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: I am currently a Sunday School superintendant of a UMC. As has been done for years the members ... A: To the best of my ability to determine, the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church and ... | |
| Officers | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: Can a person be on the PPR Committee if they refuse to come to Church, but refuse to step down. ... A: Allow me to answer your question two different ways: 1. The Discipline doesn't speak to church ... | |
| board of trustees UMC | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: Is a trustee liable for debts of the church? In a small church it is hard to find enough people to ... A: Since laws regarding the Incorporation of Non Profits/Churches vary from State to State, ... | |
| board of trustees UMC | 1/13/2010 |
| Q: Is a trustee liable for debts of the church? In a small church it is hard to find enough people to ... A: The critical point in answering your questions is: "Is the Church Legally Incorporated?" If it is, ... | |
| Communion and Advice | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: When the Pastor asks for the Bread and Wine(juice) to be the made into the body and blood of ... A: I understand your quandary, and often share it. I am a fairly liturgical United Methodist pastor ... | |
| gun control | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: What is the methodist religion's stand on gun control? A: In 2000 The United Methodist Church's General Conference published a Resolution entitled: "Gun ... | |
| Jesus' Baptism | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: How do Methodists understand the Baptism of Jesus A: This is an excellent question, and one for which there is really no simple answer. While many ... | |
| Salvation and doubt | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: I was curious about why if you confess Jesus with your mouth and believe that God raised him from ... A: You ask a good question. Indeed, I share yourif one confesses and believes in Jesus Christ as Lord ... | |
| Preaching in ignorance | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: This last Christmas Eve I attended the United Methodist Church in Chino Valley, AZ. This is the ... A: I'm sorry that you encountered what you did at a UMC. I must admit that I know of many UM clergy ... | |
| Ex spouse and custody issues | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I am the ex wife of a current Methodist minister. We have joint custody of our two children and have ... A: I am at something of a quandary as to how to respond to your situation. The Book of Discipline ... | |
| Baptism | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: I am a Catholic and was baptized in the Catholic faith along other sacraments as well. My friend is ... A: I truly do suggest that you inquire with a Catholic priest about this. However, from my ... | |
| Primative Methodist and the Methodist Persona | 12/31/2009 |
| Q: Neal; I recently read your response to the question about "what is Methodism" and it was a help. I'm ... A: One of the basic characteristics of Primitive Methodists was that they affirmed the enthusiastic ... | |
| sign at the going forth | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: I am a Full Deacon privileged to give the blessing for going forth at the end of worship. Routinely ... A: Please know that you are on solid ground in offering blessings and dismissals using the two-finger ... | |
| Christmas | 12/24/2009 |
| Q: Why do Methodists observe xmas when we know that Jesus wasn't born on December 25? A: David. Thanks for asking a very timely question! You are correct in that It is a Biblical and ... | |
| vocation outside of church | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: What is the rule for a full time minister working outside the church? Our minister worked in a ... A: You really need to take these matters up with the District Superintendent directly. They all have ... | |
| salvation | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: I am Lay Leader, Ad Board Chair and LMAC for our United Methodist Church. I have been involved in ... A: Yes. Article 9 "Of the Justification of Man" states: "We are accounted righteous before God only ... | |
| Question about the Methodist Church | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: I would like to ask you about when and where is the name for your church (Methodist) is mentioned in ... A: "I see and understand what you are saying. You are, though, beating around the bush. If you believe ... | |
| Methodist Funding of NARAL & Reproductive Choice Organizations | 12/18/2009 |
| Q: I have seen various answers from you to people, from about Sept 2008, onward, where you tried to ... A: I truly do not know why I have not yet received a response from my query to the General Board of ... | |
| Question about the Methodist Church | 12/17/2009 |
| Q: I would like to ask you about when and where is the name for your church (Methodist) is mentioned in ... A: I have been asked this question on multiple occasions by people who come from the Church of Christ ... | |
| Salvation | 12/16/2009 |
| Q: Do you believe an infant who dies would go to heaven? If so wouln't that make it good to die as an ... A: You ask an interesting question. In the United Methodist Church we believe that infants who die ... | |
| deacons | 12/7/2009 |
| Q: can ordained deacon perform wedding and baptisms? A: According to the Book of Discipline, a deacon’s ministry includes proclaiming and teaching the Word ... | |
| UMC Stance on a Figurative Resurrection | 12/1/2009 |
| Q: Can a person become a Methodist if they do not take the resurrection literally? Is UMC leadership ... A: You ask an excellent question! Please understand that I'm not equivocating in this response, ... | |
| placement of furniture | 11/24/2009 |
| Q: I am wondering if there is anything in the Discipline of United Methodist Church which states where ... A: The Discipline is silent on the placement of the Altar Table in the Sanctuary of a United Methodist ... | |
| Wesley & Apostles Creed | 10/14/2009 |
| Q: I'll be teaching a class soon in Sunday School on the Apostles' Creed. One thing I've learned while ... A: I've spent a while researching your answer, however I haven't been able to find a specific answer to ... | |
| 2nd Coming of Christ | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: Do Methodists believe in a literal, future 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, in addition to the current ... A: Some -- perhaps even a great many -- United Methodists certainly do believe in a literal, future 2nd ... | |
| St.. Luke and St. John | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: In your biographical information you mention the Order of St. Luke and the Society of Saint John the ... A: The Order of Saint Luke is an Order within the United Methodist Church; it is "dedicated to ... | |
| Old Testament laws and ordinances | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: I am doing Disciple Bible Study and we are on the Old Testament laws and ordinances. I seems that ... A: It would be safe to say that the Mosaic Covenant -- the Law -- as it is contained in the Hebrew ... | |
