Reforming the Church’s Social and Political Witness Winter 2018

Cambodian Anglicans Chart a New Path page 8

ALSO INSIDE:

► Trashing Megachurches page 3

► What’s Happened Since a Texas Baptist Church Affirmed Homosexuality? page 10

► Why I’m Glad Joshua Harris Is Rethinking His Dating Advice page 13

► You Might Have a Case of Mainline Myopia If... page 14

► Dishonor Roll: State Department Lists Countries of Particular Concern page 15 FROM THE PRESIDENT Trashing Megachurches VOLUME 37 NUMBER 1

rashing megachurches is often popular. According to the standard stereotype, they’re big exurban factories resembling car deal- The Khmer-language congregation at the Anglican Church of Christ Our Peace mixes T erships with giant American flags flapping over after services on the morning of October 22, 2017, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Photo THE INSTITUTE ON enormous parking lots, catering to rich, socially Credit: Jeff Walton / IRD). See story on pages 8–9. RELIGION & DEMOCRACY irresponsible SUV-driving Sunbelt Republicans 1023 15th Street NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20005 anxious to hear superficial, self-serving health Phone: 202.682.4131 and wealth sermons from huckster preachers in Fax: 202.682.4136 flashy suits. FEATURES (Photo Credit: Saddleback Church/Facebook) Web: www.TheIRD.org A recent column by Jonathan Merritt of Reli- 10 Evangelical: E-mail: [email protected] gion News Service cites a liberal advocacy group What’s Happened Since report asserting that, of the 100 largest congregations in America, are active worshipers. One survey says the average age of a mega- a Texas Baptist Church PRESIDENT none are LGBTQ affirming, over 90 percent have white pastors, church worshiper is 40. For Mainline Protestants it’s close to 60. Affirmed Homosexuality? Mark D. Tooley and only one has a female pastor. Merritt calls this report “explo- Liberal Mainliners like to boast of LGBTQ inclusion. But I by Chelsen Vicari sive” without directly condemning the churches. But many on strongly conjecture the average megachurch, even though not EDITORIAL social media have predictably issued their disapproving tut-tuts. affirming LGBTQ causes, still by virtue of its size and variety Jeffrey Walton The originating advocacy group wants to shame these churches. of programs has more LGBTQ people than the average mostly Executive Editor, 12 United Methodist: Megachurches of course aren’t generated, subsidized or reg- empty liberal church proudly waving rainbow flags to little effect. David Watson: United Communications Manager ulated by government fiat or any centralized authority. They’re As to female clergy, my own United Methodist denomination Methodist Pro-Life Witness STAFF big because they’re popular, typically founded by entrepreneurial to which I’m committed has ordained women since the 1950s. All Joseph Rossell pastors who are very talented at presenting winsome messages the liberal Mainline denominations ordain women. But the vast by Mark Tooley Research Analyst that broadly appeal. They are almost always Evangelical and bulk of global Christianity doesn’t, including of course Catholi- 15 Religious Liberty: theologically more traditional. cism, Orthodoxy, and most of global Protestantism. Much of Dishonor Roll: State Faith J. H. McDonnell There are thousands of churches in America with liberal global Pentecostalism does though women pastors are a small Department Lists Director of Religious Liberty Programs clergy. They could become megachurches if their messages and minority. Almost no other major global religions have female Countries of Particular appeal were compelling to more people. But they aren’t. Grow- clerics, such as Islam, Hinduism, etc. Although I’m happy in my Concern John Lomperis ing religion, Christian or otherwise, in America or globally, now tradition, I’m loathe to condemn as intrinsically bigoted the vast UMAction Director by Faith J. H. McDonnell and across history, is almost always in some sense traditionalist. majority with different teachings. If megachurches are chauvinis- Rick J. Plasterer It challenges and demands with cohesive beliefs and practices. tic and bigoted why do they more successfully attract women and PROGRAMS Staff Writer Where are the growing liberal churches, mosques, and temples non-whites than the ostensibly more enlightened liberal churches? around the world? They exist, if at all, in the minds of some West- I’ve never desired to worship at a megachurch. They seem ern theologians and sociologists. More permissive and theologi- too choreographed and overwhelming and often too dependent Church News...... 4 Chelsen Vicari Evangelical Action Director cally lax religion may sound appealing but it rarely attracts a sus- on the pastor’s personality for my taste. Some of the stereotypes tained crowd, anywhere. (No, big crowds don’t equal theological about them have grains of truth! I prefer smaller, more tradi- International Briefs...... 6 Marc LiVecche truth, but chronically dying congregations are hardly validating tional churches. But megachurches can reach many more with Scholar on Christian Ethics, spirituality.) the Gospel and provide a variety of ministries that my preferred War and Peace Anglican This latest slam against megachurches implies they’re racial- churches cannot and likely never will. ly exclusive because over 90 percent of pastors are white. Most So thank you, megachurches. For some of us you’re just too 8 Cambodian Anglicans Chart a New Path...... Jeffrey Walton Fiona McDonnell megachurches have originated in mostly white suburbs and glitzy. But please ignore often peevish critics, and keep feeding many Office Manager exurbs, but their congregations are more diverse than commonly spiritually famished souls who otherwise might go hungry. Evangelical imagined. A 2015 survey found that 10 percent of megachurches 13 Why I’m Glad Joshua Harris Is Rethinking His reported no racial majority, while 37 percent of megachurches reported between 20 percent and 49 percent minority presence Dating Advice...... Chelsen Vicari Lay Pastor Nass Sowannia leads neighborhood children in an activity in their majority white congregations. Megachurches also report United Methodist at Rokakos Church, a rural preaching that about 20 percent of their worshipers are between ages 18–34. station outside of Phnom Penh, Compare those stats with “inclusive” liberal Mainline Prot- 14 You Might Have Mainline Myopia If...... John Lomperis Cambodia, on October 23, 2017. estant denominations, whose memberships are 88 percent to 96 (Photo Credit: Jeff Walton / IRD). percent white, excepting the American Baptist denomination, Mark D. Tooley is the President of the Institute on Religion and Democracy IRD Diary the least liberal among the seven, which is 73 percent white. Their 16 Why I Left a Non-Denominational Church for the SBC. . . . . Brady Weller memberships are also much older. One survey says only 12 percent of Episcopal Church members are millennials. Likely far fewer

