A Methodist's Reflection on the Pope

I was recently asked by a member of my church share some thoughts about the pope of the Roman Catholic Church from my perspective.  As a Global Methodist pastor, I do not fall under the pope's authority, nor do I subscribe to many of the Roman Catholic Church's teachings about papal authority or infallibility (or many other doctrines of that Christian denomination).  However, since the pope is an important leader in the wider Christian community, which includes 1.406 billion people (roughly 50% of Christians in the world), the pope and the RCC does mater to me and all Christians (regardless of denominational affiliation).  So, here is some information and reflections about the pope that may be helpful.

Understanding the Pope from a Global Methodist Church Perspective

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), considered by Catholics to be the successor to the Apostle Peter. According to Roman Catholic belief, Jesus gave Peter a unique role of leadership (Matthew 16:18-19), and this role continues through the papacy. The Pope leads the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, defines doctrine, and serves as a symbol of unity for over a billion Catholics.

When a pope dies or resigns as Pope Frances did on April 21, the Roman Catholic Church begins a process called a conclave. All eligible cardinals gather in the Vatican, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and vote in secret until a new pope is chosen. This process emphasizes spiritual discernment and the unity of the Church under apostolic leadership.

What Do Global Methodists Believe About the Pope?

The GMC respects Roman Catholics as fellow Christians and acknowledges the historic and global role of the papacy. However, we do not believe that any one person—pope or otherwise—holds divine authority over the universal Church. We affirm that Jesus Christ alone is the head of the Church (Colossians 1:18), and our authority for doctrine and practice comes from Scripture, not from a human office.

Unlike Roman Catholics, we do not view the Pope as infallible. We also believe in the priesthood of all believers and connectional leadership, not a hierarchical structure centered in a single figure.

How Can Global Methodists Pray for the Roman Catholic Church?

As a people committed to Christian unity and the global mission of Jesus, we encourage all GMC members to pray that the Holy Spirit would guide the Roman Catholic Church in its selection of a new pope. We can pray for:

• God’s wisdom and peace to fill the hearts of the cardinals.
• The new pope to be a faithful follower of Jesus and a bridge-builder among all Christians.
• Continued cooperation and dialogue between Catholic and Protestant churches.

Why Does This Matter to Us?

The pope is a prominent global Christian leader whose voice influences moral, social, and theological conversations worldwide. While we have differences, we share with Catholics many foundational beliefs: the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, the resurrection, and the call to love God and neighbor. Praying for their discernment honors Christ’s prayer in John 17 “that they may all be one.”

Chart Comparing Global Methodist and Roman Catholic Beliefs

Belief/Practice	Global Methodist Church (GMC)	Roman Catholic Church (RCC)
Authority	Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura); interpreted through the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience)	Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium (teaching authority of the Pope and bishops)
Church Leadership	Connectional model; bishops and clergy under mutual accountability	Hierarchical model; Pope is the supreme head of the global Church
The Pope	Respected as a global Christian leader, but not authoritative or infallible	Believed to be the successor of Peter, with infallibility in official doctrinal teachings
Sacraments	Two: Baptism and Holy Communion (as means of grace)	Seven: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony
Salvation	By grace through faith, leading to sanctification and holiness	By grace through faith, expressed through sacraments and good works
Baptism	Infant and believer’s baptism both practiced; sign of covenant grace	Usually infant baptism; seen as necessary for salvation
Holy Communion	Open to all who believe in Christ	Typically closed; reserved for practicing Catholics in a state of grace
What Happens in Communion	Jesus is spiritually present; Communion is a means of grace, not a re-sacrifice	Believed to be the literal Body and Blood of Christ (transubstantiation); a re-presentation of Christ’s one sacrifice
View of Mary and Saints	Honored as faithful examples; not prayed to	Venerated; intercessory prayers to Mary and the saints are common
Goal of Christian Life	Holiness of heart and life; entire sanctification	Communion with God through sanctifying grace and participation in Church sacraments
Role of Laity	Vital to ministry; encouraged in leadership and mission	Important, but more hierarchical roles defined by ordination
Role of Women in Ministry	Women can serve at all levels, including as ordained clergy	Women may serve in many ministries, but not as priests or bishops
Scripture and Interpretation	Bible is supreme authority; interpreted with tradition, reason, and experience	Bible plus sacred tradition interpreted by Magisterium
Confession and Forgiveness	Confession often public or personal; assurance given by Scripture and community	Sacrament of Reconciliation with a priest; priest grants absolution

 

The Walk to Emaus Story | A Sermon on Luke 24:13-34

Introduction
Roughly seven miles west, northwest of Jerusalem lies a quiet little town with a funny name—Emmaus. The town itself no longer exists, but its name has lived on for over 2,000 years because of one unforgettable walk.