| Phases of Grace | 10/8/2009 |
| Q: Before becoming a Methodist I knew about justifying and sanctifying grace, but heard virtually ... A: I suppose you're asking about John Wesley, and did he originate the idea of Prevenient Grace? To ... | |
| relationships between religions | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: How is the Methodist religion related to that of Lutheran and Anglican religions. Thank you for ... A: The United Methodist Church, and the other related branches of Methodism, are denominations of the ... | |
| seminary accrediation | 10/6/2009 |
| Q: I feel a calling to seminary, but how do I know if the one I choose is acceptable to Methodist ... A: The Seminary you are considering will need to be one that is listed by the University Senate or its ... | |
| NARAL | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: What is the Methodist position, via the Board of Church and Society, on providing funding and ... A: I was asked a question regarding this recently and I attempted to find out, from the Board of Church ... | |
| wedding sacraments | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: Is there communion at the wedding? If so, is it remembering Jesus dying for our sins or is the ... A: In the United Methodist Church the Sacrament of Holy Communion may be celebrated if the wedding ... | |
| Liberal and Conservative | 10/2/2009 |
| Q: In your experience, are the majority of clergy in the UMC more "liberal" or more "conservative" in ... A: This is a highly subjective question, so I hope you understand that my response will be entirely my ... | |
| Methodist Evangelists | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I'm a fairly new Methodist (about 2 years) and recently became aware that the UMC has both lay and ... A: I found quite a lot of information on the website of the National Association of United Methodist ... | |
| United Methodist and Unitarian Universalists | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: In your opinion, what is the majority view among UMC Elders concerning the Unitarian Universalists? A: I'm honestly skeptical about being able to identify a single "majority" view among UMC Elders ... | |
| Trouble choosing a new religion | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: Good Afternoon Rev. Neal, I have been struggling with my religious beliefs since I was in high ... A: God bless you in your search for a church home! I believe that you are doing the right thing in ... | |
| Coveting prayers | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: I have noticed a trend lately with people making the statement, "I covet your prayers." I don't ... A: This is an interesting question. It's a phase I have used, often, when I have requested the prayers ... | |
| Filing of a GCSRW Report for sexual ethics misconduct | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: Reverend. What UMC Church Policy text(s)/volume(s)/book(s) would be good for me to own as reference ... A: The 2008 Book of Discipline and the 2008 Book of Resolutions both will contain information and ... | |
| Required to do liturgy? | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: Our new pastor is not following Methodist ritual during the Holy Communion. When he first came to ... A: I think it behooves us to keep in mind that there is a great degree of latitude incorporated into ... | |
| Annual Conference Rules | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: During a local UM annual church conference, is there a difference between "Church" conference and ... A: There is a very precise difference between a Church and a Charge Conference. According to the 2008 ... | |
| Lay Leadership | 9/21/2009 |
| Q: I have been asked by our new pastor to consider becoming Lay Leader of our small very diverse ... A: Congratulations! Being Lay Leader is a very important job, and the position within our United ... | |
| methodist relegion | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: what happen when a child is born as a methodist. what special cermony are held what is the ... A: 1. When a child is born to Methodist parents that child is usually baptized (within a year or, ... | |
| SPRC MEETINGS | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: Our SPRC wanted to hold an "open forum" type of meeting to get members' input on their ideas for ... A: Strictly speaking, according to the 2008 Book of Discipline at Paragraph 258.2e, all meetings of the ... | |
| The AG Church | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: Greg, I am attending an Assemblies of God college, Valley Forge Christian College, and was wondering ... A: I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to get back to you, but it's been a busy week! I pray your ... | |
| Infant vs Adult Baptism | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: I was baptized as an infant in the United Methodist Church. As an adult I am now attending a ... A: You find yourself in the midst of a fundamental disagreement over the nature and meaning of ... | |
| UMC funding of the RCRC | 9/8/2009 |
| Q: I am interested in joining my local United Methodist Church. I am strongly pro life and have some ... A: I have waited several days before responding to your question because I have been hoping that the ... | |
| Methodists & Disciples of Christ | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: How does the Methodist Church compare to Disciples of Christ and/or Church of Christ? Are they ... A: Differences between the United Methodist Church and the Disciples of Christ will be less extreme ... | |
| Evolution | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: Attended a lecture by Dr. Patricia Kelley of University NC, Wilmington last Thursday evening at ... A: I don't know about any statements in 1984, but until the 2008 General Conference The United ... | |
| How close is the United Methodists are to the Episcopal Church | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: I have always been interested in the relationship between the UMC and the Episcopal Church. Do you ... A: I'm not sure you have a question here; rather, you're making an observation and stating a few about ... | |
| Scripture refenc | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: In a response someone asking a question I've always had; basically, what happens to good people who ... A: Your question is a frequent one, and one which merits a response. Firstly, Paul states in Romans ... | |
| Eternal Security | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: I was saved, baptized, and accepted Jesus Christ as my lord and savior when I was about 12 or 13. I ... A: I understand your situation, however understand that you wouldn't be having these thoughts and ... | |
| hierarchy of the Methodist church | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: i was reading a previous question and wanted to know more about the hierarchy of the methodist ... A: The United Methodist Church has an Episcopal Polity (government), with Bishop's who are responsible ... | |