2 FAITH & FREEDOM | Winter 2018 Winter 2018 | FAITH & FREEDOM 3 CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS

Moody Bible Institute in Turmoil and “professors who deny the inerrancy DC Episcopalians Eschew of Scripture.” Following Allegations Despite the sudden executive resigna- Gendered Pronouns for God tions, a statement from Fairfax, Thornton, and Interim Provost John Jelinek on Jan- uary 23 insisted “there is no corruption, or any illegal and unethical activity taking llegations of questionable spend- of the institute’s financial woes. Roys place at Moody” and “Moody is steadfast piscopal Church dioceses are pass- homophobia and transphobia ing practices and wavering Bibli- confronted MBI Board Chair Randy in our wholehearted commitment to the ing resolutions in the lead-up to give rise to discrimination” and Acal orthodoxy have contributed to Fairfax and was abruptly dismissed historic, orthodox doctrines of the faith Etheir church-wide General Conven- “fixed boundaries of gender a sudden change of leadership at Chica- from her show seemingly as a result of and to the inspiration and inerrancy of tion this July. These measures confirm identity are being challenged go’s Moody Bible Institute (MBI). Presi- her reports. She was notified of her ter- the Word of God.” the denomination is headed in a further and churches need to respond.” dent J. Paul Nyquist and Chief Operating mination in an email from Greg Thorn- Roys doubled down on her evidence, politicized and progressive direction. The rationale for “On Officer Steve Mogck both resigned Janu- ton, MBI senior vice president of media, which she maintains confirms allega- It took less than an hour for Diocese the Gendered Language for ary 10 and Provost Dr. Junias Venugopal and was told only that “after consulting tions of questionable financial practices of Washington convention delegates to God” related to Book of Com- retired, citing MBI’s need for “a new sea- with the Executive Committee of the and theological drift away from ortho- approve legislation “On Becoming a Sanc- mon Prayer revisions that will son of leadership.” Moody Board, leadership is terminating doxy. Roys argued, “[A]ll is not well, and tuary Diocese: Offering Sacred Welcome potentially be considered by the Hints of the college’s financial prob- your employment.” According to Roys, Moody’s latest statement has only further to Immigrants,” “On Inclusion of Trans- national church: lems were first visible when Christianity no reason was given. gender People,” and “On the Gendered muddied the waters.” “…utilize expansive lan- Today’s Kate Shelnutt reported MBI was Allegations of an unorthodox theo- Language for God” at the Washington Roys asserts that her investigation guage for God from the rich preparing to close its Spokane campus logical shift among MBI faculty and staff National Cathedral on January 27. is about truth telling, not mudslinging. sources of feminine, mascu- and Pasadena satellite site and cut Chi- also raised eyebrows. “On Inclusion of Transgender Peo- “Unity requires dealing with sin, not line, and non-binary imag- The Episcopal Diocese of Washington considered cago campus faculty in order to “preserve According to Roys, MBI Trustees ple” called upon the diocese to “remove denying it,” she writes, urging, “So please ery for God found in Scrip- three resolutions during its yearly Diocesan Moody’s long-term financial wellbeing.” were set to discuss a “professor who sup- all obstacles to full participation in con- MBI leadership, own and name your mis- ture and tradition and, when Convention on January 27, 2018 (Photo: Becky An open letter anonymously submit- ports Planned Parenthood, liberation the- gregational life by making all gender-spe- Zartman / Twitter). takes. And then let’s move on with a clean possible, to avoid the use of ted to The Moody Standard in November, ology, and a host of other liberal causes” cific facilities and activities fully acces- slate and fresh vision.” gendered pronouns for God.” apparently written by faculty, detailed sible, regardless of gender identity and should not be limited by gendered pro- questionable spending and student and expression.” Resolution drafters asserted that nouns when avoidable.” faculty frustrations with a non-respon- Resolution drafters cited Episcopal perception of God has changed over Speaking in favor of the resolution, sive administration in the wake of nearly Presbyterian Theologian Baptismal Covenant wording—“Will time: “Our current gender roles shape clergy delegate Linda Calkins brandished one-third full-time faculty cuts. you strive for justice and peace among all and limit our understanding of God. a copy of The Inclusive Bible: The First Egal- An investigation by Moody Radio R. C. Sproul (1939–2017) Passes people, and respect the dignity of every By expanding our language for God, we itarian Translation and read from Genesis host Julie Roys made public January 9 human being?”—as a basis for trans- will expand our image of God and the Chapter 17, in which God tells Abraham, revealed a $500,000 interest-only loan to gender advocacy. The statement dived nature of God. Our new Book of Com- “I am El Shaddai.” Calkins asserted, “If hen he passed away in Decem- “If the atheist can live intellectually Nyquist for a condominium, providing a into intersectionality theory, charging mon Prayer needs to reflect the language we are going to be true to what El Shaddai ber at the age of 78, Presbyterian with massive causeless effect such as the luxury suite for Left Behind author and that “the intersections of racism, sexism, of the people and our society … language means, it means God with breasts.” Church in America (PCA) theo- material universe,” Sproul wrote, “why is former Chairman of the Board of Trust- W El Shaddai is traditionally translated logian and Ligonier Ministries founder he constrained to provide a cause for such ees Jerry Jenkins, and a multi-million R.C. Sproul didn’t get much ink. Even in a small thing as religion?” as “God Almighty,” but The Inclusive Bible dollar new building project in the midst the religious press the obituaries passed As Sproul saw it, the actual psy- Presbyterian Theologian R. C. Sproul (1939–2017) Passes reads “…and God said, I am the breasted one.” over some of his most important work. chology of atheism is a kind of trinity. Continued from page 4 A common charge leveled against Confrontation with God can shock, and “I wrote a thesis on liberation and people with religious beliefs, Sproul therefore involves trauma. In a process of plus chance equals order freedom and non-equality in feminist the- observed, was that their convictions were repression, the atheist buries the knowl- and complexity. Sproul ology and existential counseling,” Calkins motivated solely by psychological needs. edge of God in the subconscious. Thesub - was not going to let that told the convention. “Many of us are wait- He thought this charge was worthy of a stitution that follows generally produces conviction go unchal- ing and need to hear God in our language, reply and in 1974 wrote The Psychology of either a militant evangelical atheism or a lenged, but he kept things in our words and in our pronouns.” Atheism. bogus religion, but either way it involves in perspective. Attendance in the diocese declined Sproul detailed what Freud, Feuer- “the exchange of truth for a lie.” Asked what he wanted 17 percent since 2006, while baptisms bach, Marx, and Nietzsche thought Sproul argued that the right to life, on his tombstone, Sproul and weddings declined 35 percent and 39 about theism and its causes. Since there liberty, and free speech cannot emerge reportedly said, “I told you percent, respectively. In April, diocesan is no God, as atheists believe, why is there from the belief that nothing plus time I was sick.” clergy will hear from an organization religion? For his part, Sproul wondered assisting churches “to move from a place Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois Theologian R.C. Sproul of plateau or decline to sustained congre- (Photo Credit: Son of Thunder/Public why atheists even bothered with a causal (Photo Credit: Ligonier domain via Wikimedia Commons). explanation for religion. Continued on page 5 Ministries). gational health.”

