The disaffiliation efforts of First Church from the United Methodist Conference is a topic that is close to the heart of our family. Growing up, we watched our parents, Pastor Nick Harris and mother Crystal Harris work tirelessly for over 20 years to grow what was a dying United Methodist Church into a thriving community for Christ.
In the post below we will provide the following:
- A letter from Crystal Harris to her friends of the First Church community.
- A display of a letter from First Church and ways they ask people help.
- These are NOT new issues. Hear a recently published teaching from Pastor Nick Harris from 2011 where he touches on the issues with the United Methodist Church.
- VIDEO: Brief video from Hardy Patton and the Traditional Methodist Voices of OK.
- A recent interview with Hardy Patton and Jeffrey Rickman on the Plain Spoken YouTube channel and Podcast.
- The divided United Methodist Church explained by Rev. Rob Renfro
Recently Crystal Harris released the email below to her close friends and former church members and attendee of First Church.
Letter from Crystal Harris
Subject: From My Heart – First Church
Message:
As you know, First Church holds a special place in my heart. I am writing to you because I believe it holds a close place in yours also. When I first learned of the disaffiliation process taking place in the United Methodist Church and saw the situation First Church was placed in, I had an overwhelming desire to find a way to help. I truly believe that I have been directed by the Holy Spirit to write this letter.
There are so many questions and I don’t claim to have the answers, but I know God does. It is my personal opinion that the United Methodist Church is moving in a direction that I can no longer agree with based on scripture which I believe to be the inspired Word of God and the only rule of faith and practice. I also believe that God is calling on a people to stand and defend our faith.
I am asking you to prayerfully consider what is at stake for First Church and the heritage of 134 years on the corner of 4th and Robinson. First Church has always been an evangelical congregation where the Gospel was preached unashamedly and without compromise. It has been a church where Jesus Christ was lifted up and the ministry of the Holy Spirit was never quenched. First Church has been a church where grace was proclaimed and received.
Many of you can remember the walk back from Trinity Baptist Church to our new building. At that first service, we sang the song, “Holy Ground.” On that day, we believed it to be true. I still believe that today! That corner is a very special place and I believe God wants a church there that will continue to preach the uncompromised Word of God.
If you are interested in more information or would like to know how you can help, please see the attached statement from the faithful, still standing with First Church.
With Love,
Crystal Harris
Message from First Church
Displayed below, is the letter from First Church explaining the situation and ways in which people can help as they see fit.
An insightful Sermon from Pastor Nick Harris on related topics
Listen to a recently published sermon on the Relational Grace Podcast that Pastor Nick Harris delivered back in 2011 where he discussed the emergence of issues in the United Methodist Church. As Rev. Rob Renfroe’s videos below also mention. These are NOT new issues.
VIDEO: Traditional Methodist Voices of OkLAHOMA
Here a brief summary from Hardy Patton with First Church OKC on the disaffiliation happenings.
Interview with Hardy Patton
Interview with Hardy Patton and Jeffrey Rickman on the Plain Spoken YouTube Channel and Podcast.
The Divided United methodist church explained by Rob Renfroe
A collection of videos by the Rev. Rob Renfroe explains the theological and spiritual issues surrounding the division within The United Methodist Church.
Relational Grace Blog 