The institutional and free Protestant churches in Germany have agreed on the mutual exchange of preachers and pastors for respective guest appearances. The aim is to deepen cooperation and fulfill the “mission of Jesus”. A mixed bag of ecumenism.
Inhalt / Content
EKD and VEF are getting closer
Ecumenism continues. Closer cooperation in the design of sermons between the Evangelical Churches in Germany (EKD) and the Association of Evangelical Free Churches (VEF). The tenor is a “trusting collaboration” and closer ties. At a celebratory service in the French Friedrichstadtkirche in Berlin, representatives of the EKD and VEF will jointly sign the declaration for the planned “pulpit exchange”. (Source).
The signatories are the current EKD council chairwoman, Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, and the VEF president, President Marc Brenner.
Pulpit exchange – historic step
Pulpit exchange, when pastors of one denomination preach in the church or congregation of another denomination. So mutual invitations for respective guest appearances. The umbrella organizations hope that this will intensify and strengthen the preaching community. Kirsten Fehr speaks of a “development of liberating power” against crises and fears. It is not the person who is the host, “but God, the great host across space and time.” For Marc Brenner, the joint declaration is a historic step. This fulfills the “commission of Jesus” to “seek unity”.
Pay attention to political correctness
One of the key authors of the agreement for the “pulpit swap” is the pastor of the Evangelical Church of Hesse and Nassau (EKHN), Lothar Triebel. For him it was important “that we were theologically close and compatible.” (Source). However, “ecumenical hospitality” includes respecting the house rules of the respective host. This begins with not describing guest appearances by pastors in congregations of other denominations as a “pulpit swap.” Triebel emphasized that in most free churches there is no pulpit at all. This term is therefore inappropriate.
Show mutual respect
It is also important to take the differences in the communities into account, so Triebel. If an EKD pastor preaches in the Baptist congregation, he should not “sing the hymn of infant baptism”, and vice versa, the Baptist preacher in an EKD congregation should not argue that only believer’s baptism can be justified biblically. This is a question of respect, and mutual understanding is no exception when it comes to questions of style.
Creepy ecumenical mush
Creepy. Desired political correctness and the abandonment of biblical truth in favor of fraternal togetherness. The spirit of ecumenism could not have been presented better. A wishy-washy gospel in favor of unity and calling this the “mission of Jesus”. The truth is completely left behind and is obviously not wanted.
The so-called “Charta Oecumenica” has been offering such a model for open rebellion against God for decades. (Info). An agreement for the voluntary commitment of the member communities to find “great unity”, even beyond the borders of Christianity.
As far as the scope of the theology to be conveyed to people is concerned, a look at the statutes of the VEF is enough. There it says, among other things:
“They see their main task as proclaiming the gospel of God’s love for all people in word and deed.“
Proclaim “The Love of God.” And what else? This fluffy love gospel is the great commonality found in the teachings of the numerous denominations. Ultimately, similarities should be emphasized and differences smoothed out. But this “all-redeeming” love of God is only one aspect of the whole. Jesus Christ’s first word at the beginning of His ministry was “Repent!”, and this call runs like a bright thread throughout the Gospel.
The Gospel warns against such apologists
With such a “theology” that God will not allow anyone to perish because of His love, those in charge of these churches drive the (light) believers against the wall. Completely misunderstood love (Info) and equally completely hidden justice of God (Info) put the sheep into a trance-like state of false hope. The apologists of these churches are sometimes those against whom Jesus Christ strongly warned, Matthew 24:4:
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.“
Ecumenism simply means the denial of the gospel. Simple logic shows that ecumenism can never be the truth. If “A” is the truth and “B” is a mixed theology (untruth), then how can “mutual faith respect” with necessary compromises ever be the truth? Impossible, because “A” had to give up parts of the truth and absorb parts of “B” in order to reach a common denominator.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:2
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
