A Prayer for the Church

"The church is the Body of Christ."

You are the Head of the Church

Who have called us to be your hands and feet in the world

Give us wisdom to know and obey your will

Through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit

Amen.

 

Abundant Health. Abundant Life

Abundant Health Forum in Manila

A reflection shared during the 1st Pan-Asia Methodist Abundant Health Forum held in Manila. 

John 10:10 … “ I came that you may  have life and have it abundantly.”

I am happy to share the good news because often, I bring bad news to the patient.

I always say that, because that is true. The hospital is the darkest and the loneliest place on earth. It is a place where you can see sorrow, anxiety, distress and hopelessness. People are sick and in pain while suffering from cancer, malnourished children dying of preventable death like dehydration or dengue fever. You have stroke patients or heart attack patients in the ICU. You have surgical patient with neoplastic masses if not vehicular accidents. These are just patients, these does not include the family members who are equally worried and hopeless with the condition of their patients.

The parents may be stressed out where to get the finances necessary to pay the bills and to buy the medicines. You have relatives and friends who have lost sleep and tired because they volunteered to watch over their patients. You have loved ones who are worried about the job of their patients. Even their own jobs and business that they need to attend to that was disrupted by this illness. You have children who do not know what to do if their parents will be gone. Then you have the health workers in the facility who are so tired of their work. They not only feel tired but feel abused and unappreciated. They feel like they are overworked but underpaid. They have lost hope because they no other recourse and this is the only option left they have. All they can see probably is darkness. Just like the blind man who was standing in front of the temple. But Jesus did something unexpected. On a Sabbath Day, Jesus healed the blind man. But it did not only bring sight to the blind, it also opened the opportunity for the blind man to believe in the Son of Man and become a follower of Jesus. The blind man was offered a new lease of life… not just life but a life of abundance that only comes from Jesus. Wouldn’t that be nice? If all those who are sick, lonely, hopeless, imprisoned, living in the dark will find a life of abundance in Jesus?

I often see families referred to my service for family counseling. How can I help the parents? I see cases where the father and mother are resigned to the fact that their family is a hopeless case. Some  parents have even contemplated to end their lives because their family was going nowhere and they are dragging their kids with them. They have lost all desires to live because all they have encountered are problems, challenges and all the limitations life can throw at them. They have not seen any signs of abundant grace from God. They need a miracle. Are we expecting that the cloud will open in front of them and a bright white light will come down?

The hospital should be a place of hope because hopeless people go to that place. They need hope. Any place of healing and restoration should be a place of hope and life. Jesus is our hope. Jesus can give us life. And Christians should be able to reflect the hope and the life that comes from Christ. When we minister to the sick and the dying are we just able to address their physical ailments without restoring their mental, spiritual health? We provide holistic healing of the mind, body and spirit just like Jesus did. We offer them life, the life Christ offered. For we are instruments of Christ healing. Simple miracles can happen everyday.

I remember when I was a resident physician in Mary Johnston Hospital. Before we bring the patient to the operating room for a surgical procedure. We talk to the family and the patient and explain what will happen. This helps allay their fears and anxiety. We prepare them mentally. Not only that, together with the nurses, we pray with the patient and the family. The prayer calms their soul. They appreciate that a lot. We do that because we recognize that we are mere instruments of God’s healing ministry – the healing of the body, the mind and the soul.

Jesus promised us life and a life in abundance. That life does not only mean adding more years to it, adding more meaning to it or adding more importance to it. That life becomes abundant because Christ offers us hope, peace and joy. In our healing ministries, we open the door that is Christ for people to see the abundant life. As Christians, we are called to bring this good news that is Jesus Christ to every corners of the world. Let us be faithful in our calling, let us bring healing in this broken world. Let us continue to share the life of abundance that we all have found in Jesus Christ.

A Different Encounter with God this December

December is always unique and special. Yesterday, I had a different encounter with God. We went to the House of Refuge but it was not a church. There were songs of praise and worship but there were also sounds of laughter and joy. There were children all around and some adults too. Anywhere I looked, God was there.

Yesterday, December 8, 2013, we celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday in an orphanage. There were more than 20 boys and girls in that orphanage. We prayed, we sang, they danced, we ate good food and we had fun.

I was amazed by the ministry of this place. There were three house mothers taking care of all these little children, nurturing them and taking care of them. But they said a whole community of faith, the Bread of Life, showers them the love and support that they may grow according to God's plan for them.

The place is three storey's high and has rooms for girls and boys. They provide enough space for them to play. They have enough food for each kid. They can eat nutritious food three times a day. The children go to school. And they get enough school supply for them to do well. The place is amazingly decent considering it is run mostly from charity and donations. I was just blessed how this place can minister to children for decades now with support from the faith community. I can only imagine the dedication and the commitment of the loving people who showed the fruits of their faith.

I reflect back on the many big organized churches scattered around the world, yes, UMC one of them. I know our churches have made great advances in educating children with our pioneering work in kindergarten school. But I know there are people who have hearts to have a ministry with the orphans. I know KKFI ministers with street children. But I have yet to encounter a single local church who has a ministry for orphaned kids. I have yet to see a SEC recognized institution ministering to children supported by a single local church. I know there must be one out there. If not, will your church have the heart to start one?

Update 10 on Supertyphoon Haiyan

Update 10 - An appeal for our church friends and faith-based organizations to refrain from accepting milk formula donations (breastmilk substitutes).

