"We're very determined. We're not in the mood for playing games and sitting round tables,"
And the sign of un-gloved combat is The Reforming Alliance wants to survey congregations’ Church Councils with a simple yes / no type survey based on biblical theology regarding the 10th Assembly’s resolution on ministry and membership in the UCA.
Then let us all be aware that surveys are not neutral. The researcher is looking to prove presuppositions. Surveys merely test the adequacy of the presupposition. In this case we know the presupposition (the 70 –80% clqaim) However, the results of the test are not at all as predictable as the Alliance spokes-person suggests. People are complex, communities even more so. Beliefs are also complex – a weaving of values, concepts, ideas, doctrines, experiences, reflections, culture – all woven into the fabric of meaning making
Questions are not neutral, nor are they void of values. Questions and survey instruments always bias. Survey designers associated with research that has integrity factor values and bias into their research design so that margins for error, including ranges of possible interpretations of questions by reader, are allowed for. They also plan a suitable sample size in order to ensure statistical viability claimed for resulting data and its interpretation.
Of course, any congregation’s Church Council can decide to ignore the request to complete a survey – of any kind at any time. Most will if they smell the proverbial rat, or sense the possibility of disharmony and dissention within their family-style communities.
One will be pleased to see the resulting data, if indeed its origin is founded in an objective and scientifically reliable research design. Perhaps this is the only way to put claims of percentage support into proper focus.
My experience of surveys within the UCA is that it is difficult to obtain sufficiently adequate returns, quickly enough, from reliable sources to provide data interpretation that is honest and reliable when applied to the UCA as a national Christian denomination. If Church councils are to be surveyed- as different from individual persons attending a congregation on any given Sunday - then presumably allowance must be made for discussion, voting and movement towards either consensus or decision by agreement before a survey can be returned. I hope that this significant time lag is also factored into the research project.
Will the new formed Reforming Alliance offer congregations assistance when consensus is not possible and division within the congregation is likely if a congregational position is pushed for?
The maligning of the membership of the Assembly by EMU spoke-persons – who appear to be out of touch with the reality of the backgrounds of persons who compose the membership of the Assembly, as well as with the polity of the UCA is a weary tactic. It is aimed at forming a perception in the minds of the uncommitted and confirming a 'myth- conception' in the minds of the uniformed. A ‘game playing strategy’ – among others - which the Alliance seems to let slip its internal integrity detectors.
Once , several years ago (in the context of some research project) I attempted to make sense of what persons meant by the claim to be biblical and how that claim might be used. I discovered at least several different meaning to the phrase. For example: Justice activists claimed to be motivated and inspired by biblical theology. Conservative, literalist indoctrinators claimed biblical authority for their position and activities. Not too different from Jesus day, perhaps. One thing all positions held in common was a desire either overt or covert – to exercise some form of control over others from and through their own position. Food for thought indeed. (NOTE: See Bill Loader’s commentary on Mark 9:38-50, in particular his comments about “Johns”. Available on Bill’s web site.)
The Reforming Alliance appears to be a 'reforming' of EMU with an expanded membership, but it is the same leadership with some co-options the former leadership will decide! Hardly a Reformation! Reformation is clearly not what the Alliance is pursuing.
One point the Alliance spokes-person made that is agreeable: the time has past for pastoral initiatives. Now we are dealing with revelation and truth. Much is at stake if the veracity, vitality, and vigour of the gospel faith is to remain liberated amongst us.
in the age today:
Gay priest rebellion in church
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