Ocean Grove, Main Avenue. July 4, 2009. Paul Goldfinger photo © Click to enlarge
A letter appeared in the June 2, 2016 edition of the Coaster entitled, “Disappointed in Ocean Grove” It was from Ocean Grove United.
Letter to the Editor. the Coaster, June 2, 2016. Click to enlarge.
This is not the first time that OGU has taken a public stance regarding religious leaders who speak at the Sunday services during the summer. The group complained about Kurt Cameron, about Mike Huckabee and about Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. They have pressured the CMA to only invite certain speakers who pass their litmus test.
Last August 17, when Rev. Tony Campolo appeared in the Grove, OGU held a demonstration in Auditorium Square Park welcoming him to the Great Auditorium. Here is a link.
This season Campolo was not invited to speak in the Great Auditorium, presumably because of his known favorable stance regarding gays in the Church.
So now we have this letter condemning the CMA for not embracing Campolo in Ocean Grove this year.
Of course OGU has a right to express its opinion, but this letter is full of obfuscation instead of clarity of meaning. Where in the letter do we find the words “gay,” or “Camp Meeting Association?” Why does the headline confuse “Ocean Grove” with “CMA?” Who are the “many members of the community” who, they say, are concerned about the absence of Tony Campolo? And finally why does OGU think it should concern itself with the CMA programming?
This letter should have been rejected by the Coaster because it accuses the CMA of hypocrisy and motives that include “not wanting speakers who preach an accepting message of love and diversity,” This bomb-throwing is intolerant and unfair.
And why doesn’t the OGU air out its issues privately in the Grove instead of blaring them out-loud in the Coaster, where most of the readers could care less about this topic?
This letter is a disrespectful public declaration of war by OGU at a time when factions in the Grove need to work together for the common good.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
CANADIAN BRASS “Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella.”
If they did not invite Mr. Campolo back purely because he was a long-time speaker at the auditorium and they wanted to ‘change things up’ there is at least another half dozen on the OGCMA preaching roster this summer that also qualify. And they didn’t get booted like Campolo. I don’t buy that reason though…. Rev Campolo always brought in a large crowd, which meant more revnue for the OGCMA. So why would money hungry OGCMA axe one of their most popular speakers? Figure it out.
I agree with Kevin. It was time for a change. Even I get tired of hearing the Beach Boys every summer. OGU should have thanked the CMA for not bringing back Kirk Cameron instead of choosing to be negative.
And what’s all of this talk of “lack of transparency”? The last time I looked the CMA was a private organization. They don’t need to be wasting their time justifying every decision they make then waiting for OGU’s approval.
I have lived in OG for almost 30 years and have never attended a religious program in the Great Auditorium. The preachers present a conservative Christianity that appeals to elderly and/or right-wing people. It does not bother me, but it just does not interest me.
In all my years here, I have only attended a few music programs in the Great Auditorium (though I’ve gone to many concerts elsewhere). To complain about the OGCMA choice of Sunday preachers seems as foolish as complaining about their choice of Saturday entertainers.
I for one am not sorry that Dr. Campolo has taken a break from the summer Sunday program. Though he must be commended for the work he has done in the Camden area, I became tired of hearing the same stories and the same sermon year after year while attending both his morning and evening services. There is no question that the OGCMA needed a change when it came to this one speaker. Instead of the OGU attacking the OGCMA, why not suggest a new speaker instead? I have always found them open to suggestions since they themselves are always looking for speakers that could increase their attendance.
Thanks Noreen: 3 cheers are much better than 3 jeers. —Paul
Editor’s note: Joe is correct. I do not know for sure that Dr. Campolo was disinvited or not invited by the CMA.
It just seemed that the reason for his not being included this season was connected to Campolo’s known evolving views on the gay/church issues and to the fuss made last year by OGU when they stacked the audience in the Great Auditorium to show support for his views (even though he never actually brought up the subject during his sermon—I heard the whole thing.)
And then there is the OGU Coaster letter which unequivocally blames Campolo’s absence on the CMA.
Paul @Blogfinger.
When I read that letter in the Coaster my reaction was the same as stated in Blogfinger. Three cheers for you, as always, Paul!
Is it known “for a fact” that the Rev. Compolo was not invited back? Shame on the letter writers and the Coaster. It appears to me that all of this “divisiveness” is coming from OGU. Good old “identity politics” scores again.
Yes, I approve of the way that the OGU stated its case in the Coaster. Ocean Grove residents should maybe take all their concerns to the media to get their voices heard!
Was the Rev not invited back, or did his schedule just not conform with the CMAs?
Or perhaps he just didn’t want to come back? Is the CMA not allowed to change the people they invite every year to offer new and interesting people?
OG Resident: Dr. Tony Campolo is a popular preacher whose manner and message are admirable in the minds of many including OGU; but that is not our topic.
Instead, I ask you whether you approve of the way that OGU stated its case in their letter to the Coaster?
—Paul @Blogfinger
I agree with OGU — It is unfortunate that Rev. Tony Campolo will not be speaking in OG this season. His message of “inclusive love for all” resonates with what I believe Jesus taught us. My family and I will miss him.
OGU is asking for diversity, in which one speaker accepts, respects, and loves all people in the Ocean Grove community. It is the desire for the gay community to feel included and accepted by at least one spiritual leader in their home town. This is not an unreasonable wish, nor is it an absurd request for the CMA. Ocean Grove residents are familiar with its past speakers, some of whom did not accept nor respect all people.
It can be assumed that the OGU contacted The Coaster because they felt they needed to not only raise awareness on this issue, but also perhaps they felt in order for change to happen, they needed to try all avenues to successfully achieve the change desired.
Jennifer