The two I know of have tremendous gifts.

If it got you to convert, they just might go for the idea. A Fellowship Baptist would likely shake things up a bit, that's for sure.

More seriously, I'd have no problem with Richard leading any church and I'll take SG and Gord's word about the others. Leading a mainstream church in this century is a challenge and they are to be commended for even considering it.

Mendalla

I agree Mendalla.

Besides Richard who I think I know through the cafe, one other name seems familiar and i may have met that person at a church confenence or event.  I really can't claim to know anyone personally or endorse anyone personally.  Richard certainly seems competent, committed, and capable of facing the challanges of the job.  Anyone willing to have their names stand and face the possibility of taking on this responsibility is to be commended.   It doesn't matter how much the job pays or what the perks are, they are not enough for the awsome responsibility they will carry, the demands upon their time, and the unfair and ridiculous criticism they will face.  

Ooh... not when it's still juicy and meaty enough.

Orville James was my parents minister-quite a few years ago now. He did good things for that congregation in Ont.

I know of Sally Boyle. I was part of Edmonton presbytery.

I know Richard Bott vritually.

Wishing each of them success in stating their vision and in reponding to God's call.

I'd be delighted if any of the 3 became moderator.

I really need to know what these people stand for and what limb they are willing to stand out on.

If I was still a member of the UCC I would want a moderator who states belief in the physical resurrection of Christ. Whichever one(s) of the candidates profess to this basic  tenant of the Christian faith would have a solid point toward winning my support... If I was still a member of the UCC. 

You never know, RevMatt!

If RichardBott becomes Moderator it will be fun to tell fhe folks at church I know him from Wondercafe. They all ready tease me about how much I refer to the discussions here :)

So, it is understood why you find it intolerable for yourself to be a  member ofthe UCC.  You need to control other's beliefs and don't know how you can co-exist with others in the UCC whose tenant is to at least to attempt democratic voice, method and universality ini religion, even though, grudgingly, you hold all those tennants. 

In other words, you would never join a group that would have you as a member, correct?

I think it would be refreshing if a new moderator just came out and said, "Look, we all know that Christianity is a fabrication, but let's do our best to extract the positive messages from this bible thing, because we already own like a zillion copies of it." That would be cool.

But Chansen we don't 'all know that'.   

ut

Ouch. Nice job on using the term "First Nations," but "the Orient" is now called "Asia."

Anyway...

"...We've had those who drew our attention to our spiritual development, and those who tried to model living 'with respect to the environment'."   

I have a couple questions.

1.) Which UCC Moderator(s) do you believe did the best job of facilitating the spiritual development of the individuals within the denomination?

2.) Do you believe the primary role of any Moderator should be environmentalism and if so, why?

I would appreciate your answers seeler, and also from all else who wish to contribute.

Since you asked, I can only answer for myself and Farquharson, through his hymns had some influence on my spiritual development, but it was Phipps who  really got me examining who is Jesus for me today.   

Since I believe, as stated in the creed, that we live in God's world, and there seems to be a real concern that human activities are destroying this world through global warming (among other things) I think that it should be a real concern of all Christians to do their best to care for the environment and I am thankful that  the Sprit move the delegates to call a Moderator who would bring these concerns to the forefront.  

It will be interesting to see how the Spirit moves in the next General Council.

What did Ms. Tindal due, however, to focus her peoples' attention on the plight of lost souls facing eternal destruction? That should be the number one goal of any good Christian leader.

Hi Alex, why wouldn't they? If the United Church is so very open to people of all theological perspectives, then an evangelical should be able to become Moderator, shouldn't they? I mean, if you look at the entire history of the United Church surely there has been some Moderator who has been of the evangelical slant. And perhaps it's time to have one again. It would clearly demonstrate that the UCC is welcoming to Christ-followers of every stripe.

No, but then that's a discussion that would best be held in a different thread.

There have been evangelicals as moderator but not the type Morning suggests - UCC evangelicals believe in universal salvation - Christ work was for all.  It is a misread of salvation - read the evangelical Rob Bell.

We're discussing who we want to be the next UCC Moderator. Is it your suggestion that only those who are presently members of the denomination can hold an opinion on the issue? That would be akin to saying that, for example, only Americans can have a valid opinion on who they want to be the next President, but I've heard plenty of Canadians voice their views, and I certainly remember a lot of applause going on here at the Cafe when Mr. Obama was running for the first time.

I am not good a building bridges with many types of people.

Back on topic - it seems to me that Richard Bott would make a good moderator.  I've seen him on the WonderCafe.  I've seen him in the Observer.  I've heard from people who know him personally and indorse him.   He is at a big event in BC right now with some keynote leaders who I admire - so I think we have something in common.   And he seems to be able to maintain his cool and speak calmly, rationally and intelligently.  (Something I often fail to do myself.)

My minister moved here from the west coast not too long ago.  I must ask her today if she knows Richard and what she thinks.  

Of course, one or all of the other candidates probably exhibits the same or other positive traits.  

It should be interesting.  

Hi MorningCalm,

If I remember the conversation there never was any meat or juice.  There was immaturity by the trainload.

http://www.wondercafe.ca/discussion/church-life/moderators-spirit-express

In case you have forgotten the previous conversation.

Grace and peace to you.

John

Hi crazyheart,

It is not unusual for nominees for the position of Moderator to be nominated early.  Now is kind of early.  Most nominees will not be declared until close to the Conference AGMs or the Presbytery meetings immediately preceeding them.  It is also, I am given to understand, not unusual for nominations for the position of Moderator to come from the floor of General Council itself (meaning that unless you are streaming the GC feeds or reading the updates you might never know someone was in the race until they have been voted into the position).

Anyone willing to put their name forward for the position is deserving of consideration.

Discerning what the Church is and who the Holy Spirit is calling is hopefully more than a popularity contest.  As a Commissioner to GC 40 I knew of or knew many of the individuals who allowed the Church to consider their gifts and skills for this particular ministry.  And those I neither knew or had heard of were supported by folk like you and I who care deeply for the UCCAN, so obviously they bring something to the table that somebody believes the UCCAN needs more of.

Remembering that the UCCAN is, first and foremost, Christ's Church the trick to discerning is exploring what Christ wants more than figuring out what I want.  Of the five that GordW has listed Jeff and Sally are completely unknown to me.  I do not doubt in the least that they are as capable as either Richard, Lisa or Orville.

Grace and peace to you.

John

Thank you for providing that link John. You are the best.

And now let's get back to the current conversation shall we.

I am reminded of how a Moderator may even be chosen for all the right reasons, and then, things change, and lo & behold, the Moderator provides a gift which is totally different from anticipated and is a wonderful gift to the church.

An example occurred with our last moderator.

Who suspected the Very Rev. David Giuliano's gift to the church would be when they selected him.    A weise man. Then cancer reoccurred, and we watched and walked with  a wise man, a family man, a leader.  He shard his   message of "A movement to letting go, to radical hospitality, and to trust".   We learned about caring for the other, of walking down the path of "Be not Afraid"   

I imagine there are others who have stories ot share of moderators who provided gifts, sometimes totally unexpected or maybe not realized until long past their time in the role