Check Out This Great Blog!

I have been accused and sometimes rightly so of being visceral and shoot from the mouth in my posts. And I will confess that certain topics move me emotionally and I respond from that gut level. But hey its my blog!

However, I want to direct you to what I think is one of the most insightful and thought provoking blogs out there that deals with the current crisis in the Reformed Church. I would encourage those with a burden for truth and the future of this once great denomination to check out this blog: Reformed Revival.


The blogger is a dear friend and a deep thinking Christian; and his views, I believe, are shared by many, who lack perhaps his gift of clarity. So give him a look, post a comment or two and tell him I sent you.

God Bless!

Breast Cancer Group Donates to Planned Parenthood

The following story on NewsMax.com disturbs me. We have breast cancer survivors in our church who actively support the Susan G. Komen Foundation and would say it has done wonderful things for women battling this dread disease. But, I must agree with Ms. Silver when she says it is inconsistent to support life on one hand and support death on the other. Yet in our age of moral relativism it is not unusual.

A foundation that works to fight breast cancer has donated a substantial amount of money to America's largest abortion provider, despite evidence of a link between abortion and the leading cause of premature death in women.
According to Eve Sanchez Silver, a former adviser to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the group provided Planned Parenthood with 21 grants to in 2003 for community outreach programs, totaling over $475,000. "You can't affirm life with one hand and support an organization that kills people with the other," Silver told CNSNews.com, explaining that she left the foundation after she learned of its association with Planned Parenthood. A two time breast cancer survivor herself, Silver agrees that there is a link between abortions and breast cancer, although the National Cancer Institute has dismissed the claim. "Everywhere, women who are working to combat breast cancer are begging for money, but they give funds to Planned Parenthood instead," Silver complained. "And that organization is using it to make beautiful centers so they can lure women in to kill their babies."

Korn guitarist rededicates life to Christ

Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch, a founding member of Korn, has left the band and has rededicated his life to Christianity, according to the group's management.

"Korn has parted ways with guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch, who has chosen Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end," a statement from the band reads. "Korn respects Brian's wishes, and hopes he finds the happiness he's searching for."

Now while I am not a fan of today's rock and roll (I'm a country fan) and I know even less about the group Korn, I was excited to see this news. Welch is expected to make further comment on his decison over the next few days and I will be looking forward to his story.

http://www.redstatestore.com/

Dr. Kansfield: God Changes God's Mind

In a post on the Jesus Politics blog , the writer offers some choice quotes from soon to be former NBTS president Norman Kansfield.

Kansfield insists that Biblical condemnations of homosexual activity exemplified by St. Paul's teaching in Romans 1:24-32 applies not to the sex acts themselves, but to the "relationships" between individuals. ---- "For me, the relationship is the huge issue," he said. "Romans one is about passion. Paul never likes passion, which involves a person who is out of control. Homosexuals can misuse sex, just as others misuse heterosexual sex. But if the relationship is one of love, and commitment, I believe God blesses it." ---- Kansfield also said he believes "God changes God's mind" about what is morally acceptable behavior. "The side of God that God shows us, at any given time in our history, is the side we can handle," he said. "That's why you have to read Scripture in its historical, sociological context." ---- Divine sanction of "loving" homosexual relationships, he said, eluded Jewish and Christian thinkers for thousands of years "because they were working in a very different social context" from today's. ---- "I meet people whom I see to be touched by Christ," he said, "and yet who are in love with a person of the same sex. They're entitled to full inclusion in the church and its ministry."

The full article from which these quotes come from can be found here:
http://www.chalcedon.edu/articles/0412/041208-1duigon.php

While his comments on homosexuality are nothing new. I was surprised that a self-proclaimed conservative theologian would expouse the idea that God changes His mind. This sounds like the Open Theism movement currently plaguing evangelical circles. While the issue of how we treat gays and lesbians is open to some debate, the idea that God is mutable is one that has not merely temporal but eternal consequences. What if God decided to change the method of our salvation? What if the requirements were changed? What if God decided that murder was ok? That adultery was now fine? A changeable God can only result in a chaotic creation and confused humanity.

