The September 15-21, 2007 issue of the economist has a front page article entitled: "Why they should stay." The article is about the Iraq War, presenting the argument for the United States to remain in the war rather than bringing all our troops home. All of us have read other articles asking for the immediate removal of our troops and articles about the need for our troops to continue their presence in Iraq. What is different in this particular article is the percentage of the article that is dedicated to present the facts that contradict their conclusion.

We are used to having people present one side of an argument and totally ignore any information that may contradict their position. This habit has also invaded our Christian life. People want easy theological answers while ignoring any biblical-theological fact that might contradict their accepted theology; whether liberal or conservative. Others have decided to give up any attempt to discover the truth. They believe that there is no such thing as truth.

In the book of Genesis we find Jacob in preparing himself to meet his brother Esau sent everyone with all he had before him. "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

We at the First United Methodist Church of Freehold have decided to wrestle with our theology until it blesses us. We believe that there is a truth that can be discovered and followed. It is in that spirit we proclaim to be a church with an open mind. We wrestle in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians: "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." We invite you to come join us in our search for the new creation.

At the First United Methodist Church of Freehold, our mission is to bring faith, hope and the love of Christ to the world thorough open hearts, open minds, and open doors. You are more than welcome; you are loved.