| How close is the United Methodists are to the Episcopal Church | 8/28/2009 |
| Q: I have always been interested in the relationship between the UMC and the Episcopal Church. Do you ... A: The United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church are closely related in many ways. We share the ... | |
| hiring the pastor's wife - follow up | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: Just today the pastor notified the SPRC Chair that there will be a committee meeting in 5 days to ... A: This is truly a "mess." It sounds like your pastor is trying to set up appropriate lines of ... | |
| adam and eve | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: I attended a methodist church this past week and the pastor stated that methodist do not believe in ... A: There are going to be a great many different opinions on this subject. However, to say, ... | |
| hiring the pastor's wife | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: Just after his appointment our pastor asked the SPRC chair if the church would hire his wife as ... A: "QUESTIONS: (1) Is it ethical for the pastor to ask a congregation to employ his wife at his ... | |
| old law | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: I have had a Jewish person tell me that the New Covenant cannot replace the Old Covenant because the ... A: It is an interesting one. Allow me to address it from several directions. Firstly, The Old ... | |
| Sex | 8/12/2009 |
| Q: My boyfriend and I are in a committed, loving relationship. I strongly believe, with the right ... A: Since you have asked this question I must assume that you are willing to receive an honest answer, ... | |
| mormon-methodist | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I am wanting to join a local Methodist church. I have learned that a mormon baptism is not accepted ... A: Welcome to the United Methodist Church! I pray that you have found a loving and accepting church ... | |
| Love Offering for Pastor | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: We are collecting a Love Offering for our pastor at a service on Sunday. It is my understanding ... A: I'm sorry to read that there would be members of the Finance Committee who would object to a love ... | |
| wedding ceremony | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: If you are getting married in a Methodist church, is it "protocol" for the pastor of that church to ... A: It is a matter of pastoral authority as well as "good protocol" that the appointed pastor at least ... | |
| Holy Communion | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: I took communion at a Methodist Church where each person was given their own small glass to drink. ... A: The practice of partaking of the Eucharist using the small shot glasses is reflective of an old ... | |
| Methodist church | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: I was born and raised down south(NC)and now live in WA state and have two children. We are invited ... A: Ah, thank you for the clarification! Yes, there will be some significant differences between the ... | |
| ex-officio members | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: I understand that the Church Council chair and the lay leader are ex-officio members of every ... A: The Church Council Chairperson is an ex-officio member of every committee of the church except for ... | |
| Methodist church | 7/13/2009 |
| Q: I was born and raised down south(NC)and now live in WA state and have two children. We are invited ... A: I assume you were a member of the United Methodist Church in North Carolina before moving to the ... | |
| SDA to UMC | 7/12/2009 |
| Q: I was raised in a strict Seventh-Day Adventist family and my husband was raised in a Baptist family. ... A: "How does the UMC interpret the 4th commandment of resting on the 7th day of the week to observe the ... | |
| salvation video | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: My friend & I decided to make a YouTube video based on an idea I saw on the Alpha Project. Would ... A: I found the video straight forward and honest, both in terms of its sincerity and desire to make its ... | |
| Eucharist | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: what are your beliefs and how similar is it to catholic A: United Methodists are part of the catholic tradition in the Church which teaches that the Sacraments ... | |
| Serving Communion when not licensed | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: I am not yet licensed as a local pastor, but I will be serving communion this Sunday July 5th. The ... A: I understand that you are working within a difficult set of circumstances; having been appointed to ... | |
| sprinkleing | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: why do the methodist sprinkle when baptism means submersion which means to go underneath the ... A: It will be helpful to consider that Christian Baptism actually means submersion into Christ Jesus, ... | |
| Constitutional Amendment XIX (19) | 6/14/2009 |
| Q: Wouldn't this change give equal representation to those churches which are severed by Local Pastors ... A: I'm afraid that you are laboring under a severe misunderstanding of how Annual Conference Membership ... | |
| Modern Affirmation | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: Rev. Neal! I am a fellow Texan and Methodist and am leading some SS classes on the creeds found in ... A: I'm so sorry that it took so long for me to get back to you with this response, but I was busy this ... | |
| Chancel area redesign | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: What is the current Methodist thinking as it relates to the use of just a pulpit or using a pulpit ... A: Different Churches have their chancels arranged in different ways. In the 1970s and 1980s the ... | |
| Baptism and Salvation UMC and Baptist differences | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: I come from a Baptist background and am considering moving to the UMC. What are the differences in ... A: The official doctrinal position of The United Methodist Church on the sacrament of Holy Baptism can ... | |
| Child Baptism | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: According to the Bible, one has to believe in order to be baptized (Mathew 28:18-20). A child knows ... A: What Methodists say regarding the baptism of infants can be summed up in a few short sentences ... | |
| Constitutional Amendment I | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: If Constitutional Amendment I is approved will it allow for a self-avowed practicing homosexual to ... A: You've asked an interesting question; after thinking about it and inquiring with several other UM ... | |
| Constitutional Amendment I | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: If Constitutional Amendment I is approved will it allow for a self-avowed practicing homosexual to ... A: It's an interesting and natural question given the language of the change. If voted and so declared ... | |
