One year of CHOG Blog

Since I didn't want to interrupt the interview series with Jerry Hickson my first year anniversary celebration of CHOG Blog has been slightly delayed. Just over 12 months ago I began this blogging journey. And, compared to the many thousands of blogs that have been launched since but have died due to lack of activity, I'm still around.

 

Now, one year and over 100 posts later, I reflect on the whole experience.

 

Obviously blogging is still at its infancy. The technology has opened up some incredible new opportunities for the interchange of ideas, but there are some limitations. And, only a small proportion of the online population is really participating in it. Nevertheless, it has been impressive to see the rapid growth of Church of God blogs and bloggers. Last year there were just a handful on my blogroll. Today I list over 60 blogs, podcasts and feeds. I'm sure by next year there will be many more.

 

The reason I devote myself to this endeavor is that I sincerely believe that we need more dialogue within the Church of God. Unfortunately we have not always honored healthy discussion. Now it is possible for passionate individuals to express their thoughts, perceptions and feelings, and to be connected with others doing the same. I am convinced that these networks of conversation ultimately strengthen us, both individually and corporately.

 

Thank you for reading my posts, and for taking the time to leave comments occasionally, even if you haven't always agreed with me.

 

I believe that God will continue to bless us as we further engage with one another over the meaning and living of our faith, and as we encourage each other to fully participate in God's mission.

 

Jerry Hickson interview - part 6

Below is the final installment of an exclusive CHOG Blog interview with Dr. Jerry Hickson, author of Are You Sure You're Right? (Click HERE for more information on the book, including my review and critiques).

 

Q. I appreciate you expending the time and effort to write this much needed book. You've indicated that another book is under development that will include a discussion on our relationship with postmodernism. Can you share any tidbits to whet our appetities?

 

I'll answer that question and offer you a bonus!  I originally wrote nine chapters for this book.  The total went over the amount of pages budgeted.  So the editor asked that the original last chapter be held back for publishing later.  This chapter was on postmoderinism.  I am arguing that the Church of God is far better positioned than the evangelical movement to engage postmodernism in conversation.  This is because evangelicalism is wholly committed to the modern, or Enlightenment paradigm with its passion for propositional truth.  The Church of God, on the other hand, has always valued experience over doctrine.  Since postmoderns value experience, we have at least one point of common ground from which we can discuss the other issues. We may release this chapter as the seed of another book (in which case, I will need some help from others who really understand postmodernism.  Lloyd, do you know anyone like that?); or we may release it in an alternative format, perhaps something electronic.

 

Beyond that, let me mention that I am pondering a sequel.  In this book, I addressed the threat to the Church of God from the right wing.  I am developing the framework for a book that addresses the threat from the liberals.  I think I will call it "Have We Any Faith Left?"

 

Jerry Hickson interveiw - part 5

Below is part five of an exclusive CHOG Blog interview with Dr. Jerry Hickson, author of Are You Sure You're Right? (Click HERE for more information on the book, including my review and critiques).

 

Q. You devoted one chapter of your book to the matter of higher education. As a professor at a Church of God college, what role do you see our colleges and seminary having in helping us grapple with our movement's place within the larger spheres of both Christianity and society as a whole?

 

I can say that I do think I have such a place and I think I speak for my colleagues as well. I am not sure how many outside the academe see such a place.

 

Being in the "ivory tower" can isolate a professor and can cause him or her to lose touch with the realities of ministry.  But that can be overcome by maintaining involvement with a local congregation and continuing to participate in ministry at every opportunity.  Those who are on the field can "lose sight of the forest for the trees." 

 

I would hope that a person like myself can devote more attention to the changes in ministry methodology, culture, and academic discovery. Of course, we invest these into our full time students as they pursue their degrees.  We are eager to be of service to more mature servants as well, through continuing education, conferences, or writing.  I really believe I am here to serve the church.

 

I also see this as a mutual relationship.  I regularly invite working ministers into my class to teach my students about ministry. I have a hard time accepting the either/or equation that pits formal education against practical mentoring.  We really do need each other.

