2006 Synod Preparation
Moravian Congregational Questionnaire Responses Call for Synod to Affirm Authority of Scripture and its message of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

 

      Rev. Neil Routh of the Southern Province Synod delegation preparation committee explains  "that somewhere along the way a perception that the survey itself was intended to set the priorities of synod emerged, which was never true.....“In stead of turning in an expression of a vision for their ministry in the next four years, they used the survey to critique various parts of the province or express what they think the province as a whole is lacking....“Understand that normally survey entries that included a misinterpretation of instructions are cast out as invalid and only those that followed the procedure requested are used.  If we had done that it would mean that less than 50% of the groups that responded would be heard.

      The delegate preparation committee developed a second questionnaire for delegates to rank the order of priorities that were  important to them. 

       This new questionnaire had some shocking differences from the responses submitted by congregations.  The new questionnaire's absents of the call for affirmation of Scripture and its message of salvation through Jesus Christ remains an unanswered question that has been posed repeatedly to  the DPC.

        As this web team studied the differences in the Congregational surveys and the DPC's new survey some questions came to mind that we felt would help us understand how such a clear call by congregations for needed affirmations could receive so little emphasis in the new survey.  We are waiting for a reply from Rev Neil Routh of the DPC  on the following questions:

 

1.      What test was applied or characteristics determined that a responding congregation did not follow the questionnaire’s instructions?

2.      Who is the consultant that looked at these responses and reported that they did not follow the instructions and that a new survey should be developed to remove emphasis from the responses?

3.      What if any relationship does this consultant have with the Province or the Moravian Church or persons in the Province? And how was this person selected?

4.      What questions in the DPC survey most closely address the concerns related to affirming scriptural authority.

5.      Do you see any difference in the Synod calling for provincial affirmation that Scripture and its message on salvation is the sole standard of the doctrine and faith of the Unitas Fratrum and the Synod calling for affirmation that Synod produced documents like the Ground of the Unity or the Covenant for Christian Living should be the basis of our theological and faith statements?

6.      What communication was made by the PEC or the DPC to notify  congregations that incorrectly completed the questionnaire?

7.      How would you advise congregations to have their voices represented at Synod if they do not see those concerns being expressed in pre-synod preparations, specifically the DPC survey and concerns resulting from delegate emphasis on it rather than the congregation's questionnaires?

8.      Do you feel that the following responses were adequately represented in the New DPC questionnaire?

9.   Are these responses from  congregations who failed to follow instructions and should be considered invalid? 

 

        If responses to these questions are received we will include them on this page ASAP.

        Below is the direct responses from 31 congregations that in some way call for an affirmation of our churches' beliefs.  Please read these responses and compare them with the questions that were generated by the DPC.

 

Congregational Responses reported to the DPC
(Each number represents a separate congregation or agency response)

 

1.       Appropriate representation on the PEC – We will take the Bible literally as the inerrant word of God – Returning to the essentials and define them clearly - Know what you believe, articulate what you believe – Preach it –Teach it- Live it – Evangelize it.

2.       Confirming the authority of the Bible as God’s Word – Province needs to take a biblical stand on social issues – a new sense of our mission to witness through awareness of our sinfulness.

3.       Need for a unified theology, common practice regarding rites and sacraments, and adherence to the order of the province/denomination to make the Moravian Church a more effective instrument of outreach and evangelism and the congregation a better managed and administered body – Biblical illiteracy makes us vulnerable to any and everyone else’s interpretation irrespective of that persons credentials.

4.       Take a stand on issues that are theologically divisive.

5.       Preserving the traditions of the Moravian Church, and address the relevance and leadership of the PEC.

6.       Make our mission clear to all – standardize curriculum and education resources- more effective and open communication in the province.

7.       Establishing what we believe and what example we set to and for others, including the secular world- keeping a common bond as we face difficult issues and challenges. Staying together in Christ!

8.       Re-emphases on spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and Action.

9.       Promote understanding of The Ground of the Unity, the Holy Scriptures and great creeds of the Church especially in regards to the life death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – Simple, straight forward statements from Provincial leaders on the uniqueness of salvation through Jesus Christ. Otherwise we will continue to be looked on by many fellow Christians and non-Christians, as unsure of our beliefs and quick to compromise (a “unity at all cost mindset”) – reestablish trust in Provincial leadership regarding handling of provincial finances and openness of financial budgets and salaries of provincial staff.