| Church Leader accused of crime | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: A member of our church was recently indicted for money laundering in connection with his ... A: Since he has only been indicted, and has not be convicted, he should be treated as "innocent until ... | |
| Writing a declaration of intent | 4/29/2009 |
| Q: My sponsoring church has asked me to write a document explaining my call to ministry and my ... A: You are being asked to write about your calling to ministry. I cannot tell you what your calling ... | |
| angels | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: What do Methodists belive about "Angels among us?" Are angels still around, helping us in our daily ... A: There are likely to be about as many opinions on the subject of Angels as there are Methodists to ... | |
| communion | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: Can you discuss and clarify the new language regarding the "pre-consecrated" elements of communion? ... A: You ask an excellent question! What the Judicial Council did was rule that it is not proper for the ... | |
| Role of UM Pastor's wife | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: Does the Pastor's wife(UM)have any voting power or can she be on committees even if she is not a ... A: There is no position of "Pastors Wife" or "Pastor's Husband," no special or unusual authority is ... | |
| ELDER MINISTER JOB DESCRIPTION | 4/5/2009 |
| Q: Is there a formal job description for a full time minister in the United Methodist Church. If so ... A: The "job description" for an Ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church can be found in the 2008 ... | |
| Finance Question | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: Our church, like many these days, are experiencing some financial hard times. It was suggested at a ... A: It can be done, but such funds cannot be used for a purpose other than for which they were ... | |
| Discipline | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I have read numerous conflicting answeres on this site to theDoes the Lay Leader have a vote at SPRC ... A: According to the book of Discipline at Paragraph 258.2a, the composition of the SPRC is outlined. ... | |
| Communion to Homebound and the Sick | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: Can you describe how to give communion to the homebound and sick? Specifically, what to say and ... A: I'm sorry! I should have asked that question first! The Book of Worship has a wonderful short ... | |
| Communion to Homebound and the Sick | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: Can you describe how to give communion to the homebound and sick? Specifically, what to say and ... A: I presume that you are referring to the lay distribution of Communion elements which have been ... | |
| Baptism in the UMC | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: First of all, I want to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions on this web site. ... A: I also want to first welcome you back to the life and faith of the Church, and my prayer for you is ... | |
| The sacred Scriptures | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: What is your position on the infallibility of the Scriptures? A: It's a simple one, but the response will take a little bit of time, so please bear with me. As a ... | |
| appt of chair of SPRC | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: Where in the Discipline does it say that the SPRC Committee may elect its own chair instead of ... A: The Paragraph of the 2008 Discipline detailing the election of members of the Pastor-Parish (a.k.a. ... | |
| Difference in methodist beliefs | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: I was raised baptist and when i got married i ended up swithcing to church of god. I haven't been to ... A: You ask a very large question, and it will take a little while to answer. So, please bear with me. ... | |
| baptism of infants | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: What is the scriptural text use for the baptism of infants\children? A: There is very little direct scriptural support for the Baptism of Infants and young children. You ... | |
| walking in front of the altar | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: Our UMC minister just informed the lay readers and choir members that they are not allowed to walk ... A: Allow me to first answer your question directly, then provide a little bit of theological ... | |
| Chosen Peoples Ministry Rep in the Methodist Church | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: Our pastor has created much division among the Trustees of our church by offering up office space @ ... A: I must admit that I have never heard of the "Chosen Peoples Ministry" before, and after a little ... | |
| United Methodist | 1/18/2009 |
| Q: My Mother had us children attend United Methodist. But she sent my Sister and I to a Lutheran ... A: Allow me to address the differences and similarities between the UMC and the Lutheran ELCA, for I ... | |
| UCM and UCC / converting | 1/17/2009 |
| Q: 1. What are the main differences between the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ ... A: I'll address each question in turn: 1. "What are the main differences between the United Methodist ... | |
| Membership Removal | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: When can an active member be removed from the roles of a church? A: I assume this question pertains to the Discipline of the United Methodist Church? If so, there are ... | |
| World Service - Apportionments | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: According to the Book of Discipline: World Service is “the first benevolent responsibility of the ... A: Do I consider the paying of apportionments "mandatory?" The correct answer is, of course, "yes." ... | |
| methodists | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: what kind of religion is methodist? ANSWER: Methodism is a movement within Protestant ... A: I find it interesting that someone would make that claim about us ... it is manifestly untrue. I ... | |
| pulpit ministry | 1/14/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know the meaning of pulpit ministry in the Methodist church and also as to what are ... A: In my response, bellow, I am assuming that you are part of a United Methodist Church ... or of a ... | |
| methodists | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: what kind of religion is methodist? ANSWER: Methodism is a movement within Protestant ... A: "Christian" is a religion. The United Methodist Church is a Denomination of the Christian Religion ... | |
| methodists | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: what kind of religion is methodist? A: Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity. The United Methodist Church, specifically, ... | |
| Creed and Communion | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: I'm a 15 year old Catholic who has never strayed from my church or been anywhere else, but my new ... A: United Methodist Churches will tend to vary from congregation to congregation in their liturgical ... | |
