Dunker Journal

WHEN THE CHURCH CONFRONTS the world, and tries to “bring people in” by going along with the world, the world usually wins. It did in this instance (scroll down to “Another type of tension was reflected in the dedication of the new Wyomissing Church of the Brethren.”) The indicator is the last sentence of that section.

IT SEEMS TO ME that these folks are ignoring the possibilities of exploiting a “derisive” name. After all, haven’t Puritans and Anabaptists taken to using derisive names so that now they are positive monikers?

HANNAH GARMAN has died. More here and on Snopes.

THAT SOUND YOU HEAR is John Knox turning over in his grave: Catholic nun appointed dean of Presbyterian seminary.

THE PULPIT VACANCY LIST WAS updated on June 15.

It was disappointing that the query from Beacon Heights was passed through to Annual Conference. The vote was roughly 60% Yea (to send it on) to 40% Nay (to return it to Beacon Heights). There was a good, respectful discussion, though the pro-query advocates resorted to some verbal sleight-of-hand and emotionalism.

This is the query:

Whereas the Church of the Brethren has a history and practice of seeking reconciliation; and

Whereas the Church of the Brethren has experienced deep division and brokenness related to the language from the 1983 Human Sexuality Paper that same sex covenantal relationships are not acceptable; and

Whereas members of the Church of the Brethren are not of one mind on what it means to practice and promote justice in human relationships; especially same sex covenantal relationships;

Therefore, we, the Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, gathered in Council on May 18, 2008, petition Annual Conference through the Northern Indiana District to consider whether it is the will of the church that this language will continue to guide our journey together.

It was hard to believe that the Northern Indiana Standing Committee delegates (Jan Long [from Beacon Heights] and Margaret Pletcher [from Lincolnshire]–both pro-homosex churches) were unaware that the Standing Committee paper on the 1983 Human Sexuality paper is public information.  It was also incredible that the Northern Indiana District leadership hadn’t seen the Standing Committee paper and they were not even aware of it until the most recent Messenger came out.  The paper was mentioned and excerpted on the Annual Conference news coverage on the Brethren.org website. If the official press of the Church of the Brethren has it, it’s public information.  That the District Board (in Northern Indiana, only nine persons) would be unaware of the Standing Committee action, and that the Standing Committee delegates would keep the Board and DEM uninformed, seems inconceivable. If the reaction of District officials to this was true, then they aren’t paying attention to what’s going on–particularly when they knew this issue was coming to District Conference!

Earlier this year, a licensed minister in Northern Indiana (from Beacon Heights) had her licensing removed by the District Ministry Committee because she identified herself as a lesbian [according the the 2008 Northern Indiana District Ministry Committee report in the delegate booklet]. That action came about prior to or roughly the same time as the query. The Beacon Heights representatives denied that the two situations were/are related.

The verbal sleight-of-hand came from a delegate from the Goshen City congregation, who began by declaring that homosexuality is inborn (i.e., not sinful), and then going on to state that why would we single homosexuals out when we don’t do the same for gluttons, gossips, and the like (i.e., equating homosexuality with sin but then excusing it). Which is homosexuality–not a sin or a sin? It seems that the pro-homosex side cannot argue rationally on this issue, or that it deliberately fuzzies the issue, or maybe a little of both.

While homosex advocates certainly use statistics (some very old) to comment on the supposed population of homosexuals in the world, one at the District Conference decried the use of the most recent scientific survey of the Brethren (Portrait of a People, by Carl D. Bowman) indicating that 83% of the Brethren oppose same-sex marriage.

Many liberals in the Church have argued that Annual Conference is our final arbiter on interpreting our faith and practice–except on the issue of homosexuality. One delegate to the District Conference reminded us that Annual Conference spoke in 1983, affirmed in Standing Committee in the mid-1990s, and further affirmed and clarified by Annual Conference in 2002, and again in Atlantic Northeast, Atlantic Southeast, Southeastern, and South/Central Indiana Districts. Another delegate (in favor of the query) argued that all that was essentially meaningless, as it is God who is the decision-maker, and that God says that homosexuality doesn’t matter (no Biblical support for this was provided). Another pro-Bible delegate countered that with the fact that God has definitely given His answer on the matter, and that Annual Conference and numerous District conferences have simply affirmed the Scriptures.

Another Beacon Heights delegate said she wasn’t necessarily comfortable with homosexuality, but couldn’t bring herself to “judge,” and then seemed to get emotional over the issue.

