Letter from pastor Luke Bell from Mizpah objecting to synod action on Resolution 54

This letter, dated April 28, 2002, from Pastor Luke Bell, with numerous signatures from his congregation, led to a chain of events which resulted in the resignation of Pastor Bell in September 2002.

Written in response to the below cited front page article in the Winston Salem Journal, and in response to the action, or lack of action, taken at the most recent Southern Provincial Synod ( April 2002), the letter was viewed as a " line in the sand ". This was certainly its intention in order to guard the essential of essentials of the Christian Faith. A few months later the Northern Provincial Synod voted to reject Scriptural Authority and support, affirm, and celebrate homosexuality ( individuals and /or couples) "completely within the bounds of the church". In effect, by majority vote, the Northern Synod voted on the truth and decided that homosexuality is no longer a sin. Hence, the majority decided that the authority of Synod is greater than that of Holy Scripture. Truly, this is not to target one particular group of people. However, the larger and more critical issue for the church is the authority of Scripture. Otherwise, the obvious question is, "What sin, what truth, will be voted on at the next Provincial Synod?"

It was most disappointing to many that the Unity Synod in August 2002 did not hold the Northern Synod accountable for its actions in accordance with the "Ground of the Unity" which states: "The Triune God as revealed in the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments is the only source of our life and salvation, and this Scripture is the sole standard of the doctrine and faith, of the Unitas Fratrum and therefore shapes our life." Instead, the Unity Synod voted to further study and examine the mater and provide discussion materials to be disseminated throughout the World -Wide Unity.

Pastor Bell had just completed the one year requirement as an appointed pastor and was then eligible for a call when these events began. He stated to the PEC and the Joint Board that he could not hear the call of Jesus Christ to serve, when the Church was moving away from an affirmation of who Christ is, and the authority of Holy Scriptures. He consequently submitted his letter of resignation as a pastor..

Bishop Edwin Sawyer, in his book, "These Fifteen", has written, "By saying so much about Jesus Christ and the Bible, [John] Hus showed clearly that he did not trust the word of the Church apart from the Bible."
[ Comenius Press, 1963, P. 10 ]

This introduction provided by Pastor Bell

Memorandum Sunday April 28, 2002

To: To Whom it may concern

From: Believers at Mizpah Moravian Church

In light of the Rev. Truman Dunn's lecture & article ( Hinge, Autumn 2001), and recent article in the Winston - Salem Journal ( April 27, 2002 ), we, the undersigned pastor and laypersons of Mizpah Moravian Church, desire to enter the "public discussion and dialogue" concerning the Person and work of Jesus Christ. By signing this resolution ( which never came up at our recent Synod) we affirm and support the veracity of the Holy Scripture, The Ground of the Unity, the Church Order of the Unitas Fratrum, and the historic faith and practice of the Christian Church for 2,000 years, the Ancient Unity ( since March 1, 1457 ) and the Renewed Moravian Church ( since August 13, 1727) to the present, that Jesus Christ is, in fact "the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to the father except through Me". ( John 14:6). To say or think anything otherwise, ie , that Christ is just one way among many, would be a rejection of the Holy Scripture, and in effect, calling Christ a liar. We are not prepared under any circumstances to do this as this issue strikes at the very heart of the Christian Faith.

Therefore, our position is non-negotiable; end of dialogue and discussion. We will both maintain and promote the Scriptural and historical position of the Unitas Fratrum concerning the Holy Scriptures and The Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

Luke Bell, Pastor

With over 60 signatures