4 FAITH & FREEDOM | Winter 2018 Winter 2018 | FAITH & FREEDOM 5 INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS

New Anglican Leaders for South Sudan and Rwanda

wo Anglican Communion provinc- South Sudanese who had been displaced. media released after the election, Bishop Holy Trinity Methodist Church and con- es located in the Global South have His diocese has two companion dioceses: Arama said the unification of the church cluded with a mass at Santa Maria Catho- Telected new top leaders. Albany, New York, and Down and Drom- in the midst of a devastated political envi- lic Cathedral on Christmas Day. On January 21, the Rt. Rev. Justin ore, Northern Ireland. ronment will be one of his top priorities. Naw Nilar San, a Baptist, told the Badi Arama was elected to be the new Lt. Colonel Jan Ransom of the UK- “As I come, my vision is that Chris- Fides News Service that “in 50 years I have Archbishop of Juba and Primate of South based Christian ministry Flame Inter- tians in South Sudan should see them- never experienced this kind of Christ- Sudan. The election follows Dr. Laurent national was thrilled to hear of Arama’s selves as brothers and sisters,” Arama said Anglican Archbishop Stephen Than Mynt Oo (center) participates in the 2017 Rangoon mas feast; many Christian singers sang Mbanda’s January 17 selection as the next election, whom she referred to as a “man in the statement. Christmas Festival (Photo Credit: Anglican Church in Myanmar). Christmas hymns, and Christians offered Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican of real integrity” and “very wise.” The Most Rev. Onesphore Rwaje, food and drink to the people of Yangon, Church of Rwanda. Flame International takes volunteers Primate of Rwanda, turns 65 and must without any discrimination, bringing Anglicans are experiencing signifi- into war-torn and suffering communi- step down from office in June. His succes- Christmas Comes to Rangoon everyone a greeting and a wish for peace.” cant numerical growth in both countries, ties to minister. The group has worked sor Mbanda is a former vice president of “This year is very significant in the with the Anglican Church of Rwanda now alongside Arama or the first time in 50 years, Christian Christian festivals and limited Christian history of Burma because Christians were counting nearly one million members since 2005 when communities in the city of Rangoon worship to the interiors of churches. Bur- allowed to celebrate Christmas publicly and the Episcopal Church of South Sudan he was the first F(Yangon) were permitted to celebrate ma’s population of 51.4 million is predom- with the people of the city,” said Catholic claiming 3.5 million members. Both South Sudanese Christmas in public, sources in the Angli- inantly Buddhist, with approximately 3 priest Fr. Thet Tin. “This Christmas Fes- churches have a significant role in the church leader can Church in Myanmar tell George million Christians. tival in the city was intended to promote Anglican realignment, entering into full to invite Flame Conger of Anglican Ink. In December, Christians in Rangoon social cohesion, interreligious under- communion with the Anglican Church International The military junta that ruled Myan- held their first Christmas festival with standing and friendship among citizens.” in North America while cutting ties to the into the country. mar (Burma) since independence began worship services, outdoor processions, Phyo Min Thein, Prime Minister of national U.S.-based Episcopal Church. “He is evangeli- a series of democratic and economic feasts, and activities in a public area – the Regional Government of Yangon, told Archbishop-elect Arama succeeds cal, he stands by reforms in 2010 that led to the 2015 elec- with the permission and presence of gov- church leaders that public celebrations of the Most Reverend Daniel Deng Bul, the Word of God, tion of democracy activist Aung San ernment leaders. The proceedings began Christmas would be permitted in years to who announced his retirement this and he stands his Suu Kyi. The junta had forbidden public on the evening of the 23rd with worship at come. past July. Arama’s Diocese of Maridi ground,” Ransom is in Western Equatoria, bordering the shared. Congo. During the war waged on the According to Dr. Laurent Mbanda is interviewed by reporters following his Brownback Confirmed International Religious South by the Islamist government in Anglican Ink, in a election to be Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda Khartoum, Arama ministered to fellow statement to the (Photo Credit: A Living Text). Freedom Ambassador

the Christian non-governmental organi- he United States Senate on January 24 to reverse the recent Trump Administra- zation Compassion International. Dur- voted to confirm Kansas Governor Sam tion decision lifting some sanctions on ing his enthronement as Bishop of Shyira TBrownback as the U.S. State Depart- the Islamic Republic of Sudan. in November 2010, Mbanda said that his ment Ambassador-at-Large for Internation- “With more countries than ever focus would be to train church people al Religious Freedom. Brownback now leads before actively engaged in systematic, holistically and spiritually to lead trans- the State Department Office of International ongoing and egregious violations of reli- formation in society. Religious Freedom, monitoring religious gious freedom, Ambassador Brownback “It is very humbling to carry this freedom abuses across the globe. has a challenging job,” commented IRD responsibility, but one I strongly believe Brownback will face critical issues Religious Liberty Director Faith J.H. I have been prepared for,” Mbanda told including implementation of provisions McDonnell. “The real test for Brownback the Anglican Communion News Ser- in The Frank Wolf International Religious will be to see if words are backed up with vice in 2010. “I have been in evangelism Freedom Act that the State Department actions. It is still up to concerned citi- before, I have traveled to over 65 coun- has never implemented. Among these zens and human rights/religious freedom tries around the world. God will use the provisions are such key issues as creating organizations to make that happen.” experience I have lived, learnt to serve a comprehensive list of religious prisoners There is reason for optimism: in Con- the people.” (persons who are detained, imprisoned, gress, Brownback was a key defender of tortured, and subject to forced renuncia- the persecuted and oppressed around the tion of faith), and requiring international world. He has been a vocal advocate for Kansas Governor Sam Brownback speaks Dr. Laurent Mbanda during his religious freedom training for all Foreign international religious freedom for mar- at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland enthronement ceremony as Bishop of Service Officers. Brownback also faces ginalized peoples in Sudan and for human Shyira Diocese, Rwanda in 2010. (Photo (Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Credit: The Rwanda New Times). calls from Sudan human rights activists rights in North Korea and China. Commons).

