I'm sorry, @John Brunner. I deleted the post you were replying to, probably while you were replying to it, because I realized I was confused. I was thinking of the UCC rather than the UMC. Both are pretty liberal, though. The Congo Church here is affiliated with the United Churches of Christ.
Not saying I have wisdom but like Solomon says,it brings great sorrow. I have studied the Bible for over 5 decades ad still don't know much about it,the more I study the less I 'seem' to know. Been to lots of donominations over the years and all of them think they have the real answers to what to beleive. I read once there are about 500 denominations of Christanity.Not sure if thats correct or not.But if so they all think they are the truth. I am not religious but still study sometimes. I know ther is a spirit workd from some of my past paranormal experiances that have no other explanaion but spiritual. Also why I seeked the truth so many years off and on.
From this website: I had more to say in response to your comment, Marie, but it's all been said before throughout the ages re: Faith vs Religion
I'm not certain what I think. If all that variety attracts a broader base of people into the faith, then it's a good thing as long as basic truths are taught. Look at the diversity among the disciples. I believe in part that is meant to give all of us at least one person who speaks to our hearts...or maybe to give us different people we can identify with when we are at different places on our walk.
Yes I never thought about it like that but it makes sense. Especially since none of us has really figured it out anyway.
I often think about the broad range of personalities and degree of belief, and occasional shallow behaviour, and even the fear that makes Peter deny Jesus thrice AFTER BEING WARNED HE WAS GONNA DO IT. Yet look at what he was commissioned to do. Only Paul was unwavering...at one time the worse of the worse...at one time their enemy. He understood from a First Person perspective. He experienced true salvation and never forgot.