I have never lived in Indiana, but have been there enough to know that it gets some powerful storms. I recall one June campmeeting experience when during the night we scurried to the lowest level in one of the AU dormitories to wait out a tornado warning. I suppose that living with this much drama is normal in the Hoosier state.
Over the past few months, a brewing storm in the region has continued to gain strength and spread, and sadly there are casualties. Of course, I am not referring to a meteorological phenomenon, but an ecclesiastical one.
Last year at this time, I wrote about the “Purge” that was taking place in Indiana as the state credentialing body began conducting interviews with minsters who signed the ChogAffirm statement. In short, the apparent results so far are that ten ministers have had their credentials revoked, while another four have voluntarily surrendered theirs. But there is more: now other ministers who did not sign the statement are facing an inquisition for their positions on this and other matters of heterodoxy; and some other Church of God districts are following suit with their own investigations. This has generated contentious debate (much of it in the toxic world of social media), and the story has been reported on by the Religious News Service .
A lot has happened since my last look at this, so it is time for an update and analysis.
I continue to follow this unfolding drama with interest since it marks a major inflection point in the life of our movement. I must emphasize that I am not advocating for a particular position here; rather my concern is that the way this is being handled is itself far from Scriptural norms, and contrary to the core convictions and practices of the Church of God. I am also alarmed at how the Ministries Council and the Committee on Credentials have failed to provide effective leadership in this crisis.