Awhile ago I read where Barack Obama had "resigned" from the UCC congregation in Chicago, where the notoriously racist minister had been.
Candidly, I know nothing about the details, and subsequent ecclesiastical situation of the Obamas. I want to believe the best, and assume that they were transferred to another (much better) church fellowship.
But that whole dynamic reminded me that there are only three ways to legitimately leave a church: 1) through a transfer; 2) through death; or 3) through excommunication.
Our body once had a member who did a dirty deed (which he had already been caught doing previously). Upon discovery, he then communicated with us that he was no longer a member (of our communion). He tried to "resign," as it were. Such an approach is inadmissible.
And the same thing would apply for Mr. Obama. Just because he (understandably) wanted to distance himself from Rev. Wright, this does not mean that he should fail to go through proper ecclesiastical channels and procedures.
Bottom line: let God's true people always seek to be, by grace, good and faithful churchmen--for the glory of Christ.
The Forum for Ecclesiocentricity is designed to educate Christians and non-Christians alike to understand the Biblical teaching concerning the Church (the "Puritan" church in particular), with regard to its principal role on the earth. When this is achieved, it is hoped that the Church would then be in a better position to convey Christ's redemptive virtues to the civil government (state), and the family. (You may email me at: markjhenninger@gmail.com)
