A Pastoral Statement to the UMC in the Philippines

THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Philippines Central Conference
College of Bishops
UMC Headquarters, 900 U.N. Avenue
Ermita, Manila, 1000 Philippines


A Pastoral Statement

To : The UMC Community in the Philippines
From : The College of Bishops
Date : May 16, 2011

There are some recent developments in our church about which we want to inform you and to suggest to you how we might regard and handle them.

First, on May 7, 2011, some members and pastors of our church have decided to withdraw officially their membership in The United Methodist Church and organize themselves into a separate church which they name “The Philippines Methodist Church”. This was done in Carmen United Methodist Church in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija and was attended by some 200 people – lay and pastors and Bishop Lito Tangonan.

This is a sad event in the history of our church. This is the third time that there is schism in the Methodist community in the Philippines. We deeply wish that it should never have happened.

However, for whatever reasons these people are formally breaking membership relation with us, we must acknowledge that they have the right to do so. Membership in our church is voluntary, and withdrawal of that membership is equally voluntary. Such a choice is an expression of the right to religious freedom.

Should they wish to restore their membership with us later on, we must welcome them.

Second, it appears that these people have proclaimed officially that the first bishop of their schismatically organized group is Bishop Lito Tangonan. By all indications in terms of his participation in the preparation of the Carmen event, the proclamation of the schismatic group, and the structuring of the schismatic church, Bishop Tangonan appears to have accepted this offer. Given his active participation in establishing the schismatic group, he could not deny the offer, and he did not. The only reasonable conclusion is that he now heads the schismatic church. This means that Bishop Tangonan has renounced his membership in the United Methodist Church, has vacated the office of Bishop of the United Methodist Church, and terminated his membership in both the College of Bishops of the Philippines Central Conference and the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church.

This is also a very sad event in the history of our church. We regret it very deeply.

However, Bishop Tangonan has the right to make this choice. We must respect both the right and the choice in which it was exercised.

It is only proper that in our respect of his right and of his choice, we shall no longer, from hereon, regard Bishop Tangonan as a bonafide member of our church and a bishop in our church.

Thirdly, the pastors and district superintendents who have joined in organizing the “Philippines Methodist Church” in exercise of their right and by the choice they have made are to be treated officially as having formally terminated their membership and ministry in The United Methodist Church.

The restoration of their membership and ministry – while welcome – may, however, depend on some conditions being met in accordance with the Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

Fourthly, the organizing of the Philippines Methodist Church as a schismatic group may entail questions of claims to properties. These questions may become legal issues that may entail court litigation and action. We shall do our best in protecting the interests and properties of The United Methodist Church.

Fifthly, we have no information that whole local churches or congregations are withdrawing from being a part of The United Methodist Church connection.

It may be that only members of local churches are seceding, not whole local churches. If this is the case, then the local church from which some of its members are withdrawing their membership remains and continues to be a local church of the entire UMC connection. Moreover, local churches are parts of annual conferences which are legally incorporated. And so their legal status is unimpaired by some of their members terminating their membership. If a whole local church and its entire membership decide to terminate their connectional and incorporate status, this may require an action of approval by the annual conference of which it is a member.


Finally, if a local church or some local churches decide to terminate their connectional and corporate status and the annual conference agrees, that does not impair the connectional and corporate status of the annual conference concerned. It retains legal authority over its properties, since properties of local churches are held in trust of The United Methodist Church – and are therefore connectionally held – and at the same time held corporately by the annual conference.

In conclusion, schism in the church is always a sad and troublesome affair. They have immediate and long-term consequences. In view of this, let us not make the situation become any worse than it is. Let us refrain from hurting words and harmful deeds. Let us act in good faith always speaking the truth in love. And with every opportunity that comes, let us together work toward preserving and promoting the unity of the church.

God bless you all!

(Sgd.) Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan (Sgd.) Bishop Leo A. Soriano

(Sgd.) Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil (Sgd.) Bishop Jose A. Gamboa, Jr.

(Sgd.) Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, Jr. (Sgd.) Bishop Benjamin A. Justo

The United

I have been a silent observer for the longest time that the UMC church tries to settle its issues within. But all along, I know that many of the people in the church are sad about what is happening. I am one of them.

I was standing beside my dying patient in the Emergency Room last night.I cannot help but reflect about the UMC in the Philippines. Sometimes, a sick person has to die. When the disease has so spread and affected the body, medicine can only do so much. Sometimes, we don't have to prolong the agony that will not bring any benefit to the person. I wonder if the wound that has so divided the United church that i know, can still be healed? Or is the "United" part of the name of the church just like my dying patient. Where no more hope of human effort to cure is possible? Should then the United then be divided? Sometimes, the dying needs to die. Sometimes when the United can no longer be united, they divide. Sad but true.

Birthday

I'll be off the calendar after today. That is the common joke. But God is gracious to get me past the numbers in the calendar. I look back and could not think of anything extra ordinary that I made to make myself special. Then somebody reminded me that it is not myself who should make myself special when my daughter said, "Dad, you are special." It is the people around me who believes I am special that makes me special.
God loves each one of us and that makes each one of us special. So I do not have to worry about making my day special today. The people around me did it and will do it. Their presence and the thoughtfulness already makes me feel special. Thanks for all the blessings. God is good.

