Part of the process in searching for a new Bishop is the creation of a profile of the Diocese that the candidates can peruse as they decide whether or not to accept the call. Also the search committee may use this information (or not) when culling the herd of candidates. Please note, you have until July 3 to submit a candidate's name. Please make sure the candidate agrees to run. The profile is found here and looks pretty slick. Buried in there is this teaser:
"The clergy were more supportive of statements about same gender issues facing our church; however, the majority of both clergy and laity opposes same gender marriages. Although, we have diversity and some disagreement over sexuality..."There may be a disconnect between the clergy and laity, but you won't find those stats in the published survey data.
Encourage your candidate to study the results of the survey. The survey results of the EDUSC can be found here, but I have posted the questions and responses in a blogger friendly format (with a few personal comments in red).
When there appears to be a clear voice in an answer, reread the question to look for ill defined terms that might be subject to interpretation. Example, see Q. 27 below.
When responses are evenly split, one person may declare this a sign of "diversity" while the next person may point to underlying "conflict." Example, see Q. 16 below.
When "No opinion" shows up a significant choice, go over that question again and ask yourself "Why?" Could it be that these issues have not been brought to the laity's attention? Examples Qs. 3 and 9 below.
Okay, enough preview, let's dive in.
Number of Responses: 2051
Gender: Male 44% Female 55% Refused 1%
Gender refused?
1. Our diocese should encourage and support
domestic and foreign outreach programs.
64 % Strongly Agree
31 % Somewhat Agree
2 % No Opinion
2 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
This seems like a softball, no brainer question. Maybe it was in there just for validation purposes.
2. We are effective at evangelizing and bringing
the un-churched to God.
6 % Strongly Agree
35 % Somewhat Agree
13 % No Opinion
36 % Somewhat Disagree
10 % Strongly Disagree
I am surprised that 6% strongly agree with this one. I would have guessed <1%
3. Within our diocese, we effectively identify
locations for new missions and congregations.
7 % Strongly Agree
25 % Somewhat Agree
42 % No Opinion
18 % Somewhat Disagree
8 % Strongly Disagree
I am sure that the bonehead approval of the site for St. Matthias in Rock Hill was unknown to most of the respondants. Count me in the 8%.
4. In these troubled times, the Church (both at
the diocesan level and at the national level)
should do all in its power to ease the financial
demands on congregations.
29 % Strongly Agree
41 % Somewhat Agree
12 % No Opinion
15 % Somewhat Disagree
3 % Strongly Disagree
But how? Maybe do away with Episcopal Pravda or the lawsuits that the Episcopal Church (DIE-C) is engaging in against departing dioceses.
5. Our diocese is of one mind in matters of
theology, faith, tradition, liturgy, music, etc.
10 % Strongly Agree
27 % Somewhat Agree
9 % No Opinion
35 % Somewhat Disagree
19 % Strongly Disagree
We are definitely not of one mind based on this response. We must be schizophrenic.
6. The range of available worship styles /
liturgies, including music, offered in my parish
is satisfactory.
58 % Strongly Agree
30 % Somewhat Agree
3 % No Opinion
8 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
Like moths to a light, people attend where there is a worship style that attracts them.
7. The variety of worship traditions in this
diocese should be consistent with the Book of
Common Prayer.
55 % Strongly Agree
33 % Somewhat Agree
6 % No Opinion
6 % Somewhat Disagree
But what if they rewrite the BCP?
8. Our parish youth programs offer
opportunities for learning, for participating in
the life of the parish and for meeting other
youth in our diocese.
37 % Strongly Agree
32 % Somewhat Agree
19 % No Opinion
9 % Somewhat Disagree
3 % Strongly Disagree
9. Currently, many of our parish teenagers are
participating in non-Episcopalian- sponsored
youth programs.
11 % Strongly Agree
25 % Somewhat Agree
53 % No Opinion
9 % Somewhat Disagree
2 % Strongly Disagree
Don't ask don't tell.
10. Our bishop should be an advocate for the
well-being of clergy, particularly with regard to
their need for adequate compensation and
benefits.
53 % Strongly Agree
36 % Somewhat Agree
7 % No Opinion
3 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
11. We effectively support and retain ordained
clergy.