6 FAITH & FREEDOM | Winter 2018 Winter 2018 | FAITH & FREEDOM 7 ANGLICAN ANGLICAN The Rev. Steven Seah leads a tour of the future sanctuary of the Anglican Church Cambodian Anglicans of Christ Our Peace in Phnom Penh, the Alpha course helped the dispropor- Khmer meet in an auditorium for a many children with little adult help has Cambodia (Photo: Jeff Walton / IRD). tionately young congregation articulate 90-minute liturgical worship service that led to the goal of discipling a smaller their Christian beliefs. Two more Alpha also features a praise band and evangeli- number of children who, as they grow Chart a New Path activity began in 1993 after the Arch- sessions are planned for 2018. cal songs. According to Whitaker, only older, can serve as leaders to educate the by Jeff Walton bishop of Canterbury wrote to the King Blaine is also instructing his flock on about five members of the congregation younger children. of Cambodia asking permission to form a the importance of the sacraments. The con- have an Anglican background. Families Children, Seah notes, are far more worshiping congregation in Phnom Penh. gregation has increased from having com- with kids, Canadians, Nigerians, and receptive to the Gospel than their par- Three Anglican churches now minister in munion only once a year, to twice a year, to Americans are in attendance. ents, although parents encourage them to the city, with four mission extensions in now monthly. Later in 2018, the congrega- Anglicans are also the provinces. tion will have communion weekly. ministering among the “Serving in Cambodia is very chal- Dania Prak attends the morning sizeable Khmer-language lenging for many different reasons,” prayer service at CCOP. She is an English- ethnic Chinese popula- explains Blaine. “There is a very strong speaking Cambodian who once lived in tion, nearly 80,000 strong ‘cultural inertia’ towards retaining their the struggling neighborhood adjacent to in Phnom Penh, some of culture, their historical background. the church that is now transformed with whom hail from the Chi- For many Cambodians, it is difficult for western brands and boutique hotels cater- nese diaspora and others pace is tight in the Phnom Penh gym near the church advertises an $800 them to consider something beyond what ing to foreign tourists. Prak remembers from mainland China. chapel where Cambodian Anglican annual membership, a price unimagina- they’ve already known. On the flip side, it that as a small child the free biscuits lured At Church of the SChristians have gathered to worship ble to most Cambodians. A new Bentley is very difficult for many young Cambodi- her to church. She kept returning—and Good Shepherd (COGS) on a Sunday morning. dealership has also opened. ans because they want to chart a new path created mischief during Sunday school. in Phnom Penh, one vis- “If you can’t find a seat, just stand The Khmer Rouge regime-initiated for themselves and the country going for- But the Gospel message took hold in her iting Chinese pastor is in for a few minutes and seats will open up genocide, which resulted in the deaths of ward. As they do that, it’s hard for them to heart, and now she is a key lay leader in the process of relocating when the children go to their Sunday between one-quarter and one-third of the find role models. It’s hard for them to find the congregation. after police shut down school,” advises Pastor Jesse Blaine, a Cambodian population in the late 1970s, ideas and pathways that they can pursue.” The Khmer congregation has out- his Bible school in China. Khmer-speaking American who leads the left little church presence. Christians, Blaine explains that a successful grown its small chapel, but there will be Cambodia has relatively congregation. along with any western-educated Cambo- Alpha (basic Christian beliefs) course this more room when the congregation’s new few religious restrictions, Circulation fans whir in the quaint dians, were targeted by the atheist regime. past autumn and a personal finance train- building—shared with the English-speak- and enterprising pastors rented space that offers stained glass win- The church—like the 19th-century French ing course are pushing the church out ing international congregation—is com- see the growing ethnic Vendors sell “merit birds” along the riverfront in Phnom Penh, dows and a central location in the bus- Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral in into the community and forcing them to pleted in mid-2018. The eight-story building Chinese population as Cambodia on October 25, 2017. The birds are believed to tling Southeast Asian city, but no air con- Phnom Penh, torn down stone by stone— find ways to creatively bring people into replaces the congregation’s original repur- receptive to the Gospel. carry away the misdeeds of those who purchase them. Most Cambodians consider themselves practitioners of ditioning. The church has tripled in size was nearly completely wiped out. the church. posed villa and is slated to open in June. Congregants sing Theravada Buddhism, but various animistic practices also in the past year. A missionary outpost of Ten years after the genocide ended, “Our hopes were to have 8-10 people Classrooms, offices, guest apartments, and songs in Khmer at a endure (Photo: Jeff Walton / IRD). the worldwide Anglican Communion, only a few hundred Cambodian Chris- for each [Alpha] session, and we ended a sanctuary seating more than 300 persons recent Sunday service, it is one piece of the growing Christian tians survived. Today, that number has up averaging about 30,” Blaine shared. “It will facilitate ministry. A separate large some of which are Taiwanese composi- attend church ministries because they see community in Cambodia, where church increased to meeting space will permit the Khmer con- tions instead of songs translated from value in the structure and moral instruc- attendees weigh the truth claims of Chris- approximately gregation to worship simultaneously with English. A multi-ethnic feel permeates tion that the children receive. tianity a generation removed from the 150,000 Chris- the international congregation. the space; two recently arrived students Nass Sowannia, a Khmer lay pastor Khmer Rouge genocide. tian believers, from Beijing introduce themselves. The at the site, says they could do a lot here if according to In Transition pair will learn Khmer and then teach they had more help. A Rapidly Changing City Blaine, making it The Rev. Gregory Whitaker, who Chinese, with the ambitious goal of lean- Church growth has also been facili- Blaine preaches on Matthew Chapter one of the fastest leads the International Congregation at ing the language in four months. tated through ministries like Project 19, his Khmer peppered with recogniz- growing Chris- the Church of Christ Our Peace, says that Khmer Hope (PKH), where vulnerable able brands: B-M-W, Ferrari, and Lam- tian populations the congregation has found itself serving Rokakos Field Visit young people in Kampong Speu Province borghini. The message is about the rich in the world. a highly transient community of educa- Outside of the city, ministry takes learn skills and are discipled. Begun as a young ruler who is dismayed to learn Some estimate tors, doctors, and non-government orga- place at informal rural preaching sta- ministry of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sin- that he must give up the material things that 2-3 percent nization (NGO) workers. tions, including a small tidy building in gapore, PKH has identified ways at-risk he loves in order to follow Jesus. Mem- of Cambodia’s Khmer-speaking Christians take part in an Alpha course at the “The challenge is not to see them as Rokakos, where young children pile in for Anglican Church of Christ Our Peace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia appendages or someone whom ‘oh, you’re games and stories. Continued on page 11 bers of the congregation nod. Blaine later citizens prac- (Photo: Jesse Blaine/SAMS). See story on pages 8–9. shares that foreign investment—some of tice Christianity only here a short time and it doesn’t mat- Ministry in Rokakos, by necessity, it legitimate, some not—has brought new while approxi- ter what we do with you because you’ll be looks different from that in Phnom Penh. Jeffrey H. Walton is the wealth and materialism to Phnom Penh. mately 97 percent of Cambodia’s popula- was a pure joy on our parts to welcome gone.’ If we adopt that mindset, then 70 According to The Rev. Steven Seah, Asso- Communications Manager The neighborhood in which the Church of tion follows Theravada Buddhism. several participants into the family of percent of the church goes unpastored,” ciate Dean for Cambodia, the congrega- and Anglican Program faith and we look forward to baptizing Director at the Institute on Christ Our Peace (CCOP) Khmer minis- Protestant missionary activity in Whitaker explained. tion has only three adults but dozens of Religion & Democracy. ters bears little resemblance to its appear- Cambodia dates to at least 1923, but the them in February.” Blaine explained that On a typical Sunday, between 140- children—up to 200 came on Christmas ance just a few short years ago. An upscale church grew slowly. Anglican Church Continued on page 9 200 internationals and English-speaking Day. The difficulty of ministering to so

