Reforming the Church’s Social and Political Witness October 2007

me So e Sa ng, Different Vers

The ELCA Postpones Decisions on Sexuality . . . Again faith freedom volume 26 number 4

President James W. Tonkowich

Editorial Alan F.H. Wisdom Executive Editor, Vice President for Research and Programs Erik R. Nelson Managing Editor The Institute on Religion& Democracy Loralei G. Coyle Director of Communications 1023 15th Street NW, Suite 601 Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202.682.4131 STAFF Fax: 202.682.4136 James D. Berkley Web: www.ird-renew.org Director of Presbyterian Action E-mail: [email protected] Abigail L. Griffith Executive Assistant The Institute on Religion and Democracy is an ecumenical alliance Nali Hilderman of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches’ social witness, Senior Executive Assistant in accord with biblical and historic teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad. John S.A. Lomperis Research Associate IRD committees work for reform in the Episcopal Church and Faith J.H. McDonnell Anglican Communion, the United Methodist Church, and the Director of Religious Liberty Programs Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The IRD also sponsors the Church Steve R. Rempe Alliance for a New Sudan and the Liberty Initiative for North Korea. Website Coordinator David P. Sheaffer Contributions to the work of the IRD are critically needed. Your Director of Development gifts are tax deductible. Thank you for your support. Rebekah M. Sharpe Administrative Assistant Mark D. Tooley Director of UMAction Jerald H. Walz Vice President for Operations Jeffrey H. Walton Communications Manager Ralph A. Webb Director of Anglican Action

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10 Barack Obama and Bill Moyers Rouse Birthday Fete for United Church of Christ by Matthew May

The speakers took shots at their favorite target, the “religious right”— including some direct attacks on IRD.

12 Same Song, Second Verse: The ELCA Postpones Decisions on Sexuality ... Again by Steve Rempe

A less-than-definitive conclusion to the 2005 Assembly assured the return of sexuality issues to future assemblies. Now the 2007 Assembly has passed the buck on to 2009.

Articles 4 From the President: Tolerance’s Paradox ...... James. W. Tonkowich 5 Prayer and Protest ...... by Faith J.H. McDonnell 6 International Briefs 8 Church News 22 United Methodist Annual Conferences All Over the Map ...... by Rebekah M. Sharpe 23 IRD Diary: Where is the Next Global South? ...... Jeffrey H. Walton

Anglican Action ...... Ralph A Webb 14 Worlds Apart 16 The Anglican Communion Network and the Episcopal Church on Marriage: A Study in Contrasts 17 When Goals Coincide

Presbyterian Action ...... James D. Berkley 18 Presbyterian Social Witness Committee Not Happy Merely Advising 20 United Church of Christ (Almost) Learns From Presbyterians 21 Presbyterian News

Cover ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson talks to the press about the denomination’s decisions (or lack thereof) on issues of sex and vocation. (Courtesy ELCA) From the President

Tolerance’s Paradox by James W. Tonkowich

he IRD is regularly criticized as “intolerant”—the great sin to privatize them all—and in so doing relativize them all. It says, of the 21st century. For example, an Episcopal priest wrote: in effect, no one’s “truth” is true and so keep your own truth to T yourself. This solution, the argument goes, creates an environ- You say you are “committed to the free pursuit of religious ment of neutrality because we treat everyone the same way. truth.” On the contrary, the only truths to which you are Nonetheless, as Budziszewski points out, this view of tolera- committed are those which you already have accepted as tion is not tolerant at all. Instead it is thoroughly intolerant. It dogma. So “religious liberty” isn’t really on your agenda, nor privileges some ideas of truth and suppresses others. Any system is “interfaith tolerance.” (The choice of the lukewarm word of belief that is relativistic and easily privatized is privileged. But “tolerance” is a dead give away.) any system of belief (orthodox Christianity for example) that by its very nature makes universal truth claims is suppressed. Truth Note the false dichotomy. The writer (we’ll call her E.) be told, the toleration that results from incoherence is really noth- believes that a commitment to religious freedom and interfaith ing more than a thinly camouflaged grab for power. tolerance is incompatible with a belief in religious dogma. That is, The current state of E.’s Episcopal Church and much of the if I believe the ancient creeds to be statements of truth, it follows rest of the Protestant mainline is a reminder that where ortho- that I cannot be tolerant of those who disagree. I must be coercive doxy is simply tolerated as one option among many, it will soon even if I seem to be a nice person. be marginalized and suppressed—all in the name of this mis- This false dichotomy is an guided notion of toleration. The example of the fuzzy-headed While the Church fathers urged toleration free pursuit of truth, religious thinking that plagues American liberty, and freedom of con- Christianity. It is an indication because of their view of the nature of truth, science are thereby smothered. that most people have no idea this modern position argues that we must By contrast, it is only those what toleration—a strong and who have a commitment to vitally important word—actually suspend all judgment about truth. theological truth (dogma) and, means. embracing the paradox, refuse First, understand that toleration is not a modern idea. It to coerce others who can be properly tolerant. It is to this kind of comes, in fact, from early Church fathers who were arguing for toleration, to the free pursuit of religious truth, and to religious religious liberty in the Roman Empire. Toleration rightly under- freedom (“dogmas” if you must) that the IRD is wholeheartedly stood, they said, is the result of paradox. committed. The paradox is this: the nature of truth is such that it de- IRD board member Richard John Neuhaus has repeatedly mands that we put up with (tolerate) some falsity. This paradox cited Pope John Paul II’s notion that “the Church imposes noth- connects directly to religious freedom. Since God does not coerce ing, she only proposes.” There is no coercion, but rather freedom belief, we should not coerce belief either. People’s consciences may to believe or disbelieve what is proposed. Neuhaus then goes on to never be violated in the name of truth, and so we must tolerate note, “What [the Church] proposes, however, is the truth, and the that which is not true even as we affirm and declare what is true. truth does impose itself.” And the truth is a threat. We may lovingly persuade others, but never attempt to force Toleration rightly understood and religious freedom at home belief. and abroad have been two of the IRD’s core values since our The lukewarm idea of toleration actually comes from those of founding. And it is our unwavering commitment to biblical and E.’s ilk. This is a notion of toleration that is based not on paradox, historic Christian orthodoxy that forms the foundation on which but on what Dr. J. Budziszewski of the University of Texas calls these two rest. “incoherence.” While Church fathers urged toleration because of their view of the nature of truth, this modern position argues that we must James W. Tonkowich is the President of the suspend all judgment about truth. After all, while the orthodox Institute on Religion & Democracy. Christian sees the truth in one way, the progressive Christian, the Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, and agnostic each sees truth in a different way. Since these truth systems can’t all be true and since each is more or less reasonable, the most common modern solution is

 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 REligious liberty

Protest and Prayer by Faith J.H. McDonnell The Campaign for North Korean Refugees in China

n July 17, 2007, in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol, the Ko- rean Church Coalition for North Korea Freedom (KCC) Olaunched “Let My People Go,” a campaign for North Korean refugees in China. Korean pastors and congregations came to the Washington, DC, kick-off rally from all fifty states. American church and human rights leaders, as well as members of Congress and other U.S. government representatives, also participated. The KCC includes 3,000 pastors and represents millions of Korean Christians. It was formed to pray for and aid the people of North Korea and to bring awareness of their suffering. “Only the Sovereign God can free North Korea,” says the KCC, “and prayer is our greatest weapon.” The new “Let My People Go” campaign coincides with the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the possibility of pressuring China to recognize North Koreans within its borders as refugees and stop sending them back to North Korea. kinder, Gentler, Freer A North Korean refugee protests China’s hosting of the 2008 Olympics, due to that country’s human rights record, particularly toward According to Human Rights Watch, anywhere from 10,000 to North Korean refugees who have escaped to China. (Faith McDonnell/IRD) 300,000 North Koreans have attempted to escape their nightmarish existence of starvation, brutality, and oppression and have fled over the border into China. Some of the refugees are Christians, trying refugees who are within its borders. The resolution demands that the to reach a place where they can worship God in freedom. Once in Chinese government recognize the fundamental human rights of China, life is little better for most of the North Koreans. In the words the North Korean refugees, grant them “refugee status,” and provide of Sam Kim, the Executive Director for the KCC, “Our brothers and them with at least the minimum protection of the law according to sisters in North Korea are forced into slave labor for food and shelter. the Geneva Conventions and the UN protocol relating to the status The young girls are kidnapped and sold by sex traffickers. They are of refugees. It further urges that the North Korean refugees in China bought and chained to the closet and repeatedly raped. They have be permitted to go safely to a third country that will accept them, babies that are abandoned.” and it demands that China grant the United Nations High Commis- Even those refugees who are not trafficked into slavery live sioner for Refugees access to the border area for monitoring. in terror of being discovered by the Chinese authorities. Forced Lastly, the resolution calls upon all Americans, regardless of repatriation means almost certain death. If they are not immediately race or religion, to work together to bring liberty to North Korean executed, North Koreans who have been repatriated from China refugees in China. In the 1970s, it was not just Jewish synagogues will most likely die in a prison camp. North Korean refugees told that displayed messages demanding freedom for Soviet Jews. Many Human Rights Watch that consignment to one of these camps is a churches expressed their solidarity with the Jewish people by plac- fate “worse than death.” ing a banner on their own front lawns. In the same way today, it One component of the KCC campaign is a visual reminder of should not be only Korean-Americans working for the freedom of the captive North Koreans. At the kick-off rally KCC pastors and North Korean refugees. All Americans can show their solidarity other speakers unfurled a banner that declared, “Let My People Go! with the suffering people of North Korea by joining the campaign. Free North Korean Refugees in China before the Beijing Olympics.” When American churches display the “Let My People Go” banner Similar banners and bumper stickers will be showing up across with their Korean brothers and sisters, it will be a visible reminder the United States in the months to come. The banner campaign is not only of the captive North Koreans, but also of the unity of the modeled after the campaign to bring freedom to Soviet Jews during worldwide Body of Christ. the 1970s. That campaign culminated in the Jackson-Vanik amend- ment to the 1974 Trade Act, which made normal trade relations with Faith J.H. McDonnell is the Director of Religious Liberty Programs at the Institute on Religion & the Soviet Union dependent upon its treatment of Jews desiring to Democracy. emigrate. The campaign also includes the 50 State Resolution, intended to inform every state in the Union about the current human rights violations by the Chinese government towards the North Korean