And the question arises by what standard do we determine when God has changed his mind? Are there now new scriptures to be consulted? Do we "trust" the wisdom of those who claim that the Spirit has told them so? (by the way this very disturbing thought is being floated in the RCA leadership - our GSC wants to adopt a "discernment" model for decision making - we will save that for another time, however.) What if two people disagree on what God is now saying, who casts the tie-breaking vote?

Hebrews 13:8 tells us that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So who is right? Inspired Scripture or Dr. Kansfield and those like him?

Denomination Renewal Done Right

In this age of denominational declension, it is heartening to see that rather than give in to the spirit of the age, some are standing up and speaking out. I applaud the efforts of this valiant band of PCUSA leaders who recognize the need to change not just cosmetically but completely. A great blend of returning to one's roots and reaching ahead to the future.

I particularly I love the restructuring they propose:


Key Design Elements for an Effective Connectional Structure

Theology and Mission

• An unambiguous, biblically-derived statement of orthodox and reformed faith essentials

• Defined theological and ethical boundaries to which we would subscribe

• Unifying mission that is biblically-rooted and evangelism-driven

We envision a connectional structure unified by a shared commitment to a biblically-rooted theology and mission, and not by polity alone. This will require a statement of faith and practice that articulates the essentials of orthodox Christian faith as historically understood, and which establishes clear theological and ethical boundaries. To this statement participating members would subscribe. We believe this need would be served by the Apostles’ Creed and a newly crafted statement of faith essentials. The statements in our existing Book of Confessions will continue to offer historical context as we move forward in ministry and mission, but a new and concise statement of theological essentials is needed. Ordination would be predicated upon acceptance of this statement of faith, and biblical discipline would be exercised for those who fall outside of these established boundaries.

We envision a connectional structure that is also clear and unequivocal in its mission to go and make disciples of all nations. The church does not exist for itself, but as a servant for Kingdom ministry and mission. It is called to advance the Gospel, both proclaiming and embodying the reign of God in Jesus Christ. For this ministry we are accountable to God and one another.

Ministers of Word and Sacrament A prayerful and supportive process for Ministry Preparation and Placement which provides guidance in the areas of theological education, credentialing, discernment of call, and ministry placement

• Ordination that upholds the biblically-grounded faith and mission of the church

• Access to resources for personal spiritual growth and effective church leadership

• Contracted pension and health care benefits

We envision a connectional structure that provides active support for its clergy. This will include spiritual encouragement, career guidance, equipping for ministry, and practical benefits assistance. The connectional structure will cultivate leaders based on gift assessment, and will place an emphasis on leadership development that is biblically grounded and culturally relevant. We believe it will be necessary to create a new call process that more effectively discerns God’s call and prepares people for faithful ministry.

Leadership Networks

• Organic relational networks based on theological unity, regional proximity, and ministry affinity

• Mutual support, encouragement, and prayer in a climate of trust

• Theological and moral accountability (discipline) that is relationally grounded

We envision a connectional structure that is defined by relationships more than by structures. Congregations will be healthiest when their spiritual leaders are joined in close friendships of mutual support, trust, and encouragement. Such relationships create a natural context for sharing resources, fostering spiritual growth, offering encouragement, and providing theological, moral, and missional accountability.

Local Church

• Unqualified support for the ministry and mission of the local church

• Guidance for the church through its growth cycle, from inception through growth stages and ministry transitions to merger or dissolution

• Access to resources for spiritual growth, relational health, and ministry effectiveness for the church, its pastors, and its elders

• Assistance in strategic planning, ministry discernment and conflict resolution

• Guidance for the call and ordination process

• Missional encouragement and accountability

• A minimalist local church polity that promotes and does not hinder ministry effectiveness

We envision a connectional structure that is centered on serving and equipping the local congregation for contextually relevant ministry and mission. Cutting edge ministry requires ongoing training for both sustained spiritual maturity and adept cultural exegesis. For this reason, education, consulting, planning and resourcing will be priorities. Property will belong to the local congregation, with provision made for how it should be dispersed in the event of congregational merger or dissolution.

