Dealing with Denominational Jingoists and Other Fascists

Kopp Disclosure

(John 3:19-21)

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Dealing with Denominational Jingoists and Other Fascists

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“We don’t have time for ___ in pulpits or politics anymore!…Grow some!”

Don Norek

(1946 – 2015)

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“If we can’t get along through Jesus, how are we ever going to

convince people that they need what

we ain’t got for ourselves?”

RRK

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            Ted was pastor of one of Kansas City’s fastest growing churches.

            He never retired; and before he went home to Jesus in 2001 at 74, he helped Colonial Presbyterian Church move from a few hundred members to mega-church status with satellites.

            Whenever anyone would come to him with a problem, he’d say inevitably, “That’s not so bad.”

            His point was simple.

            We’re going to live a lot longer with Jesus than any of our temporary problems.

            Read Romans 8.

            He was that kinda guy.

            While Ted knew our particular denomination is irretrievably apostate under current management, he stayed for reasons similar to mine as chronicled ad nauseam here and elsewhere.

            So when our executive presbyter who thought he was a bishop or pre-Jesus-Colsonian-inquisitional-hatchet-man for the PCUSA told me that he was against Ted becoming moderator – a gal/guy who, uh, moderates judicatorial meetings in our franchise – of Heartland Presbytery because he wasn’t “loyal enough” after pointing to his coffee cup with the denominational seal on it and saying he “bleeds Presbyterian blue,” I laughed at his jingoistic to fascist myopia and said, “O.K., then I’ll just give a minority report for the nominating committee and quote you as to why Ted shouldn’t become moderator.”

            Ted was nominated unanimously by the committee and served with distinction; and I never told him about that crap with the EP.

            That’s when I learned denominational jingoists and other fascists will aggressively-aggressively or passively-aggressively push their hell-bent agenda unless somebody grows some, stands up to them, and exposes their darkness in the light.

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            I’ll never forget a meeting in the parlor of Kansas City’s Second Presbyterian Church.

            There were about 30 pastors meeting to discuss how to protect their churches from the increasing influence of the apostates in our denomination.

            Paul said, “It’s easy for Ted and Bob to be so out-spoken about the problems in our denomination; because they’re not afraid of our EP.  I am.  I don’t want to stay in my church.  I want to move.  He can blackball me and I’ll never get to move and be forced to stay where I’m not really wanted.  I’ve got to be more careful than Ted and Bob.  They’re not afraid of our EP and presbytery because they have faithful churches that will stand with them against the denomination’s unfaithfulness.  I don’t share their luxury.”

            True.

            That’s when I learned denominational jingoists and other fascists will aggressively-aggressively or passively-aggressively push their hell-bent agenda unless we are more afraid of God than faithless women/men and link with others trying to be faithful, grow some, stand up to them, and expose their darkness in the light.

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            Don Norek had a deep disdain for clergy who…

            Well, I think you’ve already caught the drift.

            That’s why he stopped going to clergy meetings.

            He didn’t want to waste time in tinkling contests with skunks; and knew trying to be rational with the irrational is illogical.

            So he linked with saints – believers willing to behave like believers to prove they are really believers – who know obedience to Jesus by the book has more eternal rewards than existential enabling of the infidelities of denominational jingoists and other fascists.

            That’s why he called ‘em out, didn’t back down or away from ‘em, exposed their darkness in the light, and knew he couldn’t count on them, which is why he didn’t, in the war against their master.

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            Let’s face it.

            We live in a country with churches that have become predominantly sheepish.

            If I have to explain that to you, you wouldn’t understand anyway.

            Here’s a hint.

            America and her churches are easily distracted by hula hoops, pet rocks, Beavis and Butthead, Miley, Al, Rosie, Whoppi, Chris, Bill, Megan, Rachel, Joel, and…

            We’re going to elect a wickedly documented criminal because we can’t stomach someone who’s a synonym for donkey – Hmm!  Interesting symbol! – and doesn’t have any facility for filtering his tongue. 

            That’s America and her churches.

            Naïve.

            Faddish.

            Easily spooked.

            Fearful.

            Unfaithful.

            Baaaahhhh!  Baaaahhhh!

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            Don Norek knew how to deal with denominational jingoists and other fascists.

            We’ve got to grow some…faith.

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            Let me put it another way.

            Actually, many have said this better than I can.

            But here goes.

            If you’re not afraid of God and honoring Him above all, you’ll be afraid of everyone else.

            If you’re afraid of God, you will respect all yet fear none.

            If you’re faithful, you will salt, shine, and leavenate!

            If you’re more concerned about eternity than here and now, you will look up, stand up, speak up, and act up for Jesus!

            It’s easy to see who believes in God.

            Truly, truly, truly, He said to us,…

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Blessings and Love!

 

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Blessings and Love!

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Look up!  Stand up! Speak up! Act up for Jesus!

Salt! Shine! Leavenate!

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