"Breastmilk is the ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants and young children and it protects them from infection and its consequences. Especially in disaster situations like in affected Visayas communities, optimum breastfeeding gives infants and young children continued nourishment anytime; avoids risks of using contaminated water and materials; and gives protection from illnesses like diarrhea and respiratory ailments, which can be fatal in such situations.

However, uncontrolled distribution of breastmilk substitutes like infant formulas to affected families can lead to early and unnecessary cessation of breastfeeding. This could have dire consequences. Donation of breastmilk substitutes, especially during disasters, in fact, is illegal in our country. Relief assistance emphasis for infant and young children should be on protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and ensuring timely, safe and appropriate complementary feeding."

Several civil society organizations in the Philippines like World Vision, Save the Children, ACF, Plan International and coalitions like KAIN has issued statements supporting the use of human breastmilk during emergencies. Let us not allow milk companies to influence our government in watering down the effective Milk Code of the Philippines (EO 51) that will allow them to donate milk to advance their agenda.

Please continue to help our brothers and sisters but avoid donating milk formulas to anybody. We want to give with integrity. We want to be faithful stewards of God. We want to give the best, and the best and practical for babies are human breastmilk.

To send help, contact Office of the Bishop - DEA or UMCOR.

Update 9 on Supertyphoon Haiyan

Update 9 - More than two weeks have passed since Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines. Many have contributed to the relief work in Tacloban. Some have courageously went to the field to help. Most have contributed to fund raising cmpaings. One way or another, helped has been offered. Thank you. But after the relief efforts in the previous days has been done, the real work in rebuilding begins.

The government has now transitioned to the early recovery phase of the affected areas. It comes at a time when relief teams are starting to leave the area, when most medical missions are over and the media has started to shift focus on other equally important news topics. But the internally displaced people still needs support. The affected areas still needs help as they rehabilitate. This is where community development organizations from the religious groups, CSOs and other individuals make a great impact (and oftentimes away from the limelight).

If you feel called to help in this rehab phase please contact Office of the Bishop- DEA or UMCOR.

Photos by Rev. Bayani Alkuino

Update 8 on Supertyphoon Haiyan

Photos by DS Roy Tibalbag

Update 8 - United Methodist Churches in Northern Panay destroyed. More houses of church members, the parsonage and their neighbors were flattened by Typhoon Haiyan. One badly hit community is Mina-a, in Ibajay, Aklan, which sits at the foot of a mountain. Ibajay is a third-class municiplaity with farming as source of livelihood. The livelihood and the crops were destroyed by the typhoon. People in this community need help and support.

As support from all over the world pour in Leyte, other municipalities in Northern Cebu, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental and Palawan have appealed to the international community to not forget them. Although this communities are doing their best to recover, the overall damage caused by the typhoon in the islands of Visayas had made it difficult for help to be delivered. Isolated areas has not been reached and help has not been delivered to them.

 

To send help to a particular church or community, please contact UMCOR or the Office of the Bishop - DEA.

 (All Photos by DS Roy Tibalbag)

Update 6 on Supertyphoon Haiyan

Update 6 - Different local United Methodist Churches in the Philippines has helped in responding to affected church members and fellow Filipinos in general. Donations in cash and in kind were sent to the Office of the Bishop in their respective Episcopal Areas and through UMCOR Philippines.

Even little children during their Sunday Schools are helping in their own little way by inspiring and praying for all the victims. A little inspiration can be very big as the government has stepped up efforts to address the mental health and psychosocial concerns of the affected population. A local reported shared how a father has been frequenting for 5 days now and wandering aimlessly in the same street in downtown Tacloban while crying and shouting several names (probably his children). Another young woman was noted to be circling around the rubble of her house while half-naked, dirty and in obvious state of shock. No one seems to take notice of them as most people are scrambling for whatever food and water is available in the area.

Update 5 on Supertyphoon Haiyan

Update 5 - The two missing United Methodist pastors in Tacloban City, Leyte are reported to be okay and their family is now in Ormoc City. Rev. Iris Picardal, who is still in Tacloban, and Ptr. Lito Luana are now safe but some of their family members remained missing. Affected residents of Tacloban City and nearby areas are moving out of the typhoon-affected areas into Manila and other key cities due to lack of food and water. Relief workers are having a difficult time distributing the goods because most of the roads are still scattered with debris. The government has hold-off the coming in of aide workers and Foreign Medical Teams (FMT) because of the scarce supply in the area. The government is asking the aide workers to be self-sufficient if they want to help in the affected areas.

You can send your donations to UMCOR or Office of the Bishop - DEA bank account. Bank of the Philippine Islands: The United Methodist Church-Davao Episcopal Area, acc. no. 2084-0457-59, Swift Code: BOPIPHMM



Update: (Nov 29, 2013)

Photos by Rev. Bayani Alkuino

Pastor Iris P. Terrana and her son Jayden.... the whole family is safe and in high spirit as the Lord covered them with His Divine protection during the super typhoon... their small house was amazingly un-scratched while houses in the neighborhood big and small were all blown away... Praise God...

Update 3 on Supertyphoon Haiyan in the Philippines

Update 3 - Two United Methodist pastors in Tacloban are still missing as of 7:00 pm today, Nov 13, 2013. DS David Dacaya Cosmiano reported that their church members has not yet receive any communication from Rev. Iris Picardal and family and Pastor Lito Luana and family. The UMC in Tacloban was destroyed by the Supertyphoon. Members described the city as a virtual mudwaste with a smell of death. Meanwhile, DS Cosmiano happily shared that his son Dzey-ahr Cosmiano texted them informing them that he is well.