Local and Regional Church Networks (Presbytery)

• Local and regional networks that exist to support the ministry and mission of the local church and are a creative response to the particular ministry context of that area

• Regular gatherings of pastors and elders for prayer, worship, networking, resource sharing, equipping, and theological reflection

• Local and regional partnerships based on affinity of ministry contexts

• Discernment, planning, coordination, communication, and intentional resource pooling for effective shared regional ministry and mission

• An ordination process that is prayerful, discerning, and supportive, and upholds our shared theological and ethical essentials

• A judicial structure that supports our defined theological and ethical boundaries and is based on relationships of trust and mutual accountability

• Minimal staffing and structure

We envision a connectional structure with regional church networks that are alliances of churches and leaders who are one in heart and purpose, allied for the sake of shared ministry and mission in a particular region. More relational than structural, network gatherings will be characterized by prayer, worship, theological reflection, networking, resource sharing, equipping, and planning for shared ministry. Regional gatherings exist for the local church, not for themselves. Staffing and structure will be minimal, set in place only to support the ministry and mission of the local church and its leaders.

National Church Networks (General Assembly)

• An alliance of like-minded churches sharing a commitment to biblically-derived theology, mission, and church government, gathered for mutual encouragement and shared ministry and mission

• Regular gatherings by pastors and elders for prayer, worship, networking, resource sharing, equipping, and theological reflection

• Discernment, planning, coordination, communication, and resource sharing for shared national and international ministry and mission, including partnerships for ministry and mission with like-minded Christians of other denominations and parachurch ministries

• A judicial structure that supports our defined theological and ethical boundaries and is based on relationships of trust and mutual accountability

• Streamlined, minimalist polity that is flexible and responsive to changing needs and cultural dynamics

• Infrequent national assemblies for the express purpose of polity refinement and structural adaptation for a changing cultural context

We envision a connectional structure that is more relational and missional than structural at the national level as well as at regional levels. Shared ministry and mission of local churches in local, regional, contextual, national, and global partnerships will be at the fore. A dramatically downsized national staff will feature mission specialists operating on a convene-and-deploy model to foster effective church partnerships for culturally relevant ministry and mission between churches in similar ministry contexts (urban, rural, suburban, multi-staff, generational, etc.). The connectional structure will serve the local church in its ministry and mission by drawing upon proven programs, curricula, and other resources available from across the broader body of Christ.

We envision a connectional structure in which polity will be supportive and permission-giving, not regulatory; it will foster, not hinder, ministry and mission; it will serve, not constrain. We envision a book of government that could fit in a shirt pocket. Recognizing the need for ongoing restructuring as the surrounding culture shifts, yet not wanting polity to dominate our national gatherings, provision will be made for a separate process of polity refinement and structural reform and adaptation.

International Church Networks (Missions)

• Discernment, planning, coordination, and communication for shared regional ministry and mission

• Strategic mission partnerships to unreached people groups

• Connections and networking with the global church, allowing us to learn from what God is doing in the two-thirds world

We envision a connectional structure that builds alliances with other connectional structures, organizations, and ministries for the sake of effective cross-cultural Kingdom ministry. As bringing the hope of the Gospel to unreached people groups is of the highest priority for global mission, we will joyfully partner for mission with those who share our commitment to biblically-derived ministry and evangelistic mission. Ecumenism is understood first missionally, not ecclesiastically.

They recognize that a top heavy organization will only hurt the mission of Christ through His Church. This model unleashes the local church to do ministry in its context.

I hope there are similar thinkers and leaders in my own denomination. So RCA listen and learn from our brothers and sisters in the PCUSA. Change or decline....now is the time to decide!

FBI investigates pastor's sermons

Here is a story that needs to be heard. With legislation proposed to declare certain speech as "hate crimes" we may be hearing more of this!

As the senior pastor at Southwest Christian Church in Mount Vernon, Randy Steele thought he had encountered nearly every circumstance a minister could face.