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM  International Briefs Han Jae-Ho/Reuters

Church Representatives Discuss a ‘Conversion Code of Conduct’ A consultation among leaders of nearly 30 Protestant, Orthodox, Roman Catho- lic, evangelical, and Pentecostal church bodies took place in Toulouse, France, on August 8-12, with the intent of establish- ing a standard of conduct for Christian missions. The initiative was a response to allegations by some non-Christian groups that Christian missionaries were using deception, bribes, or coercion to win converts. The conference, co-sponsored by the

World Council of Churches (WCC) and Answered PRayers Korean Christians hold a the Pontifical Council for Interreligious candlelight vigil for 23 missionaries taken hostage in Dialogue, sought to arrive at rules that Afghanistan. They were released in late August, but not before the Taliban murdered two of them. would allay such suspicions. Emphasis was placed on distinguishing between “evangelism”—a right and duty for Churches Respond to Afghanistan Hostage Situation Christians—and “proselytism,” seen as Church leaders from around the world responded to the kidnapping of 23 South “aggressive” and unethical. A final code is Korean Christian missionaries in Afghanistan. The hostages were abducted by the expected to be released by 2010. Islamist Taliban militia on July 19 while serving as volunteers to provide medical “‘Evangelical’ and ‘ecumenical’ services to the war-torn nation. Two of the hostages were murdered by the Taliban, Christians have never been as close in this while the other 21 were released by the end of August. regard as they are today,” said Thomas Most of the hostages were young women from Saemmul Presbyterian Church Schirrmacher, chairman of the Interna- in the Seoul suburb of Bundang. The Rev. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the tional Institute for Religious Freedom of World Council of Churches, met with several of their families during a trip to South the World Evangelical Alliance. “It would Korea. Kobia assured family members that the “prayers of millions of Christians” be the first time ever that such a broad were being offered on behalf of their loved ones. He also expressed the hope that in Christian backing is given to an agree- the future “our world will become the kind of world where human beings can ex- ment of this kind.” press support of other human beings, without our acts of charity being viewed with The Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri, co- suspicion.” moderator of the WCC Faith and Order In the United States, the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society Commission, insisted that any code must encouraged Methodists to sign a petition asking “our Muslim brothers and sisters be based on a respect for the religious in the Taliban” to honor the Islamic code of showing hospitality to strangers. The beliefs of all. “Religious leaders need to be petition, written by Methodist minister Ken Suhr, was sponsored by Avaaz.org, an told that no religion has a monopoly on advocacy group co-founded by the liberal activist organization MoveOn.org. the truth, and that there are many ways to Much criticism was focused on the missionaries for allegedly offending Afghan find salvation,” Shastri said. Muslim sensibilities and putting themselves at risk. The National Council of Church- By contrast, the World Evangelical es of Korea declared that all “missionary activity in Afghanistan, where abductions Alliance delegation declared in a press and dangers to life continue, must be stopped.” release that “the spreading of the Good After the 21 remaining hostages had been released, Pastor Park Eun-jo of Saem- News of salvation through Jesus Christ mul Church accepted “strong responsibility for the two lives that were lost” and alone is the central core of the Gospel and “remorse” at having caused an international incident. But the pastor added that his all Christians have the right to assert the church intends, when possible, to send more missionaries into the Muslim world. claims of the Gospel even if persecution “We believe that this is God’s providence leading us to other Muslim countries,” he ensues.” said. “I don’t want this to be a stumbling block for missions.”

 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 Christian Converts Suffer Persecution in Egypt The director of a Christian rights group in Egypt has been detained by police after taking part in an online chat session with a recent Muslim convert to Christi- anity, reports the Christian news service

Compass Direct. Cris Bouroncle/AFP/Getty Images Dr. Adel Fawzy Faltas was arrested August 8, following the public discussion with convert Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy. Three computers were confiscated, as were many books. Prosecutors are considering charges of converting Muslims to Christi- anity, destroying the reputation of Egypt, In hiding Twenty five year-old Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy and insulting Islam. and his pregnant wife Zeinab, 23, read from the Bible. They have gone into hiding after receiving death threats for their Hegazy has been the center of a “apostasy.” nationally-followed court case concerning the legal recognition of his conversion. Hegazy has sued Egypt’s Ministry of the Interior for rejecting his efforts to change his personal identification papers to reflect his conversion. A Christian identification card would allow Hegazy and his wife to worship openly as Christians and to attend Christian classes. In July, Eman Muhammad Al-Sayed, a young female convert to Christianity, was held in “protective custody” after having being threatened with death by her relatives. While in police custody, Al-Sayed was subjected to intense interrogation procedures and physical torture, including electric shocks, according to Compass Direct. On July 23 the police returned her to her family. She was last seen being severely beaten and dragged into a family minivan outside the police station.

Japanese Christian Group Urges nuclear power plants in Japan, with a full One day earlier, a similar proposal End of Nuclear Power disclosure of the study’s results. made at the Eleventh Biennial Convention The National Christian Council of Japan There are currently 55 nuclear power of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in has called for the dismantling of the plants in Japan, accounting for roughly Canada was defeated by a vote of 200-181. country’s nuclear power program, in re- one-third of the nation’s electric power Prior to the Anglican vote, six retired sponse to the damages to a nuclear plant output. The July 24 church statement did Canadian archbishops issued a statement in Kariwa caused by a recent earthquake. not suggest how this energy source would urging the approval of same-sex blessings, On July 16, an earthquake register- be replaced. claiming such a move would display “jus- ing 6.8 on the Richter scale struck central tice, compassion, and hope for all God’s Japan, causing the death of eleven people Canadian Anglicans, Lutherans people.” They contended that further and the displacement of tens of thou- Reject Same-Sex Blessings delay in taking this step would distract sands. The Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear The Anglican Church of Canada and the church from its mission to address power plant in the Niigata Prefecture the Evangelical Lutheran Church in issues like “child poverty, racism, global suffered significant damage. Officials Canada—meeting simultaneously in warming, economic injustice, concern for from the Tokyo Electric Power Company Winnipeg, Manitoba—defeated propos- our aboriginal brothers and sisters, and have estimated that 1.2 square meters of als that would have allowed churches to the growing disparity between the rich radioactive water escaped into the Sea of perform ceremonies of blessing for same- and the poor.” Japan, but deny that the surrounding en- sex couples. “A majority of people voted in favor,” vironment has suffered any long-lasting On June 24, a proposal allowing indi- said the Rt. Rev. Michael Ingham, An- effects. vidual dioceses to determine whether or glican Bishop of the Diocese of New West- In a July 24 statement, the Rev. Aika not to perform such blessings was defeat- minster. “I think everyone’s a loser. Tradi- Tiara, chairperson of the Peace and ed at the General Synod of the Anglican tional Christians can’t take comfort in the Nuclear Issues Committee of the National Church of Canada, when the denomina- vote and those who want to move on are Christian Council, urged the Japanese tion’s House of Bishops voted 21-19 not to held back by a small number of bishops.” government to “stop all the nuclear power approve. Both lay delegates and clergy had Ingham was rebuked by Archbishop of plants and change your direction to a voted in favor of the resolution, but the Canterbury Rowan Williams in 2003 for nuclear-free society.” The statement also measure required the support of all three performing same-sex unions without the demanded a complete examination of all bodies for passage. support of the Anglican Communion.

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM  Methodist Relief Agency Partners with Muslim Group The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) announced in July a new Church News partnership with British-based Muslim Aid, with which it hopes to spend up to $15 million on joint relief projects around the world. “No one should underestimate the potential for good that Christians and Muslims Former Disciples of Christ can do in the UK and in the rest of the world,” said Stephen Timms, a top British Trea- President to Lead New sury official, at a London press conference unveiling the partnership. “This shows what Ecumenical Organization distinctive faiths can achieve when the focus is on shared values.” The Rev. Richard Hamm has been ap- It was not clear exactly what the “shared values” might be. The Rev. R. Randy Day, pointed as the first executive administra- who heads UMCOR’s parent group, the United Methodist General Board of Global tor of Christian Churches Together in the Ministries, said that “while we come from different theological positions, we have the USA (CCT), a new ecumenical organiza- same humanitarian values to relieve the suffering of those in need.” UMCOR’s website tion of evangelical, oldline, Orthodox, offers no information about its theological position. There are no references to God, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, and ethnic Jesus Christ, or the Bible on the website. churches and agencies. By contrast, Muslim Aid advertises its Islamic mission with quotes from the Ko- Hamm served as President and ran. It sponsors a major initiative helping needy Muslims fulfill theirQurbani obliga- General Minister of the Christian Church tion for animal sacrifices. “All Muslims are required to offer the sacrifice of a small (Disciples of Christ) from 1994 to 2004. animal such as a goat, or offer jointly with others the sacrifice of a larger animal such as During his tenure, membership in the a cow,” according to the Muslim Aid website. Muslim Aid spent over a million dollars denomination dropped nearly 20 percent. on Qurbani programs in 2006. “I have always been drawn to the vi- There is one possible area of agreement: politics. Muslim Aid, like several United sion of the various parts of the church of Methodist agencies, has been sharply critical of U.S. and Israeli policies in the Middle Jesus Christ in the United States seeking East. During last year’s conflict in Lebanon, Muslim Aid’s chairman called the Israeli common ground and working together in military strikes against Hezbollah targets “a naked act of aggression” and “a cruelly all ways possible,” Hamm said in a press disproportionate response.” release announcing his hiring. In 2002, when CCT was being Partnership The Rev. R. Randy Day (center) and Farooq Murad (left) shake hands following the signing planned, then-IRD Chairman Thomas of an historic partnership between the United Methodist Oden and President Diane Knippers Committee on Relief and Muslim Aid. warned that the new group would not be successful unless it were “freed from the control of liberal Protestantism.” But Hamm appears to come straight out of the old liberal Protestant elite. As the Disciples’ top official, Hamm oversaw the adoption of domestic partner- ship benefits for church employees. At a S “prayer vigil” during the Disciples’ 2003 N General Assembly, he likened the United States to “schoolyard bullies.” When our nation “turns in on itself and ignores the rest of the world, except to exploit it economically, we breed enemies,” Hamm inny Underwood/UM

