Page 8A
FAITH
East Oregonian
Decline of evangelical clout
Gay
rights
groups
consider these changes
a welcome corrective to
decades of discrimination.
They contend conservatives
are using conscience rights
and
religious
freedom
complaints as an end run
around advances for LGBT
people. But conservative
Christians say they are just
seeking a balance between
religious liberty and civil
rights.
By RACHEL ZOLL
AP Religion Writer
Conservative Christians
are anxious about their future
after losing the ight over
gay marriage, and amid the
growing share of Americans
who have left organized
religion. Here’s a look at
why white evangelicals are
feeling so alienated from
other Americans and at the
changes fueling this anxiety.
WHAT’S CHANGING?
The U.S. remains solidly
Christian, but between 2007
and 2014, the share of Chris-
tians in the country dropped
from about 78 percent of the
population to just under 71
percent, according to the Pew
Research Center.
The decline was fueled
mostly by losses among
Roman Catholics and main-
line Protestants. However,
even in parts of the Bible
Belt, conservative Christians
who hadn’t been very active
in church are now feeling
more comfortable saying
they’re no longer religious.
The membership ranks of
some evangelical denomina-
tions, such as the Southern
Baptist Convention, are
shrinking.
At the same time, the
segment of Americans who
say they have no particular
religion has increased from
16 percent to 23 percent, Pew
found. That’s close to the
share of evangelicals, who
comprise just over 25 percent
of the population.
At the same time, evangel-
icals are wrestling with being
on the losing side of the ight
over same-sex marriage. It
was not only a defeat on a
deeply signiicant religious
and moral issue, but also
evidence of a lack of conser-
AP Photo/David Goldman
In this Sunday April 10, 2016 photo, parishioners pray
during a service at the Christian Fellowship Church in
Benton, Ky.
vative Christian inluence
over public opinion. More
than half of Americans now
support same-sex marriage.
Politically, white evan-
gelicals remain one of the
most important blocs in the
Republican Party, and they
continue to shape the early
presidential primaries. But
with the diminishment of
old-guard religious right
groups, Christian conser-
vatives no longer have a
unifying leader. As a result,
evangelicals are splintering,
diluting their inluence. And
they can’t match the growth
rate of groups who tend to
support Democrats: Latinos,
young people and people
who are unafiliated with a
religion.
WHY SO ANXIOUS?
Evangelicals are deeply
worried about the fallout
from the spread of LGBT
rights and the growth of
secularism.
They point to cases like
the ines levied on a New
Mexico photographer and
Oregon baker for refusing
business related to gay
weddings.
Conservative
Christians fear their schools
and colleges could lose
their tax-exempt status or
accreditation over codes of
conduct barring same-sex
relationships.
A 1983 U.S. Supreme
Court ruling allowed the IRS
to revoke tax-exempt status
from religious schools that
banned interracial dating.
In the Supreme Court gay
marriage case last year, U.S.
Solicitor General Donald
Verrilli, representing the
government, was asked
whether something similar
could happen to Christian
schools, which often provide
housing for married students.
“It’s certainly going to be an
issue,” he responded, causing
alarm in the evangelical
blogosphere.
And religious conser-
vatives worry about new
rules added to government
contracts that will affect faith-
based social service agencies.
For example, Catholic Char-
ities in Illinois shuttered its
adoption program over a new
state rule that agencies with
taxpayer funding can’t refuse
placements with same-sex
couples.
WHAT’S THE REACTION?
Evangelicals are debating
whether they should even
more iercely wage the
culture war, withdraw back
into their own communities
or stay engaged with Amer-
icans of other views, not
only to help shape public
discussion of morality but
also to try and bring people
into the church.
Christian publishers are
churning out books and Bible
studies on this last strategy,
such as “Onward,” by
Russell Moore, “Thriving in
Babylon,” by Larry Osborne,
and “Good Faith, Being
a Christian When Society
Thinks You’re Irrelevant or
Extreme,” by Gabe Lyons
and David Kinnaman.
Advocates of this strategy
generally feel the sharp
rhetoric of the religious right
— on homosexuality and
other issues — ultimately
hurt Christians. This group
aims to conidently advocate
for their beliefs, no matter
how unpopular, but without
vilifying their opponents.
These evangelicals are also
emphasizing issues that
can cross ideological lines,
including ighting racism
and human traficking, as
part of highlighting the more
compassionate side of their
faith.
