[Vision2020] Churches unite on the left

[keely emerinemix]

Actually, Pat, the individual's right and responsibility to interpret the 
Scriptures for herself was a hallmark of the Reformation and is the 
privilige and charge of the believer today.  The problem with the Christian 
church today is NOT, believe me, too much emphasis on addressing social 
issues.  Rather, it's deciding that others -- politicians, media figures, 
preachers, etc. -- will do the thinking for those of us in the pews and that 
co-opting "christian" language into a political platform is almost as good 
as actual discipleship.

True disciples wrestle with the Word and seek to apply it; those who don't, 
I think, may just have a crush on Jesus.  It may feel good, but it ain't 
worth two rough hewn pieces of wood nailed together.

keely

From: "Pat Kraut" <pkraut at moscow.com>
To: "vision2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Churches unite on the left
Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 18:42:27 -0700

"But it's up to the individual to study the Scriptures and come up with an 
understanding of the social issues of the day."
So no real stand or values at all...just everyone doing what they want??
Ah, more enabling churches.
PK
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Dick Schmidt
   To: vision2020 at moscow.com
   Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 10:07 AM
   Subject: [Vision2020] Churches unite on the left


   This is what is happening on the right coast in the Raleigh/Durham area. 
Sounds like some people have decided that God is not a republican.

   Dick Schmidt


   Churches unite on the left

   By YONAT SHIMRON, Staff Writer
   The News & Observer

   Determined not to let conservative Christians dominate the faith, 14 area 
churches have banded together to convince wavering believers there is more 
than one way to be a Christian.
   Progressivechurches is the name of the new coalition, and it has taken 
out a catchy ad running in several area newspapers. The group also has a Web 
site, www. progressivechurches.org.

   "Almost given up on Christianity?" it reads. "We understand."

   The coalition has so far identified three common issues: the inclusion of 
gays and lesbians, the need to protect the environment, and a desire to be 
more responsible global citizens.

   "We feel the primary understanding of Christianity in mainstream America 
is that of the evangelical right," said the Rev. Doug Long, the pastor of 
North Raleigh United, a United Church of Christ congregation. "We want 
people to know there are Christians who think of things in a different way."

   The churches, belonging to seven different Protestant denominations, do 
not agree on all the "values" issues so prominent in the news. But that's 
the point, they say. They don't have to.

   "Some people see it as dodging the issue," said the Rev. Joanne VerBurg, 
pastor of Covenant Christian Church, a Disciples of Christ congregation in 
Cary that is part of the coalition. "But it's up to the individual to study 
the Scriptures and come up with an understanding of the social issues of the 
day."

   Progressivechurches was formed shortly after the presidential elections 
last year when liberals woke up to find that moral values had carried the 
election, especially values advanced by evangelicals, such as ending 
abortion, restricting research into stem cells from human embryos and 
limiting marriage to heterosexual couples.

   Politics and preachers

   The group is also concerned by the close association between evangelicals 
and the Republican Party. That association has only grown bolder since the 
elections.

   Recently, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist joined several religious 
leaders at a Kentucky church telecast and accused Democratic senators of 
being "against people of faith" because they opposed some of President 
Bush's judicial nominees.

   Closer to home, a Baptist pastor in the Western North Carolina town of 
Waynesville resigned after nine members of his church complained they were 
thrown out for voting for presidential challenger John Kerry.

   These instances suggest that Christians can only vote one way, an idea 
these churches in Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough and Raleigh 
reject.

   "Christianity means more than what James Dobson says it does," said the 
Rev. Paul Davis, interim pastor at the Hillsborough United Church of Christ 
congregation, referring to the child psychologist and radio personality who 
has been an influential behind-the-scenes player on national issues.

   Soon after the group organized, it was surprised to discover that the Web 
domain name had not been snapped up. Members said it was another sign that 
they needed to let their voices be heard.

   "I don't think there's anything more political than silence," Long said. 
"Silence means endorsing the status quo."

   Their efforts are not without precedent. In Jacksonville, Fla., a group 
called Christian Alliance for Progress has started up with a similar agenda. 
National groups such as the Washington-based Sojourners have long complained 
that evangelicals aren't as concerned with poverty and other social justice 
issues.

   Just what the group will do next has not been determined. But Long, who 
has spearheaded it, said he's encouraged. Recently, a woman approached him 
after services and said she wished his church were closer to where she 
lived. Long was able to give her the Web address and point her to 
like-minded churches closer to home.




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                http://www.fsr.net
           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
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