Resolution Affirming
Salvation through Jesus Christ (Southern Synod 2002)
This resolution was offered by
ministers and laymen to reaffirm our Moravian Faith but was not allowed to
be brought to the floor out of fear of offending those who believed
differently.
Resolution
54 (Southern Synod 2002)
This resolution was the final
product of "Resolution Affirming Salvation through Jesus
Christ" that was sent to Synod for vote and acceptance.
Resolution
Common Ground (Northern Synod 2002)
This resolution acknowledged that
after 4 years of study and prayer the Inter Provincial Faith and Order Commission
was unable to arrive at any consensus, authority or guidance on the
acceptability of ordaining homosexual individuals.
Resolution
Committee on Church and Society (Northern Synod 2002)
This resolution invites
Homosexual individuals and couples to celebrate their lives ( completely )
within the Moravian Church.
Resolution
Diversity in Congregational Life (Northern Synod 2002)
This resolution encourage Moravian Churches to encourage Diversity in
every aspect which would include (of thought and idea and life
style) and consider those of diversity to be considered for leadership and
ministry positions.
First Media
Account of Minister teaching diverse ideas on Salvation.
This article appeared in the
Winston Salem Journal April 27, 2002 and for many was the first alert that
something was wrong in the Moravian Church.
Bob
Sawyer Writes column explaining PEC's role in offering spiritual
leadership
This article appeared in the
Winston Salem Journal May 16,2002 and was a guest editorial column by PEC
President Bob Sawyer explaining the role that PEC would take in offering
leadership to the minister and congregation in issue.
Media
account of Unity Synod's actions on issues.
This article appeared in the
Winston Salem Journal August 24,2002 and accounted the actions taken
by Unity Synod to address the issues that the Moravian Church was
embroiled in over salvation and homosexuality.
Moravian Minister Resigns
Local Moravian Minister who along with many in his congregation had signed
a letter of affirmation of Jesus Christ as our only way to salvation, was
lead to submit his resignation as a result of lack of support by church
leaders.
Director
and 3 employees of Mission Board Resign
This article appeared in the Winston Salem Journal Jan 29, 2003. The
article reports that the Mission director and employees will resign over unresolved
issues in the Moravian Church that make it pointless to spend money on
mission programs when the Moravian Church is unable to proclaim a clear
message on salvation.
Mission Board
accepts resignations
of 10 Mission Board Employees
This article appeared in the Winston Salem Journal February 9, 2003.
It relates that issues remained unsolved and that 10 members of the
Moravian Board of World Mission would resign over the unresolved issues
of salvation and homosexuality.
Board of World Mission Press Release
This statement was released to church leaders and the News Media to offer explanation
of the Boards actions to accept the resignations of 10 employees. It also acknowledged
that issues remain unresolved.
Statement released to churches
This statement was released by The
Board of World Missions and was personally delivered to some
congregations during Sunday Morning Worship Service by PEC President Bob
Sawyer.
Correction Letter
This letter of correction was quickly delivered to church leader by PEC
President Bob Sawyer taking exception to the portrayal by the media that
" The Moravian Board of World Missions continues to struggle
over unresolved issues" Suggesting that there are no unresolved
issues on salvation and any other issues can be worked out.
Bob Sawyer suggests that people should not get their news from the
media but rather read his press release.
Interpretation of Synod actions on
Homosexuality
This interpretation of resolutions regarding Synod actions provides a
historical context that reveals the evolution from 1974 when Northern
Synod resolved that the Moravian Church welcome and extend an invitation
to homosexuals as to all people. Followed by several additional
Synod actions which yielded Resolutions with language that indicated that
Homosexual lifestyle was not determined to be sin and that homosexuals be
allowed to celebrate their lives in the Church as well as assume
leadership roles. To the most recent 2002 Unity Synod's action to put a
stop to further changes by the Province in this matter.
Additional
Mission Staff resignations March 10,2003
This series of letters from Mission Staff Member Robert Thiessen,
details continued concerns of theology questions in our denomination that
our missionaries are finding unacceptable
Moravian
Church minister at odds- Allowed to remain as pastor
Winston
Salem Journal May 9, 2003
Second
Journal article
Winston
Salem Journal May 11, 2003
The Rev. Truman Dunn
says he has changed , he says he thinks he can affirm the
Ground of the Unity but makes no comment about his beliefs
on salvation as he addresses ministers offering apologies
for the controversy over his statements.
Letter
from PEC to Clergy May 6, 2003
The PEC of the Southern Province writes this
letter to Clergy and churches to explain their decision on
Rev. Truman Dunn's pastorate status in the Moravian
Church. Letter relates
that PEC feels Truman Dunn has changed his views and he
regrets that either the content or responses to the content
of The Moses
Lectures led to conflict and division.
Letter
from Rev. Truman Dunn to Clergy May 6, 2003
This message was delivered at recent ministers meeting
where clergy were informed that PEC had allowed Rev. Dunn to remain as
pastor.
Letter relates
how Rev Dunn is in a different place theologically than he was a year ago.
View
important statements on Rev Truman Dunn decision
see latest response letters 7/14/03
View
important letters on Rev Doug Norwood decision 7/27/03
re Norwood decision (Athanasius.)7/29/03
