The Great American Soap Opera

In keeping with our political theme, I'd like to draw your attention to an article in Slate magazine (written by a Republican) regarding Cheney's recent - and past- political crimes. Along the same lines, if you are not keeping tabs on the wiretapping subpoena issued to the White House, you might want to. Talk about an attack on our personal freedoms and civil liberties (not to mention the Constitution)!

Freedom is not free - you actually have to pay attention.

sorry

Sorry I haven't been involved but those days are over, because Micah helped me sign up for the blog.

Kings of Leon

The third album from the Kings of Leon - Because of the Times is, in my opinion, the best album of the year so far. I saw them play in Chicago at the Riv last month - one of the best shows I've ever been to. KOL are three brothers and a cousin from the south. They are hard to pigeonhole, people started calling them the "Strokes of the South," which is not a good description. I guess you could say they play southern/indie rock/blues. Because of the Times isn't a drastic departure from their first two albums (also excellent) Youth and Young Manhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak, but I think it's definitely better (I'm not real good at writing about music, if you want a real review, go to Rolling Stone). Anyway, it's the best album I've heard since the White Stripes - Get Behind Me Satan (I'm still digesting their new one, Icky Thump, definitely different, definitely brilliant).

Synod 2007: Cloud of Witnesses

I think a few of you are or were affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church at one point. If you're in the Grand Rapids area, I encourage you to check out Synod 2007. It's a historic Synod...

1. the CRC is entering it's 150th year.
2. women in office are up for debate and a vote (again. this has been on and off the docket since the 70's)
3. two female candidates need to be approved to teach at Calvin Theological Seminary
4. the theological and practical issue of allowing children to the communion table will be debated.

I'm personally interested in all of these issues. Particularly 2 and 3 as they relate to my own vocational journey and 4 because it's truly Reformed to welcome all baptized members to the table.

If you're passionate about equality, justice, and stopping the abuse of women as equal image bearers of God, I encourage you to check out the Cloud of Witnesses web site and events surrounding Synod.

Short history off the top of my head. The CRC has been theologically and Biblically examining the full inclusion of women to serve as Elders, Deacons, Evangelists, and Ministers of Word and Sacrament since the 70's. By the early 90's the offices of Elder, Deacon, and Minister were opened to women by an exception clause. Some folks left the denomination. A few women like Rev. Mary Hulst were ordained during this time, but only able to serve in a few churches as many were not in support of women in office. The debate came up a few more times and Synod went back and forth. Fast forward to last summer. Women in office was on the Synod docket again. This time changing the polity i.e. constitution of the denomination. It's a big deal to take the word Male out of church order...it means that the entire denomination is on board with women in ordained ministry. As the committee discussed the overtures they came up with a compromise. Take the world male out of church order, keep the ability for local classes to vote and local congregations to call or not to call women, and take a seven year sabbath from the debate. oh, and the issue of women serving as delegates to Synod (the voting body of the denomination that sets agendas etc.), put that on hold for seven more years.

I listened to the debate on podcast and heard echoes of the 3/5 compromise. But, I digress.

So, this summer Synod 2007 has to ratify the seven year sabbath compromise. I hope they don't. I hope they keep the polity change and challenge the delegates to call the dozens of women who went through Calvin Seminary and are still looking for church jobs. I hope they stop silencing women. It's abusive. I hope the men who have power, voice, and authority speak up for those that have no voice. It is this arrogance, this mentality that is driving folks from the CRC, that will kill this denomination. I hope it doesn't. The CRC has a lot to offer the world and to the current American religious crisis...

Stepping off the soap box.

Also, if you want to read up on the agenda check it out here.

I'll be there on June 9 and 12.