I suspect that a fair number of delegates didn’t want to say “no” to this query, and seem uncaring. Some believe that surely there can be some compromise on the matter to allow congregations to do as they will on accepting and promoting homosexuality. Funny thing is, the compromise is to come all from the conservative and evangelical side.

Another observer at the District Conference writes:

One of the representatives (there were two representatives who discussed why Beacon Heights brought the query to conference) said we could go a different route. We could go the way of forbearance — allowing individual congregations to choose to be “open & affirming” if they want.

I think they would like to see the wording of the 1983 paper changed to be more accepting. Ultimately they would want the homosexual lifestyle to be accepted across the board. Of course, if that happens, the Church of the Brethren as we know it would cease to exist.

So, the query goes to the 2009 Standing Committee, who will make a recommendation on it to the 2009 Annual Conference. As I see it, there are at least four possible recommendations Standing Committee can make:

1) return it to Beacon Heights;
2) concern heard, but answered in the Standing Committee paper;
3) recommend that Conference re-affirm the 1983 Human Sexuality paper;
4) elect a study committee.

1 through 3 would be the preferred options to me, and essentially have the same result. Number 4 would likely be a disaster, and blow the denomination wide open.  As I wrote before, the Beacon Heights congregation is asking for this study, and therefore is aware of the possible powderkeg on which this places the Church of the Brethren. How can it be seen as anything other than divisive?

If a conservative congregation would have asked for this new study, with the intention of making the position of the Church of the Brethren more strict, I doubt that there would have been support of the District Board and the District Conference. [In fact, this was the case when a conservative congregation brought a petition to the Northern Indiana District in 1994 to make a Biblical declaration on the issue for the District. It flatly was turned away, without even going to District Conference.] We know what Beacon Heights wants when it asks if the language of the 1983 paper needs to be studied, based on its stance as an “open and affirming” congregation. The Northern Indiana District has now affirmed that.

This goes to the San Diego Annual Conference–so the need for eastern churches to represent is great–greater than in Boise in 2003.  It may well be that the location of Conference was in the calculus for this query. Conservative and evangelical congregations should make every effort to represent at San Diego.

IN THE MAIL today:  They Counted the Cost.  This is a new history of the Dunkard Brethren Church, written by Keith Bailey (one of their elders), edited by Robert Lehigh (who directs the Bible Helps ministry and is also a Dunkard Brethren elder), and researched by Frank Reed (a Church of the Brethren member).  This book is 535 pages, clothbound, and is available for $35.00 plus $5.00 postage & handling (until August 31), from

Kevin Funk, Secretary
Dunkard Brethren Publication Board
24107 N Avenue
Dallas Center, IA 50063

THE MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE IS SILENT on Iran.

JAY M. WITMAN, 56, Pennsylvania auctioneer who helped begin two Church of the Brethren disaster relief auctions, died at his home in Manheim, Pa., on June 7. He co-founded the Atlantic Northeast District Disaster Relief Auction in 1977, and assisted in establishing a similar auction in Shenandoah District in 1994. He started his career
as an auctioneer in 1971 with Wilbur H. Hosler; in 1973 cofounded Hat and Gavel Auction Co. in Lititz, Pa.; was a partner in J. Omar Landis Auction Service of Ephrata, Pa.; and was founder and owner of Witman Auctioneers, Inc. and Tents for You in Manheim. He also sold for several automobile auctions, participated in specialty auctions including the Dutchland Toy Auction, was the first to hold a Winross collectable auction, and conducted many public sales. His volunteer work also included service with the Mennonite Central Committee Disaster Relief Auction in Harrisburg, Pa., and at the Sarasota (Fla.) Christian School. Born in Lancaster, Pa., he was the son of the late Amos B. and Anna Mary Johns Witman, and following his father’s death, Earl and Marian Minnich were instrumental in raising him. In 1970, he graduated at the top of his class from Reppert School of Auctioneering in Indiana, and also studied real estate appraising at Stevens Trade School in Lancaster. He served as a Northeast Advisory Board Member for the former Lititz Springs Commonwealth National Bank, was a past member of the Lancaster and Manheim Chambers of Commerce, was a presiding president of the Manheim Historical Society, and a  member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. He was a member of White Oak Church of the Brethren in Manheim, and was instrumental in organizing the Manheim Area Prayer Breakfast. A funeral was held June 14. Memorials are received to Gideons International or Bible Helps.

“Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”
—  George Washington

GAY RIGHTS GROUPS IRATE After Obama Administration Lauds Defense Of Marriage Act.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:  Mr. Obama’s administration is defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)–which was supported and signed by President Clinton–saying that forbidding homosexual marriage is a good thing Federal budget, and comparing it to incest and marrying children. To wit:

The courts have followed this principle, moreover, in relation to the validity of marriages performed in other States. Both the First and Second Restatements of Conflict of Laws recognize that State courts may refuse to give effect to a marriage, or to certain incidents of a marriage, that contravene the forum State’s policy. …  And the courts have widely held that certain marriages performed elsewhere need not be given effect, because they conflicted with the public policy of the forum. See, e.g., Catalano v. Catalano, 170 A.2d 726, 728-29 (Conn. 1961) (marriage of uncle to niece, “though valid in Italy under its laws, was not valid in Connecticut because it contravened the public policy of th[at] state”); Wilkins v. Zelichowski, 140 A.2d 65, 67-68 (N.J. 1958) (marriage of 16-year-old female held invalid in New Jersey, regardless of validity in Indiana where performed, in light of N.J. policy reflected in statute permitting adult female to secure annulment of her underage marriage); In re Mortenson’s Estate, 316 P.2d 1106 (Ariz. 1957) (marriage of first cousins held invalid in Arizona, though lawfully performed in New Mexico, given Arizona policy reflected in statute declaring such marriages “prohibited and void”).

***

The fact that States have long had the authority to decline to give effect to marriages performed in other States based on the forum State’s public policy strongly supports the constitutionality of Congress’s exercise of its authority in DOMA.

***

Plaintiffs are married, and their challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act (”DOMA”) poses a different set of questions: whether by virtue of their marital status they are constitutionally entitled to acknowledgment of their union by States that do not recognize same-sex marriage, and whether they are similarly entitled to certain federal benefits. Under the law binding on this Court, the answer to these questions must be no.

***
Likewise, Section 3 of DOMA merely clarifies that federal policy is to make certain benefits available only to those persons united in heterosexual marriage, as opposed to any other possible relationship defined by law, family, or affection. As a result, gay and lesbian individuals who unite in matrimony are denied no federal benefits to which they were entitled prior to their marriage; they remain eligible for every benefit they enjoyed beforehand. DOMA simply provides, in effect, that as a result of their same-sex marriage they will not become eligible for the set of benefits that Congress has reserved exclusively to those who are related by the bonds of heterosexual marriage. In short, then, the failure in this manner to recognize a certain subset of marriages that are recognized by a certain subset of States cannot be taken as an infringement on plaintiffs’ rights, even if same-sex marriage were accepted as a fundamental right under the Constitution.

If Mr. Bush had propounded this, he would be considered a right-wing hate monger.

MILK CONSUMPTION TIED to Parkinson’s disease. (The Brethren connection is that a number of Brethren are dairy farmers, though I know of one Brethren dairy family that doesn’t drink the stuff except on cereal.)

HERE IS A NEW VIDEO about BVS-BRF, produced by Brent Lehman and Melody Keller.

BVS-BRF Video Link

HERE’S an interesting graphic of the largest bankruptcies in (at least recent) history.

BRETHREN BIBLE INSTITUTE WILL BE HERE soon. The cutoff date for registrations to be received is June 22, 2009.

THE BRETHREN REVIVAL FELLOWSHIP GENERAL MEETING will be Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Center Hill Church of the Brethren, near Kittanning, Pennsylvania (Wes Berkebile, pastor). The theme is “The BRF — 50 Years and Beyond.” A host of speakers will include Harold S. Martin, Stephen Abe, Roger Forry, Randy Cosner, David Wenger, and Robert Kettering. James Myer will also present reflections on the San Diego Annual Conference.

For those from the South Central Pennsylvania area (Lebanon/Lancaster/York/Cumberland counties–not limited to those, but just to give the idea), Brother Caleb Bross of the White Oak congregation is organizing a bus trip to the meeting in Western Pennsylvania. If you are interested, and want more information, call him at 717-228-1025.

CERWIN HIGH HAS EXPERIENCED shoulder surgery.

ANALYSIS: God is not dead and neither is Christianity in America.

BRETHREN BENEFIT TRUST FAVORS giving shareholders in major corporations a “say on pay.”  Too bad that BBT (or the Ministry & Mission Board, for that matter) doesn’t believe the concept should apply to them. Unique in the official Church of the Brethren, these organizations do not even report what their executives are paid. I’m not sure why.

