It didn’t take long.
Today the Institute on Religion and Democracy criticized the nomination of Michael Kinnamon to serve as the new General Secretary of the National Council of Churches.
In a statement, IRD president Jim Tonkowich (a minister in a Presbyterian schism group opposed to the ordination of women) called Dr. Kinnamon “outside of the mainstream.”
Why does IRD care who serves as the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches?
Funded by Richard Mellon Scaife and other conservative extremists, IRD was set up to undermine the mainline churches and to silence the prophetic voice of Christian leaders opposed to military conflict and economic policies that benefit the wealthiest at the expense of the “least of these” in society.
Over the years, IRD has amassed a record that is outside the pale for a group that claims to be Christian.
For example, they supported terrorist regimes in Latin America and opposed efforts in the 1980s to secure the freedom of Nelson Mandela. More recently, IRD has worked to oppose civil rights for gay and lesbian Americans. Their stance on gay rights drew praise in recent years from the KKK.
IRD has also worked actively to undermine efforts by conservative evangelical groups to address global warming. Yes, IRD advocates an agenda so far to the theological and political right that they even attack conservative evangelical groups for not being conservative enough.
Unfortunately, IRD is powerful. They have spent millions of dollars attacking the National Council of Churches, church bodies such as the United Church of Christ, and Christian leaders who do not fall into line with their vision of how the world should be. They are, however, a political organization funded by political donors. They should not be confused with being a Christian body.
IRD hopes their attacks will silence all those who oppose their agenda. Yet we know from the example of Jesus himself that God calls us to be a people of justice and reconciliation. Michael Kinnamon embodies the best traditions of the church and preaches a Gospel-centered message that reminds us that the last will be first in the Kingdom. The truth is that message might be out of the mainstream. IRD might be right. But it is a message faithful to the teachings of Jesus.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
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6 comments:
Hmmmmmmm "outside the mainstream," isn't that essentially the label given to Amos, Hosea, John the Baptist, Paul, Jesus and countless of other prophetic voices throughout history? Sounds like the religious elite haven't changed their tune over thousands of years. Sounds like a tune that signals Rev. Dr. Kinnamon has the right stuff.
Thanks for the tip IRD!
People really ought to figure that if IRD is opposed to something it must be good.
They accused Jesus of 'attacks' when he sought reform the corruption of the Pharisee oligarchy.
So I guess it's an 'attack' if it insults you and 'prophetic' if you are insulting somone else.
Woe unto the hypocrites, you inveigh against your critics just like the Israelites stoned their prophets.
I think we can all agree IRD'S record and mission are clear. If Richard wants to align himself with their agenda that's his call. I perfer Dr. Kinnamon's vision of the church - and the world - over IRD'S. And it would be a safe bet to assume most people in mainline churches feel the same.
Dr. Kinnamon's vision is to work for unity among churches. Not an original concept:
I Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. According to the Dictionary of Chrisitianity in America, there are at least 20,800 denominations in this country. How did we find so many ways to divide ourselves? Perhaps Dr. Kinnamon can help us find some common ground.
Back in 2003, I took a retreat at Eden Seminary with Rev. Michael Kinnamon. I found him to be a great teacher that inspired me to search my heart, and to challenge myself to action on behalf of the universal church. Eden Seminary's loss is the National Council of Churches gain. I thank Dr. Kinnamon for his advocacy and witness to the Body of Christ, and I know that the NCC will be in good and faithful hands.
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