Action doesn't fit philosophy

"Right thought. Right action." This has been a saying used by the Friends of Chapel, attributed to Chapel of Awareness philosophy.

In remarks on his web site, Reverend Eric Berg pays homage to Chapel of Awareness founder Dr. Reverend Eugene C. Larr. Chapel Guardian will not question the inspiration and devotion, but the philosophy stated on the page conflicts with actions of the Friends of Chapel leadership.

Chapel Guardian ask Reverend Berg, and all of you who read this, to weigh the philosophy and the actions of the church leadership under the Friends of Chapel group (bold type added for emphasis):

a) Reverend Berg states: "Being a minister at Chapel is not about respect and admiration. True monastics know that these things are distractions from the path."

This conflicts with the actions of the Friends of Chapel leadership, as seen in the promotion of Reverend Sherry DeLoach's personal ministry practices and the inherent demand for, and perhaps expectation of, respect in the filing of a lawsuit against the church.

b) Reverend Berg states: "One of the requirements Gene imposed on candidates during or prior to their oral examination, was that a minister should be able to demonstrate their skills on command and not have to wait for the right conditions."

But the Friends of Chapel behaved exactly opposite to Gene's teaching as expressed here by Berg. Upon Gene's death, Reverends Nell Rose Smith, Sherry DeLoach, even the late Reverend Donald Schwartz, and numerous members allied with them, left Chapel of Awareness to wither as its weight was placed on one minister, Reverend Ann Lorenzini. Berg says that Chapel ministers should "not have to wait for the right conditions," yet that is exactly what Smith, DeLoach, Schwartz, and others, did as they waited to act ... eventually in the form of a lawsuit and smear campaign when their lying-in-wait backfired in their Board-approved dismissal for non-participation and lack of contribution in the organization.

c) Reverend Berg writes: "What good is a minister who can only help a desperate person 10% of the time because the other 90% of the time they are feeling grumpy?"

This is a valid question, as the attitudes of the Friends of Chapel group over the past few years speak for themselves.

d) Reverend Berg writes: "'All within my power' does not mean bullets, dollars and lightningbolts [sic]. It means a true minister is willing to sacrifice his or her own agenda, attachments, and personal luxury."

Again, the Friends of Chapel leadership and members behaved exactly opposite of this. Reverend Berg should  know, quite frankly, that bullets do not always take the form of that which comes from a gun. The Friends of Chapel made their agenda clear last year, setting up a shadow organization with a Cardiff post office box and holding shadow services, publishing non-sanctioned Chapel material and soliciting donations. They made their attachments clear, particularly in the form of their blog and subsequent lawsuit.

e) Reverend Berg writes: "'I pledge myself to the help and guidance of all mankind...' This is really profound. Gene noted that it goes far beyond the Chapel congregation and community. It goes beyond responsible service and conduct, too."

True. But it starts with the Chapel congregation and community, and starts with responsible service and conduct. The behavior of the Friends of Chapel leadership, in Chapel Guardian opinion, must call this stated intent into question.