 

Jerry Hickson interview - part 4

Below is part four of an exclusive CHOG Blog interview with Dr. Jerry Hickson, author of Are You Sure You're Right? (Click HERE for more information on the book, including my review and critiques).

 

Q. But, do you think our people really care whether or not we have a distinct identity or are in  lock-step alignment with Evangelicals? Obviously your book can get people thinking about this, but how else can we change this apathy?

 

Maybe they don't care.  I don't know how to change apathy.  I probably don't care about it, either!

 

Some react negatively thinking that I am assuming some posture of superiority or trying to tell other people what they have to believe.  I just think there is something precious in our heritage that I would hate to see lost.  There have been things in our heritage that needed to be lost, too!  But the message of the Church of God is a unique combination of holiness and unity that should be properly expressed for the benefit of all. 

 

An underlying issue is the need to maintain paradox.  Modernist evangelicals tend to simplify everything to one side of the equation.  The message of the ChOG serves to maintain the equilibrium.  I had written a chapter about engaging postmodernism, but that will come out later in another work.  Instead of falling in together in a right-wing groupthink, I would hope we could find the balance of truth that is biblical.

 

Jerry Hickson interview - part 3

Below is part three of an exclusive CHOG Blog interview with Dr. Jerry Hickson, author of Are You Sure You're Right? (Click HERE for more information on the book, including my review and critiques).

 

Q. You say that the Church of God is losing its identity. Do you think that our fragile self-identity is the reason we have latched on to the much more visible Evangelicals, or has our close affinity with Evangelicalism simply eroded our own movement awareness and distinctives?

 

Or does our passion for inclusion overwhelm our doctrinal commitments?  I don't really know. The truth probably contains some of each.

 

For decades, we have evolved through a process of disowning things we used to believe.  Since 1930, our confidence about church-historical interpretation has eroded.  We no longer hold as tightly to the old way of thinking about divine healing.  We have modified our definitions of holiness.  It is not hard to understand that some of us wonder what we believe any more.  Our self-identity is further battered by the revelations of failures and misconduct among some of our leaders.  Then there is our size itself: we have never been of great number and many of us worship in small congregations. 

 

At the same time, evangelicalism has experienced rapid growth in numbers and social power.  Movements like Promise Keepers preach the Church of God message with more impact than we ever dreamed. So much of what evangelicals are doing is good.  So why not hitch our wagon with success?  Never mind Jerry's nit-picking about fine points of doctrine! 

 

The third option has merit, IMHO.  The pillars of the Church of God have always been holiness and unity.  "We reach out hands in fellowship to every bloodwashed one."  Discussion of doctrinal distinctives (like holiness?) make some uneasy for fear we will make some uncomfortable. But our forefathers never hestitated to preach the truth as they understood it even while practicing unity.

 

I would also restate the semantic issue.  I say that the Church of God is not evangelical.  But that statement can only be defended using a restricted definition.  With at least two broader definitions, the Church of God is most certainly among the evangelicals.  We wrestled with this issue, wondering if we should use another word in place of "evangelical."  I came to the conclusion that no other word would speak to the issues I am addressing.  "Fundamentalists" was so lacking we nearly eliminated it from the discussion.  The best way out as I could tell was to use "evangelical" while repeatedly underlining the specific connotation intended. Last Sunday, I was leading a discussion of whether "evangelical" is a positive or negative word.  Many church people have no idea what loathsome connotations are attached to that word by a lot of people within and without the Church. 

 

The bottom line is that people of the Church of God are increasingly looking everywhere but to  the Church of God to define their faith.  This is evidenced in our preference for any curicula but Warner Press, in our lack of support for CBH, in our support of any missionaries but our own, in our enrollment in any college but our own, in our attending spiritual renewal conferences from all quarters while attendance at national and state campmeetings and conventions dwindles, shall I go on?  I am exaggerating, but not much. 

 

Jerry Hickson interview - part 2

Below is part two of an exclusive CHOG Blog interview with Dr. Jerry Hickson, author of Are You Sure You're Right? (Click HERE for more information on the book, including my review and critiques).

