The Methodist Church Splits, Lawmakers Seek Roe V. Wade to Be Overturned and More

The Methodist Church Splits, Lawmakers Seek Roe V. Wade to Be Overturned and More JANUARY 7, 2020 [RELEVANT THIS WEEK]( THE BEST OF RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM [Hero-5.jpg]( STORY OF THE WEEK [4 Ways To Seek Clarity in the Midst of Life’s Confusion]( [rn-x.png] We all go through difficult seasons of life where we ask ourselves, “How did I end up here and where am I going?” We see life as if through a fog, desperately groping for something to cling to in the confusion and chaos. Life seems to be so clear and easy when we are children, only to become adults and discover a very difficult reality: Life is not fair. We will all suffer and we will all walk through seasons of darkness where the pain feels overwhelming. So … what then? How do we find clarity in the midst of life’s messiness? Here are four ways to seek it in the midst of life’s confusion. [READ NOW]( WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW [• United Methodist Church Proposes Split Over LGBTQ Views]( The United Methodist Council of Bishops released a statement announcing that a “diverse group of representatives from United Methodist advocacy groups with contrasting views and bishops from around the world has collaborated on a proposed agreement for the separation of The United Methodist Church (UMC) that has the unanimous support of all the parties involved.” At the core of the proposed split are differing views on gay marriage. The plan is expected to be approved when the denomination meets in May at its global conference. The church leaders have agreed on a new plan for a “traditional Methodist” denomination to split off from the UMC. The traditional denomination would oppose same-sex marriage and not allow for the ordination of LGBTQ ministers. The UMC, however, would allow same-sex marriages and welcome LGBTQ clergy. For years, the denomination has been divided over the issue and new sanctions were set to go into place that would have imposed harsh punishments on pastors who officiate same-sex weddings. However, the new proposal will allow for those sanctions—which include a year without pay for one violation and being defrocked for a second—to be postponed until the formal vote this spring. [• 207 Lawmakers Are Asking the Supreme Court to Consider Overruling Roe V. Wade]( This week, 207 members of Congress signed what’s known as an amicus brief, asking the Supreme Court to consider overturning two major rulings that have largely determined abortion laws in the U.S.: Planned Parenthood v. Casey and Roe v. Wade. In their amicus brief, the signers “respectfully suggest that the Fifth Circuit’s struggle to define the appropriate ‘large fraction’ or determine what ‘burden’ on abortion access is ‘undue’ illustrates the unworkability of the ‘right to abortion’ found in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973) and the need for the Court to again take up the issue of whether Roe and Casey should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled.” [subscribe]( [• The U.S. State Department Is Calling China to Release Pastor Wang Yi From Prison]( Earlier this week, officials in China sentenced megachurch pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison on charges of “subversion of power” and “illegal business operations.” Wang has denied the charges, and critics say his imprisonment is part of a crackdown on unregistered churches in the country. Now, the U.S. government is speaking out. Secretary Pompeo expressed his outrage on Twitter: I am alarmed that Pastor Wang Yi, leader of Chengdu’s Early Rain house church, was tried in secret and sentenced to nine years in prison on trumped-up charges. Beijing must release him and end its intensifying repression of Christians and members of all other religious groups. A State Department spokesperson released an extended statement saying (in part), “We are alarmed that Pastor Wang Yi, leader of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, was tried in secret and sentenced to nine years in prison in connection to his peaceful advocacy for religious freedom. We call for his immediate and unconditional release.” You can read more of their responses here. [• Watch the Makers of the Christian Movie Industry Send-Up ‘Faith Based’ Read Nasty Comments]( Back in the spring of 2019, The Hollywood Reporter wrote about a new movie that will satirize the Christian film industry by focusing on “two idiot friends who realize that all faith-based films make ‘buckets of cash’ and then set out to make one such movie of their own.” Almost immediately, the mere mention of the concept drew the wrath of Fox News. Luke Barnett, who wrote and stars in the movie, however, told RELEVANT at the time, "I grew up in the church, my dad is a pastor, and Vince is still incredibly active in his faith community. I’m excited for people to see this film. This is not a movie making fun of people who have faith, it’s a commentary on supporting something blindly.” Now, instead of releasing a trailer, the duo has found another equally-entertaining way to promote the movie: By reading comments from internet users—all of whom haven’t seen the film. You can see the video here. [• Panel of Ministers Says Todd Bentley Should Be Disqualified From Ministry]( A panel of ministers who have been investigating accusations against evangelist Todd Bentley has announced that he should be disqualified from ministry. Bentley rose to prominence during the “Lakeland Revival” in 2008, when his unorthodox ministry style came under scrutiny. Bentley claimed to have raised people from the dead, to regularly talking with an angel and would use acts of violence (like kicking people) in an effort to supernaturally heal them. Later that year, he separated from his wife and resigned from his ministry, Fresh Fire. In a statement, the ministry’s board said, “Todd Bentley has entered into an unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff.” In the years since, Bentley has faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. Dr. Michael Brown, who led the investigation, said that initially Bentley agreed to be a part of the investigation. Then things changed. Brown wrote, “As part of this process, we sought to hear Todd’s side directly, but he declined to answer a list of 60 questions compiled by the investigator after initially agreeing to respond. (Todd required the investigator to submit the questions through his attorney, after which he ceased communicating with Dr. Brown or the investigator.)” [• Timothée Chalamet Will Play Bob Dylan in a Movie by the ‘Logan’ Director]( Given the current appetite for music biopics, it was inevitable that Bob Dylan’s time to bat would come. And now, it looks like the hard rain is ready to fall. Timothée Chalamet will play Dylan in Going Electric, which will tell the story of the folk singer’s infamous turn from folk to rock 'n' roll. The movie will be directed by James Mangold, of Walk the Line, Ford v Ferrari and Logan. This is the latest attempt to tell Dylan’s story in a movie. The most recent was 2007’s fascinating I’m Not There, which cast Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Ben Whishaw as Dylan in an unconventional attempt to tackle his chameleon-like persona. There’s also Martin Scorsese’s excellent documentary No Direction Home. All that to say, there’s been some good Dylan content over the years. Mangold’s got his work cut out for him. MOST SHARED [Hero-17.jpg]( GOD [Why God Likes to Rupture Routines]( [bible.png]( LIFE [I Never Thought I Would Be That Neighbor]( [Hero-4.jpg]( CULTURE [Christian Bale Might Be Headed to the MCU]( [rn-logo.png]( © 2019 RELEVANT Media Group. All Rights Reserved [Cover-96.png]( [SUBSCRIBE]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?](    Don't want to receive these emails anymore?  [unsubscribe from this list](    [update subscription preferences]( RELEVANT Media Group · 55 West Church St. · Suite #211 · Orlando, FL 32801 · USA