| Responses to Questions |
| Written by Jack Haberer, Outlook editor | ||||
| Thursday, 15 December 2011 17:00 | ||||
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On Dec. 6, 2011, Jack Haberer presented a Webinar titled, “What’s to Become of Our Church? …Trajectories of Hope.” In it he presented a case for retaining structural unity with a denomination – even if feeling estranged from it – instead of separating from it. After responding to questions for 30 minutes, many questions remained, so he has prepared responses to all those questions and they are available here to read by all. If you would like to view the actual Webinar, an archived version is available for on-demand replay or as a DVD.
Click here to view Jack's responses to additional questions from participants. Your Responses (2)
Dennis Maher
said:
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Lake Luzerne NY I did not attend the Webinar but read Carmen's response. I was so shocked by her 4th century conclusion that I re-wrote it (and blogged about it at http://sermonontheblog.blogspot.com: If we want trajectories of hope for the church, here are mine: A return to the teachings of Jesus about life. Downplay or forget teachings about judgment and damnation which probably are not from Jesus himself. Emphasize Jesus’ teachings and way of life and death as a revelation of God. Put aside unnecessary concern about divinity. A return to teaching and learning of everything: the world from the sciences, from whence we have come in history, who we are from anthropology and biology and evolution, recognizing that we are all lost unless we learn, adapt, and act. A return to the prophetic ministry by study of the problems that confront us now and in the foreseeable future. Willingness to stand up and speak out for human rights and the common welfare. A rediscovery of the Bible and a discovery of world religions, learning of the human spirit and our common search for self-transcendence. A repentance of the many ways we have harmed people by teachings that we thought were ultimate truth, which has profoundly created conflict and opposed peace. A recommitment to a pattern of discipleship that produces people mature to the stature of Jesus as a model human being who are able to speak the truth in love to the world and risk their lives for these truths. |
p.w. gregory
said:
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lambertville, nj I thought the Q/A was very informative and respectful of all. When I was pushing CPE students through the paces, one truth I always stressed to them was never make "anger", or the base emotional response, a basis for ministry, or energy for. Sooner or later it leads to a very dark place and all sorts of professional land-mines. Systems, people, institutions under long-term stress will sometimes act and behave in very angry ways. My fear is that over time, unless there is some form of relief or conduit to allow for other forms of association or engagement, in or out of the denomination, people will exhaust all other coping mechanisms and are left with the anger/rage paradox. You see this in the DC political extreems now. I think you see this now at the local presbytery levels where clergy and churches just drop-out, quit, no longer engage the system, detach from the grid. Or use per-capita or property as a proxy to work out their anger issues, outside of other alternatives. You do not see the anger/rage paradox on the "Outlook", or "Laymen" websites now, but visit other "reformed" chat-rooms, blogs, of those involved on both sides of the recent ordination/nFOG debates. Many times the hate and the vindictive is indeed pathological. And reflect the emotive/gut energy that fuels many people on the theological ends of the spectrum. But sooner ot later one either burns-out, flames-out, or departs ministry and the Christian communion in general. The Q/A was most informative and very helpful in these troubled times. |
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