LIMEY PASTOR IN BOARDMAN
I
Heat without the hellire
was below the hill at the western
end of Interstate 84 when the
oil train derailed and a boiling
orange globe of ire roiled up into
the hills above Mosier like a napalm
ireball. Far enough away to take
time to prepare a detour — one that
would take me on an extra two-hour
drive to add to the already three-hour
marathon of the return journey to
Boardman.
I was prayerfully thankful that no
human got hurt in this, and grateful
too when I was driving towards
the danger zone to get the all clear
from ODOT over the radio. A great
blessing. The responders had been
working all through the night to
resolve the emergency. It was a
strange scene — a great ire next to
the great water.
The morning after, Mosier itself
seemed unharmed as I passed by the
emergency crews in their special
gear as they continued to mop up the
scene. Although, I understand that for
a time the whole city was evacuated
in case the highly volatile Bakken oil
exploded in the other trucks, in which
case a mile around would not have
been safe. However, the whole Mosier
sewer system has been damaged,
putting all the residents into a caravan
of porta-potties outside their houses.
I recalled many years ago, driving
in Los Angeles after picking up my
Our world is a wild place and
combines all elements in its bosom:
earth, ire, air, water and spirit.
parents for a visit,
that a gasoline truck
Colin
upturned and exploded
Brown
in front of us. My
Faith
parents took it in their
stride as they had been
in London during the
Blitz, so a small explosion like this was
not much to them. I didn’t have that
background, though, and found I was
not comfortable with the experience.
Last year, I had been making a run
for my mechanic in my late Nissan
Altima because of a strange knocking
sound from the engine and I tried to
get myself up the hill to his place. It
conked out and rolled to the side of
the road, where it started to smoke
and then burn quite vigorously. When
I told the story to the people in the
ire truck in retrospect my choices did
seem unwise — I had just illed my
tank with gasoline, which certainly
gave the iremen something exciting
to practice on.
Life is always unexpected, and
events like these are provided without
any warning. We ind we live in
a precarious world. The heat in
Boardman on arrival reminded me
of the precarious nature of us all on
this beautiful planet with its majestic
scenery and incredible variations.
As I write this piece I heard of a
young man who fell into one of the
hot springs in Yellowstone today. My
deepest sorrow for his family.
Our world is a wild place and
combines all elements in its bosom:
earth, ire, air, water and spirit. I
become extra vigilant in the heat,
careful not to repeat foolish mistakes.
I can feel the ears of my soul prick up
to listen to the world. Anything might
happen.
I pray this weekend for a cooler
climate and a mellow content of the
weekend. This week all my pianists
are in absentia — and I will be
praying for the tonality of my church
in a capella and playing some music
to soothe their heated souls. I am
lucky to have Christ as my co-pilot
and trust that we will stay together
whatever happens and that, at the end,
it will be cooler rather than hotter.
■
Colin Brown is pastor of the
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in
Boardman.
BRIEFLY
Nazarene church
sets week-long
programs
HERMISTON — A pair
of Vacation Bible School
programs are planned at
Hermiston Church of the
Nazarene.
Cave Quest: Following
Jesus, The Light of the
World is for children ages
4 through second grade and
MegaSports Camp: “Epic
Moments” is for third-
through ifth-graders.
Younger kids will enjoy
games, crafts, snacks, songs
and story time. The older
children will participate in a
variety of sports activities, as
well as team huddles, songs
and snacks.
Both programs run
Monday, June 13 through
Friday, June 17 from 6-8:30
p.m. at and near the church,
1520 W. Orchard Ave,
Hermiston.
For more information,
contact 541-567-3677,
hermistonnaz@gmail.
com or visit www.
hermistonnazarene.org.
Aglow speaker
highlights prayer,
healing
WALLA WALLA —
Esther Flesland, director
of the Spokane Healing
Rooms, is the guest speaker
for the upcoming Walla
Walla Aglow Community
Lighthouse meeting.
With a passion for the
gifts of the God’s spirit, she
provides encouragement to
others. Flesland also will
be available to pray with
individuals.
Everyone is invited to
the gathering Saturday at
10 a.m. at Whitman Court,
305 Ash St., Walla Walla.
A freewill offering will be
taken for the event, which
includes lunch.
The local group also has
weekly Bible studies and
prayer meetings. In addition,
it hosts special activities,
including an evening
meeting the irst Sunday of
each month
For more information,
call Paula McKee at
509-220-1408, Darya Tucker
at 509-876-1668.
Peace Lutheran
highlights biblical
times
PENDLETON —
Children ages four through
sixth grade are invited to
travel back to biblical times
during Vacation Bible
School at Peace Lutheran
Church.