On the otherhand, DS Irene Respuesto shared that members in Negros had their livelihood and farm fields destroyed. The government has appealed for support in other affected areas other than Tacloban. DS Roy Tibalbag also shared that churches in Aklan need help but because the area do not get enough media mileage, support has not been received. Local government officials in Panay and Negros needs food as their supply is also getting low. Food and non-food items donations are most welcome.

You can send your help to UMCOR or to the Office of the Bishop-DEA.

A Public Service for Filipinos affected by Super Storm Haiyan

Update: Visayas UMC churches affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Intl: Haiyan)

DS Roy Tibalbag of Western Visayas District reports that at least 5 member families had their house damaged. The Panay island was badly hit by Supertyphoon Yolanda (Int'l Name Haiyan) last Nov 8, 2013. We have several local churches affected in Panay affected by the Supertyphoon. Affected areas include churches in the Rizal, Ibajay, San Jose and Mina-a all in the province of Aklan. Pastor Aguilar is coordinating with DS Tibalbag for updates on the affected members in the area.

On the otherhand, churches in Leyte and Samar still has no communication. The islands of Leyte and Samar are the worst hit by the Supertyphoon.  DS  David Dacaya Cosmiano of Eastern Visayas District initially reported that 98% of Leyte is badly affected. Our members are appealing for help. Any help to our affected brothers and sisters in the Visayas are welcome. Pls contact the DEA Office of the Bishop or UMCOR for details or PM me for other concerns.

Intensive Training

What is the importance of undergoing an orientation course? What more if there was an intensive course aside from that. Last July 22 until Aug 2, I attended a 2 week intensive training to know the foundations, principles and concepts behind this new Christian organization (CSO) I will be connected with. I thought of the importance of this training for the organization because I have to buy in to what they believe if I am going to be part of them. I remembered my confirmation class and the importance of it to those seeking membership to the United Methodist Church. You have to affirm the UMC principles and  beliefs or seek membership elsewhere.

The two weeks of Intensive Training helped me understood why they are intentional in their identity as Christians, what it means not to proselytize and commit spiritual abuse. More than that, I learned the dynamics that helped me understood their business process. At the end of the day, the question needs to be asked... if you buy them then you abide by them. If not, you are free to walk away. It reminds me of the early Methodist dictum, "Easy to become a Methodist, difficult to remain one." I wondered if how many among United Methodist today underwent confirmation class.

The confirmation class would have taught the polity of the United Methodist Church. What it meant to be global, episcopal and local and the importance of it in the life and ministry of the church. It would have instilled the meaning of "sacred trust" to all the properties of the church. If all United Methodist went through the confirmation class and really understood this, they would have the chance to accept or reject it and pursue their membership in the UMC. Otherwise, they can serve Christ in other venues. Me thinks, this calls for an advocacy to intensify and be intentional in our church membership procedure.

It made me wonder, and I really want to do an evidenced-based  research on this, "How many among the leaders of the AIMP underwent confirmation class?"   Just a thought!

Ang Iglesya Metodista ba ay UMC?

I am posting here the latest development in the UMC crisis in the Philippines. Below is an article that analyzes what is the meaning and implication of the the incorporation of the self-declared autonomous Methodist group.

SEARCHLIGHTS OF TRUTH

Published by:

Concerned Laity of the Philippines Central Conference, UMC, Manila

Call No. 1, Series of 2012 (January 2)

NOW IT CAN BE TOLD

A new religious corporation, “Ang Iglesia Metodista Sa Pilipinas, Inc. (AIMPI)” could be the latest religious corporation to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Its certificate of incorporation was approved only on December 7, 2011. The newly registered religious corporation proclaims itself as an “independent church” as succinctly and clearly provided for in Section 1 of its Articles of Incorporation, to wit: “That this religious corporation is INDEPENDENT.”

However, two sentences later, the same Articles of Incorporation forebodes or foreshadows some kind of a vague birth relationship with another religious denomination, crystallized therein as follows: “FOURTH: That the incorporation of this religious corporation is not forbidden by competent authorities or by constitution or rules of discipline of the religious denomination, sect or church of which it forms part.” (underscoring supplied)

Knowing the religious background of the incorporators, all erstwhile leaders of the United Methodist Church belonging to the Philippines Central Conference, it is easy to decipher that this “religious denomination, sect or church” adverted to in the Articles of Incorporation above is the United Methodist Church. If so, this is clearly a misleading, self-serving and a wrong assumption and/or presumption of the framers of said Articles of Incorporation.

The creation of the AIMPI is not in accordance with the mandatory requirement of Paragraph 572 of the UMC Book of Discipline and hence its establishment could not be said as having been authorized by the United Methodist Church. The claim, therefore, of the framers of the questioned Articles of Incorporation that the religious corporation forms part of the long established global United Methodist Church is clearly misleading and false. Par. 572 of the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline clearly provides thus: “When conferences outside the United States that are parts of the United Methodist Church desire to become an autonomous Methodist, affiliated autonomous Methodist, or affiliated united church, approval shall first be secured from the central conference involved and this decision be ratified by the annual conferences within the central conference by two-thirds majority of the aggregate votes cast by the annual conferences.”

To be considered part of the global United Methodist Church (UMC), the UMC Book of Discipline requires the following conditions to be strictly observed: (a) approval by the central conference involved shall be secured; and (b) the decision of the central conference must be ratified by the annual conferences within the central conference involved by a two-thirds majority of the aggregate votes cast by the annual conferences.

