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UCCtruths

Every denomination needs one of these...

Maybe John Thomas is prophetic

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

In a society marked by deep political and ideological alienation, where the fabric of the commonwealth is frayed to the point of tearing, communities that find ways to tolerate difference and live creatively with diversity may be their own form of redemption not simply for themselves, but for all of us. But in order to be this redemptive community, we will need to resist the political interests who would use us for sectarian, partisan, and ultimately deeply dividing interests. Here the challenge is the same for progressive and conservative churches and their leaders. It is terribly seductive to have political leaders and interests approaching you for your blessing. But do pastors and church leaders really want to have politicians lining up at their door come election time? Do they really want to be welcomed into a world where support and influence are traded like futures on the commodity market? The Old Testament is clear in its distinction between the prophets of Yahweh and those court prophets who offered their blessing to the king in return for a comfortable place in the court. Right now, in our politically polarized landscape, the IRS may be the one institution challenging churches to ask the right questions about how best to engage the public square. How strange that even when churches and church leaders are tempted to succumb to such powerful political interests, it just may be the IRS that helps us keep our integrity and allow us to be the church we are called to be.

Written by John H. Thomas, President and General Minister, United Church of Christ March 12, 2006
posted by UCCtruths, Tuesday, March 25, 2008

2 Comments:

Hmmm... sounds like someone has been to the mountain, or, perhaps, the shadow of the mountain looms large over them.
commented by Anonymous Anonymous, 6:56 AM  
I think John Thomas is finally seriously thinking about how we as a church (i.e. denomination as well as the individual congregations) act. This is a good thing.
commented by Blogger Athene, 1:21 PM  

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