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?Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.?

Isaiah 43:19


Dear friends & ministry partners,


When writing a new ministry update, I search to find a unique Scripture for the banner area ? one that describes or connects in some way the key ideas in a particular update. However, the Scripture in our last newsletter seemed just right to reprise in this update, as God is most certainly doing a new thing through the Global Methodist Church. 


Greetings from Costa Rica! As most of you know, in addition to managing Love & Truth Network, I also direct a ministry for the Methodist Church called Transforming Congregations. I am currently in the midst of exhibiting Transforming Congregations for 8-days at The Global Methodist Church Convening General Conference.

 

I am witnessing the joy of freedom and fellowship with like-minded believers among the delegates and attendees at this convening conference. In past years, I?ve had opportunity to participate in two UMC general conferences ? one in 2016, as well as the specially-called conference on human sexuality in 2019.


What a difference this conference has been compared to other experiences with some in the UMC. The sweet spirit of love and grace rooted in the essentials of God?s Word permeating throughout this environment is a breath of fresh spiritual air. No long, agonizing debates argued over legislation or obvious faithful theological perspectives. No confusing, deceptive amendments proposed to shift the church away from Orthodoxy toward unbiblical views of human sexuality and identity.


I am also grateful for the many faithful pastors, leaders, and bishops (like Bishop Mark Webb & Rev. Keith Boyette) who have served for years, even decades, within The United Methodist Church and have joined the new, Orthodox movement of The Global Methodist Church.


Bishop Mark Webb Rev. Keith Boyette New South African Friends


We aren?t even halfway through the GMC conference, yet I have had so many incredible conversations with pastors and leaders who recognize the need for themselves, their teams, and local area churches to be equipped on these important and challenging issues of sexuality and identity.


It's impossible not to recognize this need for equipping churches in the United States (leaders from outside the U.S. expressed grief that many American churches have embraced so much LGBTQ confusion and compromise), but at this global conference there are many leaders walking up to our table from all over the world. They recognize their need as well. Many have engaged in lengthy conversations with me are from places like Costa Rica, South Africa, Congo, the Philippines, Uganda, Ethiopia, as well as many States within the U.S. I have been asked to provide virtual training for their teams as well as invitations to visit their countries to equip in person. We?ll begin with online opportunities and see what God may want to open up.


While technology can be really frustrating sometimes (many of us know the fatigue of far too many Zoom meetings), I am so grateful when technology makes a way for worldwide connection and opportunity for training in ministry.


Teaching Corner

The Ministry of Listening

While in Costa Rica, my regular reading of Proverbs brought me to chapter 22: ?Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge? (Proverbs 22:17). I have read this chapter many times. Other sections and phrases have stood out as meaningful, as indicated by my highlighting. But on this day, it was, ?Incline your ear and hear,? that stopped me in my reading. I read the words again, meditating on their meaning, turning them over in my mind and heart.


This is one of the profound and beautiful things about the Scriptures ? approaching the Word of God as authoritative, alive, and active (Hebrews 4:12). Something that seems fairly incidental during one reading can have profound meaning in another.


Just lingering over the idea of inclining my ear and really listening for wisdom and knowledge flooded my mind with other passages and stories of Scripture like, ?But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves? (James 1:22). There?s a world of difference between hearing and truly leaning in to listen? the kind of listening that produces change and action. The posture of the latter is one of seeking understanding ? straining to be sure that nothing is missed in the instructions, and then putting feet to that instruction and taking action.


I was also reminded of Jeremiah chapters 42 & 43 ? Johanan, the commanders, and all the people both small and great approached Jeremiah, ?that the LORD your God may tell us the way in which we should walk and the thing that we should do... whether it is pleasant or unpleasant we will listen to the voice of the LORD our God? (Jeremiah 42:3-6). When Jeremiah heard from the LORD, he called everyone together to tell them His instructions for their safety and prosperity. But it turns out it wasn?t what they wanted to hear, and all the promises they made about obeying His voice regardless of what He told them were just empty words. They rebelled, called Jeremiah a liar, and did exactly what God said would lead them to death and destruction.


There?s a meme making its way around the internet that says, ?It is pretty hard to hear the voice of God when you have already determined what you want the answer to be.? There are innumerable ways in which even Christians can get caught up in hearing without really listening. We can become tone-deaf to the still/small voice of the Holy Spirit and even the clarity of Scripture when our desires conflict with God?s commands and teaching.