There is nothing in the Articles of Incorporation of AIMPI which indicates that the above requirements under Par. 572 of the Discipline have been complied with. It merely mentions in its Third Article “That 2/3 of its members had given their written consent and voted for its incorporation at a meeting called for the purpose.” This declaration is followed by the self- serving conclusion in its Fourth Article which unilaterally declares “That the incorporation of this religious organization is not forbidden by competent authorities or by the constitution or rules of discipline of the religious denomination; sect or church of which it forms part…”

Not having been organized in accordance with the aforequoted provision of the Book of Discipline, AIMPI therefore is an independent, breakaway, dissident or schismatic unit sans any legitimate connection or relationship with the United Methodist Church. It was organized solely under the provisions of Section 116 of the Corporation Code pursuant to the exercise by the incorporators/members of their freedom of religion. The purpose of this religious corporation, as its articles of incorporation further provide, is for the administration of its affairs, properties and temporalities with its principal office established and located at 46 W.A. Jones St., Bgy Naisian, Calasiao, Pangasinan. The Articles of Incorporation of AIMPI show the following persons as incorporators and members of the corporation’s Board of Trustees:

CHITA R. MILLAN JOE FRANK E. ZUŇIGA

PERLA C. BAUTISTA ELEAZER R. BOTE

ANECITO R. VILLALON, JR. ANICIA C. MARQUEZ

LITO C. TANGONAN SUSAN D. CAPILI

ANACLETO C. CASTILLO DOMINADOR A. VALENCIA

ESMERALDO GATCHALIAN ROGER A. MARQUEZ

BAYANI G. TECSON RODRIGO G. LAGMAN

ROMULO R. SISON

From the foregoing, it is quite clear that AIMPI is a breakaway, dissident or schismatic church from the United Methodist Church. To repeat, its birth is entirely out of sync with the mandatory provisions of the Book of Discipline. Therefore, it has no right to interfere with the ownership and usage of UMC churches and properties. Jurisprudence from both Philippines and American laws, citing the landmark case of Watson v. Jones, the Philippine Supreme Court in Canete vs. Court of Appeals, 171 SCRA 13, has ruled that the “use of properties of a eligious corporation in case of schism, is controlled by the numerical majority of the members. The minority in choosing to separate themselves into a distinct body, and refusing to recognize the authority of the government body, can claim no rights in the property from the fact that they once had been members.”

So be it.

By: Atty. Oscar R. Ferrer

Central United Methodist Church

694 T. M. Kalaw, Ermita, Manila

January 2, 2012

A Short Analysis of the Current UMC Situation in the Philippines

The current situation of the UMC in the Philippines has made people, both clergy and lay, give differing opinions. My task is to stepback, reflect their thoughts and hopefully clarify what is going on.

A lot of minds are in the opinion that the current situation stems from one big issue that brought forth several sub-issues. Another group is in the opinion that there are several different unrelated issues. But I say that there are indeed several issues but each issue affects the other. What does this imply?

This means, for the first group, it is just one great issue that when that great issue is resolved, the rest of the sub-issues are also solved. This also means, for the second group, that when one issue is resolved, only that issue is resolved but the other issues are not affected in any way. Both are wrong. Because, the current situation are a product of several inter-related issues, one issue that is resolved affects the others as well (either in good or bad ways.)

Now let me deal with the first issue. That is of the legal team of LT led by AFR and all those against it. (Let us just say there are two groups, for easy distinction.) The first group wants LT to face and possibly be tried for the alleged immorality he committed. He was put in suspension so a supposed unbiased investigation can be done. But of course we know what happened. He did not accede to the suspension for legal reasons. The legal team contended the suspension with several reasons among them are that due process was not done, lack of authority by the CollOB, among others. The first group wanted LT to be tried for ethical reasons. They wanted the bishop's questionable morality and dignity be clarified. For them, a spiritual leader that deals with spiritual matters should put first and foremost in his priority morality, ethics, religion and spirituality. They wanted to see LT practice the Christian virtues. The second group (legal), on the other hand, wanted justice to prevail. Justice in this sense means observation of the rules of order, proper procedure, and execution of the law to the letter. If these were not observed, then there is no case of immorality to be resolved and no suspensions should be done ab initio. (Just think about the case of the Alabang Boys or if you are old enough, you may still remember the OJ Simpson case.) In essence, it is dignity vs. technicality.

If the two differing groups look at the same issue in two different lenses, how can they reconcile the issue when they cannot even meet on the same ground? Ultimately, they will just end up talking without even communicating. And the issue will remain unresolved.

What about the other issues? Because there are consequences to each and everyones action, the actions of LT led to several other issues. One is the argument that the Council of Bishops are meddling with the Philippine internal affairs. (Just a note: please stop referring to the Council of Bishops as US meddling because the members there are not all from the US, we are doing the non-American members injustice.) Because of this argument, in a meeting in Nueva Ecija, a group declared independence from the "US-controlled UMC" (sic). Now the problem here is funny. The people present during the declaration apparently did not understand each other. A certain JFZ proudly reported that the declaration of independence is the birth of the Philippine Methodist Church. The SEC registration for this is allegedly on process. Even LT acknowledged that this Nueva Ecija group is not UMC. (Instead of PMC, the name reserved in SEC was IMP.) However, other people present during that declaration of independence has different views. For them, their participation was simply a statement of DESIRE to be independent. Not necessarily a secession or establishment of another church. This includes LT, despite being present their and acknowledging that another church was established there, claims that he is still UMC. The participants in the Nueva Ecija Declaration are confused if their actions established a new church or not. Regardless, the UMC respects their right if they want to leave or they want to stay. They only need to confirm and affirm to which is their loyalty.