The program, which
is open to all kids in the
community, is Monday,
June 20 through Thursday,
June 23 from 8:45 a.m. to
noon at 210 N.W. Ninth
St., Pendleton. In addition,
family and friends are
invited to a special evening
session Wednesday, June
22 at 6:30 p.m. T-shirts are
available for those who
register in advance.
For more information or
to pre-register, stop by the
church Monday through
Friday mornings or call
541-276-7592.
Bible school
features Everest
theme
HERMISTON — Kids
are invited to learn how
to conquer challenges
with God’s power during
Vacation Bible School at
Trinity Lutheran Church.
With a Mount Everest
theme, children ages 4
through ifth grade will
participate in crafts, singing,
games, Bible stories and
snack time. Children don’t
have to belong to the church
to attend the sessions.
It runs Monday, June
13 through Friday, June 17
from 9 a.m. to noon at 485
W. Locust Ave., Hermiston.
There is no charge to
participate.
For more information,
call Nancy Carlson at
541-567-9660.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Community
P eace L utheran C hurch
210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA
Join us Sundays
9:30 am Sunday Worship
9:30
Worship
10:30 am
am Sunday
Fellowship
11:00 am Sunday School
& Adult Class
~Come and be at Peace ~
on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday
NEW HOPE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
1350 S. Highway 395,
Hermiston
Sunday Worship Services
English- Pastor Dave Andrus
9:00 & 10:45 am
Spanish- Pastor Genaro Loredo
9:00 & 10:15 am
Classes for kids during all
services
For more information call
541-567-8441
Community
Presbyterian Churc h
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at
11:30
Faith Center Church
Worshiping God
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Sunday Worship
10:30 am
Sr. Pastor,
Ray O’Grady
pendletonfaithcenter.org
Seventh-Day
Adventist
Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
First United
Methodist
Church
352 SE 2nd Street
Pendleton, OR
541-276-2616
Sunday Worship 9am
Open Hearts, Open Hands, Open Doors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
FUMCPendleton
Services are broadcast every Sunday
on KUMA-1290 AM @ 11am
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
Grace Baptist Church
585 SW Birch,
Pilot Rock, OR 97868
(541) 443-2500
prbconline.blogspot.com
Sunday School: 9:30 am
Worship Service: 10:45 am
Kids’ Club: 6:00 pm
Wednesday Services:
Youth Group: 7:00 pm
555 SW 11th, Hermiston
567-9497
Nursery provided for all
services
Sunday School - 9:30 AM
Worship - 10:45 AM
6:00 pm
Wed Prayer & Worship -
7:00 PM
“Proclaiming God’s word,
growing in God’s grace”
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
All People
Are Welcome
Scripture, Tradition
and Reason
Family service 9am Sunday
Gladys Ave & 7th Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR
www.graceandmercylutheran.org
Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery
Provided)
Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday
School
Check Out our Facebook Page or
Website for More Information
541-289-4535
Tom Inch, Pastor
Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA
164 E. Main St. / P.O. Box 1108
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
-Presbyterian Church (USA)-
201 SW Dorion Ave.
Pendleton
Service of Worship - 10:00 am
Children’s Sunday School -
10:20 am
Fellowship - 11:00 am
www.pendletonpresbyterian.com
Open Hearted...
Open Minded
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
241 SE Second St. Pendleton
(541)276-3809
www.pendletonepiscopal.org
Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Holy Communion Noon
Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group
All Are Welcome
Com e m eet Jesus a t
PEN D LETO N BAPTIST
C HU RC H
3202 SW N ye Ave Pen d leton , O R
541-276-7590
Su n d a y M orn in g W orship 11:00 AM
Su n d a y Bible Cla sses 9:45 AM
Su n d a y Y ou th Grou p 6:00 PM
M on . Com m u n ity W om en ’s Stu d y
9:30 AM & 6 PM
Aw a n a K id s Clu b (K -6th gra d e)
W ed M en ’s Stu d y 6 PM
M O PS m eetin g the 1st Thu r of the M on th 6 PM
FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM
SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM
712 SW 27 TH ST.
541-276-1894
www.fcogpendleton.com
FAITH LUTHERAN
CHURCH
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM
Sunday Worship . . . 10:30 AM
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
BAHA’I FAITH
“The Unity of All Mankind”
Pendleton Baha’i Center at
1015 SE Court Place
Devotions Sundays @
11:00am; Everyone
invited!
(541) 276-9360 visit us at
www.pendletonbahais.org
To share your worship times call
Terri Briggs
541-278-2678