8 FAITH & FREEDOM | Winter 2018 Winter 2018 | FAITH & FREEDOM 9 EVANGELICAL EVANGELICAL

“The majority of people—and there’s whether historically orthodoxy includes mission projects; or have congregants more than 100 now who have joined since the question of marriage or if we’ve not participate on the convention’s leadership What’s Happened Since a Texas Baptist the vote, maybe about 120 at this point— added that as something we’re now add- boards and committees. are not gay, but they want to be in a church ing to the doctrine of God, the Nicene I found 215 churches in Dallas listed Church Affirmed Homosexuality? that has no restrictions on the basis of sex- Creed, all of that.” as affiliated with the Baptist General ual orientation and gender identity,” said Mason suggests conservative Chris- Convention of Texas. They are diverse in by Chelsen Vicari Mason. “But it’s not like Millennial gay tians are adding new, restrictive layers on many ways, but not in their teachings on people have joined our church in droves what constitutes orthodoxy. marriage. or anything like that. More of them have “So often what I start reading from When asked if these pastors from been middle age and Millennials.” people who are saying this is not ortho- a variety of cultural and ethnic back- dox or it’s Christian heresy, I want to say, grounds get the LGBTQ issue wrong, Following the Footsteps of ‘Where in the creed are we in violation?’ Mason answered, “I’m only responsible Liberal Mainline Protestants? And then they’ll want to say, ‘Well let’s go for, I think, what we do and for the deci- A driving force behind Mason’s per- to the Bible, the Bible plainly says.’ Alright, sions we make.” sonal advocacy of the Church’s LGBTQ the Bible is not where we talk about Chris- Although Mason personally advo- affirmation seemingly stems from his tian orthodoxy,” claimed Mason. cates for LGBTQ affirmation, he assured concern same-sex attracted Christians He added, “Historically, when we’ve me he is not angry with conservative are fated to a life of singleness and celiba- talked about orthodoxy we’ve talked about Christians who hold a traditional under- cy in non-affirming Evangelical churches. it in terms of our creedal tradition of what standing of marriage. In fact, he says he “It seems to me [Evangelical church- orthodoxy is, which has to do with who held a traditional view of marriage for es] don’t have a fruitful path for gay God is, with who is Jesus Christ, what is most of his ministry. Christians in non-affirming churches. I salvation, what is the nature of God…we “God in time may prove that I was think if you try to think about where that have not had as part of these creeds, mar- wrong about this, or that our church n November 2016, a prominent Dal- who would vote ‘no’ on this. What I didn’t For Mason, the decline in church leaves the Church, it leaves the Church riage is between a man and a woman only.” was wrong. I don’t know that,” concludes Mason. “But we only have this moment to las-area Baptist church cast a 577-367 know was they would leave over it,” attendance across the nation, as he notes, with many gay Christians who do not Who Gets It Wrong? vote to extend full membership to admitted Mason. has to do with the growing rise of secu- have a way to exercise their spiritual be responsible for the decisions we make. I Wilshire made headlines in 2016 And so I’m willing to live with that.” homosexually active people, including At the time of the vote in Novem- larism in the West. Mason holds firm gifts on behalf of the body of Christ in a leadership ordination and marriage offi- ber 2016, Mason noted Wilshire claimed LGBTQ affirmation has less to do with a healthy, wholesome way. They are forced when his state’s Baptist General Conven- tion of Texas (BGCT) swiftly severed ties ciation. “Open to all, closed to none,” is about 1,500 active, resident members. church’s decline. to be among us, if they are at all, as people Chelsen Vicari directs now Wilshire Baptist Church’s proud After the vote in favor of LGBTQ affirma- “I think to put such a fine point on who must be alone.” with Wilshire for its departure from tra- the Evangelical Action slogan. tion, not all of those members continued saying churches that choose to include Of course, there do exist affirming ditional Christian teaching on marriage. program at the Institute It’s been one year since the church’s calling Wilshire their church home. LGBT persons fully or to affirm them are denominations such as the Episcopal The dissolved affiliation meant on Religion and controversial vote made headlines. What’s “Months later, after the bleeding had sort of the litmus test to whether you’re Church or the United Church of Christ. Wilshire could no longer send represen- Democracy. happened at Wilshire Baptist Church stopped, the church counted its losses: going to decline or you’re going to con- During the interview, I pointed out tatives, called “messengers,” to BGCT’s since then? To find out, the Institute on About 250 members left, taking $700,000 tinue to grow, I don’t think that’s fair.” Washington D.C.’s massive Mainline annual meetings; contribute funds to Religion and Democracy conducted a of annual giving with them,” Advocate Wilshire’s efforts were done in the Protestant sanctuaries that tout rainbow phone interview with Wilshire Baptist’s Magazine reported in November 2017. name of inclusion and diversity. IRD flags and yet see sparse and aging Sunday Senior Pastor George Mason. “Three Sunday school classes of older wanted to know whether their efforts morning attendance. Cambodian Anglicans Chart a New Path Some church members have left, adults disappeared altogether.” actually resulted in attracting more peo- Is Wilshire following the declining while others have joined. But Mason Mason confirmed the Advocate’s ple from a variety of backgrounds.“It’s trajectory of some Mainline denomina- Continued from page 9 insists Wilshire continues to be a fruitful report of membership loss was accurate. not like we’ve seen a lot more African tions that have adopted revisionist sexual and orthodox church, depending on how However, he assured me new members American folk or Latinos,” began Mason. ethics? Mason hopes not, but he offered, children can achieve financial security by including some of the top hotels in Siem you define “fruitful” and “orthodox.” continued to join Wilshire. Nearly 120 “But the question really that we were ask- “Honestly, I don’t know the answer to that preparing for work in Cambodia’s grow- Reap and Phnom Penh. have joined since last November, he said ing is does that include LGBT persons. question. I think we’re going to have to see.” ing hospitality sector. Many of the trainees become Chris- Losses Versus Gains later on in the interview. And so we were answering that ques- Susan Gok served as cabin crew tians—48 were baptized last year—and the Fallout from the vote is what Mason “Let me say, yes we’ve lost these mem- tion with this vote. The answer was yes Questioning Orthodoxy with Singapore Airlines for 15 years, program has grown from placing trainees calls “the biggest misjudgment of my bers. But again, we’ve gained back nearly it should, and it does. And yes, we have Most interestingly, Mason takes issue became a Christian in 2001, and even- from its first graduating class in 2006 in ministry.” half the ones we’ve lost. Maybe forty per- had a number of gay Christians join the with how orthodoxy is being defined by tually came to Cambodia to serve at three hotels to 15 hotels today. Clarifying, Mason explained he was cent at this point,” explained Mason. “So church. And even more than that wor- conservative Christians. PKH. With a background in hotel/ “[Our] ongoing prayer request is shocked by “the consequence of the num- yes, our numbers have declined in atten- shiping with us.” “I often hear people, more conserva- hospitality management, she trains the that God would raise up leaders, Cambo- ber of people for whom this would be a dance. But I would remind us all numbers However, the majority of Wilshire’s tive Evangelical people and Orthodox, approximately 50 people ages 17-23 who dian leaders, from within the congrega- decision [that meant] they could no lon- are declining in American Christianity new members are not LGBTQ people, as Catholic, and whatnot, that this is a heret- cycle through PKH’s two-year program tion, maybe from within Alpha groups or ger remain in the church.” all across the board. Year by year church- Mason candidly offered. ical point of view. For instance, it’s not each year. English is taught the first within the financial peace group,” Seah “So my miscalculation was that I es are all struggling with their attendance part of Christian orthodoxy,” elaborated year. First and second year students can reports, “people who have a true heart for knew that there would be a lot of people and their participation.” Continued on page 11 Mason. “And I’d just ask us to think about be placed in internships with hotels, the Lord and heart for their country.”

