The first is the "Confessing Movement," which is an unofficial movement within The United Methodist Church. It claims 700,000 supporters and that includes more than 7,000 clergy and 1,500 churches.

Its stated purpose is "to enable The United Methodist Church to retrieve its classical doctrinal identity, and to live it out as disciples of Jesus Christ." The executive director is Patricia L. Miller, who is also a longtime Indiana State legislator.

The second is "Forward in Faith North America," a group of Anglicans (usually referred to as Episcopalians in this country), who are dissatisfied with the liberal theological trends in the United States and Canada.

Its stated purpose is "to uphold the historic faith, practice and order of the church Biblical, Apostolic and Catholic, and to resist all efforts to deviate from it." Bishops Jack L. Iker of Fort Worth and Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh are key leaders.

Interestingly, both groups are connected historically to the same source. Methodism's founders, John and Charles Wesley, lived and died priests in the Church of England. It is also the Mother Church for Episcopalians.

So, where does all of this lead those whose spiritual journey tells them something is seriously wrong with the institutions they are trying to support? Furthermore, what has caused them to sense they are no longer being fed adequately by their denominations?

From study and experience, we can see reform movements might be primarily about power, prestige and privilege. Is that true with these groups? Frankly, I don't think so. There are just too many good and highly respected people involved.

One only needs to read the Ten Commandments and the New Testament prayerfully to perceive some directions taken by the parent denominations have moved to the edge of a cliff, beyond which authentic Christianity is scarce.

---Donald Charles Lacy is a native of Henry and Delaware counties and has served churches across the State of Indiana.