29 % Strongly Agree
40 % Somewhat Agree
19 % No Opinion
10 % Somewhat Disagree
2 % Strongly Disagree
12. We effectively recruit, train, ordain and
assign deacons within the diocese.
16 % Strongly Agree
29 % Somewhat Agree
38 % No Opinion
12 % Somewhat Disagree
5 % Strongly Disagree
A lot of no ops there. Maybe they are thinking, "What's a Deacon?"
13. The diocese would benefit from having a
bishop who has an understanding of the cultural
dynamics of South Carolina.
58 % Strongly Agree
31 % Somewhat Agree
6 % No Opinion
4 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
A Bishop who understands Carolina b-b-que.
14. It is important for the Episcopal Church to
remain in the Anglican Communion.
69 % Strongly Agree
20 % Somewhat Agree
7 % No Opinion
4 % Somewhat Disagree
Uh oh, don't let 815 know about this or we will all be sent to the reeducation camp (Kanuga).
15. Our current Bishop and the diocese, in
convention, have affirmed that we are a
Windsor Diocese. In that light, I believe our
next bishop should be supportive of the
Windsor Report and the ongoing Windsor
process.
48 % Strongly Agree
20 % Somewhat Agree
26 % No Opinion
4 % Somewhat Disagree
2 % Strongly Disagree
Make your reservation for the next train to Hendersonville.
16. I support the blessing of civil unions (as
opposed to marriage) between gay and lesbian
persons in the Episcopal Church.
26 % Strongly Agree
19 % Somewhat Agree
8 % No Opinion
10 % Somewhat Disagree
37 % Strongly Disagree
That was close. Send Louie and +Gene down and see if they can straighten us out.
17. I support the ordination of partnered gay
and lesbian persons in the Episcopal Church.
21 % Strongly Agree
12 % Somewhat Agree
7 % No Opinion
12 % Somewhat Disagree
48 % Strongly Disagree
Uh oh, in that case, don't send +Gene.
18. I believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and
New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to
contain all things necessary for salvation.
62 % Strongly Agree
24 % Somewhat Agree
4 % No Opinion
7 % Somewhat Disagree
3 % Strongly Disagree
Cool, an 86% pass rate.
19. Divisiveness in the wider Church is
beginning to cause problems in our diocese.
27 % Strongly Agree
42 % Somewhat Agree
16 % No Opinion
12 % Somewhat Disagree
3 % Strongly Disagree
The "All is well" tactic is not working in upper SC.
20. I believe the current problems within our
denomination should be resolved by reasonable
negotiation between and among the various
constituencies.
40 % Strongly Agree
39 % Somewhat Agree
8 % No Opinion
8 % Somewhat Disagree
5 % Strongly Disagree
Should be, but can they be resolved?
21. I support the marriage of gay and lesbian
persons in the Episcopal Church.
17 % Strongly Agree
11 % Somewhat Agree
7 % No Opinion
12 % Somewhat Disagree
53 % Strongly Disagree
Uh, oh... Katie ain't gonna like that.
22. All persons should be welcome to receive
Holy Communion regardless of whether or not
they have been baptized.
24 % Strongly Agree
17 % Somewhat Agree
6 % No Opinion
23 % Somewhat Disagree
30 % Strongly Disagree
Whoa... 41% might fall for open communion? Looks like a blog post is needed.
23. Gender is not an issue for me in the context
of ordination to the priesthood.
73 % Strongly Agree
14 % Somewhat Agree
3 % No Opinion
5 % Somewhat Disagree
5 % Strongly Disagree
Female clerics can rest assured.
24. Being divorced and remarried should be a
consideration in the selection of our next
bishop.
16 % Strongly Agree
23 % Somewhat Agree
17 % No Opinion
19 % Somewhat Disagree
25 % Strongly Disagree
A big split on divorced Bishops. I guess we have not read 1 Timothy 3:1-13 have we?
25. I believe the Nicene Creed is a sufficient
statement of Christian faith.
59 % Strongly Agree
30 % Somewhat Agree
4 % No Opinion
5 % Somewhat Disagree
2 % Strongly Disagree
Hooray!
26. I accept the theology and doctrine found in
An Outline of Faith: The Catechism (Book of
Common Prayer, pp. 845-862).
63 % Strongly AgreeHow can you have no opinion?
