August 31, 2010

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST AFFAIR CRISIS DEEPENS

The announcement by the United Church of Christ Leadership that former UCC President and General Minister John Thomas is divorcing his wife to "live in a committed relationship" with a former co-worker has created a deepening crisis of confidence in the denomination. While it has since come to light that Thomas has had a long standing affair with UCC Ecumenical Officer Lydia Veliko, the UCC Collegium has indicated that it will make no further statement or reveal additional facts.

Dr. Thomas traveled with Veliko since 2005 to Micronesia, India, Germany, South America, Jerusalem and numerous other locations. Their extensive travel schedule was sponsored and paid for from church funds. Questions are being raised about whether other national staff knew and what, if any, action was taken. Lydia Veliko resigned as Ecumenical Officer on June 16th, effective the "end of summer". Thomas, who was the Ecumenical Officer before being elected President, brought Veliko, then in her mid 30's, to the position shortly after his election in 2000. As President, Dr. Thomas came under strong criticism for his aggressive support for the UCC to sanction alternative sexual relationships and the redefinition of marriage. Both Thomas and Veliko came under fire for their public statements condemning Israel.

August 27, 2010

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST THEOLOGIAN DONALD BLOESCH - A FATHER OF MAINLINE RENEWAL PASSES TO GLORY

Theologian and friend, Dr. Donald Bloesch died Tuesday, August 24th in Dubuque, Iowa, where he taught and was professor emeritus at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.

Dr. Bloesch inspired and informed the passion of an entire generation of renewal leaders, not only in his own denomination, the United Church of Christ, but throughout the Mainline Church. His earlier work such as “The Reform of the Church,” “Evangelical Renaissance,” “Wellsprings of Renewal,” and “The Invaded Church,” were the battle cry and blueprint for those calling their drifting churches back to authentic ecumenical orthodoxy. His later “Christian Foundations Series” will remain a part of classical theological education for years to come.  Dr. Bloesch largely authored the founding document of the Biblical Witness Fellowship, the confessing movement in the UCC, known as the Dubuque Declaration.

BWF Executive Director, David Runnion-Bareford gives him tribute, saying, "Donald Bloesch was the major theological force in shaping our radical vision for church renewal in the 1970's and 1980's. He gave us not only an understanding of the deep perversity in the mainline church, but theological skills to be effective witnesses in a difficult time. He was my inspiration in the early years, and when I found myself in leadership, Dr. Bloesch became an invaluable mentor and friend. It is ironic that this evangelical was the most widely read and respected UCC theologian of his generation. He will be received into glory with great joy! Thank you Dr. Bloesch.”

August 19, 2010

FORMER UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST PRESIDENT CHOOSES ADULTEROUS RELATIONSHIP, DIVORCE, CREATES CRISIS

Dr. John Thomas, who completed his final term as President of the United Church of Christ in September 2009, recently announced that he is living in an adulterous relationship with a fellow national UCC staff member and is consequently separated from and divorcing his wife.  The duration of the adulterous relationship with his co-worker, engaged in while he served as President of the UCC in Cleveland, or whether she was a subordinate has not been revealed.

 (UCC Announcement)

Biblical Witness Fellowship, a confessing movement in the United Church of Christ has issued the following statement in reaction to this news.

“It is a great sadness for all of us that our former President John Thomas has broken his covenant commitment to marriage in exchange for an adulterous relationship.  His action deepens the crisis of integrity in the UCC with consequences well beyond the tragic dissolution of his own family. During his administration Dr. Thomas was a champion for the religious legitimization of sexual license and the redefinition of marriage. It now appears that his agenda may have been driven by personal justification of his own behavior rather than by any authentic conviction.  The whole church is deeply hurt when our leaders fail to keep their vows and engage in this form of duplicity.  It compromises the witness of all of us in the body of Christ. We understand that all of us sin and fall short of the glory of God, and call on our brother John Thomas to repent and seek restoration.”