The Rev. Steele recently found out he was totally wrong in that assumption, however.

The 32-year-old pastor, who has been a minister for 13 years, received what he called the "shock of his life" last November and is still incredulous about the chain of events that took place.

On Nov. 23 - the day before Thanksgiving - he received a phone call from an agent with the FBI who requested to speak with him in person. After the phone call Steele said he assumed that a member of his congregation might be in trouble.

"I was wondering if maybe somebody in my church might have done something, but still I couldn't fathom what they wanted to talk to me about," Steele said. "So I was in a lot of prayer that day asking God to give me the right words to say."

Steele altered his schedule and agreed to be interviewed and later that same day a pair of FBI agents arrived at the church. Steele said he had a brief conversation with the two agents, what he termed "small talk," before he finally asked them what they wanted to talk to him about.

"One of the agents opened a file and told me that the FBI wanted to question me about a sermon that I preached on Memorial Day nearly six months before," Steele said. "At first I just laughed and said, ‘you're kidding, right?' and then I could tell by the look on their faces that they weren't kidding.

"They were in no way abrasive, but the things they started asking me about were specific quotes that I had made during that sermon. I was certainly taken aback by the fact that they had exact quotes and I would say that whoever contacted the FBI had to be at the service."

Steele said he quickly recalled the sermon was about abortion and was one of a series of eight sermons on controversial cultural issues, such as separation of church and state, homosexuality, gambling, etc.

Highlighting the fact it was Memorial Day, the Rev. Steele said he paid tribute to the men and women who had lost their life in service to their country as a prelude to his sermon. He then shared with his congregation the number of people who have died in all America's wars versus the number of babies who have died since Roe v. Wade became law in 1973.

"It was a sermon about abortion and what the Bible says about the sanctity of life," he said. "But it also dealt with how as Christians we need to love and reach out to people and teach them the message of truth about these types of issues.

"I shared the number of people who have died in wars versus the number who had died through legal abortion since 1973. There have been 1 million die in all the wars and more than 43 million abortions - that's quite a gripping contrast," Steele said. "I also tied it together by stating that we are in a different type of war that is being fought under the presupposition of freedom."

During that same sermon Steele also talked about Hope Center, a Granite City-based clinic where he said as many as 45 abortions are performed every week. He said he also talked about how abortion is a $400 million per year business in the United States, when life actually begins and the legal requirements to consider when a person is alive.

"I just shared a lot of those little contradictions to make people aware and kind of open up their eyes," Steele said.

Steele theorizes somebody in attendance that day apparently misunderstood his comments about abortion being a "different type of war" as a call to wage an actual physical war against abortion clinics. He also believes that person placed an anonymous phone call to the FBI, which prompted the investigation.

"I never heard a single disgruntled word following the sermon," Steele said. "In fact, I had several people tell me they enjoyed the sermon and appreciated the information that was provided."

Steele said his church has doubled in size in recent months, making it impossible to know if somebody was actually attending solely to target his sermons.

The informant also told authorities that during a sermon on homosexuality, Steele said he was willing to go to jail for his beliefs, prompting another line of questioning by the FBI.

"I talked during that particular sermon about a pastor in Canada that was arrested for speaking about homosexuality in his church," Steele said. "I related how that pastor told his congregation that if speaking the truth means going to jail, ‘then by golly, that's where I'm going to be and I'm going to save you a seat next to me.'"

Steele said the FBI actually looked through manuscripts from several of his sermons and he also voluntarily gave the agents copies of the sermons, which he says support his claim he did not call for violence.

"I sat there with those two agents and we went through it all; I did say some of those things and I made a reference to war, but not in the context that it was taken," Steele said.

Steele said he took the matter back to his church body at the first opportunity.

"They were shocked, of course I guess that goes without saying, since the FBI was investigating and questioning their pastor," Steele said. "That's why I wanted to be open and clear with my church family so that the rumors didn't get spread around that the FBI was at our church."