 

Q. So, what prompted you to write this book?

 

The wisecrack answer is "Go read the Introduction."  (pause for laugh track)  Each chapter is the result of a thought process I have reflected on for years.  I kept notes in the back of my Bible on topics on which I would like to write if given the opportunity.  A charge from my department chair helped to bring them together into a single project.  I believe the Church of God is losing its identity.  Our passion for unity is causing many of us to set aside other things we have believed to become like evangelical Christians.  While we have much in common with evangelicals, the holiness movement from which we come has its own distinctives.  I was encouraged by a positive response from Warner Press that this book should be part of our centennial celebration as we mark 100 years of Church of God ministry based in Anderson, Ind.  It is also the 125th anniversary of the founding of the movement.  Since my book calls the Church of God back to her own heritage, the timing was perfect.  I was working on another book that in the long run will be more important to me.  But the old adage says, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."  So I set aside the other book to write the one for which I have a publisher. Other issues that make the book timely are the war in Iraq, the Terri Schiavo case (just a year earlier), the popularity of the Left Behind series, my role at Warner Pacific College, and the increase of women preparing for ministry.  I thought I was making a bold move and anticipated a hostile response from those committed to the ultra-right.  To my relief, the response so far indicates that I am speaking for many, if not most in the Church of God. I still don't expect that anyone will agree with me at every point.  That is the beauty of the Church of God.  We try not to major on minors.

 

Jerry Hickson interview - part 1

Below is part one of an exclusive CHOG Blog interview with Dr. Jerry Hickson, author of Are You Sure You're Right? (Click HERE for more information on the book, including my review and critiques).

 

Q. Your book has been available for a couple of months now, and I'm sure you've received considerable feedback from across the church. What has been the response, and what have you learned from the entire experience so far?

 

I have been gratified by the response so far.  Almost all response has been positive.  The most negative response I have heard was a response to your blog, and I question whether he understands the Church of God.  He seems to have read a different version of Strege's book!

 

I expected to catch quite a bit of flak, especially from the right wing.  The inerrancy issue is a hot button, as are the issues discussed in chapter six and seven.  I had some retort over chapter two in a Sunday School class last weekend, but anyone who knows the Church of God recognizes that Calvinism is foreign to the Church of God. Likewise, the issue of women in ministry should only be objectionable to persons with non-Church of God backgrounds.  I am pleased with the affirmations I am receiving.  I welcome dialogue with anyone who thinks I missed the mark.  I hope they will be kind.

 

I learned a lot about the publishing process. One chapter on postmodernism did not make the final cut and may be released later in another format.

 

Are You Sure You're Right? - links

Over the past number of weeks I have provided a chapter-by-chapter review and critique of Jerry Hickson's new book, Are You Sure You're Right?: Evangelicals and the Church of God (Warner Press, 2006). I have done so because I believe it provides the starting point for some important discussion that needs to take place within our movement.

 

In the next few days watch for an exclusive interview that I will be conducting with Jerry. And, soon I hope to have a review for two other recently published Warner Press books: What's Right with the Church of God? by J. Thomas Pelt, and Preaching the Story by Jeffrey Frymire.

 

In the meantime, for the sake of convenience, I am providing a link summary of my posts concerning Hickson's book:

 

Review

Chapter 1 (Inerrancy)

Chapter 2 (Determinism)

Chapter 3 (Eschatology)

Chapter 4 (Women)

Chapter 5 (Education)

Chapter 6 (Americanism)

Chapter 7 (Life)

Chapter 8 (Unity)

 

Are You Sure You're Right? - Unity

This post is part of a series based on chapters from the new Church of God book by Jerry Hickson, Are You Sure You're Right? (For more information see my review).

 

The last chapter in Dr. Hickson's book is, in my opinion, one of the best, and is a fitting conclusion to his entire discussion. Here, in "Can We All Get Along?", he addresses the roots and implications of our teachings on unity.

