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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
March 2002 |
Ten Commandments as public statement
The controversy over the placement of the Ten Commandments is like some mini-series that never seems to end. A recently proposed solution may placate legal critics of the current display of the Ten Commandments, while denying their essential character and purpose. The Ten Commandments are not simply one of those key political documents -- such as the Bill of Rights, preamble to the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Magna Carta -- that are the building blocks of our republic.
To deny the essential religious character of these God-given codes is to minimize them -- misunderstand them. The giving of the law comes within the context of a living relationship between God and God's people.
If the only solution acceptable to all parties is to "hide" the Ten Commandments by clustering them -- with these other valued political documents, implying they are simply one part of our political heritage, then it would be better if they were carted away.
Those who see no reason why some persons might object to the display of the Ten Commandments on public property should ask themselves, how would you feel if there were a series of quotes from the Koran etched in marble on the grounds of City Hall or courthouse?
Our congregation and many others only ask for the freedom to do our work in the name of God. Those who feel passionately about the importance of the Ten Commandments and a relationship with God should look not to the grounds of city hall for direction but to a local congregation ...
Mark Fenstermacher, Pastor
Trinity UMC, ElkhartNote: This letter first appeared in the Elkhart Truth
Emphasizing affirmation of the Connection
When I read the last paragraph of my letter in the February issue, I was shocked and embarrassed; the published version left out a crucial phrase.
The last paragraph as printed includes the words, "my experience simply shows that our system benefits clergy, rather than churches." This is not my full phrase. I wrote: "I would hardly consider it [the idea that our connection works against church growth] worth addressing, except that someone may want to claim my experience simply shows that our system benefits clergy rather than churches." The point is that those who make such a claim are mistaken. My experience of love and support after my mother's death demonstrates the living care which the connection embodies. This care benefits all churches and pastors.
I am appalled to think that someone might get the impression that I believe our connectional system benefits clergy more than churches or that it hinders church growth. I am United Methodist -- rather than Lutheran, Disciples or Mennonite -- because of our connectionalism, above all. I understand the need to edit and I expect to be edited, but I intended my letter as a shameless, unqualified affirmation of the connection. Because of how it was edited, this affirmation now sounds to me less than half-hearted.
Dennis David Hensley, Pastor
Fairmount UMC
Gen X: a matter of church priorities
It seems the North Indiana Conference has literally "X'd" the X-Generation from its list of priorities. I was ashamed to read in the Hoosier UM News that the NIC Council of Young Adult Ministries could only attract 18 to its Annual Winter Retreat. The conference has a membership of more than 100,000; that's less than two one-thousandths of one percent.
A Generation Xer myself, I call into question, not only the North Indiana Conference, but the South Indiana Conference as well, which hasn't even bothered to address the issue. At least our friends from the north have organized a retreat.
Once again, boards and committees have been created as a temporary solution. Since the establishment of the SIC Board of Young Adult Ministries and NIC Council of Young Adult Ministries, I ask, are Indiana churches any closer to meeting the needs of Generation X?
There are certainly a number of local churches that have taken the charge and are making great headway. While these few churches are doing their best, non-denominational congregations throughout the country are meeting the needs of this searching generation and are reaping the benefits.
At your next annual conference, I challenge you to count the number of young adults in the room. Two one-thousandths of one percent may not be too far off.
Name and church withheld
on writer's request
In defense of Scouts' ban on gay leaders
On Feb. 6, the National Office of The Boy Scouts of America publicly reaffirmed their stand on morals. Whether or not to allow a homosexual to be a Scout leader has been the subject of many conversations and arguments for the past few years, and in the United Methodist Church, as well.
Individuals have tried to force the BSA to retract the Law and Oath of 92 years, with lawsuits. That fact -- that this organization should not have the right to invoke moral standards on whomever wants to be affiliated -- has been taken to the Supreme Court. So far the BSA has won its cases.
Then they were attacked by other means. Churches, municipalities, schools and funding organizations threatened [to withhold] their support. Even local scouting units have thought of going against the rules and allow immorality into their own units. ...
To be a leader we are to be above reproach, to set moral examples to all. If someone is an abuser of others they, too, should not be considered as a Scout leader. This can be said of a lot of sins.
This does not mean that [sinners] have nothing to offer to the scouts. They just can not be a BSA registered leader. We, as a culture, need to fight for the return to the moral principles God has set down for us to follow.
Finally, the Boy Scouts of America National office reaffirmed that, "Duty to God is not a mere ideal for those choosing to associate with the Boy Scouts of America; it is an obligation."
Edward H. Cottrell, Jr,
Scouting Coordinator
Indianapolis East District UMC
Cherishing traditional style of worship
I recently read the book, Amazing Grace: a History of Indiana Methodism 1801 -- 2001, written by E. Carver McGriff.
It is a most interesting and informative history; however, the chapter, "And Now for Our Bright Tomorrows," was a bit disturbing to those of us who grew up with an appreciation for liturgy and the traditional style of worship.
It would seem that suggestions that contemporary worship will likely become the predominant worship style is an insult to our great tradition ...
Personally -- and I believe I speak for many other Methodists -- establishing a dominant worship style, labeled, "contemporary," complete with percussion instruments, praise hymns usually with repetitive and rather meaningless words, praise bands, the use of video screens, dramatic enactments of Biblical themes, all of which provide an entertainment type of service is not inspiring.
One positive statement in this chapter is that some of the youth are beginning to yearn for the old style, traditional or classic worship. Surely the youth who complete the confirmation classes in our churches should acquire an appreciation for a traditional worship. ...
It is a mistake to gradually phase out the traditional; as Chapter 13 seems to indicate, that is becoming a reality. It seems that churches should consider the continuation of both a contemporary and a traditional service as an option. Otherwise, Methodism will probably lose its identity, and this will be most unfortunate!
Evelyn A. Warner
First UMC, Anderson
Last updated on 01/14/2004