asserted. “Enemies so resentful that they G are willing to fly airliners into our build- ings!” It remains to be seen how more challenged by a lesbian couple seeking to with the New Jersey Division of Civil conservative U.S. Christians will respond use the campground’s boardwalk pavil- Rights. to Hamm’s leadership of CCT. ion for a same-sex union ceremony. The complainants cited the state’s law The couple, Harriet Bernstein and against discrimination based on sexual Lesbian Couple Sues for Right to Luisa Paster, submitted a request to use orientation, as well as the recent deci- Marry at Methodist Campground the facility in September. When told by sion by the state legislature to grant legal Ocean Grove Campground, a United campground officials that United Meth- status to same-sex unions. “In an apparent Methodist retreat center on the New Jer- odist policy did not condone same-sex distortion of the First Amendment, [camp sey shore, is having its policy on marriages unions, the two women filed a complaint trustees] are claiming that they have the

 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 right to discriminate against people who Organizers noted that many religions aimed to raise the church’s “individual do not share their religious tenets,” said “share a season of sacred self-assessment and collective engagement with the Bible Bernstein. and self-transformation” in the fall. They and its teaching, yielding greater biblical The campground, founded in 1869, saw this common theme in the Jewish fluency, deeper worship and devotion, and regularly hosts religious services at the High Holy Days, Christian Worldwide a more profound appreciation of Lutheran pavilion. Of the 188 official events held Communion Day, Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and approaches for the use of at the pavilion in 2006, almost all were birthday, and the Islamic “Night of Scripture.” specifically religious in nature. Power” during the Ramadan fast. A proposed amendment sought to The New Jersey public advocate has emphasize “the distinctive Lutheran focus argued that the structure bears no reli- “Sinners,” “Repentance” Viewed on God’s use of Scripture to bring sinners gious marks, allows access to the general as Exclusionary Terms at Lutheran to repentance and salvation in Christ.” Af- public, and is therefore a “public accom- Assembly ter some objected that the term “sinners” modation” that cannot claim a religious An initiative encouraging Bible read- was exclusionary, 86 percent of assembly exemption from the law. ing among members of the Evangelical voting members chose to substitute “all” Camp trustees have initiated a lawsuit Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in place of “sinners.” against state officials in order to avoid be- was adopted at the denomination’s bien- Voting member Jason Dey of the ing compelled to host the same-sex union nial Churchwide Assembly, after amend- Maryland-Delaware Synod then moved to ceremony. ments were made to remove the words replace “repentance” with “faith,” arguing “sinners” and “repentance” from the that “salvation comes through faith, not Muslim, Christian Groups to Fast on proposal. repentance.” His motion was passed on a Columbus Day to Protest Iraq War The assembly, the governing body of 54 percent vote. The significantly altered A group of ecumenical and interfaith the 4.8 million member denomination, amendment was then defeated by 71 organizations will take part in an “in- considered the initiative “Book of Faith: percent of the assembly, and the original terfaith fast” on October 8—“the day Lutherans Read the Bible.” The initiative proposal was adopted overwhelmingly. officially known as ‘Columbus Day’”—in an attempt to “educate people in our religious communities about electing a Outrageous Quotes president and representatives who are committed to ending this war [in Iraq].” Organizations participating in the fast, officially entitled “From Conquest “But I must tell you, I have a hard time even thinking of [the IRD and other reform- to Community, From Violence to Rever- minded groups and individuals within the mainline church denominations] as sisters and brothers. But you, who are Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and others who work ence: An Interfaith Fast to End the War so hard to create and restore human relationships, are doing the will of God. You are in Iraq,” include the National Council of my sisters and brothers.” Churches, the Islamic Society of North America, the Council on American Is- Shanta Premawardhana, Associate General Secretary for Interfaith Relations for the lamic Relations, Sojourners magazine, and National Council of Churches (NCC), addressing the Islamic Society of North America on September 2, 2007. the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society. “American culture, society, and policy are addicted to violence at home “Paganism has an important role to play in American religious culture as it explicitly and overseas. The day we officially call regards women as capable of embodying the sacred. It has been my personal experience that conservative Christianity in particular regards all women, regardless ‘Columbus Day’ is overlaid with a history of their faith, as vaguely Pagan. Christian conservatives do not value women’s of violence and conquest,” claimed event religious leadership as highly as that of males. Women are called the ‘weaker vessel’ organizers in a press release. “In our time, and considered less capable of embodying the sacred. This is why women are not the hope of a decent future is endangered ordained by Catholics and conservative Protestants. Women are deemed incapable of by an unnecessary, morally abhorrent, ‘imaging Christ.’” and disastrous war.” The press release The Rev. Dr. Susan Thistlethwaite, President of Chicago Theological Seminary (UCC), lumped together Isaiah, Jesus, Mahatma in a July 6 article for The Washington Post blog On Faith. Gandhi, and Cesar Chavez as examples of those who have used fasting as a means to social and political change.

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM  Barack Obama and Bill Moyers Rouse Birthday Fete for United Church of Christ CC by Matthew May U he United Church of Christ (UCC) celebratedanniversary its in 1957. Its 26th General Synod met June 22-26 in Hart- 50th birthday with rousing addresses from Sena- ford, Connecticut. Ttor Barack Obama (D-IL) and PBS commentator Wasting no time getting political, the UCC leader- Bill Moyers, both of whom are UCC members. Also ship unveiled an anti-Iraq War statement on the syn- speaking was disgruntled former Republican strategist od’s first day, to enthusiastic applause. The statement Kevin Phillips, another PBS commentator. This line-up condemned the “arrogant unilateralism of preemptive of speakers lent a sharp partisan edge to the gather- war” and apologized for the UCC’s supposed “silent ing of the liberal denomination, which advertises its witness” to the deaths of Americans and Iraqis. “extravagant hospitality” to all. UCC General Minister and President John H. All three speakers fingered the “Religious Right” Thomas said at a press conference preceding the open- as a threat to American democracy. Moyers specifically ing session that the Iraq operation was “conceived in warned against the In- deception, carried on in arrogance, and has led to legal Moyers specifically warned stitute on Religion and and moral decay in both domestic and foreign policy.” Democracy for sup- against the IRD for supposedly posedly attempting to Moyers Congratulates the ‘Prophetic Voice’ attempting to disrupt the UCC. disrupt the UCC. None On June 23, PBS commentator and former Lyndon of the three offered any Johnson aide Bill Moyers congratulated the UCC for its criticisms that might “prophetic voice against the militarism, materialism, apply particularly to the left-leaning UCC audience. and racism that chokes our nation’s arteries.” For this The 1.2-million-member UCC has lost nearly one stand, Moyers added, the UCC “has been attacked” by million members over the last 40 years. Its decline has “well-financed” groups who endeavor to “stifle speak- accelerated since its formal endorsement of same-sex ing truth to power.” Later, Moyers specifically warned “marriage” two years ago. against the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) Although tracing its origins back to New Eng- and recommended Steeplejacking, a recently published land’s early Puritans, the UCC was formally organized book accusing groups like the IRD of a deliberate cam- paign to destroy the UCC. Moyers interspersed his critique of conservative hijacking (above) Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama chose the 50th anniversary of the United Church of Christ as the opportunity to Christians with complaints about a general erosion of give his first major speech on faith and politics. In the speech, he accused his accountability in government and the media. Argu- political opponents of “hijacking” faith. (ZUMA Press) ing that poverty and injustice have historically been “intentionally-willed priorities,” Moyers declared that