I did not realize that this short analysis could be this long already... Of course there are other issues. Most importantly the WestMidPAC issue. That may warrant another article.... tbc...

Autonomiya o Pagka-Pilipino?

Ang sigaw ng autonomiya sa iglesya metodista sa Pilipinas ay matagal na nating naririnig. Paminsan-minsan, kada apat na taon ay mas lumalakas ang ungol nito. Totoo nga na ito ang bukambibig ng mga layko at Pastor lalo na ang mga gustong maging Obispo kada apat na taon. Ngunit, bakit natin hinihingi ang autonomiya?

Bakit nga natin hinihingi ang autonomiya?

Isa sa mga dahilan ng hiling ng autonomiya ng Metodista sa Pilipinas ay ang struktura ng ating iglesya kung saan naka-concentrate lamang sa Amerika ang kapangyarihan at ang mga proyekto ng pandaigdigang iglesya sa Metodista. Tama nga naman, dapat may representasyon din ang mga Pilipino sa usaping pandaigdigan ng Iglesya Metodista. Bakit, wala ba?

Ang isa pang dahilan ng paghingi ng autonomiya ay ang hindi angkop na mga batas at alituntunin ng Book of Discipline at programa ng General Boards sa konteksto ng Pilipinas. Dapat na tayong magsarili at gumawa ng sarili nating patakaran, alituntunin at mga programa na naaayon sa ating kultura at pangangailangan.

Ang Struktura ng Pinag-isang Iglesya Metodista (UMC) ay base sa ating Theology o pananampalataya at hindi lamang isang political structure.

Ang isiping ang Pinag-isang Iglesya Metodista (UMC) ay isang iglesya ng Amerika at ng mga Amerikano ay pananaw lamang ng isang hindi lubusang nakakaunawa ng istruktura ng ating simbahan. Dahil sa Amerika lumago at doon nabuo ang karamihan ng mga ahensiya ng Iglesya Metodista, kaya doon nakabase ang karamihan ng mga programa at gawain. Isipin mo na lang at ihalintulad sa Iglesya ni Cristo (ni Felix Manalo) na itinatag at lumago sa Pilipinas. Bagama't may mga kapilya ito sa Amerika, ang naging sentro ng kanilang gawaing simbahan ay sa Pilipinas pa rin dahil andito ang karamihan ng kanilang ahensya.

Ang struktura ng Pinag-isang Iglesya Metodista (UMC) na mula pa sa orihinal na konsepto ng mga Wesley ay nabuo dahil sa ating pananampalataya. Ang UMC ay hindi nahahati sa bansa kung saan ito napapaloob sa simpleng kadahilanan na ang ating pagiging Kristiyano ay hindi limitado sa ating pagiging Pilipino, maging sa kasarian, edad o ethnicity. Sabi nga sa Philippians 3:20, "Sapagka't ang ating pagkamamamayan ay sa langit..." (Our citizenship is in heaven). Marami pang theological implikasyon ang ating struktura, tulad halimbawa kung bakit ang mga Obispo, bagama't lider, ay hindi naman sila 'angat' sa ibang mga elder na Pastor. Ang ating pananampalataya rin ang dahilan kung bakit lahat ng obispo ay pantay-pantay at walang iisa lamang na pinuno tulad ng Santo Papa sa Romana Katolika.

Bagama't ang ating istruktura ayu naaayon sa ating mga paniniwala, nagkakaproblema tayo sa pag-angkop nito sa ating lokal na setting. Halimbawa na lamang ang Book of Discipline na karamihan ay hindi angkop sa Pilipinas. Bagama't ito ay totoo, hindi hadlang ang Book of Discipline na gumawa tayo dito sa Pilipinas ng mga bagay na naaayon sa ating kultura, klima at iba pang pangangailangan. Pinapayagan ito ng Book of Discipline ayon sa panuntunan tungkol sa mga Central Conference. Isang magandang halimbawa nitoy ay ang masigla at matagumpay na Kapatiran ng Nagkakaisang Kabataang Metodista sa Pilipinas (UMYFP). Ang istruktura at mga gawain ng UMYFP ay iba sa nakasaad sa Book of Discipline o UMYF sa America. Ang tagumpay ng UMYFP ay patunay na puede nating iangkop ang gawain ng Iglesya ayon sa ating pangangailangan.

Kung gayon, kailangan pa ba ng autonomiya?

Ang mas malayang paggalaw ng mga central conference sa mga gawaing simbahan at iba pang mga bagay na direktang nakakaapekto sa kanila ang isang malaking dahilan ng paghingi ng autonomiya. Ang tawag ng affiliated-autonomy ay isang paraan para makamit ito. Liban sa mas malayang paggalaw, may mga ibang bagay pa na kailangang mabago sa kabuoang istruktura ng UMC. Kabilang dito ang hinihingi na pagtugon sa lumalaking bilang ng mga kumperensya, ahensya at mga programa. Kung may mas magandang solusyon na sasagot sa lahat ng kailangang pagbabago, kabilang na ang autonomiya, ngunit nananatiling tapat sa ating theology at paniniwala, mas mainam siguro ito kaysa affiliated autonomy. Kung ano ito... Abangan...

