This is true, but a Christian's first connection is to Christ Jesus. Her first covenant is with the Lord God. His first book is God's book. The first voice we should heed is His. This priority may at times put us in conflict with Christian family and friends.
Bishops are key in the renewal of our denomination.
In The Pastoral Statement from the Council of Bishops this spring they clarified their position on the state of the church. We celebrate their affirmation, but we must now lovingly hold them accountable and encourage them to hold each other accountable. We have a responsibility to be a part of the renewal of the United Methodist denomination. We cannot close our ears and only focus on our local and international outreach. We urge all official representatives of the United Methodist Church to proclaim and uphold the basic doctrine of the Church and the position of the Church on the ethical issues of sanctity of life and human sexuality as described in the Book of Discipline.