wfn.org | Pastor with Political Roots Is Elected to Head NCCC

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

15-November-1999 
99384 
 
    Pastor with Political Roots Is Elected to Head NCCC 
 
    Edgar is former member of congress, 
    current president of Claremont seminary 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
    Ecumenical News International 
 
CLEVELAND-The National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCCC) 
unanimously elected United Methodist minister Robert W. Edgar as its new 
General Secretary Nov. 12, thus putting in place a politically potent new 
leadership team for the 21st century. 
 
    Edgar, who is currently president of Claremont School of Theology in 
California, served in the United States Congress with new NCCC president 
Andrew J. Young during the 70s and 80s. 
 
    Before he was elected to Congress, Edgar was chaplain at Drexel 
University in Philadelphia and concurrently was associate pastor at 
Lansdowne United Methodist Church in suburban Philadelphia. 
 
    He succeeds the Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, whose nine-year tenure was 
marked by major successes such as a significant rapprochement between U.S. 
churches and the Cuban government of Fidel Castro and the negotiated 
release last spring of three American soldiers held hostage by the 
Yugoslavian government. 
 
    However, Campbell's administration was also heavily criticized for huge 
budget deficits and organizational dysfunction.  Edgar, who has a proven 
track record as an administrator and fund-raiser, is expected to correct 
both problems. 
 
    At a press conference following his election, Edgar said his leadership 
style is marked by a sense of humor, optimism and a desire to build 
coalitions with like-minded groups.  "When I arrived at Claremont, we were 
strictly a Methodist institution," he explained.  "Now our campus is home 
to five denominational programs.  I will look at not what's best for the 
NCC, but what's best for the whole ecumenical movement." 
 
    Edgar told the Assembly that he is also a "futurist."   He praised the 
organization he will now head - he takes office in January - saying, "You 
have demonstrated significant leadership as a public voice from the church 
which has earned the respect of people all around this country and world." 
 
    But now, he continued, "It's the time to ask, `what is our vision of 
the future?' What will bring all of our communions together in an effective 
witness. God is calling us and asking us what it means for common people 
like us to be disciples." 
 
    Edgar said renewal of the 50-year-old organization - still the largest 
ecumenical body in the U.S., with 35 member churches representing 52 
million Christians - will take: 
 
    * daily prayer for the ecumenical movement and for each other 
 
    * "talking hopefully" about the NCC as it tries to straighten out its 
organisational and financial problems 
 
    * "standing courageously" for those positions it believes are right 
 
    * respecting diversity while celebrating unity 
 
    * finding the ways to make possible the common sharing of the Eucharist 
 
    Edgar was selected from a field of 21 candidates.  "These were very 
strong candidates, which means we bring you a very strong nominee," said 
search committee chair Leonid Kishkovsky.  He called Edgar "a minister for 
this time who will repair the foundation of the NCC." 

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