| methodist conversion | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: I was born and raised in a southern baptist church. When I was married the first time I began to ... A: I really want to encourage you to speak to the pastor of the United Methodist Church where you are ... | |
| Communion | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: The "giving" of communion. Is/are laity allowed to administer communion in a worship service ... A: According to the Book of Discipline (Paragraph 340.2(b)) it is responsibility of the Ordained Elder ... | |
| Church leadership positions | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: Can you recommend some good resources for leadership roles in the United Methodist Church? What I'm ... A: There is an excellent series sold by Cokesbury entitled: "Guidelines For Leading Your Congregation." ... | |
| pulpit ministry | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: I would like to know the meaning of pulpit ministry in the Methodist church and also as to what are ... A: "Pulpit Ministry" is the ministry of preaching the Word on a regular basis during public worship ... | |
| Church Offices | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering, can one person be the treasurer and also the Church Council chairperson? Or the ... A: While it would not be common for the Church Council or Lay Leader to serve as chair of other ... | |
| Communion | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: As a lifetime Baptist I was taught that Communion was a symbolic representation of Christ's ... A: Given what you have said regarding your background I am not surprised at your questions regarding ... | |
| Nose piercing | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: I recently had my nose pierced. I am not a teenager and am in fact nearing 40, which was precisely ... A: I'm not entirely sure how I can be of help to you on this issue. While piercing isn't my "thing," ... | |
| The Duties of the Circuit Finance Committee | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: I have recently been appointed the Chairperson of the Circuit Finance Committe for our small rural ... A: I'm sorry it has taken so long to get back to you but the Advent lead-up to Christmas has been ... | |
| The Methodists | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: What makes Methodists stand out more then other Christians. Also do you expect women to wear dresses ... A: I understand your first question as relating to what is distinctive about Methodists and Methodism. ... | |
| Tod Jacobs AL. Preacher | 12/13/2008 |
| Q: Does a preacher have the right to throw a member out of church for going to a bar to watch a friend ... A: I am a disturbed by what you describe. Was this a United Methodist Church and a UM pastor? If so, ... | |
| Dad's failure | 12/12/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I are christians. We have kept our family in church, attended Sunday School and UMYF, ... A: Your express a very painful and difficult situation, and yet one that is not foreign to many people ... | |
| Sacraments | 12/12/2008 |
| Q: I have recently been ordained as a member of the Liberal catholic Apostolic Church (members of WCC). ... A: I assume you're referencing a circuit or charge of the United Methodist Church? If so, then it is ... | |
| universal redemption vs. universal salvation | 12/10/2008 |
| Q: Can you please explain the difference of universal redemption vs universal salvation in regards to ... A: You pose several interesting questions. Please allow me to address each one independently: 1. ... | |
| Wesley | 12/6/2008 |
| Q: I have told the story about Wesley's enlightenment upon reading Luther's preface to Romans. I think ... A: Wesley wrote this in a June 1766 letter to his brother, Charles Wesley. It is, indeed, a most ... | |
| teachings | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: Gregory S. Neal What is the list of the verses, of what chapters., of what books, of the Bible, ... A: I'm afraid that neither a simple nor a straight forward answer to your question is really possible ... | |
| Saints | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: Do Methodists believe in the Saints. If so, do they have a patron saint for the military? A: You question is an interesting one, thanks for asking. The United Methodist Church believes in the ... | |
| PPR committee | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: Who should make up the PPR committee? Does the Chairman of the PPR get to vote? Does the preacher ... A: The Staff/Pastor-Parish-Relations Committee is made up of nine members of the church, plus the Lay ... | |
| Finance Chairperson | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: Please explain the responsibilities of the Chairperson on Finance for the United Methodist Church. ... A: The Chairperson of Finance has, among their principle responsibilities, the coordinating and ... | |
| Lay leader Position | 11/3/2008 |
| Q: What is the job Description, what is the term of the position. What warrant's dismissal and who ... A: The Lay Leader's principle responsibility is to represent the laity of the church to the conference ... | |
| Baptist vs Methodist | 10/25/2008 |
| Q: Neal~ I am Baptist. My boyfriend grew up Methodist. I have not been attending church regularly for ... A: The fundamental difference between Baptists and Methodists boils down to a difference in conception ... | |
| Faith | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: "The righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1: 17) Does it mean 'By faith, the righteous shall ... A: In looking at the Greek original of Romans 1:17 I note that the wording is as follows (transcribed ... | |
| abstaining from alcohol and gambling | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: why doesn't the Methodist Church have stricter rules about imbibing alcoholic beverages?I have seen ... A: John, You ask an interesting question, but I'm not sure there is any real way to answer it other ... | |
| God being nongender | 10/11/2008 |
| Q: Please, what do you do with 1 John 2:1-2, or John 11:41-42- clearly Our God is our Father, and in ... A: I do not interpret the 1 John 2 and the John 11 passages as being justification for understanding ... | |
| Elders in Methodist Church | 10/7/2008 |
| Q: In his answer to another person's question, Rev. Bill Olewiler said "The Elder is the 'pastor,' the ... A: In the United Methodist Church the Office and Order of Elder is the equivalent of the Office and ... | |
| Leasing | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: Our minister and his wife recently brought a home and moved out of the church parsonage. The church ... A: To the best of my knowledge there is no problem with this, nor are there any statements in the ... | |
| Board of Trustees | 9/26/2008 |
| Q: I am the current BOT chairperson. My church is in the final stages of coplection of a new ... A: I assume your church is Incorporated? If so, then you are signing as agent for the BOT and the ... | |
| Christianity | 9/10/2008 |
| Q: Do you believe Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, etc. who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior ... A: There are many different opinions on this matter, and there is no "definitive" Methodist response. ... | |
