News from the North American Scene: April 06, 1979

A school board in the Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn voted to bar on-campus student visitation by religious groups—ending the presence of Young Life and Campus Life representatives in the four high schools of Glenbard District 87 (March 2 issue, p. 62). The board’s action signified a victory of sorts for nine local clergymen who filed a protest last June against alleged proselytizing by religious groups in the high schools. The novisitation order was included in one of five policies passed by the board, all designed to ensure “religious neutrality” in the schools. The board tabled a policy that would forbid public prayer at school functions. (An editorial on the subject appeared in the March 23 issue, p. 12).

The fifty churches and 2,500 members previously served by the New Covenant Apostolic Order (NCAO) have organized as a denomination—the Evangelical Orthodox Church. Peter Gillquist, one of seven former Campus Crusade staff members who formed the NCAO five years ago, said the denomination’s purpose is to promote unity among Christians, or restoration of “the One Holy Church.” Gillquist said the denomination, of which he is presiding bishop, will seek intercommunion with other churches; the group already has sought ties with the Orthodox Church in America, the largest Russian Orthodox body in the U.S.

Eleven leaders of conservative renewal movements, representing eight groups from within six Protestant denominations, pooled common concerns at a third annual meeting. Conference convener Matthew J. Welde, of Presbyterians United for Biblical Concerns, noted an increase in renewalist groups, and Gordon-Conwell Seminary professor Richard Lovelace told the group that greater unity among evangelicals, across denominational lines, is possible. One concern of the group: prayerlessness. They cited recent studies showing that “the average pastor surveyed prays only three minutes each day.”

The National Council of Churches sent “listening teams” to thirteen areas of the United States during the past year; the purpose was to determine church and community opinion regarding the council and American society in general. Conclusions are still being analyzed. However, NCC general secretary Claire Randall noted one discovery—that Americans have a preoccupation with self, the result of a loss of faith in society’s institutions and values. She said, “There is a prevalent feeling … that the churches have lost their spiritual mandate and must get back to a more basic faith.”

Though anti-abortion groups are making political headway, results of an ABC News-Harris Survey do not reflect prolife sentiments. Approximately 60 percent of Americans support the U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortions performed during the first three months of pregnancy, according to his poll of 1,200 adults nationwide. However, two groups, blacks and Catholics, opposed the court decision by 50 to 48 percent.

Personalia

Walter O. Meloon, Orlando, Florida, businessman who is president of the Correct Craft skiing boat manufacturing firm, was named the National Association of Evangelical’s Layman of the Year. Meloon was cited for his leadership in volunteer overseas relief work of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

Clyde Cook, Biola College professor and former missionary to the Philippines, was named president of Overseas Crusades. Cook, 43, succeeds evangelist Luis Palau, who resigned last year to devote full time to his preaching ministry.

Thomas A. Murphy, board chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors, is this year’s chairman of National Bible Week. He was selected by the sponsoring Laymen’s National Bible Committee, an interfaith group that has organized Bible week observances since 1941.

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