new church life: september/october 2015
Before highlighting the pre-circulated paper he reflected on some of the
feedback he had received on the General Church Clergy Googlegroup. Some
had objected to his suggestion that the Lord may value our feeling of life as
our own more than our going to heaven, on the grounds that the latter is
what the Writings describe as the end of creation. Mr. Goodenough suggested
that calling the sensation of self-life a “universal” goal may be a better way to
describe it than the “highest” goal.
As he highlighted the paper, Mr. Goodenough noted that heaven is God’s
highest wish for all people, but freedom is first in time. Even for those who go
to hell, the Lord still loves their faculties of freedom and rationality, and the
goodness of the uses they perform. He is happy that they have life as their own
and some limited joys. His will is for people to be in the highest heaven, but
many lower things are of His consent, leave, or permission.
Mr. Goodenough encouraged us to image the Lord’s love. Priests are not
just to seek people’s good behavior, but should focus on promoting free will
within the mind, helping people to decide wisely by using truths rationally.
Love of control is an issue for all to deal with – by New Church families as
well as priests. Encouraging free decisions is a distinguishing feature of New
Church teaching and aspiration. Among the points made in discussion were
that priests guide people’s freedom through their teaching but need to give
space to make choices, and that the way a church functions will influence the
congregation’s ability to respond freely to the Lord.
Following a break, a second session was devoted to reports. Bishop Keith
drew attention to several points in his pre-circulated report, including his
travel in the past year, his intention to revive a Bishop’s Council of lay people,
and his progress toward setting up a communications committee to facilitate
understanding between the General Church Board and the Council of the
Clergy. He also spoke of how painful it was for him to cease recognition of
Jacob Maseko as a priest of the General Church due to recent actions against
his congregation, and how tragic it was for his long service to end this way.
The Academy and New Church Education
Bishop Keith then spoke from his report as Chanc ellor of the Academy.
After noting wonderful successes of the various schools in athletics, arts and
academics, his appreciation for Dr. Kristin King’s service as College President,
and for Brian Blair’s preparation to step into that office, he dwelt at some length
on the progress being made in reining in deficit spending. He concluded with
a quote from Bishop Benade about the great work we have to do, and doing it
“as in the very presence of God.”
In the half hour discussion of the two reports, information was sought on
such topics as the Board’s request that the College be asked to consider opening
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