Questions 14 & 15

Only a few more questions to go. They get more interesting as they go from here.

Disclaimer: Feel free to read the answers and use them for guidance. Please don't plagiarize. It's likely your BOOM knows how to use Google. That's the basic amoral reason to not copy. The moral reason is that plagiarism is lying. The more important reason is you need to answer these questions. The Board needs to know what you believe. Even more so, you need to know what you believe. 

This post contains links to all the questions.

Note: Because of plagiarism concerns I have included only the opening sentences of each answer. Good luck with your paperwork.

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14. What is the meaning of ordination, in the context of the general ministry of the Church? “All Christians are called through their baptism to this ministry of servanthood in the world to the glory of God and for human fulfillment” (Discipline ¶125). All Christians are called into ministry in the world, as supported by the preceding statement from the Book of Discipline. The United Methodist Church recognizes, as do most other denominations and faith traditions, that some are set apart for ordained ministry. “Within the community there are persons whose gifts, evidence of God’s grace, and promise of future usefulness are affirmed by the community, and who respond to God’s call by offering themselves in leadership as ordained ministers” (Discipline ¶301.2). 

15. Describe your understanding of an inclusive church and ministry.

My understanding of an inclusive church and ministry is a church that is open to anyone and everyone. According to the Discipline, “Inclusiveness means openness, acceptance, and support that enables all persons to participate in the life of the Church the community, and the world; therefore, inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination” (¶139). In my opinion, that is an easily translated statement. The church is open to all who would come, and the church should be welcoming to all who would come.

“The mark of an inclusive society is one in which all persons are open, welcoming, fully accepting, and supporting of all other persons enabling them to participate fully in the life of the church, the community, and the world” (¶139). In other words, being inclusive means welcoming “the other.” In order to be inclusive, the church must sound the message that God’s grace is for everyone...