| Tolerance of vices such as smoking and drinking alcohol | 9/8/2008 |
| Q: Rev. Neal my only experience in religion has been with the Baptist church. They are very close ... A: The official position of the United Methodist Church on the use and misuse of Alcohol and Tobacco, ... | |
| Wesley as a Classical Arminian | 9/3/2008 |
| Q: Where did Wesley get his arminian theology from at oxford? A: It's a good one, but one I hadn't thought about before and had to do a little reading to find the ... | |
| Blocking the view of the Santuary Cross | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: Some members of our United Methodist Church are torn over whether or not it is or is not okay to ... A: I am not aware of any regulations within the Book of Discipline which would restrict the hanging of ... | |
| Denomination of Protestants | 9/1/2008 |
| Q: Why Protestant have so much so denominations? like Catholic and Orthodox have no sub denominations ... A: You ask a good question. Firstly, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Communions ... | |
| a few questions | 8/29/2008 |
| Q: Sir, I am in Iraq and to pass time decided to take a world religion class. I have to write a paper ... A: May God bless and keep you in your service. I also hope your studies go well. The "central myth" ... | |
| God command of killing | 8/25/2008 |
| Q: An Atheist asked me if your God Jesus is love and love us then why He command Saul to killed every ... A: While God is depicted as giving these directions, I believe that they are far more reflective of the ... | |
| communion | 8/25/2008 |
| Q: My pastor has 3 churches. Recently she was in between churches and received a phone call that her ... A: You were correct. Within the United Methodist Church a Certified Lay Speaker is not authorized to ... | |
| Throne and Lamb | 8/21/2008 |
| Q: according to Methodists Who is sit on the Throne in Revelation 4:10 and who is the lamb in ... A: I don't believe there is any definitive "Methodist" answer to these questions. However, I can give ... | |
| Trinity and Jews | 8/11/2008 |
| Q: Does Jews also believes in trinity ? What about Adam , Cain , Noah, Abraham, Isac , Jacob , David ... A: Those of the Jewish faith do not believe in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. That is Christian ... | |
| Gay Marriages | 8/9/2008 |
| Q: Methodist allow gay marriages? how many percentage of Pastors support gay marriages and are gays ? ... A: Many clergy do disagree with the Church's position on Homosexuality and Gay-Marriage. The fact that ... | |
| Baptism | 8/9/2008 |
| Q: Neal- I had an additional question(s) I was hoping you could answer, regarding baptism. My first ... A: The prevenient grace that an unbaptized believer has received is not really any different than the ... | |
| Gay Marriages | 8/8/2008 |
| Q: Methodist allow gay marriages? how many percentage of Pastors support gay marriages and are gays ? A: The United Methodist Church does not allow Gay Marriages to be performed in our churches, nor are ... | |
| Baptism | 8/7/2008 |
| Q: Neal- I had an additional question(s) I was hoping you could answer, regarding baptism. My first ... A: You ask two good ones. I'll attempt to address both at the same time. Baptism, as a sacrament, is ... | |
| incense burning | 8/7/2008 |
| Q: i was baptized and grew up as a Methodist. I still attend church at my local Methodist church. Over ... A: I find your question interesting because I, myself, have used incense not only in my own prayer life ... | |
| Nominations Committee | 8/6/2008 |
| Q: I am staff Parish Chair at a UMC in North Carolina. I have had a member complain to me about our ... A: To the best of my knowledge, there are no Disciplinary regulations that would restrict a pastor from ... | |
| Church Weddings | 8/5/2008 |
| Q: Does the UMC Book of Discipline allow others of like faith to perform the wedding ceremony in the ... A: I assume you're asking about people and clergy of other Christian denominations wishing to use UMC ... | |
| Age of Mary | 8/1/2008 |
| Q: What is the age of Mary when she gave birth of Christ ? A: We really can't say for certain, however it is likely to assume that, given the conditions described ... | |
| Having more than 1 wife | 8/1/2008 |
| Q: Why don't God send His wrath on Abraham , Jacob , Moses and David , because they have multiple ... A: You ask an interesting question. While I'm not sure as to the intention behind your question, a few ... | |
| Means of grace | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: Some people includethe sacraments as part of the "Means of Grace Wesley seems to also. What is the ... A: The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion are the two principles means of grace for John Wesley's ... | |
| babptims | 6/25/2008 |
| Q: My name is Ashley. I've been looking around for a church, and the Methodist church interests me very ... A: I'll do my best to address both of your questions. Firstly, while I respect your belief that ... | |
| women pastors | 6/20/2008 |
| Q: What does the bible say about women being in a position to lead a a church of any religon. If Jesus ... A: According to: Matthew 28 Mark 16 Luke 24 John 20 The first evangelists -- the first preachers and ... | |
| concerts a sin? | 6/18/2008 |
| Q: My old college buddy recently asked me to attend a concert with her. I want to go bc it sounds fun ... A: Dea Kia, I don't believe that concerts are inherently sinful. Things can happen at concerts, etc., ... | |
| your website is......... | 6/9/2008 |
| Q: absolutely useless, why dont you make it more catholic friendly? also i would like to add i learnt ... A: I'm very sorry you feel this way, but I respect your right to feel and believe however you wish. ... | |
| Is god a male or female or niether | 5/31/2008 |
| Q: Is God a male or female or niether? My methodist mother in law and myself disagree on this and I was ... A: You ask an interesting question, one that has left me thinking about it, off and on, for a few days. ... | |
| 10% | 5/28/2008 |
| Q: What are your views on tithing? Erik A: Allow me to take a little while to lay out my response to your question. Some Christians will ... | |
| Baptism | 5/24/2008 |
| Q: My brother and I were baptism in 2004 along with 3 of our kids. We were baptism in a lake. Are ... A: Okay ... well ... you're on the Baptized Members Roll for sure. However, to go on the professed ... | |
| Baptism | 5/24/2008 |
| Q: My brother and I were baptism in 2004 along with 3 of our kids. We were baptism in a lake. Are ... A: I suppose I'm going to need a little more information to answer your question. Firstly, you say you ... | |
| Profit from the gospel | 5/13/2008 |
| Q: I have been a christian all my life, a methodist all my life, and a youth worker and Sunday School ... A: There are several factors to consider when publishing Bible Lessons for use in Churches. Scripture ... | |
