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New Vision for National Council of Churches Outlined
CHICAGO, IL (May 20, 2001) - By Craig Pinley
Dr. Robert Edgar has always seemed to find ways to do the unexpected, whether it be surprising his high school guidance counselor, winning a seat in Congress or revitalizing a failing educational institution.
Edgar, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.(NCC), hopes to accomplish another challenging goal: encourage 36 denominations representing 140,000 congregations to focus on a common goal. During an interview prior to a non-profit symposium offered by North Park University and The Alford Group, Inc., Edgar expressed optimism that
the challenge of what he calls "ego disarmament" will help NCC to find common ground as it
evolves as an organization.
"I think liberals are discovering spirituality and evangelicals are discovering that Jesus cared for the poor," said Edgar as he discussed how divergent NCC denominations are uniting in purpose. "I'm constantly surprised and amazed by the differences - it's difficult to lead when you have so many differences. I'm like a diplomat of 36 different countries. I've had to learn that the Holy Spirit is not done with us yet."
With 12 years of experience in ministry and another dozen in the U.S. House of Representatives, it is easy to imagine why Edgar sees himself as both a politician and a pastor. He said he uses both skills in his "ego disarmament" process as he strives to build what he calls "a new
ecumenical table" for people of all Christian faiths.
"I said yes to being general secretary for the National Council of Churches for two reasons," Edgar said. "First, I believe my vocational call and the call for other leaders of the NCC is not to fix the (previous) problems of the NCC. What is important is to figure out what ecumenical table needs to be built for this day and this age.
"But if we only build a table to talk, we dumb down our prophetic voice," Edgar continued. "We believe that Christians are called by God to care about the poor. In the Old and New Testament there are reminders that God exists in and through the poor and that Jesus was calling us to care for the needs of the poor."
Some suggest that the NCC has been "majoring on the minors" as it attempts to reconcile differences. Denominational splits on issues such as abortion, homosexuality and women in leadership have been in the national spotlight and the relational gap between the Roman Catholic
Church and evangelicals still keeps the groups apart in many ways, Edgar maintains.
Recently, a Charitable Choice bill sponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives produced more controversy. Some church leaders argue that faith-based organizations should be able to hire those who can best follow their mission. Others argue that such hires discriminate against workers because they may not have beliefs similar to those of the hiring organization.
In discussing sticky issues like these, Edgar hopes to find a process that allows for groups to find discernment in scripture and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He longs for "that kairos moment where people say, 'Let's find ways to work with each other, even with our differences.'"
As he watched Pope John Paul II attempt to reconcile religious differences with recent trips to Greece and Syria, Edgar said he appreciated the effort and the spirit behind the pontiff's efforts, which included meetings with Greek Orthodox and Muslim groups. But Edgar isn't interested in just getting along. He wants unity that will make a difference in the lives of needy people.
Edgar is spearheading a 10-year mobilization effort to address the needs of the poor and wants to measure progress with achievable goals that impact lives. One of them is the construction of 100,000 homes (40,000 in the U.S.) for needy people in the next five years through Habitat for
Humanity. Moreover, Edgar hopes to advocate for collaborative efforts between religious and non-religious organizations for likeminded purposes. "I want the Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club to have the same achievable goals as the Lutherans, the Catholics and the Covenant church," said Edgar.
Growing up in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a child Edgar didn't perceive himself as someone destined for greatness, and neither did many others. In fact, his high school guidance counselor told him, "If you apply to college you won't get in, and if you got in, you'd flunk out."
Undaunted, Edgar went on to attend Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and earned an undergraduate degree while pastoring two small United Methodist churches. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at Drew Theological School in New Jersey, opened and directed a homeless shelter in Philadelphia, and (at age 31) ran for a seat on the U.S. House of Representatives with no political training. When he was elected by the seventh district of Pennsylvania to Congress in 1975, he made sure his high school counselor received an invitation to the inauguration.
Edgar spent 12 years at the U.S. House of Representatives (1975-87) before voluntarily leaving the post. After failing to win a U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, Edgar sought another challenge and found it in California, serving as president of Claremont School of Theology from
1990-2000. During his tenure, Edgar revitalized the school financially. He has had to address the financial aspect of the NCC as well.
NCC faced a budget shortfall of $4 million at the end of 1999 as an organization Edgar deemed "financially challenged." To strengthen its financial base, NCC has cut staffing and asked member denominations for financial help, along with stepping up its fundraising efforts to include
foundations and corporations.
With finances more settled, Edgar is focused more heavily on collaborations between churches and other faith-based organizations - the charity arm of the NCC. He puts poverty in the middle of a multi-spoke wheel with spokes branching out to address basic needs. For example, Habitat for Humanity provides the housing spoke, a partnership with the Children's Defense Fund will address the needs of children, and a relationship with Families USA will aid healthcare.
In advocating for others - the prophetic arm of the NCC - Edgar believes upgraded relationships with the Roman Catholic Church and the nationally known Salvation Army will aid his organization.
"The NCC lived past its vision," Edgar said. "The vision of the 1950s was that we were going to meld into one body and, like the Church of Canada, be the Church of the United States. That's not the vision for this decade or this century. What I've tried to do in the past year is get the NCC to see out of two sets of lenses. One set of lenses sees a larger (ecumenical) table with Roman Catholics and evangelicals sitting together. And I want the second set of lenses to look at the issues of the poor."
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