26 % Somewhat Agree
9 % No Opinion
2 % Somewhat Disagree
27. Our next bishop should always stand on
Christian principles, even if he stands alone.
70 % Strongly AgreeThere is too much wriggle room in this question, what are Christian principles?
21 % Somewhat Agree
6 % No Opinion
2 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
28. Our diocese needs leadership that is willing
to consider carrying out its ministry in a more
cost effective manner.
35 % Strongly AgreeHow about stopping the cash drain to 815?
40 % Somewhat Agree
20 % No Opinion
4 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
29. I feel parishes should have greater control
over the acquisition / disposition of their
properties.
31 % Strongly Agree
26 % Somewhat Agree
18 % No Opinion
13 % Somewhat Disagree
12 % Strongly Disagree
Uh oh... We could be in big trouble from David Booth Beers and company. I can hear them sharpening their pencils now.
30. I would like our next bishop to be a strong
preacher / orator, fully committed to evangelism
and outreach to the unchurched.
46 % Strongly Agree
39 % Somewhat Agree
9 % No Opinion
6 % Somewhat Disagree
Danger, danger, Will Robinson, the "E" word!
31. Our next bishop should understand and
support traditional liturgies as set forth in the
Book of Common Prayer.
66 % Strongly AgreeThew Forrester+ need not apply.
27 % Somewhat Agree
4 % No Opinion
3 % Somewhat Disagree
32. It would be desirable for the next bishop to
make a tangible effort to bring the Gospel to the
issue of race relations in South Carolina.
38 % Strongly Agree
36 % Somewhat Agree
16 % No Opinion
6 % Somewhat Disagree
4 % Strongly Disagree
Jerimiah Wright need not apply.
33. Diocesan communications keep me
adequately informed as an Episcopalian.
24 % Strongly AgreeCount me in the 5%, "Crosswalk" is Pravda lite.
45 % Somewhat Agree
11 % No Opinion
15 % Somewhat Disagree
5 % Strongly Disagree
34. Our next bishop needs to commit time,
talent and treasure to re-energize the diocesan
commitment to the mission in Cange, Haiti, and
other outreach missions of our diocese.
29 % Strongly Agree
43 % Somewhat Agree
17 % No Opinion
9 % Somewhat Disagree
2 % Strongly Disagree
Way to go, but where's the dough?
35. Our diocese welcomes those of all races and
different national origins.
49 % Strongly Agree
37 % Somewhat Agree
6 % No Opinion
7 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
So where are they?
36. Maintaining unity and focus on mission
within our diocese is important.
59 % Strongly Agree
35 % Somewhat Agree
3 % No Opinion
2 % Somewhat Disagree
1 % Strongly Disagree
Watch out people, that "focus on mission" might be interpreted as secular utopianism which can take away from spreading the Gospel.
People were asked to rank the five (5) Most Important Issues/Opportunities in this diocese:
Programs for children and youth 58.80 %
Programs that minister to multiple generations 48.72 %
Declining membership 48.13 %
Evangelism and outreach with sensitivity to our changing demographics 44.99 %
Recruiting, training, developing, ordaining and retaining clergy 43.46 %
People were asked to rank the five (5) Most Important Strengths/Characteristics of a new bishop:
Integrity 62.37 %
Deeply spiritual and prayerful 49.63 %
Possesses sound judgment and wisdom 48.51 %
Commitment to the traditional creeds of the Christian Church (e.g. Nicene Creed) 34.49 %
Compassionate 29.54 %
In summary, this pewster concludes that this is a conservative Diocese that with a little better leadership and education could become a shining light to the rest of the Church. Any takers out there?
Posts
Your comments were fun to read.
ReplyDeleteRegarding #5, I would call that Dissociative Identity Disorder.
In all seriousness, we'll continue praying about this decision. I'm rooting for EDUSC that its leadership will become more like its sister diocese in the Low Country.
The top five issues listed are encouraging. Looks like the laity and the clergy of Upper SC are aware of what's going on, even if the leadership is still in ostrich mode.
ReplyDeleteI think you forgot to leave out an important aspect of this survey... 70% of respondents were over the age of 50. It would be very sad if that reflected the Church as a whole.
ReplyDeleteIt probably is a good reflection of the demographics although I do not have any hard data.
ReplyDelete