 

Certainly the emphasis of unity is not unique to the Church of God, and there have been many others that have practiced it better than us. Hickson encourages us to recover this core doctrine in a manner that differs from what is typical elsewhere in Christianity, especially among Fundamentalists and Evangelicals. A major difference is that because of our holiness orientation we view unity as much more than uniform assent to certain beliefs. He states, "Whereas some Christian traditions define Christian identity in terms of commonly held doctrines, the Church of God has always defined Christian identity in more experiential terms". (p. 98)

 

Hickson points out that at one time we were open to dialoguing with groups that differed from us in many ways, such as liberals. Yet, as Evangelicalism gained in prominence we identified more with their values and perspectives, resulting in an increased "polarization of theological convictions" (p. 106). And, of course, we find it difficult to practice unity even within our own movement, as is evident in the alienating divisions among us in race, geography, and ministry style.

 

As I see it, Christian unity is one of the true tests of our doctrinal integrity, not just in belief or rhetoric but in practice. We still have a way to go.

 

Passion

"I believe compassion for the needy is a precursor to passion for the spiritually lost. ... We will never gain passion for the lost until we personalize the lost."

 

- Ronald Duncan at the North American Convention of the Church of God, June 28, 2006

Our witness in Anderson

Here's what one resident of Anderson thinks of our North American Convention:

... the Church of God is in town. Anderson (for some odd reason) happens to be the world headquarters for the Church of God and every summer in June they have this huge, week long convention where members from all over the world come to Anderson and crowd our resturaunts and drive horribly down our streets. The only people who tolerate them being in town are store owners because business goes up. Sorry, I just needed to rant.

 

Growth

"What you and I have to worry about with the challenges, with the fragileness, with the things that we're facing in the Church of God Reformation Movement - all we need to worry about is: Are we growing as He designed?"

 

- Jeannette Flynn at the North American Convention of the Church of God, June 26, 2006

General Assembly day one

Through the power of webstreaming I was able to watch the first day of proceedings of the General Assembly in Anderson. (Archived video is available HERE).

 

For the most part it was standard General Assembly fare, like the annoyance of reading written reports that were distributed in advance. Some highlights included Ronald Duncan's direct report, and the discussion and resolution surrounding the future of Warner Auditorium.

 

There was also some minimal discussion concerning the location of the North American Convention. For more on this issue check out CHOGology where I elaborate on my position, followed by David Owens'.

 

Sanctification

"[Sanctification is] to have the heart and the will so skewed by God's grace that we always choose God's will. And when we do the full surrender to the Holy Spirit he allows the will to be strong enough to choose his will all the time. ... It has to do with how we live, and think, and plan, and behave. That is holiness."

 

- James Earl Massey at the North American Convention of the Church of God, June 25, 2006

Reformation

"A reformation is in a terrible, perilous time when the reformers can no longer be reformed." 

 

- Arlo Newell at the North American Convention of the Church of God, June 24, 2006

NAC video

Here's an update on yesterday's post concerning video of the North American Convention:

 

1. Streaming video was NOT available for last night's (Friday) service, much to my frustration. No explanation was provided, although it appears to me that because it was a multimedia presentation sponsored by Anderson University (and there was no preachin') it is not part of their video streaming and archiving. More clarity would have been appreciated.

 

2. A link is prominently placed on the main www.chog.org page for the live streaming of the remaining evening services.

 

3. And good news! Yesterday I suggested that the General Assembly should be webcasted as well. I received an e-mail today that it will be beginning Tuesday morning at 8:00am (EDT) at http://churchofgod.chog.org . This is a tremendous step for the Church of God and should bring greater awareness of the workings of the GA to the larger constituency. One problem, however. Living on the west coast I'll have to get up at 5am!

 

North American Convention

Today begins the 120th North American Convention of the Church of God in Anderson. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend this year. This is especially disappointing since last year's experience was exceptional and rejuvenated my interest in returning again. I am already planning for next year.

 

While I cannot be there in person I am glad to see that live and archived web streaming of the evening services will be available at the NAC 2006 website. This at least allows the rest of us to look in at what is happening, but of course does not substitute for being there in person and taking advantage of other activities and connecting with friends. UPDATE 06/25/06 - Now they have added the morning services as well.