An open Letter to the people of The United Methodist Church of the Manila Area, Philippines

July 20, 2011

Dear friends in Christ:

The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church has followed with heavy hearts the struggle within the Manila Area over the last year. We have been in constant prayer for all of you and have sought throughout this time to find a just resolution to the divisions that have occurred.

Bishops in the United Methodist Church, upon election, agree to uphold and abide by The Book of Discipline of the church in all matters. Your former bishop, Lito Tangonan, has continually violated the principles and expectations of a person who is elected to this office. While repeatedly claiming that actions taken by the Philippine College of Bishops were illegal, even though The Book of Discipline and Judicial Council decisions confirmed their actions, he continued to attempt to function as a bishop in clear violation of his suspension. Efforts on the part of the whole Council of Bishops to mediate and achieve a resolution were met with resistance and noncooperation on the part of Lito Tangonan.

The actions of your former bishop, Lito Tangonan, related to the formation of the Methodist Church of the Philippines have now led to a withdrawal of membership in and service in The United Methodist Church. We know that he was present at the May 7, 2011, gathering at Carmen United Methodist Church, in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, that established this independent church. We also know and have evidence that he has presided at a session of the Methodist Church of the Philippines, and has appointed pastors to these dissident churches. Therefore, his involvement with this schismatic church, in accordance with Judicial Council Decision 696, means that he can no longer be treated as a bishop of The United Methodist Church. His participation and leadership in this break-away church is tantamount to withdrawing without notice. In essence, he has forfeited his membership and position as a bishop.

In response to this unfortunate sequence of events, the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops, acting on behalf of the Council of Bishops has declared that the position of Bishop of the Manila Area of The United Methodist Church has been vacated by Lito Tangonan’s actions. In accordance with Paragraph 407 of The Book of Discipline, Bishop Daniel Arichea has now been assigned to serve as interim bishop of the Manila Area until the election of a new bishop is held at the regular session of the Philippine Central Conference in 2012.

All of this reflects the disciplinary reasons for the current situation in your Area. The bishops of the United Methodist Church encourage you to be faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. With you, we seek the unity of Christ’s Church. Such unity is often difficult to affirm in the midst of human differences. However, your spiritual history gives evident testimony of your zeal for bringing others to Christ, and we are assured that this will continue to be the mark of your own discipleship. Whatever disagreements may exist among those in the church, let us together struggle to fulfill the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, “for he (Christ Jesus) is our peace, in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.”

John Wesley, in his Sermon on the catholic spirit, called for unity among the people called Methodist by quoting King David’s words in II Kings 10:15, “If your heart is as my heart, then take my hand.” These words are a summons to all of us in the United Methodist Church to let our hearts and hands be together, even when our minds may be divided over issues in the life of the church.

We trust that the United Methodist people in the Manila Area, in the care of the bishop appointed over you, may find the way forward that will strengthen the mission of Christ and the witness of the United Methodist Church.


Copies e-mailed to:

Philippine College of Bishops
Judicial Council
Council of Bishops

A Heart Breaker

My wife asked me if I am affected by the current crisis in the United Methodist Church in the Philippines. I said, " I am affected because I am saddened with how it affects and destroys the church and the innocent people." No Christian in his/her right mind would enjoy the crisis in the church that has been dragging on for months now.

One only needs to look and read in the Facebook page of Pinoy Metodista to see the picture of a broken church. People throwing mud at each other. Reminds me of the woman and the crowd who wants to stone her to death. When the crowd was challenged that whosoever who has no sin cast the first stone, no one dared. I thought, if that challenged was uttered today, the poor woman may have died in just a few seconds. (Considering there are too many self-righteous Methodist Christians today)

The never ending Open Letters from different parties has now become an exciting drama that thrills the spectators of the next scene. We now await for another Open Letter response. I can only pray that there will be a good ending for this sad story.

A Pastoral Statement of Conviction and Concern

I am reposting this as this has been e-mailed and posted in other social networks.

this is posted for the information of the concerned laity and clergy of the Lord's United Methodist Church connected to this page.

A PASTORAL STATEMENT OF CONVICTION AND CONCERN

To:
The People of The United Methodist Church
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

A Church that would not let nobody left behind out of a living experience of “love that will not let us go” lavishly manifested by a merciful God who does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and in Christ receive eternal life (John 3:16).

From:
Bishop Lito Cabacungan Tangonan, a sinner saved by grace and fellow-servant with Jesus Christ appointed to a covenant ministry with all those who have obtained a faith of equal standing through the righteousness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1).

God’s shalom and agape, justice and freedom in Jesus Christ!

To the people called Methodists, Father John Wesley bequeathed this sacred charge -

When at the Methodist Conference it was asked, “What may we reasonably believe to be God’s design in raising up the Preachers called Methodists,” the answer was, “To reform the nation, particularly the church, and to spread scriptural holiness over the land” (Minutes of Several Conversations Q.3, in The Works of John Wesley, Vol. 8; Ed. T. Jackson, Baker, 1978, p.299).

The charge serves as a light unto our path as we journey on to perfection, and a master plan for trail blazing the highways and byways of God’s world, our parish!

With God’s grace, I diligently kept the faith and faithfully fulfilled this sacred charge to the best of my God-given abilities.

With many of you and our friends in the ecumenical and inter-faith movement, I shared some ministry-enriching moments in the parliament of the streets in pursuit of social, political and economic reforms and spiritual transformation of our land.