10.    It is imperative that the Synod 2006 reaffirms the essential beliefs of the Moravians with clarity – Address the need to rebuild the trust between the members of the Moravian Church and the PEC – A need for more Godly leadership in recruiting and preparing people for ministry – build trust through better communication with PEC and agencies.

11.    Making a firm stand on controversial issues, faith issues, and keeping a biblical emphasis – let people know what the Moravian Church is.

12.    Synod and PEC can greatly encourage our congregation by speaking and acting consistently with the foundational beliefs of the orthodox Christian faith – an unwavering and public stand on issues that threaten to split our denomination. As long as Synod allows the Truth to be compromised, the enemy will diminish the efficacy of our denominational leadership.

13.    Maintaining our historic Christ-centered ministry.

14.    Affirm Scriptural authority – Christ is the sole and unique way to eternal life – address: sexuality in the church, the PEC president, PEC members, and full communion with the Episcopal Church.

15.    Take stand on our doctrine without compromise. Do not allow our efforts to increase in attendance cause us to weaken our gospel message.

16.    Make Christ and the Church the main focus

17.    More clarity from Synod on social and moral issues.

18.    Reaffirmation that Jesus is the Chief Elder in the church.

19.    Stronger Provincial leadership – willing to take decisive action quicker.

20.    Keep Christ as our focus – No doubt as to where we stand in terms of our salvation (no waffling – PEC)

21.    We feel the number one issue facing the Southern Province is adherence to Biblical Truth.  If the province would take a stand for biblical truth, there would be more unity, better clarification, and an understanding of what the Moravian Church believes and stands for.  More importantly, we would be in accordance with God’s truth and His Will- We must be willing to make decisions based on the Truth of the Bible, not on preferences of people or of whims of society.

22.    Preserving and teaching our church’s doctrine, particularly as it relates to the means of salvation and authority of the Bible – Reduce the cost of Provincial administration

23.    Strong commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ should determine our progress – Faith- Being the Church God called us to be.

24.    Provincial leadership to continue to emphasize Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation (no ifs or ands or buts) Embrace completely the Ground of the Unity as it spells out this essential – emphatically proclaim what we as a church stand for.

25.    Keep the world and provincial dissention out of the church by remaining constantly focused on the cross – PEC and ordained ministers should be held accountable to proclaim emphatically the doctrine in accordance with the Moravian Church that “Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

26.    Minister Training – more training, guidance, and a more professional approach to the job for both new and existing ministers.

27.    Strive for more qualified leadership including PEC members, committee members – Insure that all new ministers beginning service practice and believe the Bible in all things.

28.    Clear provincial leadership (don’t leave people wandering who we are and what we believe.) – Christ centered focus in all that we do – refuting the theology that suggests there are other means of salvation than the Person and work of Jesus Christ – A Biblical stance on controversial issues such as abortion, homosexuality, ect.

29.    Who are Moravians? – Tell the community who we are and what we believe – interprovincial trust issues – Polity conflicts – reaffirm conferential church.

30.    Be more aggressive about letting people know about our faith and our denomination – Be more clear about our doctrinal beliefs – let people know more about our moral and ethical stance, some want more narrow definitions while others appreciate the openness within them.

The following church response apparently was not a product of a joint meeting as requested and caused some difficulty for the DPC to categorize as mentioned above.  The response was submitted as a response from 1st) the Joint Boards, 2nd) the Pastor and 3rd) their synod delegates.  Although this report is separate, it does reflect similar concerns and interest.  As submitted :

·          From Joint Boards – Loss of active members (especially families) due to disagreements on theology and doctrinal issues.

·          From Pastor – Openness to variety of thoughts and ideas (not locked into traditions)

·          From Synod delegates – Not define ourselves based upon a narrow focus of theology based on a few “Hot topic issues”

Closest Provincial Agency responses

1.       Articulate a vision – God’s vision- for the Southern Province, affirming our conferential structure, identity, and polity.

2.       Make greater use of the wider electronic media to proclaim the Moravian Church story.