10 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 “nothing seems to embarrass the political into a militarist, a hedonist, a lobbyist,” There is an awakening in America, class of today.” Moyers alleged. But to see whose side Obama said, and a growing realization The famed PBS commentator cited Jesus is really on, he directed the audi- that “I am my brother’s keeper, I am my statistics indicating growing income and ence to “go to the record.” sister’s keeper, and that I can pray all day educational disparity, lower wages, and “Poverty and justice are religious but I must do the Lord’s work.” 45 million Americans without health issues,” Moyers concluded, “and Jesus Obama said the country’s values insurance. Moyers also noted that a moves among the disinherited. Let’s should be expressed through govern- recent UNICEF “report card” ranked the call that Jesus back to duty, and drive ment. “Our problems are moral prob- United States among the most dismal of the moneychangers from the temples of lems,” he contended. “There’s a spiritual industrialized nations regarding child democracy.” dimension to everything we do. Our well-being. conscience cannot rest.” Obama vowed to These conditions directly result from Obama Delivers a Campaign Address “care for the least of these” as president. a coordinated conservative strategy to es- Moyers was the UCC’s morning keynote, He gave a “solemn pledge to sign univer- tablish a society of haves and have-nots, with Barack Obama serving as the after- sal healthcare legislation” by 2013. Moyers claimed. Conservatives aim to noon keynote. The presidential aspirant’s Demanding the immediate closure “destroy public resources and take them speech was billed in advance as his first of the U.S. detention center at Guantána- for private interests.” Moyers specifically major campaign address on faith and mo Bay, Obama insisted that the United blamed “corporate activism, intellectual politics. States must “stop tolerating torture. propaganda, the rise of a political reli- Americans are “hungry for change, That’s not what we are, UCC. That’s not gion of fundamentalism deeply opposed desperate for change,” and looking to what we are, America. It offends our to any civil and human right that threat- “relieve a chronic loneliness,” Obama conscience to suspend habeas corpus.” ens its paternalism, He did not suggest what CC and a series of political To sustained applause, Moyers complained, “The should be done with the U anniversarydecisions favoring the terrorism suspects detained interests of wealthy religious right hijacked Jesus.” Conservatives have at Guantánamo. elites who bought the “turned him into a militarist, a hedonist, a lobbyist,” As for Iraq, which he political system right called a “moral problem,” out from under us.” Moyers alleged. Obama drew his loudest ap- Moyers linked plause when declaring that President Bush to dis- the war “never should have graced former Enron chief Kenneth Lay, observed from his experiences on the been authorized or waged.” He added citing the alleged close connection as an campaign trail. Obama remembered his that he had been against the war from the example of the “ruthless war” being pros- own faith journey and called his decision start, prior to his election as a U.S. sena- ecuted against average Americans. “What to join the UCC “a choice, not an epiph- tor. He noted that he had unsuccessfully is happening in America is not right,” any.” He said, “I felt I heard God’s spirit introduced legislation to bring all U.S. Moyers charged. The United States “was beckoning me” to carry out good works. troops home from Iraq by March 31, 2008. not meant to be a country where the win- Recalling the UCC’s political Historian Kevin Phillips, the author ner takes all,” he maintained. During his heritage from the Boston Tea Party to most recently of American Theocracy, childhood and adulthood, Moyers said, abolition and the civil rights campaigns predicted that the United States would “America was a shared project. Not now.” of the 1960s, Obama said that as to likely decline as a great power. Citing Arguing that “America’s revolution- the notion of a complete separation of parallels between America and earlier ary heritage is under siege” and that “we church and state, “I dispute that.” He imperial powers such as Rome, Spain, can lose our democracy” if churches such pointed to Abraham Lincoln’s second and Great Britain, Phillips blamed the as the UCC fail to take a stand, Moy- inaugural address and John F. Kennedy’s sinister influence of Christian conserva- ers issued an “altar call.” When Jesus reminder that “God’s work must truly be tives, the weight of public debt, over-de- overturned the moneychangers’ tables, our own” as examples of elected officials pendence upon a single energy source, there was “no cheek turned there,” Moy- using their faith to unify citizens. “But and military overreach in places like ers said. “Jesus passed judgment and took somehow,” Obama said, “faith started Iraq. He echoed the warning in his book action. Indignant at a profane violation being used to drive people apart. It got that the “Bush coalition,” if unchecked, of the sacred, Jesus threw the rascals hijacked.” When groups such as the “will bring a preacher-ridden, debt- out.” Christian Coalition “determined that its bloated, energy-crippled America to its To sustained applause, Moyers number one priority was tax cuts for the knees.” complained, “The religious right hijacked rich,” Obama said he “didn’t know what Jesus.” Conservatives have “turned him Bible they were reading.” Matthew May is a freelance writer in Livonia, MI.

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM 11 Same Song, Second Verse The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Postpones Decisions on Sexuality...Again

by Steve R. Rempe

ELt wasn’t supposedC to be this way. Ahearing committeeA in February to removeS a sexually- SEMBLY In 2005, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangel- active gay man from his Atlanta pulpit. They came to Iical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was to vote Chicago determined to push resolutions that would on three recommendations by a task force on human sexu- end the denomination’s “discrimination” against ality. The resulting tally was to once-and-for-all determine homosexual relationships and clergy members involved the position and trajectory for the 4.8 million-member in such relationships. Twenty-one ELCA synods sent denomination as regards matters of same-sex unions and such resolutions to the Assembly’s Memorials Commit- the ordination of practicing homosexuals. tee. Most of these resolutions were drafted by Goodsoil, However, a less-than-definitive conclusion to the the main group coordinating the push for affirma- 2005 Assembly assured the return of these issues to tion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) future assemblies. Now the 2007 Assembly, held August behaviors within the ELCA. 6-11 in Chicago, has passed the The Memorials Committee recommended deferment A less-than-definitive conclusion buck on to 2009. Moreover, of all these issues until the 2009 Assembly, which will to the 2005 Assembly assured its actions have added to the receive a proposed social statement on human sexuality sense of indeterminacy in the from the denomination’s Sexuality Task Force. The Good- the return of these issues to denomination. While refusing soil activists, however, were not inclined to wait until 2009. to change the ELCA’s standard The first issue brought before the Assembly was the future assemblies. that “[o]rdained ministers blessing of same-sex unions. The Rev. Nancy Nord-Bence who are homosexual in their of Minneapolis encouraged voting members to envision self-understanding are expected to abstain from homo- the Holy Spirit, not as a dove, but rather a rabbit, darting sexual sexual relationships,” this year’s Assembly has asked unpredictably in many different directions. “The rabbit church officials “to refrain from and demonstrate restraint is bounding through the ELCA now as we consider full in disciplining” those in violation of the standard. inclusion,” she said. “I encourage us to put on our running shoes and chase that rabbit!” A Return to the Issues But the Assembly was not in a mood to chase rabbits. The stage was set in Chicago for yet another clash It voted, 733 to 278, to follow the Memorials Committee on sexuality issues. Opponents of the church’s stan- recommendation and refer the issue back to the Sexuality dard were riled by the decision of an ELCA discipline Task Force. The more complex issue of rostering clergy in active homosexual relationships followed. Bishop Paul Stumme- Spinning (above) Bishop Paul Landahl tries to explain the ELCA’s actions in a press conference after the conclusion of the Assembly. (Courtesy ELCA) Diers of the Greater Milwaukee Synod introduced a substi- tute resolution that sought to remove the expectation that

12 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 Presiding Bishop Re-elected, Swartling Elected Secretary “While the Churchwide Assembly of the he two most visible positions within the ELCA were up for election in 2007. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The reelection of Mark Hanson as the presiding bishop of the denomination was shut the front door for now on allowing Thardly unexpected. Only a quirk in the assembly voting rules kept the popular presiding ministers in same-sex relationships to serve bishop from receiving the 75 percent approval necessary for election on the first ballot. Hanson the denomination, they essentially told was elected overwhelmingly on the second ballot. His second term will conclude in 2013. While the presiding bishop remained the same, the office of denominational secretary them to go to the back door and come in.” promised its first change in 20 years. The Rev. Lowell Almen, elected to the position at the first Churchwide Assembly in 1987, had decided to retire. What Does This Mean? The position of secretary in the ELCA is one of significant influence. The secretary serves So, in the words of Martin Luther’s Small as gatekeeper for information coming in and out of the denomination’s Chicago headquarters, Catechism, “What does this mean?” primary historian, and constitutional interpreter. The resolution urging restraint will af- After several ballots, David Swartling, an attorney from Seattle serving as the Assembly’s parliamentarian, was elected as the new secretary. A lay member, Swartling appeared to be a fect most directly those moderate churches, compromise selection—a bit of an unknown entity with impeccable qualifications and no real synods, and church leaders that value ad- track record—whose greatest asset was that he had no apparent ties to either the conservative herence to denominational standards. The WordAlone/Lutheran CORE group or the liberal Lutherans Concerned/Goodsoil contingent. Goodsoil activists have already demonstrat- ed a willingness to ignore church policy ministers “abstain from homosexual sexual who would be subject to the provision of the on these matters, and have routinely acted relationships.” discipline of the church. The ceasefire needs outside their authority in ordaining and Ultimately, the proposal from to come from both sides, not just simply placing practicing homosexuals in church Stumme-Diers was defeated 581-450. A stop prosecuting, but stop placing.” office. They will likely continue in the same second proposal to allow a “local option” Whiteman’s sensible observation was pattern, perhaps with greater boldness. for individual synods was also defeated 520- largely ignored, and the assembly adopted On the other hand, congregations and 472. The decision to refer the matter to the Landahl’s substitute motion 538-431. synods firmly committed to traditional ELCA ASSEMBLYtask force was then approved by 83 percent and biblical teachings are not likely to alter of the Assembly. Confusion Reigns their practice. It is the moderates, however, There was almost an immediate sense of who will be put in the tightest bind. Should Gutting the Rules confusion as to what this vote actually they continue to uphold the ELCA rules Things got more complicated on the last meant. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson barring ministers in homosexual or other day of Assembly business, when Bishop was quick to point out that—officially— non-marital sexual relationships? Or should Paul Landahl of the Chicago Synod of- the church policy was unchanged. “These they take a hint from the Churchwide As- fered another substitute motion. Lan- are words of counsel,” he said. “They are sembly and turn a blind eye to violations of dahl wanted to “urg[e] and encourag[e]” not words that change the standards of those rules? synods and bishops “to refrain from and the church.” The end result is the implicit establish- demonstrate restraint in disciplining Secular media outlets struggled to ment of a practice that will then be used as those congregations and persons who understand the implications. “Lutherans evidence for the acceptance of the behavior call into the rostered ministry otherwise- to Allow Pastors in Gay Relationships,” come 2009. Revisionists will be able to qualified candidates who are in a mutual, said a Reuters headline, while the Chicago point to gay and lesbian clergy installed chaste, and faithful committed same Sun-Times proclaimed, “Lutherans Don’t during the amnesty period and claim that gender relationship.” Change on Gays.” to remove them at this point would be too “The hospitality we claim is not being Those involved in the process, however, disruptive. The argument will be that the carried through,” declared Landahl. “There seemed to have a clearer understanding. church is too far “down the road” to return has to be something for those of us who live A Goodsoil press release entitled “A to the old expectation that clergy should ab- in this context. We pray that someone here Crack in the Dam” predicted that this stain from non-marital sexual relationships. today will listen to us and grant us some would be just the first step in an inevitable Can the current policies be sustained breathing space to do what God is calling us process of undoing the ELCA’s historic in the wake of this subtle but significant to do [i.e., to ordain persons in violation of standard. “Today this church moved one shift in practice? It remains to be seen. The the ELCA standard].” giant step from the punitive rejection of next “final” conclusion to these issues will Others agreed that a “ceasefire” would partnered LGBT ministers to the willing occur in August 2009. be the “pastoral thing to do,” but the Rev. tolerance of them,” Goodsoil proclaimed. Steve R. Rempe is the Timothy Whiteman from the Northwest “We see this decision as interim. Full inclu- Website Coordinator at Washington Synod raised an objection: sion and acceptance is still down the road, the Institute on Religion & “I think it is very important that if we are but the dam of discrimination has been Democracy. going to talk about a ceasefire, if we are broken.” going to talk about restraint, then we need Conversely, a press release from the to stop ordaining and placing those people orthodox WordAlone group lamented:

