You have no idea how much I want to keep that last post as the top post on this site. It almost made me spit out a glass of water - Hollywood style!

I have been wondering why I want Methodism to survive. I mean, honestly - as long as it's "kingdom building" I should support it wholeheartedly, right? One of the best things about the United Methodist church is that I can go to any UMC in the country and I will get (more or less) the same message. At a liberal church they might refer to Our Mother/Father/Parent God/Godess ... at a conservative church they might refer to AIDS as the "cure" for homosexuality. (Sadly enough I have experienced the second, my youth pastor :-( sadly enough.) But, when you get right down to the important stuff - the stuff that changes lives - it's always there. A gay AIDS patient can experience the saving grace of our Mother/Father/Parent God in any of our churches. I believe that with all of my heart. That's why I can proudly proclaim methodism even though it's fashionable to say claim a disdain for denominations.

Too many people make a big deal over refusing the idea of denominations. Sure, I think we should work together to build the kingdom, but I also like some level of consistancy. It's too easy to twist the words of God. Too many cults exist that feed off the notion that denominations are bad. Non-denominational is now an official denomination. I like having a clear set of doctrines that I can use for guidance when I'm not sure what the Bible says. It drives my friends crazy when I quote the UM book of discipline. It drives me equally crazy when they quote some guy's opinion as Gospel just because he gets paid to think about Jesus.

That's right. I'm a denominationalist. I like it.