For Immediate Release November 3, 2003
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Contact: nicvoice@nicvoice.org
Brenda Klockenga (815-459-6244)

Since their last Newsletter, the grass roots laity movement continued their mission to educate concerned laity regarding the doctrinal issues raised in the dismissal of the complaint of heresy against Chicago Methodist Bishop Joseph Sprague. This month, NIC VOICE concentrated their message in the Rockford District at, Pecatonica United Methodist Church, Fifth & Washington Streets, Pecatonica, IL, on Sunday, September 28, at 7:00 PM and at Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Russell & Muirhead Roads, Plato Center, IL (near Elgin) on Saturday, October 25, at 6:30 PM.

NIC VOICE presenters Darrell Rader (Cornerstone) and Brenda Klockenga (Pecatonica) conducted the presentation, "Watershed Moment". This slide show compares Bishop Sprague’s beliefs on 1) the virgin birth, 2) Jesus’ having been born the Son of God, 3) Christ’s having died for our sins and 4) the resurrection of the body to the teachings found in the Bible and in the Methodist Book of Discipline.

This effort continues this effort in harmony with the recommendations by the Supervisory Response Team's dismissal of charges.  They are urging the laity to become involved in the process of "serious theological reflection on issues of Biblical Authority, Christology and the Mission of the Church".

"The reactions from these concerned audiences of 59 people representing at least ten different churches reflect the interest they have in understanding the UMC position on core doctrines. In Pecatonica, there were many questions and the discussion continued for an hour after the presentation. They renewed their commitment to greater participation in the connectional life of the UMC and to continue deeper discussions about our essential doctrinal beliefs," said Ms. Klockenga.

Rev. Tom Kingery, pastor, Pecatonica United Methodist Church, expressed his reaction, "[The Watershed Moment] presentation was excellent, and, very pointed.  We need to hear some straight talk concerning the unorthodox ideas of the Bishop.  Sometimes it's hard to respect the office when you can't respect the person that's in it.  If he becomes the status quo for leadership in the Northern Illinois Conference, I will no longer be able to follow.  I feel that we are headed for a split in the denomination.  That may be the only way we can truly resolve these awkward theological issues."

Jim Blue, Chair Evangelism Commission, Des Plaines FUMC, Member Northern Illinois Conference Council on Finance and Administration, Chairperson Elgin District Board of Stewards and Chair of Northern Illinois Conference Evangelical Association (NICEA) was in attendance at both meetings. Regarding the Pecatonica meeting, Mr. Blue noted, "I had a sense last evening that some people wanted to spend more time discussing, even though we spent an hour after the presentation ended.  They wanted to consider how to help the UMC be faithful to Christ as expressed in the unchangeable Articles of Faith, based on the truth in God's Word.  NIC VOICE urges people to learn how to express their Faith."

Michael McKellar, who hosted the Cornerstone UMC open meeting, reflected that "The majority of the folks who came to the presentation were those who have been wounded in some way by the Bishop’s book or a like theology manifesting itself in their home churches. Those people, I believe, were looking for "affirmation", to coin a word, that they were indeed wounded and that others have been too."

Those who wish to view the presentation can download it from www.nicvoice.org. NIC VOICE encourages local Bible study groups, adult education classes and churches to use the Microsoft PowerPoint™ presentation to stimulate discussion of "the future of our church," Klockenga said.

Those in the Northern Illinois Conference who would like a member of NIC VOICE’s lay network to make a presentation at their church may contact NIC VOICE via the web site with their requests.