Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Why I Don't Fret: A Response to His Barking Dog

Over at Dennis McFadden's blog, my friend is fretting about the health and vitality of the reborn ABC of the Pacific Southwest, Transformation Ministries. With all due consideration to Dennis, I thought it would be good to say a few words about why I don't fret.

1. Dale Salico is a more than competent leader and administrator. Give him time to get the word out to churches. The fact that over 80% of delegates votes aye on April 29 is a testimony to his effectiveness and the support he has among the pastors of the region. The fall conference in Alhambra (Dennis' home church) will be a great time of affirmation, unity and renewed purpose.

2. Transmin's Board will be just as representative as under the PSW moniker, and more missionally focused than ever.

3. Yes, we are indeed entering a post-denominational era. This won't be easy, but I am convincved we have sufficient cohesion to hold together.

4. But the most compelling reason is that we have not yet reached a place of stasis. Other regions of the ABC, I am convinced, will separtate from the national body. When that happens, and it will, a new national fellowship of somekind will surely develop. We are still in the transitional era, and what will be is not yet clear.

3 comments:

Dennis E. McFadden said...

Glenn,

Well spoken answers to my fears. Thanks for the engagement. I DID say that Dale has my confidence. However, in addition to the concerns raised this morning, we have the call to sexual integrity by Dr. Medley. This will not make Dale's task any easier. Just when Dale explains that we "had" to leave because VF was unwilling to take a stand, Roy takes a stand.

Anonymous said...

Give me a break Dennis. Roy may have meant it, but people like AWR will undermine it.

Dennis E. McFadden said...

Roy has been taking MAJOR heat from the left all day for his statement. So, for now anyway, I will support the GS. Let the "perversity as diversity" crowd do the bashing and the trashing. I'm proud of him for taking a stand, albeit belatedly.

Whether he means it or not will be evident soon enough. Frankly, regardless of his intentions, I doubt that it will stand anyway. Pressure from the permanent corporate culture of the denomination, outrage from the left, and suspicion by those of us on the right will paint him into a rather tight corner. But, if we are going to criticize what we disapprove of, we need to be willing to praise actions consistent with our professed intentions.