Finally, it has become quite clear to me: The New Buddhist Methodist Church, Satsang and Art Studio (NBMC) community is neither a new sect of the Christian Church nor a new lineage of the great Buddhist tradition. Rather, the NBMC has been organized simply to be a servant to the best ideas and practices of both Christianity and Buddhism. (This implies, of course, that we are likewise servants of the best ideas and practices of Taoism, Judaism, Advaita, Islam, Baha’i, Oprah Winfrey, Ekhart Tolle, Rupert Spira, Groucho Marx, et al. But this delicious implication must be left to another day.)
Many of us find comfort and inspiration—insights, practices and worldviews– and a way of life via NBMC, both its online and in-person activities. We recognize that both Buddhism and Christianity 
(particularly Christianity in its most practical, methodical, i.e., loving expression) have now and have had in the past many quite bright, articulate and deeply insightful communicators. We are happy and honored to be helpers and servants of these communicators, both past and present. In a nutshell, we confess: We have nothing new to add.
And yet, as New Buddhist Methodists we recognize ourselves as useful connectors, necessary intermediaries to these two great traditions (or Great Traditions, as Adi Da—more easily known as Da Free John—often put it.) We are like free-lance house-maids who happen to be in service to two different but deeply influential physicists of differing schools. We make no pretense as to adding to the schools themselves. But we know for certain we can introduce these two to each other, and assure each that the “true heart” that beats within the breast of each is a good heart.
It is our honored yet humble role as housemaids to introduce these two to each other, that they might each be blessed in ways they might otherwise not experience.
The brilliant avatar minds and hearts of the many Buddhists and Christians down through the ages, are our true ancestors, for whom we give thanks and from whom we learn life lessons on a regular basis. (I was going to say we learn life lessons “every day,” but I’ve yet to meet anyone who every day learne and expresses new 7th level lessons. )
Again, NBMC is not a new sect, or a new lineage. We are simply ordinary folks who recognize a good thing when we see it. And are happy to serve that good thing, and bring it to the attention of others, when life and good luck permit.
We are servants, at root. Servants of wisdom and good cheer. Which is a good and sufficient role to play, while here on earth, yes?