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM 13 William Wilberforce n Ralph A. Webb o cti A

n Worlds Apart The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council and the Anglican Communion Network ica by Ralph A. Webb l g

his summer, two important meetings illustrated consecration of bishops in same-sex relationships the divergent directions of progressive and or- • That the Episcopal Church would participate in An Tthodox Anglicans in the United States. a “pastoral scheme” designed to provide pastoral First, the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council relief for orthodox Anglicans in the Episcopal met in Parsippany, NJ, from June 11–14. The Executive Church and mend the deep divisions between the Council is one of the major leadership bodies within Episcopal Church and the rest of the Anglican the denomination; it meets three times a year to deal Communion with Episcopal Church governance in the three years • That all parties involved in lawsuits over church between General Conventions. property—including the Episcopal Church it- Second, the Anglican Communion Network self—would end their legal actions immediately (ACN) held its annual council meeting in Bedford, TX, from July 30–31. The Against this backdrop, the two meetings proved to The two meetings proved to be ACN is, as its name be vastly different. In fact, they demonstrated vividly vastly different—in fact, they suggests, a network the gap in worldviews between the groups. of orthodox Angli- demonstrated vividly the gap in cans both inside and Different Foci outside the Episco- Liberal Social Action worldviews between the groups. pal Church. Since its Other than dealing with budgetary questions, the formation in early Executive Council paid primary attention to a variety 2004, it has been a major voice of orthodox Anglican- of liberal social action issues. Immigration, racism, ism in the United States. abortion, and gay and lesbian rights were just some of Both meetings were held against the backdrop of a the topics touched upon by the council: tense time in the international Anglican Communion. The primates of Anglican Communion provinces had • It passed a resolution supporting the New Sanc- issued a communiqué that followed their February tuary Movement, a movement that aims to give meeting in Tanzania. In it, the primates had requested illegal immigrants church-based support. (See p. 1 the following of the Episcopal Church: of the Summer 2007 Anglican Action Briefing.) • John Vanderstar, chair of the National Concerns • That the denomination’s House of Bishops would, Committee, urged the council to follow up on the by September 30, 2007, assure the primates of the work of the 2006 General Convention’s resolution denomination’s reversal of course regarding the A123, in which the Episcopal Church apologized blessing of same-sex unions and the consent to the for slavery and instructed its Committee on Anti-

14 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 Racism to study what amends could proposes adding a new article to the Ar- lesbians, the ACN bishops were em- be made by the denomination. ticles of the Common Cause Partnership. barked on a new course. They saw their • Vanderstar also expressed the The suggested new article reads, “Mem- network as a reform movement that church’s commitment to staying in bers of the CCP recognize that they hold would have impact far beyond Angli- the Religious Coalition for Repro- differing views regarding the ordination canism. Bishop Keith Ackerman of the ductive Choice (RCRC), a pro-abor- of women and pledge themselves that Diocese of Quincy concluded that there tion organization. In response to they recognize and honor the positions is a “new orthodoxy” across denomina- controversy, however, he claimed and practices on this issue of others in tions that will reform the entire Church, that membership does not mean that the CCP.” not just the Anglican Communion. the Episcopal Church agrees with From Duncan’s perspective, reform everything the RCRC does. Different Views Regarding the Anglican within Anglicanism will likely occur • Davis Mac-Iyalla, a gay Nigerian who Communion only through establishing new Anglican founded and heads the Changing An Underlying Hostility structures, not depending on the old Attitude Nigeria gay rights organiza- While they clearly are highly motivated ones. Regarding the September House of tion, told a story of persecution. He to pursue progressive causes, Executive Bishops meeting, at which the bishops Worlds Apart asked the council to fund his orga- Council members could not ignore the will meet with Archbishop of Canterbury nization and also advocated starting need for the Episcopal Church to respond Rowan Williams before they respond to The Episcopal Church’s Executive Council and the Anglican Communion Network a progressive Anglican church in to the Anglican Communion primates. the primates, Duncan said, “We don’t see Nigeria. (The council did not respond In March, the denomination’s House of any likelihood that the Episcopal Church positively to either notion.) Bishops had determinedly rejected the will turn around … we see such a hard- primates’ pastoral scheme and urged the ness of heart that we wonder whether Unity Executive Council to do the same. God is not hardening hearts so that his The ACN, in contrast, was concerned with At its June meeting, the Executive glory can be shown.” unity as its overarching theme and con- Council followed the House of Bish- And reform, from the network’s sequently spent most of its business time ops’ advice and asked Presiding Bishop position, means unity among orthodox discussing documents aimed at bringing Katharine Jefferts Schori to refrain from Anglicans—practical unity in smaller orthodox Anglicans together. The ACN is participating in the pastoral scheme matters now, and unity in one church one of 10 partners in the Common Cause in any manner. It also argued that the body later. “We do have the charism for Partnership (CCP, also known as “Com- House of Bishops should not respond to unity among our partners, and we … mon Cause”), a network of North Ameri- the primates’ requests regarding same- with God’s great help and protection, can orthodox Anglican bodies. sex blessings and consents to the conse- fulfilled that yet again in supporting the Nonetheless, there were differences crations of bishops, arguing that only the Common Cause partnership,” Duncan even among the ACN members that Episcopal Church’s General Convention concluded at the end of the council. One threatened to prevent them from ratify- could do that. symbol of that unity was the presence of ing two Common Cause documents: the The council’s conclusions on Angli- representatives of five different Common Theological Statement of the Common can Communion issues were expressed Cause partners at the council meeting, Cause Partnership and the Articles of the in a final document entitled “The Epis- including members of two church bod- Common Cause Partnership. The most copal Church’s Commitment to Com- ies that had left the Episcopal Church controversial issue was women’s ordina- mon Life in the Anglican Communion,” decades earlier. tion. Most members of Common Cause dated June 14. In that document, despite And so Duncan affirmed, “The -pur do not approve of women’s ordination, its expression of “most earnest hope” to pose [of the Network] is certainly to be but some do, and the members of the pursue “mission” with other Anglican the Church.” As he had spoken pastorally ACN itself hold mixed views. The con- Communion provinces, and its declara- at the beginning of the council, so the cerns led The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan, tion of concern for “our relationships moderator did at the end: “We are in the Bishop of Pittsburgh, to say, “If we’re not as Anglicans,” the Executive Council midst of a Good Friday … but I’d say the able to trust each other … then we may essentially made no movement toward evidence of this council is that Easter’s as well all go home.” the primates. Instead, it chastised the approaching.” In the end, the two documents primates for their requests. were ratified, but with some suggested Ralph A. Webb is the Director of the Anglican A Reform Movement amendments that would be sent to Com- Action program at the mon Cause for consideration. Regard- While the prevailing modus operandi Institute on Religion & ing women’s ordination, the Rev. Jim at the Executive Council was to stay on Democracy. Simons of the Diocese of Pittsburgh was course regarding what is commonly instrumental in crafting a resolution that called the “full inclusion” of gays and

