Listen now | Helena M. Titus is a Presiding Elder in the Western States Provisional Conference of the GMC, serving under President Pro Tempore Mark Maddox. She is planting and leading a Global Methodist church in Los Angeles, of all places! I was curious what would draw a coastal black woman to become a visible and proud leader in the GMC, given the bad press that has been given to us. I was glad to learn her story and to see that, once again, the identity I have in Christ is enough to create true family out of anyone. We had a great chat. I hope you enjoy it! Helena's Website - www.singleandsavedtv.com
It is interesting to me how different people can view the same podcast but walk away with totally different critiques on the discussion. I had a very favorable opinion of Helena, what she said and shared about herself. I do not consider myself naive or without discernment. I understood that she was willing to share who she was, where she came from, her personal experiences, what she learned from those experiences and above all, how her faith is grounded in the Word. To portray her in a negative way after she shared herself openly and with vulnerability smacks un-Christlike hatred. I like her. I think she will be and is a wonderful asset to the GMC. May God bless her with continued health, joy, love and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
There are black reformed theologians who do dot accept liberation theology. Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker of the Just Thinking podcast offer thoughtful insights:
I like Voddie Baucham & Samuel Sey. Super legit and direct. Black conservatism in general is really robust field of thought today. Liberation Theology is NeoMarxist poison. Of course, most who teach it have good intentions. Even so, it should have no place in any serious Christian doctrinal tradition.
Your title is a misnomer, and I would like to explain why.
“Teasing out white European culture” and the word of God as separate entities and thinking of Methodism as dominated by one culture smacks of liberation theology. “ She was aware that her radical seminary was using methodist “systems.” Yes, social welfare was part of the fabric of methodists. A perfect “ system” for social activism. Helena claimed the stats were “ hammered” in at her liberal school. It’s surprising she didn’t question this but only the obvious cross dresser there. You acknowledged historically the myth of the white man’s religion. Ethnic minorities and ethnic majorities exist in the US and churches reflect these communities. Predominately minority churches are not scratching their heads of how to import more whites. This focus serves no one. Why was it a problem that the Methodist church reflected (s) the make up of the dominant culture in the US? So, she was in a black church in LA? She had “access” there and majority status but was still not satisfied. Maybe she met black conservatives but she didn’t elaborate. She also didn’t give examples of how “they,” (whoever they was) kept her down. What was the unfair assessment could well have been her imagination in the us vs them scenario. It’s also sad that her pastor never told her who she was but made “room” for her and sent her on her way to a leftist seminary.
The idea in David Watson’s book that racial parity in the church is very recent is interesting. I’m wondering why you wouldn’t question his premise or consider other books on the topic if you haven’t already. She gave the impression the US was the enemy. Her comment regarding disparities and “access” by gender and racially groups used God’s word to survive and create change. This is exactly what the UMC has done to divide the church by unrightly dividing God’s word. Her liberation and social justice agenda is loud and clear. Her understanding of God’s word is informed by her history and experience. So how is this different from the leftist ideology that has overtaken the UMC? Unfortunately , she is enjoying a powerful position in a GMC church that will feed the GMC as a social activist political machine. I don’t see evidence of her claim to be traditional in any sense. Her “fully” me rhetoric to have an authentic connection with her was sad. I hope she can
show up as a Christian woman, who as a child of God, lives and serves others instead of deceiving them. She needs prayer to be released from her self-deception.
Again, the Word is according to her experience and story, so there is no basis for discussion with her. With or without God’s word, there will be racial animosity. This is sin and the remedy is Jesus Christ for our sinful nature not a movement, a person or an individual. The beauty of the US is that a civil rights movement could thrive here under the protection of our Constitution which also is a living document that could be amended to outlaw an abomination like slavery. Let’s not forget the many lives lost fighting in the Civil War from various ethnicities not only to preserve the nation but to end slavery. All of this was under God’s sovereignty as He alone directs the course of history. I prefer the stories in the Bible to personal stories and narratives as well as solid Biblical commentaries. I also am glad you referred to the GMC movement instead of a church. I need a church not a movement
So I would agree with you that Helena and I occupy some different places with respect to the validity of a racial lens. I think we hit on some of that tension in this conversation, though you're right to say that I chose not to argue very much. I guess I'm pessimistic about how much I can persuade another person to change their mind on the spot, and I don't think it is super helpful to push things to a breaking point for a viewing audience unless the guest is really just evil. But I haven't even really done that for the evil folks I have interviewed. I rather just highlight the differences between what we believe and why they cannot work together. I don't think racial distinction and resentment are okay within the church. I think those things disappear when our core identity is found in Christ, and when we let our cultural distinctives blend together and/or disappear in the church. She was as enthusiastic about this as I was when I painted that portrait. If she continues down that road, then I expect a lot of that racially-charged stuff will fall away someday. My hope is that the GMC becomes an effective crucible in which those walls are broken down and people from all walks of life find join in submission to the mind of Christ. We aren't anywhere close to that yet. My hope is that conversations like this move in that direction. If I require that everyone of other ethnicities immediately jettison the construct of race in order to be in fellowship with me, then I guarantee that my church stays predominantly American and Anglo. But if I can extend the hand of friendship to those who have only ever really been comfortable in their own racial-cultural group, and they can learn that I and people like me can be vulnerable and accountable to them, and together we kneel at the foot of the cross and submit to Christ's lordship, then I think a lot of this racial dross will be burned away in fires of purification. That's my hope, at least.