Two disciples, still reeling from the trauma of Jesus' death and the confusion of reports about an empty tomb, were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus—a journey that would have taken about two to three hours on foot. As they walked, a stranger joined them. They didn’t recognize Him. They poured out their hearts—their sadness, their doubts, their shattered hopes—and the stranger listened. Then, He began to speak, and their hearts burned within them as He explained the Scriptures.

Their story about the resurrection comes to us from Luke 24:13-34.  And it’s important to us, because many of us walk through life just like those two disciples: burdened, confused, heartbroken... and unaware that Jesus is right there beside us. Today’s message is an invitation to open our eyes, to recognize the Risen Christ is walking with us.

Luke 24:13-34
¹³ That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. ¹⁶ But God kept them from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. ¹⁸ Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

¹⁹ “What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. ²⁰ But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. ²¹ We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

²² “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. ²³ They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! ²⁴ Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” ²⁷ Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

²⁸ By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, ²⁹ but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. ³⁰ As they sat down to eat,^[b] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

³² They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” ³³ And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, ³⁴ who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.^[c]”

When Things Seem Out of Control
The first thing I notice about this conversation is how to the disciples it seemed things were out of control.  They said, “our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him…” as if God had no control over it, as if these evil people thwarted God’s plan.  “We had hoped he was the messiah, but…”

No one can ever thwart God’s plan.  God is always in control.  And in fact, the resurrected Jesus chides the disciples.  “You foolish people!” He said. “You find it so hard to believe…”  And He goes on to show how the crucifixion was all part of God’s plan, how He knew it would happen beforehand. 

When things seem out of control in your life, have a little faith.  Trust God.  God is in control.  If you are trying to walk with Him, He will use even the awful things in your life for His glory and your good.  So have faith and hang in there.  When things seem out of control, God may be up to something BIG!

The Writings of Moses and the Prophets
The disciples still didn’t know it was Jesus walking with them as He taught them from the Bible how the death and resurrection of Jesus clearly predicted the Messiah.  What the disciples saw as proof that Jesus wasn’t the Messiah, the Scriptures showed were proof that Jesus absolutely was the Messiah, the Son of God!

I should point out that the Bible Jesus taught from was the Old Testament.  The New Testament didn’t yet exist.  The Gospels and all the letters of the New Testament hadn’t been written yet.  But the Bible Jesus used, and the disciples read at the time, was the Old Testament:  "the writings of Moses and all the prophets…”

Why am I telling you this?  Well, because there are a lot of Christians today who shy away from the Old Testament.  We often prefer the New Testament because it’s a bit easier to understand and we like it’s tone of forgiveness and reconciliation (whereas the Old Testament sometimes seems more wrathful and hard to understand).  Some church leaders today even goes so far as to try to write off the Old Testament as outdated or unnecessary or obsolete.  But for Jesus, our Lord, this was clearly not the case.  For Jesus, the Old Testament was the Word of God and it clearly pointed to Jesus and explained what the Christians of His day needed to know about Christ.

So, I would encourage you to give equal value to the Old Testament.  We need to read it, know it, and understand it.  We believe all Scripture—Old and New Testament—is relevant and points us to Jesus and the way of salvation.

They Begged Him to Stay
The last thing I want to point out is how the disciples begged Jesus to stay.  I love that the Scriptures say they begged Him to stay.  It shows how much they longed to know more about God’s Kingdom.

Now, most of us are not begging for more teaching from the Bible.  In fact, right now many of you are begging me in your mind, “Alright, wrap it up preacher!  It’s time for lunch!”  But these disciples longed for the truth.  And this mysterious person with them (that they still didn’t know was Jesus) was clearly teaching the Scripture’s truth about Jesus.  And they longed for more.  “Don’t leave!  Don’t go on your way!  Stay with us and teach us more!”  And so Jesus stayed with them.

Oh that we would have the same longing for Jesus’ truth in our lives today!  Would you beg Jesus to stay with you today?

The Truth is, Jesus is here.  Jesus is not in the dead.  He’s alive.  And He’s been walking with you all along the way.  And He’s here in the sanctuary with us now.  And He’s waiting for you at the altar this morning as we break the bread and drink the wine.  He wants to kneel with you and pray with you.  May you long to meet with Him here as we celebrate the sacrament of communion.  And may your hearts burn within you as he talks to you and may your eyes be opened so you can see Him walking with you all along the way every day.