10 FAITH & FREEDOM | Winter 2018 Winter 2018 | FAITH & FREEDOM 11 UNITED METHODIST CHURCH EVANGELICAL

carefully planned, very special occasions; David Watson: United Why I’m Glad Joshua Harris Is he worked at planning them to make sure that I felt special and had a good time.” Methodist Pro-Life Witness Rethinking His Dating Advice Harris seems to agree with Crouse’s observations on the benefits of intentional by Mark Tooley United Theological Seminary Dean Dr. David F. by Chelsen Vicari casual dating for Christians, and has now Watson (Photo Credit: Seedbed / YouTube). apologized for the damage done in the name of IKDG. t the annual service of United seen as “less than”–less than the rest t’s been twenty years since Joshua Harris The best dating and romance advice good that we should be alone. We are Methodism’s pro-life caucus on of us, less than human. wrote I Kissed Dating Goodbye (IKDG), a I found during singlehood came from the Chelsen Vicari directs created for togetherness. January 19, United Theological book offering Christians a new approach experienced evangelical women around the Evangelical Action And Watson continued: I program at the Institute A to dating and romance. Namely, replacing me. One of those mentors was (and still Seminary Dean David Watson defend- “Not all human beings can think,” on Religion and ed the sacred humanity of all persons, If I might channel my inner Stanley Watson said. “But all human beings can dating with friendship-based courtship. is) Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, the author of Democracy. including the disabled. Hauerwas for a moment, let me sug- be in relationship to God and other peo- The book exploded in popularity within Marriage Matters: Perspectives on the Pri- The service was in the United Meth- gest that people with diminished intel- ple. Not all people can love, but all people Evangelicalism and rapidly climbed the vate and Public Importance of Marriage odist Building on Capitol Hill, which for lectual capacities challenge the most can be loved–loved uniquely by God, and best-seller lists. Harris was only 21 years and chair of the Institute on Religion and decades housed abortion rights advocacy. cherished value of a liberal society: loved by one another.” old when he wrote IKDG. Now the author Democracy’s board of directors. United Methodist Pro- But the denomination’s 2016 General individual freedom. You see, if we can Watson asked: is rethinking his dating advice. In fact, it was a tweet by Crouse that Conference renounced over 40 years of think, then we can do. We can achieve. Stories of damaging consequences first notified me of Harris’ Tedx talk. Life Witness Did God really say that those other experienced by many people who took So I asked Crouse to explain why she is support for Roe v. Wade and the church’s We have freedom, and freedom– Continued from page 12 membership in an interfaith abortion choice–has become a value above all people, the ones who are inconvenient IKDG to heart revealed the grateful Harris is rethinking for us, the ones not like us, the ones rights coalition. other values. We want freedom to do book’s shortfalls, according some of his early advice to will not eventually extend to people we really don’t like, are created a little Watson’s remarks at the January 19 what we want, to shape our identity to Harris, who addressed his single Christians. with other disabilities. morning service preceded the National and destiny. Today we have the freedom lower than God, and are crowned with reevaluation during a recent “Having talked with March for Life nearby on the National Mall. even to defy our biology, to reshape with glory and honor? Through the years Tedx event. countless young women And Watson further warned: we have found myriad ways to answer “All of creation belongs to God, but the scalpel our appearance, even our “My eyes have really been about today’s dating culture, We are in rebellion, not simply against we human beings belong to God in a par- gender. People with diminished intel- this question with a resounding “No!” opened,” shared Harris. “I I know the longing they feel Human beings have achieved feats of our creator, but against the way in ticular way,” Watson said from the pulpit lectual capacities don’t fit the template didn’t leave room for the idea for the days when a guy actu- which we are created. There are two of the Methodist Building’s chapel. “We of human beings as entirely free and genius in our attempts to dehuman- that dating could be a healthy ally called and asked for a ize the other, to make ourselves more ways, one of life and one of death, and are created in God’s image. All of creation rational subjects, and therefore they way of learning what you’re date, arrived to pick her up there is a great difference between the is good, but only human beings bear the are viewed as aberrations. Theologian and others less, and most often with looking for in a long-term and took her to a planned tragic and lethal consequences. His- two ways. And if the church will not divine image. What does this mean, that Hans Reinders summarizes this nicely: relationship, that it could be evening of entertainment… rise up and proclaim loudly the value we bear the image of God? It’s a difficult “The culture of modernity, according tory is rife with examples of how we a part of growing personally.” or just to sit, talk, get to make our tribe, our race, our people, of human life, the divine image within question to answer.” to Hauerwas, seeks to get rid of people I’ll admit here that I know each other at a coffee each and every person, then there is Watson noted Augustine and Aqui- whose very existence makes a mockery our nation somehow more human couldn’t make it past the shop,” wrote Crouse in an than those unlike us. We hear that the literally no hope. There is no hope for nas identified “intellect and rationality of its most cherished ideal, namely, that first chapter of IKDG. That email. “That’s distinctly dif- a people who don’t know who they are. as the markers of the divine image” but individual freedom defines the moral fetus is not human, as if the image of could be because I didn’t attempt to read ferent from a guy saying he’ll meet you God only appears after a certain point There is no hope for a church that will doing so implies people with dementia meaning of being human.” the book until I was in my early twenties. somewhere and he feels no responsibility not live into its calling. or intellectual disabilities lack the true in the pregnancy. We call people with While I respect Harris’ pushback against for seeing that the evening is a success.” Again citing Hans Reinders, a Dutch image of God. He warned: severe brain injuries “vegetables.” We society’s harmful hook-up culture, There is a chapter inMarriage Mat- Watson shared about his own eleven- Christian ethicist who wrote Receiving call people of other cultures savages. IKDG’s overall concept seemed imprac- ters titled, “Bring Back Dating,” explained year-old son who has Down syndrome: the Gift of Friendship: Profound Disabil- We all know the tragic history of the The equating of humanity and intel- tical to me. As a young woman work- Crouse, where she argues intentional I have no ambiguity about his value as lect, however, seems to have permeat- ity, Theological Anthropology, and Eth- dehumanization of European Jews. ing virtually non-stop for a non-profit casual dating actually builds self-confi- ics (Eerdmans, 2008), Watson observed: Our history in this nation is rife with a human being. He is created a little ed Western thinking very deeply. Per- in Washington, D.C., I just didn’t have dence and social skills. lower than God, crowned with glory and haps that is one reason that 80-90% of To be created in the image of God, examples of the dehumanization of time for an interview-style, no-strings- “It also helps young people discern who people of color. We should not be so honor. He bears the divine image. He is pregnancies in which Down syndrome he says, has nothing to do with our attached coffee meeting, which I’d argue they are in relation to the opposite sex, help- fearfully and wonderfully made. And he is detected are terminated, often at capacities. It means that we are cre- naive as to think that the genocide is an unhelpful result of IKDG culture. ing young people hone in on those char- against people with Down syndrome is a baptized Christian. I know who he the urging of medical practitioners. ated to be drawn into loving rela- Instead, I found intentional casual dating acteristics that they want in a husband or is, and I know whose he is. Much of the In fact, in Iceland, people with Down tionship with God and one another. Continued on page 13 a healthier approach. wife,” explained Crouse. “[It] teaches young world does not. Much of the world would syndrome have been almost entirely Consider the nature of the Christian Please note the purpose of this post is people good judgment in terms of assessing suggest that it would be better had he not to analyze the merits of IKDG. Obvi- character and integrity and helping young eliminated as a people group by means God: God is three persons existing in Mark D. Tooley is never been born. But they are wrong. of prenatal testing and abortion. Why a unity of love. God is love, and love is the President of the ously, I cannot in good faith step into that people develop the antenna that they need is this allowed? Why are we not calling necessarily relational. Thus to be cre- Institute on Religion and discussion, not having read the book in its in order to recognize when others are not And Watson concluded: “There are this what it is: eugenics? Perhaps the ated in the image of God means that Democracy entirety. My only intent here is to high- who they present themselves to be.” two ways, one of life and one of death, and reason is that people with diminished we are created to be in relationship light why Harris’ admission that he over- She continued, “I fell in love with my there is a great difference between the two intellectual capacities are somehow with God and one another. It is not looked the benefits of dating is significant. husband in part because our dates were ways.”