It is interesting to me how different people can view the same podcast but walk away with totally different critiques on the discussion. I had a very favorable opinion of Helena, what she said and shared about herself. I do not consider myself naive or without discernment. I understood that she was willing to share who she was, where she came from, her personal experiences, what she learned from those experiences and above all, how her faith is grounded in the Word. To portray her in a negative way after she shared herself openly and with vulnerability smacks un-Christlike hatred. I like her. I think she will be and is a wonderful asset to the GMC. May God bless her with continued health, joy, love and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
There are black reformed theologians who do dot accept liberation theology. Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker of the Just Thinking podcast offer thoughtful insights:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dX1pmpKWJvvcoh0u7GfiY?si=MgsUFUHSQHuUQvupbydkYg
I like Voddie Baucham & Samuel Sey. Super legit and direct. Black conservatism in general is really robust field of thought today. Liberation Theology is NeoMarxist poison. Of course, most who teach it have good intentions. Even so, it should have no place in any serious Christian doctrinal tradition.
Your title is a misnomer, and I would like to explain why.
“Teasing out white European culture” and the word of God as separate entities and thinking of Methodism as dominated by one culture smacks of liberation theology. “ She was aware that her radical seminary was using methodist “systems.” Yes, social welfare was part of the fabric of methodists. A perfect “ system” for social activism. Helena claimed the stats were “ hammered” in at her liberal school. It’s surprising she didn’t question this but only the obvious cross dresser there. You acknowledged historically the myth of the white man’s religion. Ethnic minorities and ethnic majorities exist in the US and churches reflect these communities. Predominately minority churches are not scratching their heads of how to import more whites. This focus serves no one. Why was it a problem that the Methodist church reflected (s) the make up of the dominant culture in the US? So, she was in a black church in LA? She had “access” there and majority status but was still not satisfied. Maybe she met black conservatives but she didn’t elaborate. She also didn’t give examples of how “they,” (whoever they was) kept her down. What was the unfair assessment could well have been her imagination in the us vs them scenario. It’s also sad that her pastor never told her who she was but made “room” for her and sent her on her way to a leftist seminary.
The idea in David Watson’s book that racial parity in the church is very recent is interesting. I’m wondering why you wouldn’t question his premise or consider other books on the topic if you haven’t already. She gave the impression the US was the enemy. Her comment regarding disparities and “access” by gender and racially groups used God’s word to survive and create change. This is exactly what the UMC has done to divide the church by unrightly dividing God’s word. Her liberation and social justice agenda is loud and clear. Her understanding of God’s word is informed by her history and experience. So how is this different from the leftist ideology that has overtaken the UMC? Unfortunately , she is enjoying a powerful position in a GMC church that will feed the GMC as a social activist political machine. I don’t see evidence of her claim to be traditional in any sense. Her “fully” me rhetoric to have an authentic connection with her was sad. I hope she can
show up as a Christian woman, who as a child of God, lives and serves others instead of deceiving them. She needs prayer to be released from her self-deception.
Again, the Word is according to her experience and story, so there is no basis for discussion with her. With or without God’s word, there will be racial animosity. This is sin and the remedy is Jesus Christ for our sinful nature not a movement, a person or an individual. The beauty of the US is that a civil rights movement could thrive here under the protection of our Constitution which also is a living document that could be amended to outlaw an abomination like slavery. Let’s not forget the many lives lost fighting in the Civil War from various ethnicities not only to preserve the nation but to end slavery. All of this was under God’s sovereignty as He alone directs the course of history. I prefer the stories in the Bible to personal stories and narratives as well as solid Biblical commentaries. I also am glad you referred to the GMC movement instead of a church. I need a church not a movement
So I would agree with you that Helena and I occupy some different places with respect to the validity of a racial lens. I think we hit on some of that tension in this conversation, though you're right to say that I chose not to argue very much. I guess I'm pessimistic about how much I can persuade another person to change their mind on the spot, and I don't think it is super helpful to push things to a breaking point for a viewing audience unless the guest is really just evil. But I haven't even really done that for the evil folks I have interviewed. I rather just highlight the differences between what we believe and why they cannot work together. I don't think racial distinction and resentment are okay within the church. I think those things disappear when our core identity is found in Christ, and when we let our cultural distinctives blend together and/or disappear in the church. She was as enthusiastic about this as I was when I painted that portrait. If she continues down that road, then I expect a lot of that racially-charged stuff will fall away someday. My hope is that the GMC becomes an effective crucible in which those walls are broken down and people from all walks of life find join in submission to the mind of Christ. We aren't anywhere close to that yet. My hope is that conversations like this move in that direction. If I require that everyone of other ethnicities immediately jettison the construct of race in order to be in fellowship with me, then I guarantee that my church stays predominantly American and Anglo. But if I can extend the hand of friendship to those who have only ever really been comfortable in their own racial-cultural group, and they can learn that I and people like me can be vulnerable and accountable to them, and together we kneel at the foot of the cross and submit to Christ's lordship, then I think a lot of this racial dross will be burned away in fires of purification. That's my hope, at least.