Comments from Pastor Steve on the Pope's criticism of Protestants

Comments from Pastor Steve on the Pope's criticism of Protestants

Friends,

The last few days many of you have been aware of the statement released by Pope Benedict XVI indicating that non Roman Catholic groups are not true churches. This has generated a lot of discussion to say the least!

According to the statement the critical point is Apostolic Succession. This is the Roman Catholic belief that there is an unbroken line of Bishops, beginning with Peter, and continuing to the present. In every case a Bishop experienced the laying on of hands by another Bishop who could trace that line back to the beginning. So, one important aspect of Apostolic Succession is the actual physical contact of the laying on of hands.

Where does that leave us as United Methodist Christians? John Wesley was ordained by a Bishop who was in Apostolic Succession. But, Wesley was not himself a Bishop in the Church of England. After the Revolutionary War ended the Methodist Societies in America were growing rapidly. They were not about to submit to church authority in England . Wesley was convinced that the Methodist Societies in American need to be formed as an independent church.

He prayed and struggled with the question of the authority to carry out the act of Ordination. He had been convinced for many years that authentic Apostolic Ministry had nothing to do with who had physically touched another person. It had to do with faithfulness in preaching, teaching and, practicing the Christian faith.

So, in September of 1784 he laid his hands on Dr. Thomas Coke and set him aside as a Superintendent. He also ordained Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey as ministers. They came to America and along with Francis Asbury, who was ordained by them after their arrival, gave leadership to the young growing church.

We believe that while we are not in Apostolic Succession in the strict sense, that ours is an authentic Apostolic ministry, we are a part of the Church!

I hope to see you at Church this weekend.
Steve Campbell

Here is a link to the artical in the Kansas CIty star in which Pastor Steve is quoted.
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/185177.html