Calvin Synod Herald, 2011 (112. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)
2011-11-01 / 11-12. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD WHO OWNS THE CHURCH? CHURCH SPLITS - FIGHTS! The news about court fights over ownership of churches is commonplace today as congregations leave their denominations, unhappy over their positions on same-sex marriages, gay/lesbian ordinations, or politics in the state and national spheres. Calvin Synod churches in the United Church of Christ own their buildings, and have the freedom to leave the denomination at any time. But when Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran and many other churches try to leave, their denominations claim to own the buildings. These have brought on many legal battles with mixed results different states. There is a report in the Wall Street Journal this October that has caused a scandal affecting all Christian churches. Wall Street Journal "When the Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton, N. Y, left the Episcopal Church over disagreements about what the Bible says about sexuality, the congregation offered to pay for the building in which it worshiped. In return the Episcopal Church sued to seize the building, then sold itfor a fraction of the price to someone who turned it into a mosque." "The congregation is one of hundreds that split or altogether left the Episcopal Church—a member of the Anglican Communion found mostly in the United States—after a decades-long dispute over adherence to scripture erupted with the consecration of a partnered gay bishop in 2003. But negotiating who gets church buildings hasn't been easy. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said she'd rather have these properties become Baptist churches or even saloons than continue as sanctuaries for fellow Anglicans." When the UCC merger was yet in progress, and then completed in 1957, it was imagined as the forerunner of greater unity of diverse streams. In the interchurch conversations at the time were numerous denominations, at least ten, including the Episcopalians, which led to the COCU proposals for an all-inclusive merger. Like a dream that fades away with the opening day, so has the fervor for unity. Instead there are growing schisms in these same churches, and other denominations as well. The same issues that incur divisions in one are replicated in the others. So not only are the unhappy divisions among the denominations a scandal of the Body of Christ (can Christ be divided?), but rancorous divisions have split apart each of these denominations even more. What is especially troubling with the article above is the overboard response of Bishop Schori, that spurns a church's offer and prefers a building's sale for a mosque (as she said, it could have also been a saloon), This is the spirit of an age we had hoped was past, of hatred and persecution in the post-Reformation era with its guillotines, burning at the stake and interchurch wars, to build by force a unified Church with the lawful power of the state, through costly litigation sapping the local churches. They often cannot afford the fight, or go broke. This is the method of pagan religions today (as we see in the "Arab Spring"), but unfit for Christians. It was unseemly when the same force of law was used to compel Central Congregational Church in Georgia to stay in the UCC or lose its building (the court wisely ruled in favor of the congregation). Happily it was not used when Puerto Rico Conference seceded from the UCC, disagreeing with its sexuality stances. When a marriage is so sundered that even co-existence becomes intolerable (usually for both), and when efforts to reconcile have failed, the binding covenant no longer a tie between the hearts, and only a civil contract sustains the parties in an unwelcome alliance; then the brokenness is recognized by separation and divorce necessarily follows. But is it necessary to so demean the "other" party by divesting them of all dignity and possessions, satisfying injury with revenge? True, one may claim all legal rights, but where does "Christian charity" enter in? They were just the day before sisters and brothers, and how does one wish evil upon one’s kin? And as children usually are losers in divorces, especially when parents use them as pawns to vent their anger, so are the churches’ members the victims. We could hope the leadership of the UCC, undoubtedly in close relationship with the Bishop and the denomination, would afford admonition and counsel to our Christian kin, urging them to purge a vengeful spirit that skews priorities, and in love of those choosing another way to wish them Godspeed as they embark on their perilous journey through this world. The Stalker of souls seeks their death, and should not this Bishop and Church do all they still can - despite the division - to strengthen their ability to resist Satan's power. A fire sale to a mosque or saloon won’t be of much help. Of course there is a lesson for all of our "Churches" to support the other denominations' efforts, through ecumenical unity, that in them, each and all, Christ may find His revelation honored and God may be glorified - one Lord, one faith, one God and Father of us all. Rev. Albert W. Kovács Six ascending degrees of love Scripture reading: Luke 2:1-20. Text: “I (apostle Paul), will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less? ” 2 Corinthians 12:15. It is certainly true that love is in the center of Christmas. Without God loving us, Christ would hot have been bom. This wonderful feeling, which is so hard to describe and expressed in a simple way, has been the topic of conversations, sermons, and scientific studies for centuries, yet it has not been exhausted and every person yearns for it from early childhood to golden age. What new can be said about this heart lifting affection? Does love have scope, intensity, and degree? Let us pay closer attention to our texts: “If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less?” According to apostle Paul there are some distinctions or variations in showing our fondness toward each other. SIX ASCENDING DEGREES OF LOVE 1. Obligatory or inviting love. It is nowhere written and spelled out, yet it can be sensed so often that many favor this I