With many of you, today I share some ministry-threatening moments in the chambers of the church as a consequence of our crusade to eradicate corruption that has silently strayed within our gates and has cast dark shadows over what we all believed as unblemished legacy of some of our senior leaders in The United Methodist Church in the Philippines.

My colleagues in the Philippines Central Conference-College of Bishops (PCC-COB) including these senior leaders have endorsed some dubious complaints against me for supervisory response process and following some token efforts by the supervisory team, submitted said complaints to the PCC-COB designated counsel for the church who hurriedly filed charges against me before the Philippines Central Conference-Committee on Investigation (PCC-COI), a committee hurriedly organized in a hurriedly called Philippines Central Conference Coordinating Council (PCC-CoCo) Meeting on December 05, 2009 held at the conference room of The UMC Headquarters, UN Avenue, Ermita, Manila.

On June 16, 2011, the PCC-COI dismissed the first Judicial Complaint and confirmed the same on July 16, 2011 to clarify the Committee’s response denying the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the Counsel for the Church.

On February 3, 2011, the PCC-COI dismissed the second Judicial Complaint: “Disobedience to the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church”.

Thereafter, my colleagues in the PCC-COB successively endorsed five more similar malicious complaints against me and each time surreptitiously promulgated corresponding illegal Orders of Suspensions. All complaints were not seriously pursued by the PCC-COB but they relentlessly implemented all five illegal Orders of Suspensions of sixty days each, one after another. Moreover, aside from the December 06, 2009 to January 19, 2010 (as enumerated below item No. 1) illegal suspension and the very recently another sixty days illegal Order of Suspension (as enumerated below item No. 9) issued on May 17, 2011 by The UMC Council of Bishops (UMC-COB) Executive Committee, I have now a total of 420 days illegal suspension from the unending illegal Orders of Suspensions illegally done by the PCC-COB. For your perusal, you may critically and analytically read between the lines of the following enumerated factual data:

60 days illegal suspension beginning December 06, 2009 but it was reset to January 20, 2010 to March 23, 2010
Another 60 days illegal suspension: May 25, 2010 to July 23, 2010
Another 60 days illegal suspension: July 24, 2010 to September 21, 2010
Another 60 days illegal suspension: September 22, 2010 to November 20, 2010
Another 60 days illegal suspension: November 21, 2010 to January 19, 2011
Attempted illegal issuance of indefinite suspension by the PCC-COB dated December 14, 2010
Another 60 days illegal suspension: January 20, 2011 to March 20, 2011
Another 60 days illegal suspension: March 20, 2011 to May 18, 2011
Another 60 days illegal suspension effective May 19, 2011

I cannot think of any treatment as cruel as this that can be perpetrated by covenant colleagues against their own brother in the fellowship of the ordained. Some friends call it exclusion perpetua as apparently it was meant to exclude me from the covenant ministry forever. It literally means killing me softly with perpetual illegal suspension.

The PCC-COB did all this in utter desecration of the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church, specifically, violation of the Fair Process system of the Church; and in blatant disrespect and disregard of the Philippines Central Conference-Committee on Episcopacy (PCC-COE) entreaty for the PCC-COB to stop suspending me, which suspensions they reported as promulgated in violation of the Disciplinary requirements (Par. 413.3a, The UMC 2008 Book of Discipline) on COB-COE ‘CONSULTATION’ by the PCC-COB, in the official PCC-COE reports to the PCC-CoCo of August 2010 and February 2011. Given the opportunity to write the PCC-COE Chairperson, Rev. Marie Sol Sioco-Villalon asking her some pertinent inquiries, she told me courageously in her response letter dated April 02, 2011, to wit: “In the absence of a consultation, the COB proceeded with their decision to suspend you on the same date, March 14, 2011. The resolution says that the COB had a consultation with the Committee on Episcopacy. We are sorry to say that that is not true. There was no consultation that took place.”

The appointment of an Interim Bishop in the person of Retired Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, Jr. by the PCC-COB and The UMC-COB is again a gross violation of The UMC 2008 Book of Discipline under Par. 407. The PCC-COE, MEA Cabinet and the Committee on Episcopacy of every annual conference of the Manila Episcopal Area were never properly consulted.

The PCC-COB was able to convince The UMC-COB to lodge a complaint against me on disobedience and as per request again by the PCC-COB, The UMC-COB Executive Committee illegally decided to illegally suspend me for a period of sixty days effective May 19, 2011. They acted also as the one who will be conducting the supervisory hearing. I brought these “...pertinent questions...” to the attention of the President of The UMC-COB (Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster) thru email dated May 20, 2011, to wit: “1) Is it necessary or is that the utmost Christian way or Methodist way to handle the situation that you need to file first a complaint against me before we sit and talk and pray together? 2) Is it proper, fair and disciplinary that the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops of which you are the President is the one who will conduct the supervisory process? 3) Where can we find in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church about the absolute power, authority and jurisdiction of the Council of Bishops or its Executive Committee over processing a complaint against a fellow bishop including affirmation or approval/issuance of suspension? 4) Is it because that the PCC College of Bishops requested the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops to illegally suspend me for another 60 days that you illegally suspended me? I would like to tell you again, I am sorry to say that I cannot find any single provision from The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church from page one to the last page that you have that absolute power, authority and jurisdiction to do that. 5) Do you think the unstoppable filling of complaints against me and the unending issuance of illegal suspensions are the right solutions to the problems?”

