IRD Goes Outside the Mainline for New President
After mourning the loss of founder and president Diane Knippers, the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) has announced the selection of new president Dr. James Tonkowich. IRD is committed to renewal in mainline Protestant churches (particularly the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, and Presbyterian Church [USA]); but, as IRD notes in its press release, Tonkowich "comes from a non-mainline denomination" (the evangelical Presbyterian Church in America).
Maybe the most common criticism of IRD is that the organization's efforts at mainline reform are bankrolled and influenced by persons outside of the mainline church. Anticipating such questions and criticisms, Tonkowich, who comes to IRD from Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship, makes a fair and Scripturally sound point in his own defense:
As a mainliner, I welcome dialog with leaders from other religious bodies and am willing to listen to their concerns about (or attacks on) mainline denominations, in my case The United Methodist Church. But I nonetheless resent leaders from outside the mainline spearheading well-funded, highly organized efforts to effect polity and doctrine in mainline denominations.
IRD often claims that many mainliners do not (or would not) support the words and actions of their regional and national leaders and official agencies. Why not, if there are so many people to choose from, look to the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), or other mainline denominations for leadership? Why not promote current IRD UM Action director Mark Tooley, or Alan Wisdom, member of the PCUSA and recent interim president? In my opinion selecting a president from outside the denominations it claims to serve further hurts IRD's credibility as an organization seeking mainline renewal.
Maybe the most common criticism of IRD is that the organization's efforts at mainline reform are bankrolled and influenced by persons outside of the mainline church. Anticipating such questions and criticisms, Tonkowich, who comes to IRD from Chuck Colson's Prison Fellowship, makes a fair and Scripturally sound point in his own defense:
“Because Christ’s Church is one, renewal in any part of the church causes the tide to rise for all churches,” Tonkowich said. “Similarly if any part of the Church is diminished, we all suffer. The work of the IRD in seeking to restore accountability, theological integrity, and a vibrant social witness in the mainline is a benefit to all Christians.”
As a mainliner, I welcome dialog with leaders from other religious bodies and am willing to listen to their concerns about (or attacks on) mainline denominations, in my case The United Methodist Church. But I nonetheless resent leaders from outside the mainline spearheading well-funded, highly organized efforts to effect polity and doctrine in mainline denominations.
IRD often claims that many mainliners do not (or would not) support the words and actions of their regional and national leaders and official agencies. Why not, if there are so many people to choose from, look to the Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), or other mainline denominations for leadership? Why not promote current IRD UM Action director Mark Tooley, or Alan Wisdom, member of the PCUSA and recent interim president? In my opinion selecting a president from outside the denominations it claims to serve further hurts IRD's credibility as an organization seeking mainline renewal.
posted by Tinley | 3:35 AM
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