Steele said he felt the two agents were satisfied with the information he provided.

"I asked them where it goes from here and they both told me ‘nowhere,'" Steele said. "They told me that they had to check me out but they also did not feel I was the person that the caller was trying to portray me to be."

Marshall Stone, media relations spokesman with the FBI in Springfield, would not discuss particular events involving Steele, or even confirm the minister had been investigated, but did talk in general terms about handling anonymous tips.

Stone said he is not aware of any increase in the number of similar complaints the FBI has received but added the agency handles each case on an individual basis.

"Each complaint, each investigation is followed up on based upon facts and specific circumstances of that complaint, allegation or investigation," Stone said. "Agents will do a minimal level of looking into the complaint to see if, No. 1, there is FBI jurisdiction to do anything about it, and two, to see if there is potential for a federal criminal violation. Those are the first things that agents will try to make a determination about."

Stone said the FBI is also obligated to follow up on each complaint.

"Sure, obviously if it's called in," Stone said. "Whether if it's by telephone or by letter it is not always easy to determine whether it is legitimate so we have to do something to try and make that determination to tell if it is a legitimate complaint."

Despite the harrowing experience, Steele said he does not plan to shy away from topics that might be considered controversial or politically incorrect.

"As a pastor I believe that as Christians we are called and it is our duty to speak the truth no matter what," Steele said. "I don't think as a pastor that I have an option. I think I have to speak the truth that the word of God teaches; otherwise I don't have anything to say. And we have to continue to speak that truth in love to all people and to share the message of Christ because it's the only message that's going to change the lives of people."

While acknowledging that he came through the ordeal unscathed, Steele says he has one concern.

"The thing that bothers me the most about this whole thing is that right now the pulpits in America are pretty open to attack," Steele said. "If somebody wants to call in and make an accusation against a minister for preaching the gospel and call it hate crime they can do it."

Steele said he did fire off one parting salvo at the two FBI agents.

"I invited them back to our church anytime to hear the word of God," Steele said.

Good for Pastor Steele!

RENEW

Some readers have asked about ReNew. This is a moderated Yahoo group that is composed of RCA clergy and others who are interested in the issue of renewal in the Reformed Church. To join go to Yahoo groups - search for ReNew and ask to be admitted to the group. This is an excellent resource and for the most part a good group with the good intentions.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?

NBTS Board Announces Presidential Transition

(just some running commentary from yours truly...)

The Board of Trustees of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary announced the conclusion of Dr. Norman Kansfield's presidency effective June 30, 2005, when his current contract ends. The board voted not to extend his contract when it expires at that time. Kansfield, who turns 65 in March, will retire on June 30.

The board of trustees will determine the timetable for the transition to a new president and establish a search committee.

In further action, the Board of Trustees reprimanded Kansfield for taking a controversial public action while president by officiating at the same sex marriage of his daughter without prior Board discussion or approval.

At its meeting, the Board also voted to endow the Mary and Norman Kansfield Chair in Old Testament, made possible by a generous gift from Barbara and Clifford Feakes, and recognized the significant accomplishments in the ministry of New Brunswick Theological Seminary over the past 11 years of Dr. Kansfield's leadership. (One has to wonder how this chair will handle OT passages such as Leviticus 18?)

In related news, two formal charges were recently filed against Kansfield by members within the Reformed Church in America. These charges have been forwarded to the investigative committee appointed by the General Synod Council for review. (This number is expected to grow)

While this situation has caused a considerable amount of discussion and emotional disagreement, (that's an understatement) it is our prayer that members of our denomination will continue to show the love of Christ to each other as we continue to work through these issues.

---

Release from New Brunswick Theological Seminary

During its January 2005 meeting the Board of Trustees and the Reverend Doctor Norman J. Kansfield, President of New Brunswick Theological Seminary since 1993, announced the conclusion of Dr. Kansfield's presidency effective June 30, 2005 when the current contract ends. Kansfield turns 65 in March.

