From time to time I want to share my recommendations of other Church of God - related blogs. I have an extensive list of every known Church of God blog, blogger, feed and podcast on blogrolls on my own blog site, but those lists are getting so long that it is very difficult for most people to wade through them.
I've mentioned Jeffrey Frymire before, as he is the author of Preaching the Story, published last year by Warner Press. I've had the pleasure to work with Jeff as a ministry colleague during my time in Central California when we served together on the Executive Council there. Last summer Jeff left his pastorate in Fresno in order to enroll in Fuller Seminary to obtain a Ph.D. in homiletics. He is a wonderful communicator, and an all around great guy!
His blog, The Sabbatical, is self-described as "devotional musings from a pastor making a career change". Not only can you journey with him in his new adventure, but reading his blog will provide some insightful thoughts and reflections. For example, read his latest post, "Things Are Not What They Appear to Be", a second look at our modern world view.
2 comments:
Lately it seems there has been a lot of conversation about diversity within the Church of God. For years, such diversity was touted as a positive feature of our movement, an open door of evangelical enthusiasm.
We have known all along that diversity might be the logical outcome of our refusal to write a creed. Even so, we have depended on (1) our camp meetings, especially the convention in Anderson, (2) our music, the songs in which we sang our message, and (3) our publications, the Gospel Trumpet and its successors, to maintain a semblance of unity within our congregations and ministers. As these three unifying factors began to fade into the dense fog of diversity, we still maintained a sense of unity because our ministers tended to move from one state to another, continuously stirring the mixture that holds us together.
Now, with the demise of OneVoice, there is a new sound of sarcasm when people speak of our obvious diversity. Suddenly, diversity has become the culprit – the problem – as though that elephant only recently materialized into the room, even though for years we have been ignoring it – and its implications.
Diversity was not really a problem during those early days when the founding editor of the Gospel Trumpet printed a list of “approved” ministers, affirming them to be part of the Church of God ministry. Likewise, when lists of “approved” congregations were printed, one could be certain these were true representations of what the movement was all about – the teaching of unity and holiness.
As the movement grew, so did the number of schisms. Various groups took issue with changes – or the lack of them – and when these groups were unable to persuade the rest of the movement to adapt to their beliefs, they withdrew or were forced out. The leaders of our movement were not afraid to take a stand for “the truth” (as they saw it), and they became the standard against which all other beliefs and practices were measured – approved or condemned.
When I arrived in Anderson in the mid-1950’s, I was surprised and amused at how freely so many people spoke of the days when the theology and practices of our movement were influenced – even controlled – by the editor of the Gospel Trumpet. Many of us (at that time) were privately glad those days were gone. Maybe we were afraid our own slanted beliefs might not have fitted in with the official norm.
Changes came quickly after that. The Gospel Trumpet gave way to a magazine which attempted to reach an interdenominational readership. Thus was lost the voice of our doctrinal standards. Our Sunday School curriculum became bogged down in controversy between our education leaders and the printing department. Our General Secretary ceased being a prophet and became a CEO whose main role was to communicate with a growing diversity of factions within the movement. The Christian Brotherhood Hour changed its name and became a stranger in most of our congregations. Missionaries must raise their own budget, so we have lost the thrill of that unified effort. Our hymnals have been stored, and our congregations sing words which either reflect Old Testament ethics or which include questionable theology. In fact, about the only item which still reaches most of the congregations of our movement is the Christ Birthday Offering.
When was the last significant program for our congregations that came from our national agencies? I cannot remember the last attempt any of the national agencies promoted to encourage pastors or congregations to join together in evangelism or growth.
To fill that void, our ministers have attended seminars wherever possible, gleaning ideas of every kind and introducing them into our congregations – regardless of whether these ideas enhanced or conflicted with our doctrines of holiness and unity.
We have been so anxious to include everyone that we have allowed them to bring along their beliefs and practices. The result is such extreme diversity that even our Credentials Committees cannot agree on what is acceptable doctrine for credential applicants.
I recall the dramatic oratory of the late Robert Reardon, when he faced the General Assembly a few years ago. There was a resolution calling for Anderson College to employ an “orthodox Church of God” campus minister. Dr. Reardon challenged the Assembly to determine who was truly “orthodox,” and the ministers joined in boisterous laughter.
That humor is now lost in shame. We have become like Solomon. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father – 1 Kings 11:4.
In those days …every man did that which was right in his own eyes – Judges 17:6.
In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions 1 Samuel 3:1.
Maybe it is too late to reclaim the heart of our message. Maybe not. We don’t need another king, but we can pray the Lord to send us a prophet like Samuel.
"anonymous" (I wish you would have identified yourself!),
(NOTE: Your comment was really attached to the wrong blog post, so unfortunately others interested in the topic will probably miss your thoughts. When I write my next diversity post I will reference your contribution in an attached comment.)
Nevertheless, a well-articulated perspective and I appreciate you sharing it. I am left somewhat uncertain as to what you really suggest the solution is (other than your call for a prophet). You are obviously disturbed by the increasing diversity in our movement. I for one am not convinced that our increasing diversity has diminished our message. I believe that there are other reasons for this.
NOTE TO THOSE WANTING TO COMMENT FURTHER ON THIS TOPIC: Please do not continue this spurious thread here. Please post your comments on the latest article in the diversity series.
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