wfn.org | Tony Campolo calls Presbyterians to seek love, not power

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Note #6583 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

11-June-2001
GA0127

Tony Campolo calls Presbyterians to seek love, not power

by Eva Stimson

LOUISVILLE, June 11 - In a rousing early-morning speech punctuated by
humorous stories, American Baptist minister Tony Campolo called nearly 1000
Presbyterians to seek to be motivated by love rather than power.

	Stepping out from behind the podium and speaking without notes, Campolo
told his listeners that desire for power "is all too evident in the church
of Christ," and "love and power end up being diametrically opposed."

	"Most denominational splits have nothing to do with theology," Campolo
observed.  "Behind all the rhetoric about theology we see power games being
played out."

	Campolo, a popular author, speaker, and radio/TV commentator, is professor
emeritus of sociology at Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa., and founder of
educational programs for "at-risk" children and others in the United States
and several developing countries.  He spoke at the General Assembly
Breakfast, one of numerous special events at the 213th General Assembly, the
annual business meeting of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

	Power dynamics also affect family life, Campolo said.  "Men are usually
lousy lovers because they're on power trips all the time."

	People frequently ask who should be "the head of the house," he added.  "I
feel like saying, 'If you were a Christian, you wouldn't ask a stupid
question like that.'"

	He said this question reminded him of the disciples' question to Jesus
about which one of them would sit at his right hand in the coming reign of
God.  Instead, husbands and wives should be seeking to emulate Jesus, who
"emptied himself and took the form of a servant.

	"What woman would have trouble submitting herself to a man who sees himself
as her slave?

	"I know what you're thinking: Who's going to be in charge of the family?"
he said.  "Try Jesus!"

	Noting that Christians are called to mutual submission, Campolo said love
requires the yielding of power. "I want my children to obey me, not because
I have the power to beat them up, but because they love me."

	In words laced with sarcasm, Campolo criticized some evangelical groups for
seeking political power in order to create a more righteous society by
imposing their convictions on everyone else.  "I wish Jesus had thought of
that," he said.   Instead, Jesus "came as a baby in a manger.  What a stupid
thing to do!  If he had come in power, then he might have gotten something
done.

	"I am very frightened whenever religious people come into positions of
power," Campolo declared.  He noted that the early church was doing very
well until a "born-again emperor" (Constantine) came to the throne, and
things went downhill from there.  He cited Gandhi and the Rev. Martin Luther
King Jr. as examples of leaders who changed history without seeking
political power.

	Contrasting power with authority, Campolo noted that "power is the ability
to coerce," while authority causes people to obey because they want to. 
Authority grows out of loving service.

	We gain authority in two ways, he said: "when we have sacramentally
responded to the needs of the poor" and "when we have developed a depth of
spirituality that alters who we are."  He explained that the poor are
sacramental because "as we embrace them, we embrace Jesus."

	In a humorous aside, Campolo described himself as "one of those
evangelicals who believes the Bible from cover to cover.  I even believe the
leather is genuine."

	He acknowledged that the questions the church is struggling with related to
homosexuality are important, but added, "Jesus is much more clear about
responding to the needs of the poor"-and often we don't like what he is
calling us to do.

	Campolo responded to several questions from listeners, including one who
asked how his experience of counseling former President Bill Clinton has
affected him.  (Campolo was one of three ministers Clinton asked to serve as
spiritual mentors following the Monica Lewinsky scandal.)

	"I've been incredibly depressed over the response of most of my evangelical
brothers and sisters," Campolo said.  Many have accused him of giving
legitimacy to a tarnished presidency by agreeing to counsel with Clinton. 
He said he wished people could understand "that the President of the United
States is no different from anyone else; he has the same flaws and
shortcomings."

	Asked "What is the most redemptive thing this General Assembly could do?"
Campolo responded: "I think what the world is really looking for is a church
that will give away its wealth to help people in the Third World."

	Instead of churches mortgaging their property to get money for new
buildings, he said, "Wouldn't it be great if churches would mortgage their
buildings and give the money to help the poor and oppressed?"

	Not only would this help the poor and oppressed, Campolo said, "It just
might be that [through such actions] the church will be saved."

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