Mike Parsons, member of Olivet Moravian Church, has served as Elder, Sunday School teacher and is an active youth leader. This letter was in response to the impression that the media seems to be giving that the majority of Moravians are divided on Issues of Salvation and Homosexuality. Mike points out that the impression of wide spread division and confusion may be coming from only a few people with a voice.

   See Mission Director and Staff resign 

Dear Mr. Railey,

I am disappointed in your continued coverage of the issues of the Moravian Church. It has become increasingly apparent to me that you have become the mouthpiece of someone who would have the world believe that we have lost our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that we have abandoned the teachings of the Bible as a roadmap for our daily living.

I am saddened by the news that Rev. Morgan and three of the key staff of the Board of World Missions has resigned. I do not, however characterize it as you did in your article. This is not the act of a pocket of conservatism trying to get attention as you would have us believe. Anyone who reads the Ground of the Unity which is a key document in defining our faith will quickly realize that Moravians believe that Jesus Christ is the only path to salvation and that the Bible is the inspired word of God and must form the foundation for our beliefs and daily living. Unfortunately, there seem to be a number of individuals in key places who would have you believe otherwise, almost to the point of stating that we as Moravians have no foundation at all – that you come to our fellowship as you would a cafeteria. Select your path to salvation from the menu du jour and overlook statements that condemn homosexuality if they offend you.

I challenge you to leave your desk and venture into the world of the congregations of the Moravian Church. We are perhaps not as emotional as the more evangelical or charismatic Christian churches. But we have a long history that was built on the desire of strong men like John Hus and Count Zinzendorf to have a church that answered to God, not man, for its salvation.

I personally believe that you should find more people believing as Rev. Morgan, Rev. Schambach, Rev. Faber and Mrs. Walker than you might imagine. Some in the church hierarchy have prayed that this controversy would not see the light of day and apparently have done everything in their power to direct ministers and others not to address these issues from the pulpit. And they have been somewhat successful because most congregations do not have a clue that this spiritual war continues to rage.

But ask members of our congregations who is their Lord and Savior. Ask them if someone can gain salvation without accepting Jesus Christ as the only path to salvation. Ask them if homosexuality is permitted by the Bible. Ask them if the Bible is the inspired word of God that should form the foundation for our daily living. Then write a real story of what Moravian congregations believe and what the Moravian Church really stands for.

We are not the loudest bell in the chorus when it comes to spreading the good news of Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice. But we have worked as a Church for several hundred years in the highways and byways of the world spreading that message and helping those less fortunate. We could not do that without a strong statement of faith and a resolve to teach the gospel as it is written not as some would have it read.

I am saddened to see these resignations. However, I pray that they will have the desired effect and wake our congregations up to the fact that serious battle is raging and we must rise and be counted to banish this evil that has beset our organization.

As for you, Mr. Railey, I pray that God will touch your heart to do the right thing. I challenge you to visit among the congregations. Don’t stop with one. Go to several. Try Olivet, try Ardmore, try Home, try Mizpah. Ask the questions of our members who strive to live these truths every day.

It’s been less than a month since we triumphantly celebrated the birth of Christ in our most beautiful candlelight services. Any who attend those services cannot help but leave spiritually renewed. Now we approach the Lenten season and the realization that at its end we relive the sad journey our Lord made to calvary and the triumphant victory He had over sin and death three days later. Our ministers will shout to the world on Easter morning the joyous news “He is risen!!” And we as members of Christ’s holy church will know that there is only one path to salvation and that many alternative lifestyles, including homosexuality, cannot be tolerated along that path.

Thank you for your time. May God grant you the wisdom and the strength to join with us this coming Easter morning and proclaim “He is Risen!!” and there is only one path to follow.

Mike Parsons