United Church of Canada
Interesting quote from what is known as the most liberal denomination in Canada:
“Shouldn’t the United Church Just Throw in the Towel?” is the opening event of a four-day Church-sponsored conference that will look at the future of the country’s largest Protestant denomination.
“If the people who are allegedly in a position of leadership, vision and inspiration for your organization are having that question, it tells you there is something very disturbing at the heart of the Church,” said Rev. denBok, who is a pastor at a Toronto parish.
“By even asking that question, we are acting as if we are a human organization rather than a God organization. It is a [national leadership] that is profoundly flawed with no strong sense of purpose or direction or destiny.”
It is an interesting thought about a human organization vs a God organization. What is the basis for beleiving that the United Church of Canada is a God organization? I can’t think of one. So why have it? Why have a church at all? These are pretty bold questions. If it is just about community you don’t need a formal organization for that. They don’t want to enforce any doctrinal standards because they can not be sure they are right. That makes sense.
These are the kinds of questions that Newman was talking about when he said a protestant could think himself into atheism or Catholicism. These half and half concepts don’t stand up to scrutiny. Either the church can teach with the authority of Christ or every believer can make up his own version of Christianity. Anything in between is illogical.
In the case of the United church, many are already very close to atheism. They are not likely to jump all the way to Catholicism. Some might move to a more conservative protestant church. Closer to Catholicism but not yet there. A tradition that has a lot in common with Catholic tradition and because of that is right a lot. Of course they would never describe themselves that way but that is what the appeal would be. The desire for a spritiual rock. The true rock is a bit to radical so they might go for something that feels solid but is more comfortable.
What do you get when you cross a United Church of Canada pastor with a Jehohvah’s Witness?
Someone who likes to knock on your door but then really has nothing to say.
. . . from a fellow Canuck
June 21st, 2008 at 9:43 amI wish that were true. They say a lot and it sounds pretty good to the secular mind. The problem is it might or might not be the gospel. There are a lot of United churches that an atheist would feel good at. They talk a lot about feelings. Moral feelings. Spiritual feelings. You can read a lot of the bible that way if you want.
June 21st, 2008 at 11:11 am