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM 15 Anglican Action

The Anglican Communion Network and the Episcopal

Church on Marriage: A Study in Contrasts by Ralph A. Webb

hile it was not on the agenda the Diocese of Newark, offers same sex one local parish. Diocesan resolutions at the Anglican Communion couples recognition and access to all asking for the church to stop performing WNetwork (ACN) meeting sacraments, including Civil Unions.” weddings, and to bless only marriages July 30–31 in Bedford, TX, the defense The idea that civil unions are sacra- that have already been recognized by the of marriage was a topic that surfaced ments is not directly stated on the Dio- state, failed this year in both Massachu- repeatedly. cese of Newark’s website, but the belief setts and New Jersey. Similar resolutions Archbishop Gregory Venables, that they are sacramental is clearly there. undoubtedly will arise elsewhere. Anglican primate of the Southern Cone, Just-retired Bishop John Palmer Crone- was the first to raise the issue. Speak- berger announced in his January 2001 A Countercultural Stance ing during a devotional time, Venables diocesan address that he had approved Archbishop Venables told the ACN cried, “Marriage is God’s idea, and it’s liturgies “to sacramentally make real that members that they would have to “[set holy! You can’t bless something that isn’t which is already true in the lives of gay themselves] apart” from the Episcopal marriage! … You cannot imagine that and lesbian persons living in faithful, Church in their higher view of marriage. Holy Marriage can be coupled up with committed, monogamous relationships .” Bishop Robert Duncan of the Diocese something else!” of Pittsburgh, the ACN moderator, Would that the passion so evident in Extending Blessings Beyond drew the distinction in criticizing the Archbishop Venables were echoed by the Marriage—or Stopping All Blessings Episcopal Church’s responses to two Episcopal Church! For despite its won- “You can’t bless something that isn’t mar- bishops-elect: “The [2006] convention derful marriage liturgy, the Episcopal riage!” To the contrary, the Episcopal approved a bishop [the Rev. Canon Barry Church has lost sight of one of the most Church allows local parishes to use litur- L. Beisner, Bishop Coadjutor of Northern wonderful treasures over which God has gies of same-sex blessing, given approval California] who was in his third mar- permitted it to keep watch. from their diocesan bishop. riage. Conversely, the Episcopal Church But there’s another trend occurring cannot approve the new Bishop of South The Undermining of Marriage in the Episcopal Church: one in which Carolina [the Rev. Mark Lawrence] who “Marriage is God’s idea, and it’s holy! … parishes and potentially dioceses either has only had one wife.” You cannot imagine that Holy Marriage temporarily “fast” from marriages or Other ACN bishops also spoke of can be coupled up with something else!” stop performing weddings altogether. the importance of upholding marriage, Many Episcopal Church clergy praise In the latter case, the churches bless as a countercultural witness against “faithful, committed, monogamous, lov- only marriages that already have been the revisionist actions of the Episcopal ing relationships.” Accordingly, in some performed by the state—thus turning all Church. Bishop Keith Ackerman of the localities, they bless unmarried hetero- marriages or civil unions into essentially Diocese of Quincy stressed that marriage sexual or homosexual couples. In doing a civil, not religious, matter. Both trends involves “dispens[ing] grace” in a way so, they undermine the very institution reflect a point of view that basically that is impossible with any other type of of marriage. argues, “If gays and lesbians can’t be relationship. He, like other ACN bishops, One of the more extreme examples married, no one should be able to be saw the need for the Christian church to of this tendency comes from the Diocese married.” “[p]roclaim, guard, and defend what [it] of Vermont. A 2004 diocesan task force At perhaps the most extreme end, has … received” from God—including report equated same-sex unions with Grace Church in Amherst, MA, is “fast- Holy Matrimony. marriage: “What is blessed is the same. ing” from marriages until the spring of What is asked of the couple is the same. 2008 because its rector and vestry feel Ralph A. Webb is the What is asked of the community is the that it is unjust for gays and lesbians to Director of the Anglican same love and support.” be denied the opportunity to marry. They Action program at the Institute on Religion & Even more astonishing is this want to bless something that is not mar- Democracy. statement from St. George’s Episcopal riage, and so they refuse to celebrate real Church, Maplewood, NJ: “St. George’s, marriages . in full accordance with the policies of Such an attitude is not limited to

16 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 Anglican Action When Goals Coincide Vermont’s New Same-Sex Marriage Commission and the Episcopal Church by Ralph A. Webb

he only clergy member on a new stance against traditional marriage. Ad- strong stand against biblically “literalistic 11-member commission study- ditionally, some local parishes openly approaches that have oppressed/marginal- Ting whether Vermont is ready for practice same-sex blessings. Others have ized certain groups … especially … gays same-sex marriage is an Episcopal priest spoken out against any accommodation of and lesbians.” Not content to stop there, involved in a same-sex “civil union.” the request, from the provincial primates the resolution drafters outrageously linked According to an article in the August of the international Anglican Com- biblical literalism with pro-slavery atti- 12 Burlington Free Press: munion, that Episcopal Church bishops tudes. The clear message was that those to- should halt all same-sex blessings. day who uphold the scriptural prohibitions The Rev. Nancy Vogele, an Episcopal For example, the vestry of St. James against homosexuality are comparable to minister in White River Junction, is Episcopal Church in Arlington, VT, wrote 19th century apologists for slavery. apparently the only gay member of the a June 30 letter in which it commended The diocese also has summarily commission. She said she has a civil its bishop, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Ely, for his dismissed the proposed Anglican cov- union and would like marriage herself, “unwillingness to sacrifice justice for gay enant: “We consider the type of Covenant but emphasized that the commission’s and lesbian people in our church ‘for the proposed … a betrayal of what we pray for, work is not about her. “I think we’re sake of a false and deceptive unity.’” In what we labor to make present and what here to listen to what Vermonters have this case, “unity” would have meant going we daily welcome … The very concept to say.” of a Covenant is a new phenom- enon within Anglicanism, and the Vermont legislative Vermont legislative leaders stacked the model of communion it proposes is leaders stacked the com- commission with proponents of same-sex unrecognizable and unacceptable.” mission with proponents The diocese argued that a covenant of same-sex marriage. marriage. contradicts the example of Jesus They left out religious Christ, who it believes “had little people who understand marriage as the along with the primates’ requests. patience with [a] multitude of laws.” To the God-ordained union of one man and one A St. James parish committee did diocese, a covenant that sets any boundar- woman. TheFree Press reported Ver- not like the idea of a covenant binding ies and imposes any type of discipline is mont House Speaker Nancy Symington’s Anglican provinces to “seek with other unthinkable. explanation of why she rejected the idea members … a common mind about mat- Given the diocese’s clear direction of appointing the Roman Catholic Bishop ters of essential concern, consistent with in favor of same-sex marriage, it’s not of Burlington: “The Catholic bishop … the Scriptures.” The committee warned, surprising that a state commission stacked cannot by the nature of his position have “The [covenant] proposal originates in a in that same direction would include an an open mind about the issue. ‘That would ‘Devil’s bargain’ between some American openly gay, partnered Episcopal priest as be an impossible position to put the bishop churches and some African Bishops who one of its members. The Diocese of Ver- in,’ Symington said.” take a bigoted stance toward homosexu- mont, in its internal life as well as its public Apparently, Symington and her col- als.” It took particular umbrage at the witness, well reflects the Episcopal Church leagues did not have the same misgivings thought of “some Primates … decid[ing] as a whole. It is a denomination whose about the Episcopal Church in the Diocese what is ‘moral.’” presiding bishop has stated candidly, “The of Vermont. Twenty-four of its clergy, The Diocese of Vermont as a whole is full inclusion of gay and lesbian people is including Vogele, have signed the Vermont no less resolute in its revisionism. A 2004 part of our mission.” Freedom to Marry Task Force’s (VFMTF’s) diocesan task force report on same-sex “Vermont Declaration of Religious Sup- blessings equated civil unions with mar- Ralph A. Webb is the port for the Freedom of Same-Gender riage: “What is blessed is the same. What Director of the Anglican Couples to Marry.” is asked of the couple is the same. What is Action program at the Institute on Religion & As during last fall’s state marriage asked of the community is the same love Democracy. amendment referenda and at the Executive and support.” The report also contained Council earlier this year, Episcopal Church two “trial liturgies” for civil unions. leaders have taken an active political A 2005 diocesan resolution took a

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM 17 John Knox n o James D. Berkley cti A

n Presbyterian Social Witness Committee ria Not Happy Merely Advising by James D. Berkley e

yt t’s hard for me to understand how one can be will propose something to go before General Assembly.”

b a Presbyterian and not have an active social Barry Creech, denominational Coordinator of conscience,” mused Gloria Albrecht, a member Information and Planning, understands how things

s “I of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Advisory Com- ought to work. “It would seem that your basic audience

e mittee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP). Albrecht is [General Assembly] commissioners,” he proposed, and others at the committee’s June meeting evidenced “and your message is ‘This is our best advice to give r uneasiness with ACSWP’s relative obscurity and lack on this policy.’” Creech understood something the

P of influence. Nor were they happy about Presbyterians’ ACSWP members were still struggling to admit: The propensity to ignore or even to oppose the committee’s committee exists to advise General Assembly in regard work. Indeed, ACSWP apparently wants to arrogate to social witness issues. The committee’s charter is further powers to itself. not to champion its own pet causes or to proactively Three themes kept appearing at this meeting: First, instruct the denomination on whatever it thinks others ACSWP was wrestling with should advocate. Members in general its role and authority, itch- But ACSWP veterans weren’t quite prepared to give ing to expand its influence. up. “Advisory [as in Advisory Committee on Social Wit- evidenced great uneasiness Second, it kept lament- ness Policy] has a formal meaning in regard to General with their committee’s ing—Rodney Dangerfield- Assembly,” Coordinator Chris Iosso acknowledged, “but like—about how it “don’t it also has an informal meaning.” And then Iosso deftly relative obscurity and lack of get no respect.” And third, stretched the ACSWP charter: “The committee’s pri- influence. ACSWP evidenced a rather mary identity is to be in synch with the church’s primary low opinion of Presbyteri- identity, which is spiritual formation and nurture.” In ans in general, and a rather other words, Iosso claimed that ACSWP is supposed to high estimate of how greatly they need the committee’s be about anything the church does. direction. Should the ACSWP role include twisting arms? ACSWP appears eager to move from advising General What Is ACSWP’s Role? Assembly to serving as an instructor of the church. “We’re not to advocate, but to advise,” counseled For instance, is it legitimate for ACSWP task forces to ACSWP member Ron Kernaghan at one point in the use General Assembly money to go out and lobby the meeting, “and then the General Assembly decides on church to adopt their papers? its policy…. Our existence is in response to what is put Historically, according to Sara Lisherness, Director before us by the General Assembly.” How true! But then of Peace and Justice, ACSWP’s responsibility was never Kernaghan couldn’t help slipping in, “Occasionally we intended “to help people really wrestle with and engage