EVANGELICAL GROUP BANNED From Tulsa Housing Projects.

MR. OBAMA INVOKES Jesus more than George W. Bush did.

OBAMA-GOD talk — Obama Worship Continues. The man is not God, nor even a small-g god. That people cannot see his flaws is testament to the willful blindness that people engage in when they are not thinking.

More on this here.

HERE’S YOUR Field Guide to Homeschoolers.

http://videos.modbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=4309447&item_index=&genre_id=792

FROM THE GOSPEL MESSENGER, 1888, via Wayne Webb:

——————————-

Figures by Actual Count.

Much has been said one way and the other, and especially by pedo-baptists, as to the time required to baptize a candidate by the gospel mode-trine immersion.  In view of that, and to show that the remarks of sprinklers and
pourers against immersion on the ground of time are totally untrue, the following figures are submitted:

On Sunday, Feb. 12, quite a large crowd of people witnessed Eld. J. F. Oiler, of Waynesboro, Pa., baptize twenty-five persons in the Antietam church, one mile east of his town.  The entire ceremony, which was performed in the water, lasted only about thirty-two minutes.  It was but forty minutes from the time the administrator, with the applicants, left the house, which stands close by the water, until they returned.  The singing of a hymn and prayer was had at the water as usual, and the multitude thronged so that it was with difficulty that the administrator and applicants made their way to the water and became suitably situated, all of which protracted the time.

My impression now is that, if the administrator is a little expeditious, and the candidates are perfectly submissive, one person can be baptized each minute.  In the case reported, a little over a minute and a quarter was used to the person.

Sprinklers laugh at the idea of the three thousand being baptized by trine immersion in one day, and positively assert that it could not be done.

The twelve and the seventy baptizing-not to say anything about any more, the hundred and twenty of Acts 1: 15, or such as might have been called to the work,-sixty would have had thirty-seven to baptize, and twenty-two, thirty-six, which could have been done, according to the above rate, in forty-eight minutes.  If only the twelve had baptized (which is quite unreasonable to suppose), each would have had 250 to baptize, which, according to this rate, would have required five hours and twenty minutes.

So you see there can be no question as to the three thousand having been baptized by trine immersion, on the ground that it could not have been done in one day.  The stir commencing early in the morning as it did on that day,
the twelve alone, as it has been shown, could have baptized the number if it had been necessary.

Henry C. Early.

SOME CONCERNS never change. From the 1886 Gospel Messenger:

A brother living in Washington Territory sends a generous donation for the mission and benevolent work of the Church, and asks the following question: “Which would be the more pleasing to God, to have a large Annual Meeting and no gift for Jesus, or a small Meeting and a large purse with open strings for the Lord?”  We answer, We can and should have both; but in case our going to the Annual Meeting will deprive us of the blessed privilege of giving to the Lord, we ought to think seriously on the question of duty here presented.

[via Wayne Webb, and the Brethren Genealogy listserve.]

HOMOSEX ADVOCATES ARE beginning the realize that Mr. Obama isn’t really going to help them much. Well, no, since he believes, along with Carrie Prejean and most of the rest of the people of the United States, that marriage is between a man and a woman.

THIS IS DISTURBING: one of the main Google searches that have led people to the BRF website over the past few days is “how to kill an unborn baby/fetus”. We trust that the article they came to here, would be a witness to the evil of abortion. On a positive note, other numerous searchs have asked for “the responsibilities of a father,” “the holiness of God,” and “Brethren beliefs.”  A significant number have been searching for information “on living together before marriage.”

PETER WEHNER SHARES about Jim Wallis:

…the Falwells and Robertsons and Hagees of the world have nothing on Jim Wallis. Mr. Wallis fancies himself as a peacemaker, a man committed to reconciliation, the author of a book which calls for “a new politics of compassion, community, and civility.” He is none of those things; he is, in fact, very nearly the opposite. Wallis’s rhetoric is noxious and his spirit animated by a good deal of hate. People of good will and faith should say so.

I’ve thought that ever since reading Agenda for Biblical People. It should have been titled Agenda for Socialist People.  It was a required book for the Three Year Reading Course. There was no requirement to read, in the interest of balance say, Ronald Nash’s Poverty and Wealth, or John Jefferson Davis’ Your Wealth in God’s World, spirited defense of capitalism from a Christian perspective. Of course, I believe all ministers would do well to read Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, written all the way back in 1776.

By the way, Brethren Revival Fellowship has an alternate book list for any ministers’ training course.