May 05, 2005
Sinking Sand - A letter by Rev. Shawn Ketcheson, Manotick United Church
My Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry:
Thanks for taking the time to consider this note as I attempt to make myself transparent regarding the present reality in this our United Church.
Sometimes I feel as if we are on a small rock and all around us is sinking sand.
In 2 Timothy 1:12 the apostle Paul wrote, "I know WHOM I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him for that day."
You will notice that Paul did NOT say, "I know WHAT I have believed” Paul said, "I know WHOM I have believed."
I am writing you this note to tell you the same thing. I too, know WHOM I have believed, and I have searched, and am persuaded and convinced, that He is risen from the dead and alive in the world and making a difference in my life.
Throughout the centuries millions have met Jesus first hand (intimately), and followed Him and let Him transform their lives. This is the rock I stand on. This is the rock Manotick United Church stands. This is the rock we KNOW.
The sinking sand is the United Church of Canada. The fact that it is sinking has significant implications. What are the implications of the Rt. Rev. Peter Short's (United Church Moderator) words in the recent publication of the United Church Observer? You will recall that in this article Rev. Short, reported to the General Council Executive, that
There is a crisis in our denomination.
"When I (Rev. Short) ask them (ministry personnel) about their vitality and what makes for vital ministry, they don't talk about Jesus." Of 475 ministry personnel Short met and asked, he says, only "a handful" named Jesus as providing any sort of vitality. Short reported that, "Somehow the name of Jesus or the personality of Jesus, however that came up for them, has gone away." Rev. Short then asked the General Council executive what this means to them. One of the responses was, "many of the people in paid accountable ministry are in spiritual crisis and don't KNOW Jesus."
There is no more tragic a person than the one who knows of Christ but does not know Him personally. Scripture teaches us that it is possible for a person to spend their whole life mastering all sorts of concepts, doing their duty, carrying on programs in their church and never know Jesus intimately. I am reminded of that troubling passage in Matthew 7:22-23 where Jesus states that in the final account of our lives, some folks who did all sorts of Christian things will be genuinely surprised not to be granted entry into heaven.
“Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I (Jesus) will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.”
There is nothing more tragic than the person who knows of Christ but, does not know Him. The point of Christianity is the intimate relationship with Christ, knowing Chirst.
The February 2005 edition of the Observer carried a two-page article on Rev. Gretta Vosper, a United Church minister presently serving at West Hill United Church in Toronto. The following quote is from this article.
"About five years ago, Rev. Gretta Vosper began to realize that she was preaching in ways that appeased both the progressive and evangelical members of her church, but did not adequately convey her own beliefs...........She preached a sermon that clearly stated she doesn't believe that God intervenes in our lives. Her congregation has since changed dramatically...She doesn't believe that God answers prayers, or that the Bible is the word of God. She doesn't accept the divinity of Jesus, or know what happens to us after we die."
I find it fascinating that no one in leadership in The United Chruch of Canada has publicly raised any concern over Rev. Gretta Vosper’s pagan theology being preached in a United Church pulpiet. I find it fascinating that the same leadership who has chosen to accept the theology expressed by Rev. Vosper acted quickly and swiftly when there was talk about unionizing clergy. Through a well orchestrated campaign they spoke out against such a movement. It is easy to conclude that the leadership in the United Church is more interested in power and control than Christian truth being proclaimed.
I ask you the same question that The Rt. Rev. Peter Short, Moderator of the United Church of Canada asked the leadership of our "Christian" denomination; what does it mean that but a handful of the 475 ministry personnel Rev. Short met with last year, named Jesus or could state that they receive any vitality from him?
What does it mean to learn that the General Council Executive of the United Church concludes that, " many of the people in paid accountable ministry are in spiritual crisis and don't KNOW Jesus."
This is why I feel that all around is sinking sand. This sinking sand has implications.
For me it means that I can no longer assume certain things about the United Church that I used to find great comfort and security in.
- I can no longer assume that Bible studies or other denominational curriculum coming from our denomination is written by those who KNOW Jesus
- When interviewing United Church candidates for staffing positions one can no longer assume that the candidate KNOWS Jesus.
- I can no longer assume that denominational reports are written by those who KNOW Jesus.
-When I take concerns to the United Church I can no longer assume that they are being heard by one who KNOWS Jesus.
- When I give to the National M & S fund, I can no longer assume that the money is being distributed by those who KNOW Jesus.
The above helps me better understand some of the dynamics I have experienced over the past while in ministry in the United Church of Canada
Allow me to state that I am honored to be in Christian ministry.
I am fully committed to Jesus Christ; I know Him.
I am committed to Manotick United Church and our God given Bible based Mission and Vision.
I am committed to the United Church of Canada and am called to be a faithful remnant in a denomination that is sinking sand. God has uniquely placed us in this place at this time to join Him in a wonderful work that will bring glory to Him. Let us press on for His glory. We must be prepared to fight for His church.
Yours in Christ Service
Rev. Shawn Ketcheson
Manotick United Church
Manotick, Ontario
(Ottawa Presbytery)
(613) 692-4576
Posted at May 5, 2005 12:42 PM