Tuesday, 01/20/2009 09:41

I am a retired pastor, retired US Coast Guard. In 1987 I made a trip to Equador. I attended a graduation ceremony of a High School in Piffo, Equador. During that ceremony, the graduates were required to march up to their national flag, kneel down, and kiss the flag. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought of how our flag is burned in disgust. I know we don't worship our flag but we sure do need to such a deep respect for it and remember the sacrifice it represents.

Wednesday, 10/01/2008 11:39

What a moving story from Sen. McCain.

As for those that want to remove the flag from our church, do you mean totally outside of the sanctuary or off church grounds totally?

The gentleman's comment before mine, where he quotes Isaiah, is interesting but needs to be qualified. How does an American flag deter someone from worship? I have a Puerto Rican friend who hangs his flag and it doesn't deter me from being his friend. Likewise, it is a conversation starter.

I think that it is a congregational decision. Have the flag in the fellowship hall if it is so disturbing. Don't forget though how many people have dedicated our country to the Almighty since Jamestown. Let their prayers not be in vain in the name of secular inclusiveness.

Wednesday, 09/10/2008 11:25

Obviously, there are those who will always disagree on this issue. And I fully respect Rev. Teuchert’s position and his right to verbalize that position.

However, I hate "labels" and unfortunately from the language in his lead paragraph I am about to be lumped in with "the liberal element." And from the first comment in response, I guess I'm about to be lumped in with "the extreme left." All this simply amplifies my disdain for labels, political, theological or otherwise.

For the record, I consider myself an evangelical, ecumenical, Biblically conservative, social moderate. With that introduction, you are free to try and put me in whatever category you feel is appropriate. At Perkins School of Theology, I felt I was the conservative thorn in their flesh. And yet, when I graduated with my MDiv and began an appointment in southeast Oklahoma, I looked like a flaming liberal compared to some of the more fun-duh-mentalists in that part of the state. And yet my position (politically or theologically had not changed). Go figure!

Before entering the ministry, I proudly spent 27 consecutive years on active duty with the United States Air Force. I served in-country in Vietnam, and retired after Desert Storm. My father and his father before him also wore the uniform of the United States military and served in the forces which defended our great nation (as have both of my brothers and my own son). I’m a flag waving, Bible thumpin’ country preacher boy who thinks George M. Cohan's "Your a Grand Old Flag" would make a great national anthem (if we didn't already have one).

I am a life member of The Air Force Association, a life member of The American Legion, a life member of the National Rifle Association, and a life member of the Single Action Shooting Society.

Nevertheless, I do not believe that the American (or any other) flag is appropriate in the Nave, or Chancel of a church building. In Isa 56.7, we read "for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" (not just citizens of the United States). In the fellowship hall, or narthex, that's fine, but not in the sanctuary proper.

I do not wish to belabor the point, but there is (in my humble opinion) an excellent article entitled "Should We Have Flags in the Church?" by Hoyt Hickman on the website of the General Board of Discipleship.

Assuming this URL posts correctly, it is available at:
http://www.gbod.org/worship/worship/articles.asp?act=reader&item_id=2832&loc_id=9,10,41

Bles[..] to you and yours and may Jesus Christ be praised!

Friday, 05/30/2008 23:14

I am appalled to hear of the extreme left and their antics to infringe upon our rights and force the removal of American flags from sanctuaries.