Since Dr. Kansfield joined the New Jersey Seminary community, New Brunswick has made significant accomplishments in theological education. Under his leadership, New Brunswick has flourished as an institution interpreting and delivering theological education to diverse populations in New Jersey and New York. (flourished? see my previous post on the Martyrdom of St. Norm)

During his tenure, the Seminary, founded in 1784 and supported by the Reformed Church in America, has continued fully accredited academic programs in conjunction with St. John's University at the NBTS campus in Jamaica and through the acquisition of the Blanton Peale Institutes of Religion and Psychiatry, both in New York. Through Kansfield's innovative leadership New Brunswick Theological Seminary has extended theological education to undersubscribed populations and second career professionals in the mid-Atlantic United States and in Korea.

Further recognizing Kansfield's service and the dedication and service of his wife, Mary, to the denomination and the Seminary, the Board voted to endow the Mary and Norman Kansfield Chair in Old Testament in their honor, supported by a donation from Barbara and Clifford Feakes.

In further action, the Board of Trustees reprimanded Kansfield for taking a controversial public action while President by officiating at the same sex marriage of his daughter in Massachusetts without prior Board discussion or approval. However, in announcing Kansfield's retirement, the board emphasized its commitment to continue the ongoing dialogue as it relates to the presence and participation of gays and lesbians in the Church. (I always said that Dr. Kansfield was just a symptom of a larger problem)

The General Secretary of the Reformed Church in America, Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, who serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees, expressed his thanks to Kansfield for his long and continuing service to the church and the seminary. (Many are still waiting to hear what Granberg-Michaelson himself believes about the homosexual question before the RCA)

Survey Finds Church-Going Americans Less Tolerant

Maybe the sleeping giant is starting to awaken.....

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Church-going Americans have grown increasingly intolerant in the past four years of politicians making compromises on such hot issues as abortion and gay rights, according to a survey released on Saturday.

At the same time, those polled said they were growing bolder about pushing their beliefs on others -- even at the risk of offending someone.

The trends could indicate that religion has become "more prominent in American discourse ... more salient," according to Ruth Wooden, president of Public Agenda, a nonpartisan research organization which released the survey.

It could also indicate "more polarized political thinking. There do not seem to be very many voices arguing for compromise today," she said in an interview. "It could be that more religious voices feel under siege, pinned against the wall by cultural developments. They may feel more emboldened as a result."

The November U.S. election saw voters in a number of states back gay marriage bans, and President Bush won re-election with heavy support from fellow religious conservatives.

The findings came from a telephone survey of 1,507 adults made in 2000 and a second similar survey of 1,004 adults done during the summer of 2004 that tracked the same issues. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Those surveyed were nearly all Christians, not by design but because the sample reflected the makeup of the population, the group said. A 2002 Pew Research Council survey found that 82 percent of the U.S. populace considered itself to be Christian, while 10 percent identified with no religious group.

On the question of whether elected officials should set their convictions aside to get results in government, 84 percent agreed in 2000. However, four years later that had dropped to 74 percent. There was a sharper decline on the same question among weekly church-goers from 82 percent in the first survey to 63 percent in the second.

About 40 percent of Americans claim to be weekly church-goers, according to Corwin Smidt, director of the Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics at Calvin College in Michigan. Some surveys have placed the figure at 25 percent.

In the survey, 32 percent of those who attended church once a week said they were willing to compromise on abortion issues -- a 19-point drop in four years. Among the same group the question of compromising beliefs on gay rights was acceptable to only 39 percent, down 18 points from 2000.

The poll also found that 37 percent overall felt that deeply religious people should be careful not to offend anyone when they "spread the word of God," a decline from 46 percent four years earlier.

The number of those who felt that committed faithful should spread the word "whenever they can" rose to 41 percent, up 6 points.

On another issue, the survey found little change in opinion on whether the U.S. political system can handle greater interaction between religion and politics. Asked if there was a threat if religious leaders and groups got a lot more involved in politics, 63 percent in 2000 and 61 percent in 2004 said the system could "easily handle" it. But the remainder continue to believe the system would be threatened.

Let the Church arise!