12 FAITH & FREEDOM | Winter 2018 Winter 2018 | FAITH & FREEDOM 13 UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson delivers remarks on the 2016 International Religious Freedom Annual Report, at the You Might Have Mainline Myopia If... U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on August 15, 2017 (Photo Credit: by John Lomperis State Department / Public Domain).

There’s no doubt that Sudan fits the mong members and especially 7. You think it is obvious that values your denomination as not merely having bill. It “actively” engages in “systematic, leaders of America’s mainline such as compassion for the poor auto- different opinions, but as apostate. ongoing, and egregious violations of reli- Protestant denominations— matically and necessarily involve strong A 14. You cannot remember the last gious freedom.” In Sudan, religious free- the United Methodist Church, Evan- support for an expanded federal welfare time you seriously, non-jokingly called dom and secular democracy would pro- gelical Lutheran Church in America state, more progressive taxation, and something “heretical.” You don’t use such mote peace, stability, and prosperity—not (ELCA), Presbyterian Church (USA), liberal Democratic politicians. And you antique language. only for the marginalized and oppressed Episcopal Church, United Church of do not readily admit that this involves people within the country, but throughout Christ, American Baptist Churches, any partisan or left-of-center ideological 15. You consider approval of homo- Dishonor Roll: State the region. It is encouraging that the State and Christian Church (Disciples of biases on your part, but insist that this is sexual practices as the sort of matter on Department did not allow Sudan’s favor- Christ)—there is a widespread, spiri- a very simple and undebatable matter of which Christians are very divided, with Department Lists Countries able, sanction-lifted condition to blind it tually crippling condition known as being faithful to the Gospel. little appreciation of how marginal the to the regime’s persecution of religious “mainline myopia.” This involves hav- support for revisionist agendas is among 8. You assume without any evidence of Particular Concern minorities. But the Trump Administration ing a very narrow conception of Chris- the body of Christ as a whole. that someone in a high position in your should be aware that certain entrenched tian faith and the body of Christ while by Faith J. H. McDonnell particular denomination’s hierarchy, such 16. You think that the use of male- elements in the State Department still view uncritically accepting major biases and as a bishop or a denominational agency gender pronouns for God is one of the the aspiring Caliphate-builders through blind spots of this shrinking minority staffer, is automatically a spiritually major reasons churches fail to attract hey were late out of the starting gate, “actively engaged in or tolerated system- rose-colored glasses. They underestimate of American Protestantism. mature disciple of Jesus Christ. more people. missing the deadline in November 2017 atic, ongoing, and egregious violations of Sudan’s ongoing role in global jihad and its You might have a case of mainline Tfor naming the top violators of reli- religious freedom.” inhuman treatment of Sudan’s indigenous myopia if you are a member of one of 9. Your idea of Christian ecumenism is 17. You assume that New Testament gious freedom. But on January 4, 2018, the The State Department is mandated by black African ethnic groups. these denominations and have one or largely limited to (1) working with members warnings against individuals within the U.S. State Department announced that on this law to designate CPCs no later than There’s also no doubt that Pakistan more of these symptoms: of other mainline denominations on feel- church who are false teachers and/or seek December 22, 2017, Secretary of State Rex 90 days after it releases its annual Interna- belongs on the violators of religious free- good secular social causes and/or (2) sit- to use religion for their own financial gain 1. You use a phrase like “all the major Tillerson made the Countries of Particu- tional Religious Freedom Report (another dom Special Watch List ... or even the ting around sharing disdain for traditional could never apply to any leaders within denominations” or “the churches in lar Concern (CPC) designations. In spite legacy of IRFA). The Special Watch List CPC. Many members of Congress and evangelicals and Catholics with nominal your denomination’s hierarchy. America” and do not mean to include any of having some sanctions lifted, thanks to is a new provision, created by the Frank human rights groups do not believe the Methodists who don’t really follow John beyond those identified above. 18. You think it is unusual or extreme a massive and expensive public relations R. Wolf International Religious Freedom State Department has gone far enough in Wesley’s theology, nominal Lutherans who for a non-ordained Christian to have effort directed by international law firm Act of 2016. its assessment of Pakistan. They are not 2. You use dismissive classifications don’t really follow Martin Luther’s theol- actually read the entire Bible. Squire Patton Boggs, the genocidal regime The State Department’s press release sure that being on the Special Watch List is such as “VERY conservative,” “ultra right- ogy, and nominal Presbyterians who don’t of Sudan made the list, as it has done since explains: enough to pressure the Pakistani govern- wing,” “extreme,” and/or “fundamental- really follow John Calvin’s theology. 19. You do not think it’s odd when the first time CPCs were designated. The protection of religious freedom is ment to make more serious efforts to rid the ist” to describe the renewal movement(s) leaders in your church speak as if those According to the State Department 10. You would be more shocked if a vital to peace, stability, and prosper- country of its egregious blasphemy laws. within your denomination, or institu- you should seek to draw in are limited to press release, Secretary Tillerson re-des- leader of your denomination declared ity. These designations are aimed at Pakistan has tolerated the brutal actions of tions like Fuller Seminary or InterVarsity religious “nones”—to the implied exclu- ignated the following as CPCs: Myan- that he did not support ordination of improving the respect for religious Islamic extremists against religious minor- Christian Fellowship. sion of atheists, adherents of other reli- mar (Burma), China, Eritrea, Iran, North women than if he refused to unambigu- freedom in these countries. We recog- ities for far too long. And much of the gions, and merely nominal Christians, Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, 3. You are significantly more theolog- ously affirm the historic, bodily resurrec- nize that several designated countries country, including Karachi, is hosting the who should be left in peace. Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. He also ically liberal than any of the folk listed in tion of Jesus Christ. are working to improve their respect Taliban. This compounds the misery for the previous item, and yet think of or call 20. You have never heard a sermon placed Pakistan on a Special Watch List Christians and other religious minorities. 11. After reading the previous item, for religious freedom; we welcome yourself a “centrist.” on biblical passages other than Matthew for severe violations of religious freedom. In any case, as with all previous you are more concerned about whether these initiatives and look forward to 7:1a (“Do not judge…”), 1 John 4:8b (“… There are definitely other countries that administrations since the passage of the 4. You have never heard of an actual John Lomperis supports women’s ordi- continued dialogue. The United States because God is love”), and Micah 6:8b should be on this list, but it is a good start. IRFA, the real test will be whether the case within the last couple of decades, not nation (for the record, I do) than about remains committed to working with (“…what does the Lord require of you, The annual designation of “Coun- State Department backs up these desig- even to friends of friends, of a lay mem- removing the resurrection-deniers from governments, civil society organiza- but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to tries of Particular Concern” is one of the nations with actions. Concerned citizens ber of a local congregation facing formal denominational leadership. tions, and religious leaders to advance walk humbly with your God?”). valuable provisions of the International and human rights/religious freedom orga- church discipline. religious freedom around the world. 12. You are utterly unfamiliar with Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), signed nizations must help make that happen. 5. You use “the young people” to refer complementarian vs. egalitarian, ces- into law in 1998. IRFA was a watershed for It is only right and just that in spite John Lomperis directs the U.S. foreign policy, officially incorporat- of the U.S. decision to permanently lift to those in your church younger than 60. sationist vs. charismatic, or pre-trib vs. UMAction program at Faith J. H. McDonnell is ing concern for global religious freedom certain sanctions on the Islamic Republic post-trib debates. (Bonus point if you are the Institute on Religion & the Director of Religious 6. You have ever excused your congre- clueless about any of those terms!) Democracy. within U.S. diplomacy—and IRD was of Sudan that were lifted conditionally by Liberty Programs at the gation’s or denomination’s decline with proud to play a part in its creation. In President Obama, the notorious jihadist Institute on Religion & the (absolutely false) claim that, “Well, all 13. You are unaware of how much of IRFA the Secretary of State annually des- state of Sudan remains a Country of Par- Democracy. churches are declining in America.” the body of Christ in this country views ignates as CPCs governments that have ticular Concern.