Three Kings

“The Gift of the Magi” to the Hospital People
Three Kings is the also the celebration of Epiphany, a moment for us to recognize the appearance or manifestation of God. After Christmas, when the Messiah came to this world, have we – as hospital people – come to recognize that God appeared before us in the flesh?
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
Key Verse: “they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage” (v.11)
Focus of the Lesson:
Let us do away with the trivialities of the story of the three kings or wise men. Instead, from the scripture, let us receive the gifts brought by the Wise Men not only for the baby Jesus but also for us. First is the recognition that God has come to us in this world. Second, the commitment of the wise men to go to Jesus, not to ask for anything, but only to give honor. Third, their desire to give something special to Jesus.
Goals in study:
1. To learn from the attitude of the wise men
2. To recognize the presence of God in this present world
3. To intentionally see the imago dei in others

Introduction:
Epiphany comes from the Greek word meaning appearance. Epiphany marks the season where we are reminded that God has manifested to us in this world, thru the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. The scripture tells us of the wise men who came to pay homage to the baby Jesus. The story is replete of many lessons that we ought to learn. Let us look beyond the trivial and focus on the attitude and the heart of the wise men who came to see the baby Jesus.
The key word in the scripture lesson is “knelt down and pay homage.” Kneeling is a sign of respect and worship. This is the same reason why we kneel in church. In the Eastern Rite tradition, kneeling and prostration are given great significance during worship. More than that is the attitude of our hearts when we come before the Lord. We may not “kneel” physically bur our hearts should. During prayer and worship, paying homage to our God is common sense. Sadly, whenever we come to pray and worship, we come ready with our commandments for God and our wish list. It seems, God is our servant ready for our instructions. Yes, we can and should come before God for our needs. Yet, we must remember that God already knows us and what is in our hearts. Besides, God knows what is best for us. In this season of Epiphany, we should recognize and come to God properly as our GOD. And we must come ready to give our gifts, not the other way around.
Sharing the Scriptures:
1. The image of God is seen in our neighbors. How can we see our colleagues and patients as the image of God?
2. This “three kings day,” what are concrete things we can do as our gifts of worship to Jesus?

The Grieving of Christmas

Today is Holy Innocents' Day.

The celebration of the Christmas season have focused on the joy it brings to the world. But the joy is misdirected to the emotions of laughter and fun. If such is joy, then the grieving this season is misplaced. Yet, during this season of joy some of us grieve the loss of their loved ones. Such is the case of my friend who lost his wife on the eve of Christmas. And I see many more grieve as I make my rounds in the hospital. But grieving is nothing new on Christmas. Matthew reminds us of what the prophet Jeremiah said, "A voice is heard in Ramah,weeping and great mourning,Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted,because they are no more.” Yes! There was weeping and grieving even in the first Christmas. But, yes, there is still joy. Because the Immanuel allowed for humans to be reconciled with their God so that the innocent children and the many more people who died will have Eternal Life. And so cry... we grieve... but because of the baby born on Christmas we are still joyful!

The King of Fairies and mermaids

Last night; I was telling my 4 year old daughter Neya the Christmas story. We were at the part where the Three Kings were following the Star of Bethlehem to see the newborn king; Jesus; who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and everybody else when she excitedly commented "Daddy; he is also the King of fairies and mermaids." I replied "Yes! Jesus is also the King of all prince and princesses." And then Neya stood up and exclaimed " I am a Princess and Ading Ken is a Prince but Jesus is our King. Even you Dad; Jesus is your King!"
I could not say more. That was both a reminder who is the king of the world and the king of our lives. That there was the Gospel message that night!

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2010 Reflections

“Celebrating Christmas in the Hospital” (Adapted from Hail the Heaven Born by GKBaker)
Advent is the season of preparation, anticipation and expectation of the coming Messiah, how do we, as people in the hospital, make ready?
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25
Key Verse: he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him (v.24)
Focus of the Lesson:
Matthew tells the story of two people who gave in to the will of God while putting aside their personal honor and glory. The mystery and majesty of God’s preferred future is shown before us, inviting us to move out of our preferred comfort zones and into the will of God.
Goals in study:
1. To see how God uses unusual and unconventional means for his purpose
2. To understand what “God above all” means
3. To realize how we are instrument of God’s perfect plan
Introduction:
What is your plan for your future? What is God’s plan for you? Are your plans aligned? Often, we map out plans for ourselves without consulting God. Joseph reminds us of the proper attitude this Advent. As we prepare for the coming of the king, our hearts and our desires including our plans should be one with God. Is our work in the hospital according to God’s plan? Or are we doing it for our personal honor and glory? Joseph set aside his own personal honor and glory to put God first. As we prepare this Advent, let us learn from this lesson.
The key phrase in the scripture lesson is “he did what… the Lord commanded him.”
Interpreting the Scripture:
1. Why does Matthew need to set things straight?
2. How did Joseph respond to the situation
3. What does it mean for Joseph to set aside his pride
Sharing the Scriptures:
1. How do Mary and Joseph inspire your faith and obedience to God?
2. How do Joseph’s actions speak to you about honoring God over your personal needs and desires?