Letters to the Editor

Amazed by Indy Airport chaplain

I work in Golden, Colorado but was recently in the Indy airport after visiting my parents in Illinois. The Rev. Yung Sheng Chun came and talked with me. I am to be commissioned next week and had just graduated from Iliff School of Theology here in Denver. I was so amazed and pleased by his presence that I went looking on the Web for his ministry and found your recent article (Together, May-June 2005). I have been in numerous airports throughout the world and have never had a chaplain approach me. It was wonderful.

Denise Bender
Golden, Colo.

Another WWII chaplain

Looking in the recent issue of Together at the list of WW II Chaplains (past and present) by John Wolf, I was stimulated to mention to you the name of the Rev. Robert Moss, deceased, of Ft. Wayne, Ind. Rev. Moss is undoubtedly a unique chaplain in that he earned the purple heart and the infantry badge for combat (including the Battle of the Bulge) before he was ordained in the Methodist Church. He retired at the rank of full Colonel in the U.S. Army as a chaplain. He was a leader in military activities in both Iowa and Indiana, as well in Methodist Church activities as pastor and fund raiser. I probably do not know enough of his contributions and accomplishments as chaplain, pastor or combat soldier; and I do realize that he was not a chaplain during WW II because he returned to complete seminary on G.I. bill. However, it seems to me that his unusual status as a post WW II military chaplain of such unusual accomplishments might be a worthy and interesting notation within the reports of Methodist Chaplains with Indiana connections.

Not a chaplain, but a strong Methodist lay person member of Terre Haute Maple Ave. United Methodist (returned to her second active duty in Afghanistan) is Cheryl Lanke, Lt. Col, USAF. I wonder if strong Indiana United Methodist members of special military honors and/or high military rank would sometime offer some interesting news.

Loran Ralph Braught
West Terre Haute, Ind.

Reflections on 'Tightening our belts'

The article "Tightening our belts, loosening our wallets," by Bishop Coyner in the April 2005 issue states concerns that should be met by all members of The United Methodist Church.

My wife and I have been members and loyal supporters of The United Methodist Church since 1959. During the last couple of decades however, we and many of our friends have become more and more disillusioned with the leadership of this mainline church whose priorities are moving in the wrong direction. Now we are encouraged to increase our support to a system that is failing in its' original purpose.

Let's reconsider this plea of "Tightening our belts, loosening our wallets." There was no mention in the article about dedicating ourselves to increasing membership, the decline of which is born out by the record. In fact there is consideration of merger of the conferences to reduce overhead. This in itself is an admission of inability to grow or maintain present programs. In most organizations dividing is the way to grow. In my community many new churches have emerged and are growing at a rapid pace while our own United Methodist church continues to decline in membership and as a result is barely able to meet the budget or pay apportionments, nor are we in a position to adequately provide education and learning opportunities for the few children and youth we have. The fact is Methodists in general are quietly voting against the policies by tightening or closing their wallets.

In my opinion, we would have not financial problems if we sufficiently increased the membership of our churches. The key to our stewardship is the knowledge that our giving is directed toward vital needs and used effectively. As in industry and business, we are overloaded with "middle management." We should consider that as church membership has declined staff levels of conference and districts remain relatively constant, thereby increasing their ratio to churches and membership. Now, we are asked to pay more to maintain this higher ratio. What are we receiving in return? - finer office buildings and homes for the upper echelon? How is there money available for new and finer buildings and homes in light of present financial difficulties? I suggest that the office of District Superintendent be abolished and those individuals returned to regular church pulpits. We should also sell all parsonages and give the clergy housing allowances and allow each to purchase or rent lodging as the rest of us must do according to his or her family need and financial capability.

The strength of our church used to lie in the rotation of pastors every few years or so. This system is challenging and requires pastors to occasionally move out of their comfort zone while also distributing strengths and weaknesses of clergy over the entire conference. Now it seems that they remain in the same church longer and longer. Have salaries reached the level that we have no place to move persons since a move is supposed to be on the same level or a promotion?

If we as a people are going to survive and thrive as United Methodist Christians, we must not continue to perpetuate a system that no longer functions in its original ordained purpose.

Many of us will open our wallets to a real and vibrant result oriented ministry. When the clergy become a part of and directly involved in the lives and activities of their flocks, the present situation will change remarkably soon for the better.

Lamar Peterson
Bedford, Ind.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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