14 FAITH & FREEDOM | Winter 2018 Winter 2018 | FAITH & FREEDOM 15 IRD Diary: Why I Left a Non-Denominational Church for the SBC by Brady Weller

y family has attended our on secular culture, or traditional Chris- I want to be part of a commu- area’s most well-known non- tian values being welcomed into the pub- nity of believers that celebrates lead- Mdenominational church for lic square. For me, seeing a collection of ers who conserve what is necessary over 20 years. I would generally describe young leaders who are affiliated with and while working to understand how the the feel of my childhood church as committed to the historic denominations, church is meant to continually adapt somewhere between Baptist and Pres- while simultaneously upholding a call to and grow in the face of cultural ostra- byterian, which seems like an attractive engage the culture and make disciples, cization. Now, as I become an increas- theological flavor for many church- created a desire to see Christ grow more ingly more informed and theologi- going millennials. Alongside today’s and more central in my life. cally aware member of my church, I young, restless, and reformed move- Within the SBC, I find that the cur- want to know that my local church ment is a subculture of non-denomi- rent approach to church life and Christian leaders can be held accountable in national churches accommodating the witness being promoted by our leaders some way to the confessions that our needs of theologically curious other 47,000+ Southern Bap- and culturally aware millennials tist churches have affirmed and who desire real community, and I love that our current leaders are upheld for generations. who are dissatisfied by the reli- bold in the face of cultural opposition, Notice that I haven’t pro- gious rhythms of their youth. and I like that we collaborate well claimed the SBC as the nation’s When I went to college, only right and true denomina- the first church I attended was with other denominations and tion, nor have I announced the a small multi-ethnic church communities that share the broader supremacy of my current multi- plant affiliated with the South- expressions of our faith. ethnic church over the homoge- ern Baptist Convention (SBC). neous church of my youth. What There I saw Asian-American I want to emphasize is that the students from neighboring schools, is both refreshing and motivating. Men expressions of Christianity in Amer- white and black families from the local like Al Mohler at Southern Baptist Theo- ica take on many forms, and at times community, and a Korean-American logical Seminary and Bruce Ashford at emphasize different aspects of the faith. pastor. This community is very differ- Southeastern Baptist Theological Semi- The SBC is one expression of Christi- ent than the >95% white congregation nary give me hope that the next genera- anity that I have grown to appreci- that I grew up in and more committed tion of leaders within the denomination ate and resonate with. I love that our to understanding the church’s place in will be well equipped to speak, write, and current leaders are bold in the face of a changing society. teach for the glory of God and the edifica- cultural opposition, and I like that we Both the multi-ethnic SBC church tion of the church. These are men, among collaborate well with other denomina- and the independent church of my youth other men and women, whom I trust to tions and communities that share the are growing exponentially. They have direct the church toward radical disciple- broader expressions of our faith. I am healthy leadership structures, a diverse ship and distinctly Christian moral and grateful for the growth that I had dur- age demographic, large children’s minis- ethical worldviews. ing my time in an independent Bible tries, and share the gospel weekly. Does The second, and perhaps more uni- church, but I’ve chosen a wider alle- it matter if your church is affiliated with versal, reason that I decided to commit to giance to a larger body of believers that a denomination? I think so. Let me share growing and leading within the Southern will endure wherever life takes me. two primary reasons why I am leaving Baptist Convention is because of the histor- non-denominational churches behind ic theological and philosophical traditions Brady Weller is a former policy intern at the and committing to the SBC. that inform modern church life as part of Ethics and Religious First, I left the non-denominational an established denomination. I appreciate Liberty Commission of church for the deep roots that life in the that the decisions our local church leaders the Southern Baptist SBC provides. I am eager to learn how make are not only bound to the account- Convention. He studies my faith applies to the world around ability of the other elders, deacons, and rhetoric and philosophy at Loyola University me, like many young Christians who church members, but also to the historic Maryland and is the president of the recognize that it is becoming ever more confessions, statements, affirmations, and campus chapter of InterVarsity Christian difficult to find Christian influences denials that have shaped SBC life for years. Fellowship/USA.

The Institute on Religion & Democracy Support IRD by adding us We are Christians working to reaffirm the church’s biblical and to your will today! historical teachings, strengthen and reform its role in public life, protect religious freedom, and renew democracy at home and www.theird.org/give 16 FAITH & FREEDOMabroad. | Winter 2018