After years of taking predictable liberal positions, the National Council of Churches of Christ moved closer to the center as its annual General Assembly met last week. Every speaker denounced the statement. Johnny is not reading - not because he doesn't have the ability to read, but because his teachers are not teaching Johnny to read. Children who were all reading at far below grade level are all now at or far above grade level. They are taught by retired public school teachers.
Class sizes are small, and the children are taught with a distinct Christian emphasis.
I don't think any of us can say it is happening in the public schools. Of course, the black denominations in the NCCC are evangelical and more conservative than the United Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians who are the larger and more visible Council members. The Orthodox oppose abortion and the ordination of homosexuals. I asked Greek Orthodox Archbishop Iakovos, who is now retired, for details. The situation was resolved through the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, NCCC general secretary.