 

I wish that they would also provide web streaming for the General Assembly sessions that begin on Tuesday. Of particular interest this year, the GA will be addressing the future location(s) of the North American Convention. Hopefully, there will be collective wisdom that sees the event move around the country so that more people can experience it. (See my previous comments on this topic HERE).CORRECTION 06/24/06 - In actuality the GA will be only dealing with the future of Warner Auditorium (see report HERE). The recommendation is to sell it along with all the campmeeting property to Anderson University. Warner Auditorium would be demolished, and the Ministries Council would have over $3.4 million available that would free them up for ministry instead of property management. The NAC location will not be directly dealt with this year, although it should, in my opinion. Unfortunately, the report is tending to bias for remaining in Anderson.

 

If anyone reading this is at the NAC, please leave some comments here telling us your impressions of this year's event.

 

Introducing CHOGology

I am pleased to announce that I will be participating in a new blog, CHOGology, which will be driven by two contributors, David Owens and myself. In some ways this new blog will be similar to CHOG Blog because of its emphasis on Church of God issues, but has a unique spin in that it will be more in the form of a dialogue between two writers. Of course, I will maintain this blog as my own personal rant space.

 

I invite you to check out CHOGology and to subscribe to its feed. David and I have already posted some introductory remarks, and soon will begin to engage in some specific topics.

 

Are You Sure You're Right? - Life

This post is part of a series based on chapters from the new Church of God book by Jerry Hickson, Are You Sure You're Right? (For more information see my review).

 

Moving from the previous chapter on the link between Evangelicalism and American civil religion, Hickson goes on to address a topic that naturally flows from this relationship. Chapter 7 is entitled "Has the Right to Life Gone Overboard?" and specifically reacts to the moral debate surrounding the controversial death of Terry Schiavo in 2005. During this time many Evangelicals were equating this issue with their strong pro-life views.

 

This chapter is more than an abstract argument. Hickson shares his own painful story surrounding the death of his fourteen year-old daughter, and then enters into a discussion on our views of both life and death. From this he also suggests that the Church of God has a somewhat different perspective than Evangelicals, mainly because of our emphasis on divine healing and rejection of bodily materialism.

 

The points Dr. Hickson makes are sound, but at the end of the chapter I am left unsatisfied. In many ways the discussion seems incomplete and not fully developed. I wish he would have devoted more attention to the limited vision of the pro-life movement, especially as it is promoted by Evangelicals. Unfortunately, Evangelicals tend to be inconsistent in their application of valuing life and as such are often not pro-life enough. Abortion seems to get all the attention (and it is a major problem in our society) but unfortunately, apart from highly charged Terry Schiavo case, Evangelicals are typically silent on a broader range of life issues in our world. Tragically, so is the Church of God, even though our heritage would suggest otherwise.

 

Are You Sure You're Right? - Americanism

This post is part of a series based on chapters from the new Church of God book by Jerry Hickson, Are You Sure You're Right? (For more information see my review).

 

"What's the Difference between Christian Faith and American Religion?" provides a provocative title for chapter 6 of Hickson's book. Here he reveals one of the more sinister aspects of Evangelicalism: the alignment of the Christian church with American nationalism and politics. This has especially become a problem in recent years with the Christian Right's fervent support of the Republican party and its policies.

 

Dr. Hickson points out that the adherence to an American civil religion "runs contrary to the Church of God heritage" (p. 73). He then goes on to explore the influence of the Anabaptist movement on the Church of God, including our early stands on pacifism. Over the years, however, we have become much more diverse in our views on war, and in my thinking, also influenced more by the political aspirations within Evangelicalism.

 

Overall, the relationship with our worldly government is not a clearly demarcated position within our movement. Certainly the roots of many of our early pioneers coupled with our holiness orientation have affected our practice. But, I contend that we are somewhat susceptible at this point. It's easy for us to get dragged into the political wars that our conservative Christian brothers and sisters are waging.

 

Hickson provides some good counsel:

"The Church of God must avoid becoming a political hack for either the Right or the Left. We are called to stand for righteousness and to speak prophetically without becoming entangled with political organizations and agendas" (p. 81)

 

"Holiness requires us to come out from all unrighteousness. Where our government rules in righteousness, we do well to commend its policies. Where our government or a political party is in conflict with God's will, we are constrained to obey the King". (p. 82)