new church life: jan uary / february 201 4
The graduation of four men from the Keugata Theological School in Kenya
marks significant progress for the development of the Church there. Read inspiring
messages from the Rev. Dr. Andrew M. T. Dibb and the Rev. Grant H. Odhner, who
were involved in the instruction and ordination, and words of appreciation from
valedictorian George Omosu Magero and the presiding pastor, the Rev. Samson
Mogusu Abuga. (Page 47)
Rachel Buss, a Bryn Athyn College student who has been interning in the
Office of Outreach, conducted an important and insightful study of the younger
generation and their feelings about the Church. It poses some compelling challenges
for older members to look at how we are coming across to them, and how we might
get them to come back. (Page 54)
The Rev. Charles (Chuck) Blair looks at some of the challenges and controversies
facing the Church and suggests that rather than resist change we should look for the
opportunities it offers. (Page 59)
One man in the Rev. Mark Allais’ Buccleuch congregation in South Africa was
concerned that not enough men were involved in the Church. The result is a Leading
Men program that challenges the men to step up. This has been encouragingly
successful and stands as a model for other New Church congregations. (Page 61)
The U.S. Navy SEALs are inspiring, not only for their bravery and service to
their country in the face of grave danger, but for their character and their code of
conduct. Bonnie G. Frazier, whose niece is married to a SEAL, reflects on their
“unswerving obedience to something higher than themselves,” and wonders what
our lives would be like if we could commit to the same kind of obedience to the
Lord’s Word. (Page 63)
The paper by the Rev. N. Bruce Rogers, Gender and the Priesthood, in the
September-October 2013 New Church Life, has attracted a lot of attention from
people on both sides of the issue. Along with several letters to the editors, Al
Lindsay, a lawyer in western Pennsylvania and a former member of the General
Church Board of Directors, offers a response. (Page 64)
Church News includes: announcement of a Presidential Search Committee
to find a successor to Bryn Athyn College President Kristin King; an inspiring
message from Dr. King to alumni about the state of the College and its students;
the Academy Secondary Schools earning re-accreditation through 2020; pastoral
moves in South Africa; a new Translation of Spiritual Experiences, and three new
books from the Swedenborg Foundation; highlights of a busy year from the Church
in Asia; and an interesting note from the Rev. George Dole on a manuscript which
may bear the mark of one of Swedenborg’s tears. (Page 71)
Late issues: Some readers received the November-December issue – which went
into the mail in mid-November – several weeks late. Apparently this mailing was
sidetracked by the Christmas volume. We regret this delay and will make every
effort next year to get the issue in the mail well before the Christmas rush.
2