18 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 mission creep ACSWP leaders ruminate over their mission, but are discontented with their charter’s limitations. Rather than fulfill their advisory function, members prefer to see the body in an activist role. (James D. Berkley/IRD)

the issues.” ACSWP was expected to help problem,” Kernaghan persisted. “The community of significant discourse, we people understand what a paper is say- problem is of such proportions that kid ourselves,” warned Joe Small, Direc- ing, but it wasn’t tasked with convincing ACSWP can’t interpret itself to the tor of Theology, Worship, and Education. people to buy into it. whole church. It can interpret itself only He lamented the shallow level of consid- But longtime staff social activist to parts of the church.” The problem is eration of most matters in our governing Vernon Broyles disagreed. “I can’t imag- that ACSWP’s opinion is not respected bodies. “We are no longer in the church ine that it is not in the overall [ACSWP] by a large portion of the church, whose a cohesive community of shared belief,” mandate to find ways to get [a policy] concerns remain largely unrepresented, Small observed. “We’ve spent decades interpreted and integrated into the life of devalued, and ignored by ACSWP. celebrating diversity, so it should come as the church,” he pronounced. “It shouldn’t no surprise that there is no cohesion in be a problem to use the money not only What Does ACSWP Think of the regard to theology.” That explains a lot! to make the policy but to get it intro- Rest of Us? duced into the life of the church.” Thus, In general, ACSWP considers the rest of Because We Want to! apparently by his decree alone, the job of the church sorely in need of its instruc- At one point ACSWP member Bill Saint ACSWP has grown from modestly advis- tion. “We work hard on an issue that we narrowed in on a key issue. “We could ing General Assembly into have our goal be: Because we using General Assembly want to publish this report!” money to convince it to An annoying reality kept dogging ACSWP: the he offered, only partly in jest. accept whatever ACSWP fact that not many people pay all that much ACSWP mixes a large measure proposes! of cocksure “Because we want attention to its work. to!” into its actions, along with No Respect? a healthy dollop of altruistically An annoying reality kept wanting to change lives. dogging ACSWP: the fact that not many think is hot and on fire, but can we light ACSWP appears certain that its people pay all that much attention to its a fire under the people out there?” asked brand of religious socio-political theory work. Ron Kernaghan put it this way: ACSWP member Jack Terry wistfully. is something every church and every “There is a big disconnect between Gen- In other words, how can we get them thinking Christian should want to adopt. eral Assembly policy and acceptance on a to be as worked up as we are about our Because of this mindset, it can hardly congregational level.” particular analyses and solutions? constrain itself to dutifully perform only “There is no question there is apathy The problem is that “national the necessary tasks General Assembly [about ACSWP’s work] in presbyteries policies don’t get to the local church,” assigns. Instead, it yearns to arrogate and synods,” Chris Iosso agreed. “We according to member Gloria Albrecht, responsibilities not delegated to it, to the have to skip over synods and presbyteries; apparently adhering to a top-down end that every congregation, yea the en- we have to go directly to the church mem- model of church government, where the tire nation, turn into its ideological twin, bers… . There are disconnects in almost local church is on standby, waiting for which, ACSWP might argue, would only every aspect of General Assembly’s work.” instructions from the home office. -Al be appropriate. Indeed there are! But until General brecht further voiced concern that “what Assembly and ACSWP in particular start churches around the world are saying to James D. Berkley hearing from and representing those First World churches is not getting down is the Director of the they consider the vast unwashed masses to congregations.” Apparently the local Presbyterian Action program at the Institute on in the church, ACSWP’s speaking louder church, while waiting for headquarters Religion & Democracy. and more stridently is not going to bridge directives, should tune in its short-wave that gap. radio for international orders, as well. “We have an ever-increasing critical “If we contend that the PCUSA is a

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM 19 Presbyterian Action

United Church of Christ (Almost) Learns From Presbyterians by James D. Berkley

his June in Hartford, Connecticut, the United magnanimity and fair play, top UCC leaders lashed out at Church of Christ (UCC) took a major step toward the IRD. In effect they were growling, “We most certainly Tevenhanded treatment of Palestinian and Israeli were not trying to be fair!” The indignity expressed over interests. At its General Synod meeting, the UCC adopted the notion that perhaps UCC was being wise and even- a resolution somewhat similar to the Israel-divestment handed was nearly comical. retraction issued by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at its All too often the IRD finds itself needing to blow the 2006 General Assembly. whistle on something going wrong. Thus, commending The UCC General Synod resolution acknowledged the UCC had been a joy. Because the IRD press release that two of its resolutions from 2005 focused criticism en- was warm and generous, one would have thought that tirely on Israel and that the General Synod “has yet to fully the UCC response would adopt a similar tone. Perhaps address other forces contributing to the ongoing violence, something like: “Thanks for the compliment. That’s good oppression and suffering in the region.” of you.” The statement also indicated However, UCC President John Thomas “expressed Upon being congratulated significant reconsideration of the outrage at how some outside groups are distorting a recent 2005 resolutions: “The escalat- action on the Middle East by the United Church of Christ.” for their magnanimity and fair ing violence between Fatah and Thomas seemed to be saying that people should have play, top UCC leaders lashed Hamas now calls us to consider known the UCC would never be that reasonable, or that whether we may have overlooked the hierarchy would never allow such fine General Synod out at the IRD. many aspects of an extraordinarily work to remain unspun. complicated situation.” Even though the language of the resolution was clearly “As a peacemaker,” the resolution rationale explained, generous, and the General Synod approved it, and the pub- “the Church in all of its settings must continue to speak lic at large recognized it, Thomas appeared not about to let out whenever violence, hatred, and oppression occur, such technicalities ruin a perfectly good anti-Israel ideo- standing in support of all who are oppressed and subjected logical prejudice. Instead he plowed ahead with the claim to injustice.” Therefore, the General Synod established “a that “General Synod policy related to Israel and Palestine Task Force to engage in ongoing and balanced study of the remains today what it was before our Synod convened.” causes, history and context of the conflict.” Not necessarily. A UCC task force will be taking a The IRD praised the magnanimity of the United second look at factors that complicate the current policy Church of Christ in this action, saying in a press release and may recommend changes. That much was clearly set that the UCC “has recognized the narrow partiality of its in motion by the General Synod. previous resolutions and is willing to admit that the situa- The UCC leaders also seemed unwilling to pass up tion in the Middle East is not readily reducible to good-guy an opportunity to say something spiteful about the IRD, Palestinians versus bad-guy Israelis—or vice versa.” even though we had just commended them. An article The IRD recognized that it was difficult to admit distributed by Ecumenical News International noted how error and pursue a fairer and more faithful course of J. Bennett Guess, a UCC spokesperson, “said that the action that no longer placed the UCC in the untenable institute’s ‘repeated and ruthless attempts to attack, distort role of strident champion of the unsupportable. IRD also and demean the work and witness of mainline Protestant noted that in June 2006, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) churches, including the United Church of Christ, are not General Assembly set an example by replacing a 2004 to be trusted.’” resolution threatening anti-Israel divestment with a bal- anced resolution seeking the welfare of both Palestinians James D. Berkley is the Director of the Presbyterian Action program at the and Israelis. Institute on Religion & Democracy.

How Dare You Call Us Fair! Official UCC response to the IRD press release was imme- diate and astounding. Upon being congratulated for their

20 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 Presbyterian Action Presbyterian News

Labor Leaders, Like PCUSA, denominational entity that lobbies the Christians. The objective is to co-opt Reject Anti-Israel Divestment federal government, generally for liberal these churchgoers into a secular lobbying In recent years, activists for Palestinian causes. “We try to do things within effort to legitimize homosexual practice. causes have sought to rally a number of a theological context,” Ivory claimed Churches and church groups are thought institutions into making harsh condem- recently. “When I hire [associates], I try by activists to be fertile territory for their nations of Israel, including a call for to get people coming from a theological political operations. The powerful gay divestment. That same bandwagon ap- context, rather than people who know lobby especially covets the political wal- proach is now being applied to organized Capitol Hill.” One would only wish that lop that religious people would deliver, labor. the “theological context” from which if only churches could be diverted from The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Ivory draws were more mainstream evangelism, discipleship, missions, and first hopped on the divestment bandwag- Presbyterian! ministry. on in 2004, resolving to pursue “phased Much of what the Washington A 2006 report by the National Gay selective divestment in multinational Office does is far more oriented to and and Lesbian Task Force entitled “David corporations operating in Israel.” After a coordinated with activists from other v. Goliath” thoroughly mapped out the two-year firestorm of protest ensued, both denominations than it is with the actual church territory the gay lobby would love within the denomination and without, the beliefs and concerns of Presbyterians in to occupy for its purposes. Of particu- General Assembly in 2006 wisely replaced the pew. But the number of ecumenical lar interest is the fact that the umbrella the 2004 divestment resolution with a res- collaborators appears to be diminishing. organization for many denominational olution seeking the social and economic “We have 50 percent less staff in all the gay caucuses—the Institute of Welcom- welfare of both Israelis and Palestinians. [mainline denominational lobbying] of- ing Resources—became essentially a Presbyterian Action helped commission- fices to work on issues,” Ivory lamented. wholly owned subsidiary of the secular ers reach this gracious conclusion. “As you cut our funding, we have cut National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Other Christian denominations funding on some of the [parachurch March 2006. and many universities have backed off activist] groups.” “The more than 1 million individu- of divestment or have refused to be so So how large is the Washington Of- als in the 1,300 congregations supported co-opted. And now, more than two dozen fice constituency? “We have about two by IWR are some of our movement’s trade union leaders have signed a state- thousand on the list—hard-core activists,” most valuable allies in the fight to reclaim ment urging caution and good sense to Ivory stated, roughly a tenth of a percent ‘moral values’ from those who try to avoid being pushed into harsh calls for of some 2 million Presbyterians. About 99 justify anti-gay bigotry as ‘deeply held re- Israel divestment. percent on the list share the Washington ligious beliefs,’” said Task Force Executive “Rather than divestment from Israel,” Office’s political viewpoint, Ivory esti- Director Matt Foreman. the labor leaders wrote, “we believe that mated. “But we are continuing to be chal- Michael Adee, field organizer for the investment of time, energy and material lenged by a few people who don’t seem to PCUSA caucus More Light Presbyteri- aid is the best means to alleviate the ongo- like the General Assembly speaking out ans, gushed that being subsumed by this ing suffering of Palestinians and Israelis.” on issues.” high-power, deep-pockets, non-Christian They stand opposed to union, trade, Ivory, who is resigning effective lobbying effort was “a remarkable mo- academic, and journalistic boycotts of October 31, apparently does not fathom ment in the LGBT Movement as political Israel. Signatories of the statement include that Presbyterians can be upset with the and religious advocates join hands.” AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, as Washington Office’s unique viewpoint on Thus the advertised political attempt well as the heads of unions representing many issues that badly misrepresents what to re-imagine Bible passages to repudiate teamsters, mine workers, electrical work- the bulk of Presbyterians profess. Scripture’s unbending counsel on sexual ers, communications workers, govern- morality comes as no surprise. Churches ment workers, and other trades. Activists Target PCUSA, Other have one job and one job alone, according Churches for Political Operations to this crowd: to be used in an attempt to Notes from the Presbyterian A group called the Human Rights justify and normalize homosexual prac- Washington Office Campaign is spending perhaps $20,000 tice. Spending twenty grand to get more Elenora Giddings Ivory directs the or more in advertising targeted at people to read a website is just part of the Presbyterian Washington Office, a Presbyterians and other mainline plan.