The PCC-COB harassment wouldn’t stop. This day (26 May 2011) I received a letter from the Secretary General of the General Council for Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church (UMC-GCFA) informing me, thus –

“We received notification today from the Philippines Central Conference College of Bishops, dated May 16, 2011, that you have voluntary withdrawn from membership in the United Methodist Church and have united with another denomination…”

I vehemently deny such false information and strongly condemn the PCC-COB for such an irresponsible and immoral act of vilification and backbiting a colleague in the covenant ministry.

As the proper Church agency charged with “the review of the work, character and official administration of the bishops under ¶524.3 of The UMC 2008 Book of Discipline,” I referred the GCFA letter to the PCC-COE for action and have requested its Chairperson, Rev. Marie Sol Sioco-Villalon to please convey to the honorable Secretary General of GCFA, Appadurai Moses Rathan Kumar, my disagreement with his decision, finding the same to be arbitrary, capricious and whimsical.

Further, that I was surprised and dismayed that he made his conclusion without verifying the facts given to him by the PCC-COB, and without giving me the chance to clear the matters first. This is contrary to the tradition and practice of The United Methodist Church which gives premium to due process.

Finally, that I categorically state, for the record, that I am still a member, an ordained clergy, and elected bishop of The United Methodist Church, and that I adhere to its Order and Discipline. My adherence to the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church is the very reason why I objected to the acts of the Philippine Central Conference College of Bishops (PCC-COB) and The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops (UMC-COB) which were contrary to the letter and spirit of The 2008 UMC Book of Discipline. In dealing with my case, both the PCC-COB and The UMC- COB violated the Order and Discipline of The United Methodist Church.

Our brothers and sisters in the Nueva Ecija and Aurora Philippines Annual Conference have experienced this same kind of injustice from the Interim Bishop and the PCC-COB/UMC-COB hence, on their own, collectively decided to be freed and proclaim their indigenous autonomy and independence from The United Methodist Church last May 07, 2011. As they continue to respect me as a spiritual leader whom they elected as Bishop, I accepted their invitation to witness the proclamation event.

My personal conviction is that they remain as Methodist brothers and sisters in need of loving and caring and shepherding which I am duty-bound to do as the Interim Bishop and colleagues in the PCC-COB and UMC-COB refuse to do so.

If by this act, my colleagues in the covenant ministry find me subversive, then. let it be known that Here I Stand - a subversive for Christ as I cannot in conscience be as cold and indifferent and unconcerned with the plight of the least of ours and Christ’s brothers and sisters in The United Methodist Church.

I cannot in conscience allow anybody to be misled by thinking that the Bishops of The United Methodist Church are infallible in their pronouncements and actions for this is the very evil Martin Luther and the reformers thwarted during their time which resulted in the birth of the Protestant movement.

If by this act, my colleagues in the covenant ministry accuse me that I have voluntary withdrawn from membership in the United Methodist Church and have united with another denomination, then let it be known that out of constraint of conscience Here I stand – a subversive for Christ, and a revolutionist with John Wesley, saying –

“If you ask on what principle I acted, it was this: ‘A desire to be a Christian; and a conviction that whatever I judge conducive thereto that I am bound to do; wherever I judge I can best answer this end, thither it is my duty to go... seeing I have now no parish of my own, nor probably ever shall. Whom then shall I hear, God or man? I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it.”

Let us be reminded that “God’s divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants in the divine nature. For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For anyone who lacks these things is short-sighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.” (2 Peter 1:2-11)

In closing, while looking, praying, living and doing towards “A Future with Hope” in order to accomplish our common mission of “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World” and our beloved church, let us keep on trusting the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and likewise entrusting everything to Him. His countless time and immeasurable space for the right consummation of His time and space will give us therefore the opportune time and space for the history of Methodism throughout the whole world particularly in the Philippines to speak of/for itself to reveal and declare to us His purpose driven will for the good and betterment and expansion of His Universal Body. Hayaan nating lalong mahinog ang panahon mula sa bawat panahon ng bawat karanasan natin bilang Iglesyang patuloy na tinatawag at isinusugo ng Dios, at ang kasaysayan nito ang makapagsasabi at makapagpapahayag kung saan nga tayo dapat papunta, at kung papaano tayo pupunta, at kung kailan tayo makararating sa dapat puntahan, at kung kailan ito ganap na mangyayari. Ang kalooban ng Dios ay di masasagkaan ninuman, yan ay katulad ng maagos na tubig sa ilog o karagatan. Di ba ang Iglesya ay laging bukas sa pagbabago? Di ba halos lahat ng tumakbo sa pagka-obispo sa ating Iglesya kasama ang mga napagkalooban ng pagkakataon na maging Obispo ay nagsasabing sila’y para sa autonomy ng ating Iglesya? Di ba ang usaping autonomy sa ating Iglesya ay napakatagal na at sa katunayan sa buong Asya, ang UMC sa Pilipinas ang bukod tanging nakakonekta pa sa UMC USA? Alam ng karamihan ang aking paninindigan hinggil sa usaping ito at puwede ninyong basahin muli ang aking mga ulat sa PCC-CoCo at Episcopal Addresses sa bawat sesyon ng lahat ng annual conferences ng MEA. Gabayan, palakasin at tulungan nawa tayo ng Dios na mapagmahal, mapagmalasakit, mapagligtas, makatarungan at mapagpalaya!


In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

LITO CABACUNGAN TANGONAN
Resident Bishop
Manila Episcopal Area
Philippines Central Conference
The United Methodist Church