Pastor's Message

A Message from Pastor David Tinney

I don’t know about you but I don’t like to be told how to believe or to be restricted in what I read and what I explore in my spiritual journey. I don’t like someone dictating his or her ideas of faith as the one and only way to salvation. I appreciate a guide who will walk beside me as I explore and will encourage me when I become disillusioned or confused.

That is what I try to do at Aldersgate. I try to create a grace filled environment where we can explore our different faith journeys together without fear of judgment, condemnation, or my-way-or-the-highway type of dialogue. I believe that we can and should disagree in the more difficult issues that face our community and world and that we can learn from each other and grow stronger. In the more challenging and divisive issues I try to create continuums of thought so that I can show that there is more than one way to look at things.

I believe many of us know basic Christian concepts and beliefs. Many of us have read the Bible and can quote verses or recall stories. But that is head knowledge. True spiritual transformation comes when that knowledge travels twelve inches south to the heart. When head and heart meet then lives are changed and individuals and communities are transformed. It is in this sacred place that we each discover our belovedness and can grow into the persons God intended us to be.

Our goal at Aldersgate is to bring about spiritual transformation through healing, education, and participation in mission. We believe God’s Kingdom is not exclusive and welcomes ALL people regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, economic status, handicap, or sexual orientation.

A few years ago a woman in my congregation gave me a bumper sticker containing two words: “Grace Happens.” In light of other bumper stickers out there with very different messages I thought those two words summed up our approach to spreading the Good News. Grace does happen in our church and we invite you to experience it. Stop by one Sunday and begin your journey of belovedness.

Yours in Christ,

David Tinney

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Aldersgate United Methodist Church

We GATHER all people, HEAL and TRANSFORM them in grace, and SEND out passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.