Anatomy of an Attack: Part I
John Dorhauer printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Mon Feb 06, 2006 at 11:38:23 PM EST
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In the coming weeks, I want to begin to look specifically at local congregations that have been targeted for attack from the right. Each will have its own distinct set of circumstances and characters: but over time patterns will emerge. And if at any point along the way it should dawn on you that something like that is happening in a congregation you know about, then that should be brought to the attention of the church's pastor, Council, and judicatory offices.

On November 16 2003, Evangelical Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ voted to disaffiliate with the United Church of Christ. Just how that happened is a long and sordid story of deceit, coercion, and manipulation that played out over years. Today we catch just a glimpse of their story. You will soon hear more.
By the time I arrived in May of 2003 to serve on the Staff of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ (with oversight of the 75+ churches of the St. Louis Association of that Conference), Redeemer church was embroiled in a controversy that would eventually lead to the termination of their Interim Minister, a Fitness Review and termination of standing of their former pastor, a sign