In part One, I wrote about the Roman Catholic Church. Now I want to turn to the Protestant Church in America.
It once again has been interesting to watch how many issues have confronted the Church, and how each denomination has, individually and collectively, responded.
The controversy over the full inclusion of the LGBT community has recently been one of the most heated and divisive. The Anglicans and Lutherans have each divided over the inclusion of the LGBT community.
Churches and denominations are at odds over immigration reform. Controversies over the right for Muslims to build a mosque or cultural center near ground zero in NY have erupted. Arguments over the United States cooperation, or lack thereof, with Israel add fuel to the fire. Even the role of women in ministry is still causing problems in many sectors.
The decline of attendance in most mainline churches is devastating. Finances continue to decline with many of the areas of ministry and social justice the church once engaged being discontinued due to a lack of resources. Even in my own local church, the concern for money has curtailed all ministry except the ministry of maintaining the building and paying salaries of the staff.
The protestant church may not have the issue of child abuse draining its resources, but the sins of the protestant church are just as significant. Their sin may even more destructive. I see it as the sin of pride and self-righteousness.
In fact, the problems with the RC and The Protestant Church in America, really comes down to the same thing. Pride and self-righteousness.
The independent churches are suffering from the same identity as well. Tragic.
