Monday, September 24, 2007
Do National Issues Affect Pewsters?
I could not help but express an opinion on Bishop Epting's comments to the parishoners of a small mission church in Louisiana this weekend. He has it all on his blog (click the link in the title). He seems to think that we should not be affected on a local level by any national shenanigans, and that we should just stick to the mission of the Church. Unfortunately, try telling that to a small struggling congregation who might have difficulty attracting newcomers to the Episcopal Church given recent decisions made by our fearless leaders in the national Church. Such leaders as Bishop Epting are part of the problem. Grumbling from the pew is not good for the community of God, but poor leadership is also unhealthy. We shall see if the Bishop apologizes. I have apologized once already today, and I will be happy to apologize again if my comments are deemed offensive.
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The Pewster should not hold his breath waiting for an apology from Bishop Epting. Nor should the Primates hold their collective breath waiting for an apology and repentance from the Episcopal Church. Neither is forthcoming. What is coming is a break in the Anglican Communion brought on by a Church hierarchy that has moved too far left and an ABC who continues to call for compromise. In the Episcopal Church, "compromise" means the left won't budge so everyone must join them. As John Henry Newman pointed out, the middle way only works on paper.
ReplyDeleteEpting says he is too busy at the HOB right now to respond to the comments to his blog. Remind me to check in on him later in the week.
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ReplyDeleteDid anyone at the HOB pay attention that today's assigned reading was from 1Corinthians 5:1-8? Here's the link http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Corinthians+5:1-8
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that it will take several dump trucks of leaven to mellow out the HOB.
ReplyDeleteof possible interest
ReplyDeletehttp://www.charismamag.com/fireinmybones/
Bishop Salmon's reasons for not supporting the HOB response to the Primates:
ReplyDelete1. It did not respond as requested to the three points raised by the Anglican Primates in Dar es Salaam.
2. It did not provide alternative oversight that met the needs of those who asked for it.
3. It placed the condition that our responses must be in keeping with our Constitution and Canons. The chaos we are in requires tremendous grace, not law.
4. There is oppression of those not in agreement, often unaware to those responsible.
5. Statements by our leadership saying that 95% of the Church was doing well or that only a small percentage were affected makes discussion impossible. The Episcopal Church Foundation says we are in a systemic decline which is significant.