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM 21 United Methodist United Methodist Annual Conferences

All Over the Map by Rebekah M. Sharpe

hile this year’s Annual Confer- “sexual relations are only clearly affirmed called on United Methodists to “reject… ence cycle again spotlighted in the marriage bond.” [the IRD’s] agenda” because the organiza- WMethodists’ differences over Meanwhile, the pro-homosexuality tion supposedly employs “hardball tactics.” homosexuality and abortion, some less Reconciling Ministries Network won pas- The Desert Southwest Annual Confer- predictable issues also found their denomi- sage of all thirteen of its 2007 resolutions in ence referred its anti-IRD resolution back national debut in the 2007 resolutions. the California-Nevada, Pacific Northwest, to a “Covenant Council.” The council is North Carolina, Mississippi, Holston and Oregon-Idaho annual conferences. slated to address the legislation, which calls (East Tennessee), South Indiana, and Several conferences passed resolutions on United Methodists to view the anti- Northwest Texas annual conferences all asserting that “sexual orientation” and IRD video Renewal or Ruin? this autumn. passed resolutions calling for the 2008 “gender identity” should not be factors in It seems unusual that annual conferences General Conference to withdraw its admitting persons to membership in the are being used as a venue to propagate ac- support from the Religious Coalition for United Methodist Church. cusations intended to marginalize groups Reproductive Choice (RCRC). A similar In one peculiar turn of events, the of fellow United Methodists, without any resolution had garnered only 33 percent at South Indiana annual conference passed opportunity being given for those groups the 2006 Holston Annual Conference. one of these “open membership” resolu- to speak for themselves. The RCRC attempts to provide a faith- tions, while it also passed a resolution The IRD was not the only target of based rationale for affirming unrestricted endorsing the Transforming Congregations criticism. The Holston Annual Conference legal abortions under any circumstances. ministry to persons trying to overcome came within seven votes of calling for the United Methodist membership in RCRC sexual sins (including homosexuality). United Methodist Church to pull out of the allows the coalition to claim all 8 million of It was not clear whether the conference National Council of Churches. The highly the denomination’s U.S. members as part wanted to call people to repentance or to ac- politicized NCC was, until recently, led by of its constituency. cept whatever “orientation” they claimed. the Rev. Bob Edgar, a United Methodist The North Carolina and Mississippi It appears that youth delegates were minister and former Democratic mem- conferences produced resolutions that particularly important in passing the “open ber of Congress. A key factor in derailing would strengthen the denomination’s membership” resolutions in the Desert the anti-NCC resolution was a blistering counsel against abortion in most circum- Southwest and Dakotas conferences. While speech against the proposal delivered by stances. Under these resolutions, abor- these resolutions may be motivated by a the Rev. Jim Green, a committee chair who tion would be approved only in cases that well-intentioned desire to show Christ’s was supposed to be presenting the resolu- threaten the mother’s physical life. If the love and forgiveness to homosexual people, tion in an even-handed manner. entire United Methodist Church were to their “inclusivity” language seems to un- The East Ohio Annual Conference accept this policy into its Book of Discipline, dermine the membership vows. In keeping resisted making a statement urging “the it would become effectively pro-life. with ancient Christian tradition, United U.S. Congress to pass legislation requiring But the more liberal Minnesota An- Methodist members are required to declare the prompt removal of all U.S. troops from nual Conference was blazing a trail in a publicly their renunciation of sin. Conflicts Iraq and discontinue funding for military different directon. It passed a resolution arise when a candidate simultaneously purposes in Iraq. …” that would give healthcare coverage to “do- affirms an intention to practice a homosex- Finally, the Arkansas Annual Con- mestic partners” of lay members receiving ual lifestyle that the Book of Discipline calls ference resolved to study the U.S. United conference benefits. This action not only “incompatible” with Christian teaching. Methodist Church’s loss of 3 million mem- implicitly condones cohabitation of homo- The Institute on Religion and Democ- bers. The conference hopes to uncover the sexual couples and unmarried heterosexual racy and its UMAction committee were the reasons for this marked decline. couples, but it also treats those relation- subject of condemnatory resolutions in both Rebekah M. Sharpe ships as morally equivalent to the marriage the Desert Southwest and New York an- is an Administrative of man and woman. The West Michigan nual conferences. The delegate body of the Assistant for the Annual Conference opted to continue pro- New York conference passed its anti-IRD UMAction program at the Institute on Religion & viding similar domestic partner benefits. resolution, sponsored by a local chapter of Democracy. Such benefits would seem to run contrary the Methodist Federation for Social Action, to the Book of Discipline provision that an unofficial liberal caucus. The resolution

22 FAITH & FREEDOM | OCTOBER 2007 IRD Diary Where is the Next ‘Global South’? by Jeffrey H. Walton

ne of the great privileges of work- ing at the IRD is the ability to meet OChristian leaders from all parts of the globe. Hardly a week goes by that either Faith McDonnell or Mark Tooley do not host visiting pastors or bishops, many from the Global South. I have been very fortu- nate in having been given the opportunity, through my Anglican church in Virginia, to travel to both Africa and Asia to meet with Christian leaders. Those of us within the mainline renewal movement often speak of looking to the Global South for spiritual leader- ship during times of denominational strife. Send-off Hmong villagers give an emotional send-off to IRD staff member Jeff Walton during his July visit That churches in Africa, Latin America, to southwestern China. (Jeff Walton/IRD) and parts of Asia have now assumed strong leadership roles is a testament to earlier groups—in this case, Muslims, Buddhists, areas. We often send teams and resources mission movements coming out of Europe and those that practice folk religions. to South America and Africa. It is as if the and North America. These movements sent The Chinese church still faces govern- original disciples had partially obeyed Jesus’ evangelists into difficult and even hostile ment treatment that fluctuates somewhere command, taking the gospel to Judea and places. Spiritual seeds that were planted in between bureaucratic harassment and Samaria but not “to the ends of the earth.” largely animist regions have now grown outright persecution. Registered churches Sometimes, there is good reason for into healthy crops that are sending their struggle to get the required permits to build this reluctance: the difficulty of sending a own missionaries out into the world. new facilities necessary to accommodate westerner to do mission work in a country This remarkable story has left me to swelling congregations, house churches that prohibits religious conversion, or the ask, “Where is the next ‘Global South’? attempt to avoid the attentions of some- threat that accompanies civil strife. Often, What currently hostile places will one day times over-zealous provincial officials, and however, these were the same situations our send out their leaders to spread the Gospel?” underground Catholic bishops often face forbears faced when they went to the Global My hope is that one day we will see mature extended prison sentences. Still, the church South. mission movements in China and Central grows. It now makes up over 10 percent of The renewal movements of Christiani- Asia, just as we now see in the Global South. the country’s eastern population, by some ty in the West, and the most vibrant parts of On a trip to southwestern China in estimates. the mainline, are due to successful mission July, I met with several pastors and other What has changed most noticeably is efforts. If we are to continue to see spiritual Christian leaders from different ethnic that the Chinese church no longer finds it- leadership come from abroad, it is my sin- minority groups. During a visit to a Hmong self in survival mode. Thirty years out from cere hope that one day we will see Chinese village, our hosts repeatedly emphasized the legalization made possible by Premier and Central Asian pastors and bishops to us how important they found spiritual Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, the church is fill- come to visit the IRD: yet another group of leadership from Britain and the United ing the social services vacuum that has been passionate Christian leaders ready to carry States. Evangelized in the 1920s by British left by the communist state. It sends unoffi- the Gospel forward to other unreached missionaries that came from India, the cial missionaries to minister quietly among lands.

Hmong population is now over 70 percent previously unreached people groups. The Jeffrey H. Walton is the Christian. Hmong village I visited now sends people Communications Manager In some ways, today’s China parallels outside of its province, something that was at the Institute on Religion & Democracy. the situation of early 20th century Africa: unthinkable just a few years ago. a growing church in the densely populated Here in the United States, it is not un- coastal areas, and a still largely unreached usual to find churches devoting the entirety interior, populated by other religious of their mission budgets to already-reached

OCTOBER 2007 | FAITH & FREEDOM 23 “Anyone interested in the debate about the place of Islam in the modern world should read this book.” —Amir Taheri, Daily Telegraph

In 2007, The Institute on Religion & Democracy was able to distribute almost 100,000 copies of this important book to U.S. and Canadian pastors and Christian leaders. We recommend the book as a resource for all who are interested in understanding the Islamist threat to freedom.

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The Institute on Religion& Democracy 1023 15th Street NW, Suite 601,Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 202.682.4131 Fax: 202.682.4136