Revitalize Your Church

 I made an error when I listed my ordination succession a few weeks ago.  I was ordained by Earle Wilson and he was ordained by William Neff. I had thought that Neff was ordained by early Pilgrim leader, Seth Rees, but upon further investigation, he was actually ordained by Winfred Cox.  Thus, my ordination line takes a fortunate turn. It was a struggle reconciling Rees anyway.  I had taken a leap saying that he was ordained by the Nazarenes -- when, in fact, he was originally "recorded" (not ordained) by the Quakers, and the Nazarenes claim they never ordained him.  I find that hard to believe -- especially when, according to historian, Kostlevy, he participated in ordinations for the Metropolitan Church Association, a forerunner of the Pilgrim Holiness Church. Anyhow -- deepest apologies for leading anyone astray and here is the updated ordination succession for Earle Wilson and anyone ordained by him (including former Wesleyan GS, JoAnne Lyon). I was ordained...

  When Wesleyan General Superintendent, Wayne Schmidt, officiates ordination services, he is continuing a long, historic line of ministerial calling/leadership as the mantle is passed to the next generation. Wayne Schmidt was ordained by O. D. Emery (Wesleyan Church) O. D. Emery ordained by Louis Willard Sturk (Pilgrim Holiness). Louis Willard (L. W.) Sturk ordained by George B. Kulp  (Pilgrim Holiness) George Kulp was ordained by Stephen Merrill (Methodist Episcopal) Stephen Merrill was ordained by Thomas Asbury Morris (Methodist Episcopal) Thomas Asbury Morris was ordained by Robert Richford Roberts (Methodist Episcopal) Robert Richford Roberts was ordained by the renowned circuit riding evangelist, Francis Asbury (Methodist) Francis Asbury was ordained by Thomas Coke (Methodist) Thomas Coke was ordained by  a renegade priest named John Wesley (Anglican) John Wesley was ordained by John Potter, Bishop of Oxford (Anglican). From Potter -- there's a trail all the way back...

JoAnne Lyon and I share the same Wesleyan line of ordination succession. I was ordained by Earle Wilson in 1987 in the Pacific Southwest District. Earle Wilson was ordained by William Neff (Pilgrim Holiness) William Neff was ordained by Winfred (W. R.) Cox (Pilgrim Holiness) Winfred (W. R. Cox) was ordained by George Kulp (International Apostolic Holiness Church) George Kulp was ordained by Stephen Merrill (Methodist Episcopal) Stephen Merrill was ordained by Thomas Asbury Morris (Methodist Episcopal) Thomas Asbury Morris was ordained by Robert Richford Roberts (Methodist Episcopal) Robert Richford Roberts was ordained by Francis Asbury (Methodist) Francis Asbury was ordained by Thomas Coke (Methodist) Thomas Coke was ordained by John Wesley (Anglican) John Wesley was ordained by Anglican Bishop (of Oxford) John Potter. From Potter -- there's a trail all the way back to St. Peter!  ( You can see the Anglican list here. ) (Potter is #163) And the Word marches on -- proclaimed from o...

 

  Matthew 7 stands against a censorious Christianity. "Judge not that ye be not judged" Mattew 13 stands against a coercive Christianity. "Let both wheat and tares grow together until the harvest." Matthew 18 standS FOR a conscientious Christianity. "If your brother sins against you. . ." ensuring that the church of Matthew 7's and 13's accomodation does not wink at sin. Matthew 7 & 13 keep the church from being puritanical, while Matthew 18 keeps the church from being epicurean. -- Reggie Kidd quoting Emil Brunner .

  "Something greater than the temple is here." -- Matt. 12:6 "Something greater than Jonah is here." -- Matt. 12:41 "Something greater than Solomon is here." -- Matt. 12:42 Here, Jesus claims that. . . He is the place where people meet God -- the center of sacrifice and worship He is the point of the Old Testament prophets and the fulfillment of their prophecies. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is saying that he is . . . Greater than your worship tradition (your preference) Greater than your political stance (your perspective) Greater than your leadership skill (your performance)