An Unchristian Tactic?
Regular readers of the Gleaner will recall the following paragraph [Intersections, January 2014]: "The Gleaner here notes that of the early reports the most assertive votes toward inclusion of women in ordination have come from divisions that together represent a significant percentage of tithe income for the world church but [a] relatively small percentage of church membership." Perceptive readers will, as well, immediately recognize this for the subtile [sic] threat that it is. It can be taken in basically but two ways, neither of which should be used in Christian circles, and especially not in setting policy: The world church will do it our way or we will withhold our financial support, or if it sounds a mite less demanding, because we pay the "lion's share" of the world budget you are obligated to do it our way. Quite frankly, it saddens and sickens a lot of us to see an "official" church publication resorting to such an unchristian political tactic.
Gleaner responds: (After a long, cleansing sigh) ... Ken, we're sorry you and perhaps others assumed the worst. The sentence in question was placed in the article to clarify that the number of divisions voting a certain direction is not directly proportional to a majority of worldwide members. The divisions who have voted in favor of recommending women's ordination do represent a relatively small part of the church's total membership. We intended to thus remind Gleaner readers that world church leaders must hear from all the divisions, and especially those that represent the growing edge and highest percentage of our membership, not just those with larger tithe dollars. You perceived a threat. None was intended. Since the January issue was published, the Gleaner website has added information to the NW Roundtable portion of its website on the ordination topic, which we hope will be helpful to those seeking accurate information, not assumptions.
Faith Not Fear
[Regarding Let's Talk, January 2014] I do still struggle with fear thoughts as they were programmed into me since I was four and a half years old. My parents, brother and I fled Germany on the last ship to Shanghai, China, the only place still accepting refugees. The insecurity and hard life there until we all came to America in 1948 causes some problems even now. With God's help I can deal with them and look forward to Christ's soon coming to make "all things new."
William Miller's Words of Wisdom
As quoted from Laughter and Tears of the Pioneers by Paul Gordon and James Nix, these sage words of wisdom attributed to William Miller resonate at times with Gleaner editors: "When we write to a brother to complain of his opinions, let us consider it three days before we write; pray God nine times to direct us before we take the pen; read it in the room of our brother three times before we send it; seal it only when we love him for being God-like; send it when we would delight to be the bearer; while it is going, think with what tears of joy he will devour its contents; and remember to pay the postage."