| SPPRC/PPRC | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: What is the role of the Pastor in the SPPRC? I was told it was as an "ex officio" member. There to ... A: The Staff Parish Relations Committee (or Pastor Parish Relations Committee) does not have the ... | |
| Baptism | 5/7/2008 |
| Q: What is the position of the UMC in regards to baptism being required for salvation? ANSWER: The ... A: I'll try to answer the best I can: 1. The "mark" of baptism is the "outward and visible sign of ... | |
| Baptism | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: What is the position of the UMC in regards to baptism being required for salvation? A: The official doctrinal position of The United Methodist Church on the sacrament of Holy Baptism can ... | |
| Confession | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: I've been told that Methodist only confess sin directly to God. "Q: Why do Catholics confess their ... A: This is not a real question here ... your principle purpose was to make a point, and you made it. ... | |
| Coptic Orthodox religion | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: Can you explain the differences in the Coptic Orthodox Church and the United Methodist? What ... A: United Methodists and Coptic Christians have many different practices, as Christians, as well as ... | |
| Methodist vs Catholic | 4/21/2008 |
| Q: Gregory, I was born and raised a Catholic and my mom doesn't like when I attend service at any ... A: You ask an interesting question. Before I proffer a response, I would really like to make a few ... | |
| Marriage | 4/17/2008 |
| Q: Does either party have to be baptized Methodist to be married in the Methodist church? A: I'm sorry for the delay in responding to your question. The short answer to your question is no ... ... | |
| Hello | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: My question is can the pastor get someone to give his sermon on a Sunday without asking the ppr for ... A: The shortest and most direct answer to your question is "yes." The duly appointed pastor of a ... | |
| Methodists and Weekly Eucharist | 4/11/2008 |
| Q: I grew up in the Roman Catholic church and would like to know why Methodists don't have communion ... A: The reason why many United Methodist Churches do not receive Communion more frequently than once a ... | |
| i need to know | 4/8/2008 |
| Q: I was raised Baptist. But recently have joined a United Methodist church. Why do the Methodist not ... A: I'm not sure if I understand your question. Are you asking why Methodists don't baptize? If this ... | |
| eucharist (follow-up) | 3/3/2008 |
| Q: Rev. Neal- Thank you so much for your thoughtful and knowledgable answer; this matter has forced me ... A: You ask an excellent question regarding the use of Grape Juice rather than fermented, full-fledged ... | |
| eucharist | 1/21/2008 |
| Q: - Thanks for fielding this question. Could you tell me, in general terms, any i) perceivable, and ... A: I appreciate your question on the Eucharist. I assume you mean, in your question, the differences ... | |
| Difference of various Lutherans | 1/14/2008 |
| Q: Neal, My husband was raised Catholic, and I was raised Methodist. We recently moved to a new area, ... A: Depending upon the Synod and a few other factors, Lutherans will trend "higher" church and, hence, ... | |
| Heavenly Form? | 1/3/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I are members of a Methodist church in Atlanta Georgia. As part of our Sunday School ... A: Your question is not unlike that posed to Paul (and to which he was responding in 1 Corinthians ... | |
| 25 with a curfew | 12/31/2007 |
| Q: My name is KT i am a 25 yr old senior in college. While i am away at college i make my own decsions ... A: I understand the dilemma. If you cannot get her to let-up, and you cannot afford to move out at ... | |
| 25 with a curfew | 12/30/2007 |
| Q: My name is KT i am a 25 yr old senior in college. While i am away at college i make my own decsions ... A: I understand your frustration, but I also understand your mother's concern. She has had events in ... | |
| Mary and the Virgin Birth | 12/24/2007 |
| Q: Do Methodists believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? Last Sunday in church my pastor (a Baptist) ... A: The Virgin Birth of Jesus is a hot-button issue for many people and for many different reasons. ... | |
| evolution | 12/22/2007 |
| Q: I was investigating the UMC's position on the theory of evolution and ran across an article to a ... A: I am not sure that you pose any specific question; rather, you appear to be making a statement of ... | |
| communion | 12/13/2007 |
| Q: can you describe communion to me? A: A description of the Sacrament of Holy Communion could be made from several directions, and I'm not ... | |
| fellowship | 12/10/2007 |
| Q: Do Methodists believe that people should not be accepted into full fellowship in the church until at ... A: I'm sorry about the delay in response; it's been a tough several days (funerals and such). While ... | |
| Methodist's beliefs | 12/2/2007 |
| Q: My neighbor, who is Jewish, claims that the Methodist Church is opposed to Jewish beliefs and ... A: I'm very sorry that your Jewish neighbor believes this, for it is very far from my understanding of ... | |
| Difference Between Methodists and Baptists | 11/24/2007 |
| Q: Can you explain, as concisely as possible, the one most-critical difference between Methodists and ... A: While any answer to this question will necessarily depend upon two generalizations (one for Baptists ... | |
| Rules governing church committee elections | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: Concerning the election of persons to positions on committess in the church, such as the board of ... A: This is a very interesting question - it is not one I've ever heard before. To the best of my ... | |
| Methodist pastors | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: I am working with our city's homeless/jobless. This weekend I am sponsoring Zach so he can attend a ... A: The Great Banquet Experience is very similar to what I am familiar with in the Walk To Emmaus. As ... | |
| Emmaus | 9/23/2007 |
| Q: Do you know anything about Emmaus, and is it a cult? A: David, The Emmaus movement is not a cult, it is a spiritual renewal retreat designed to develop a ... | |
| Methodist beliefs and science | 7/2/2005 |
| Q: I would like to know where the United Methodist church stands on the issue of evolution, ... A: As far as I am aware the UMC has no official stand on the issue of evolution -- neither in the Book ... | |
| Wedding Reading and Prayer | 5/31/2005 |
| Q: I am getting married in August and ould like to have my mother do a reading as part of the ceremony. ... A: I'm sorry this took so long ... I've been away at Annual Conference for the past week. ... | |
| Formally Dressing A Bishop | 5/28/2005 |
| Q: God Speed,Rev. Neal: would you help me with detailing the ceremony procedure for dedicating ... A: I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what it is you're looking for. In the United Methodist Church there are ... | |
| Tithing | 5/23/2005 |