Many have embraced and justified a host of sins ? bitterness and unforgiveness toward others can be a pretty common practice within Christian circles, usually hidden from clear view until it can no longer be contained or kept in the dark. Far too many divorces are taking place in the Body of Christ ? people bent on pursuing their own immediate fleshly desires at the expense of their vows, their spouse, and their children?s needs. Many have confused God?s clear and straightforward design of one man and one woman (one created for the other within the covenant relationship of marriage) for the disordered desires and longings for same-sex unions regardless of God?s condemnation of the behavior.


There is great societal confusion over human identity and the possibility for a man to become a woman or a woman becoming a man, or the idea that it?s a fine thing to embrace the identity of an animal ? because someone says they feel that?s their true identity. Where does it end? We haven?t yet witnessed the answer to that frightening question. Another question? Where did it begin? It may seem simplistic, but the origin of our confusion and foolishness is undoubtedly rooted in the biblical concept of hearing in a vague, general way vs. truly listening ? ignoring the clarity of the Scriptures rather than inclining our ear and leaning in to what they are speaking to us, and then molding our lives to those truths. We are in desperate need of revival.


I thought of why the Global Methodist Church was formed, as well as the many other faithful churches and denominations that have not bowed their knee to the pressure of the world and false religious systems that promote their own desires above the clear teachings of God?s Word. In my time of contemplating Proverbs 22:17, I thought of how deeply those who are coming into the GMC movement have a heart to truly hear the voice and instruction of the LORD, bringing themselves into alignment with His ways and purposes, rather than their fleshly inclinations. The joy of fellowship and Kingdom labor with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ is a beautiful thing to witness and participate in. God is so good to invite each of His sons and daughters into this rich experience of His eternal family and meaningful Kingdom service.


Looking to the Future

From the many connections made at just this one global conference, the training and ministry needs that lie before us are enormous, and these are just the ?tip of the iceberg? ? far more than we can accomplish with our current staff and bandwidth. In light of these limitations, I am excited to watch what God is going to do and who He is going to link us with for increased prayer covering, financial support, and some who will join us in our day-to-day work and ministry. Just today, a woman asked me if we have experienced spiritual attack and resistance because of our specific ministry. Of course, we have experienced the hatred of the enemy of our soul against the good and wholesome witness we?ve been called to openly share. But we also sense a far greater power at work through the prayer support and covering of faithful ones who are warring on our behalf. God has been so gracious and abundant in favor.


?The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest? (Luke 10:2). The fields truly are ripe for harvest, and we are praying that the Lord of the harvest to bring more laborers who link arms with us to share the load and the joys of ministering together. Will you join us in this prayer? Will you be a part of that answer?


Even as the GMC has only recently launched, we are already hearing about those who embrace sexual minority status and LGBTQ+ identity (often referred to as ?celibate gay Christianity? or ?Side-B?) promoting this unbiblical perspective to some within churches who are still maintaining a biblical sexual ethic. This is not a faithful message of love or compassion, though it tries to present itself that way, and can easily be misunderstood as such. Rather, it is a message of confusion, while unwittingly embracing a low view of the redemptive power of Christ to touch every aspect of a person?s life ? especially sexuality and one?s sense of identity. Of course, we understand that temptations may persist, but it is not actually loving to affirm behavior and identity that are rooted in sinful practice and desires that are contrary to God?s design for human thriving, regardless of what secular society or progressive Christianity may tell us. 


Our heart is to effectively counter a false worldly message of pro-LGBTQ+ lifestyle and behavior, as well as confused progressive-Christian views regarding pro-LGBTQ+ identity, leading to genuine freedom and joy. Love & Truth Network has communicated life, hope, and the power of transformation for decades, but truly making positive and expansive impact throughout denominations requires that our channels of communication are multiplied. We also need more voices aligned with love and biblical perspectives to equip pastors, Christian leaders, laity, and local congregations.


How You Can Partner With Us


 


 


 

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You can mail checks directly to:


Love & Truth Network

4410 W. Union Hills Dr

Suite 7, Box 283

Glendale, AZ 85308


I would be happy to have a conversation with anyone who might have questions or need further clarification on the future of Transforming Congregations. Please feel free to reach out to me at: gingraham@loveandtruthnetwork.com


Thank you for partnering together with us for these incredible purposes!


Your fellow-laborer,


Garry Ingraham

Love & Truth Network

4410 W. Union Hills Dr. Ste 7, #283

Glendale, AZ 85308

Office Phone: (480) 548-0592