| Q: Are Methodists required to tithe, i.e. giving 10% of income to the Church? What is the Methodist ... A: Tithing is an excellent spiritual exercise for any and all Christians, not just Methodist. It ... | |
| PPR committee | 5/14/2005 |
| Q: Is it against the discipline rules for a member of this committee to ask members of the congregation ... A: I'm sorry for the delay in responding to your question. It is not against any Disciplinary rules of ... | |
| biblical inquiry | 5/10/2005 |
| Q: Greetings in Jesus' name! I have a single male friend who met a lady in the internet; the girl is ... A: I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you with a reply, I was away leading a men's ... | |
| Lesbian Minister | 5/1/2005 |
| Q: Rev. Neal, Thank you for answering my last question. I greatly appreciate it. If you do not mind, I ... A: "Will the demand for homosexual clergy and blessings of homosexual marriages from the MANY MANY ... | |
| Lesbian Minister | 4/29/2005 |
| Q: With the overturning of the former conviction and defrockment of Beth Stroud, do you think that the ... A: No. The Book of Discipline is exceedingly clear on the subject of the blessing of homosexual unions ... | |
| Methodists and the Pope | 4/28/2005 |
| Q: What do United Methodists think about the Pope? A: I'm not sure as to the specificity of your question. Are you asking about the Office of the Pope in ... | |
| Heaven | 4/13/2005 |
| Q: Will we know each other when we get to heaven? Also will we recognize our parents and children? A: There are many opinions on this issue, but there isn't much Scripture to indicate one way or the ... | |
| inquiries to formal docterine | 4/7/2005 |
| Q: rev.neal I am curious as to what the methodist church has adopted comparitivly as a form of self ... A: The Methodist movement began as a religious revival in the Church of England geared toward improving ... | |
| What happens to other denominations? | 3/25/2005 |
| Q: I've always been taught that God is a loving God. Every week it's also repeated that believing and ... A: I'm sorry about the delay in responding to your question -- Holy Week and Easter were busy. God ... | |
| Methodist Church and the Bible | 3/24/2005 |
| Q: What does the Methodist Church teach about the Bible? A: Methodists believe that the Scriptures function in an indespinsible fundamental way as a Means of ... | |
| Arminian Doctrine | 3/21/2005 |
| Q: What is the current acceptance of Arminian Doctrine in the United Methodist Church? What are the ... A: 1) What is the current acceptance of Arminian Doctrine in the United Methodist Church? ... | |
| the bible | 3/16/2005 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me which book(s) deal with the war in Heaven? Thank you. A: Revelations 12:7-9 mentions, in passing, war in heaven: "And war broke out in heaven; Michael and ... | |
| non-verbal communication | 3/15/2005 |
| Q: i am a student of English from Poland.I am writing my thesis on the use of non-verbal communication ... A: Among Protestants the verbal, physical, and visual symbols will vary greatly, however among ... | |
| direction of Methodist church | 3/14/2005 |
| Q: Neal! My question is actually a great concern. We have attended Methodist Churches for many years. ... A: I'm not sure how to answer your question, or even if I can. Frankly, my own experience has been ... | |
| origins of Methodist doctrin and it's foundation | 3/5/2005 |
| Q: Each of the Christian denominations has brought forth an aspect of the fullness of the word of God, ... A: Methodism developed within the Church of England in the 1700s during a period of time when ... | |
| Methodist and the Nazarenes | 2/27/2005 |
| Q: I went to a local Nazarene church and was told that they branched off from the Methodist church, ... A: The Nazarenes broke off from the Methodist Episcopal Church in the late 1800s over disputes relative ... | |
| Forgiveness | 2/17/2005 |
| Q: First, I want you to know that I am a Christian and I love my wife very, very much! My question ... A: Ron, your question is a simple one. You want to know if God can forgive you for your unfaithfulness ... | |
| Lent question | 2/13/2005 |
| Q: We're needing some insight here as a family. We gave up pizza for lent as a whole. However, could ... A: Lent is comprised of the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, not inclusive of Sundays. ... | |
| What is the Methodist Religion? | 2/12/2005 |
| Q: I know it is christianity; but what is the deference between this religion and babtist, catholics, ... A: In terms of "Religion," Methodists are, indeed, Christians ... the same as Baptists, Episcopalians, ... | |
| Annulment | 1/26/2005 |
| Q: Can a couple who have been married for 32 years obtain an annulment if the wife withheld herself ... A: I assume the man and the woman in question are Methodists? In the United Methodist Church we do not ... | |
| President Bush's Inauguation | 1/23/2005 |
| Q: Neal, The ending prayer given by the Minister at the inauguration struck me as very worthwhile. I ... A: The Minister you are looking for is the Reverend Kirbyjon H. Caldwell. He serves as the Senior ... | |
| The nature of Sin | 1/20/2005 |
| Q: I am currently working on a personal project about the nature of Sin. I am the artist and co-author ... A: In its most fundamental nature, sin is "missing the mark" of God's will, perfection, and expectation ... | |
| Crown / rewards in heaven | 1/17/2005 |
| Q: Our church is doing the Disciple 1 Bible study and this question came up last night at the end of ... A: This qualifies as a "homework" question, which means that I am reticent to offer outright answers ... | |
Methodists
Rev. Gregory S. Neal
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions dealing with all issues of United Methodist Doctrine and Wesleyan-Arminian Theology. In particular I can answer questions dealing with the Sacraments and other liturgical and worship-oriented questions. I can also answer questions dealing with the form, structure, and organization of the United Methodist Church and our relationship with other denominations.
Experience
I am an ordained United Methodist Elder with more than 20 years of ministerial service experience in the local Church.
Organizations
I am a Clergy Member in Full Connection and have been a member of the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church since 1991. I am a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the American Academy of Religion. I am also a member of the Emmaus Community, and am currently serving as Senior Spiritual Director for the Dallas Emmaus Community. I am a member of the Order of Saint Luke in the United Methodist Church.
Publications
I have my own website: www.RevNeal.org. I have written two books, "Grace Upon Grace" and "Seeking the Shepherd's Arms," both available at Amazon.com and in bookstores.
Education/Credentials
I have a BA in Religious Studies, History and Russian. I have an M.Div in Systematic Theology and Biblical Studies and a Ph.D in Sacramental Theology and New Testament.
Awards and Honors
Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church
Fellow of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist
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