Self-Actualization or Transformation?

Here's a portion of Bp. Herlong's sermon from the Annual Convention. It was right in this portion, I believe, when one of the "self-actualized" stomped out in a huff. Sorry about the ALL CAPS; this is how Bp. Herlong prepares his manuscripts. Click here to read the whole thing. (Update: Canon Harmon's little helpers have prepared a non-ALL CAPS redaction here, and blessings on their heads for the effort; one doffs one's biretta)

ARTICLES AND LETTERS IN CHURCH PUBLICATIONS AND TONS OF E-MAIL BEAR OUT THE FACT THAT THE DIVISION IS REALLY OVER BASIC THEOLOGICAL AND BIBLICAL ISSUES. THE QUESTIONS ABOUT HUMAN SEXUALITY ARE JUST THE PRESENTING PROBLEM, THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

FATHER ANDREW ARCHIE, WRITING IN THE ANGLICAN DIGEST SUGGESTS THAT IT WAS THE REFORMATION THAT REJECTED THE NOTION OF THE CHURCH AS THE MEDIATOR OF GOD’S GRACE. THE PERSONAL COMMITMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER BECAME THE BASIC UNIT OF THE FAITH. OVER THE CENTURIES SINCE, THAT CONCEPT HAS BEEN DISTORTED TO MEAN THAT PERSONAL FULFILLMENT IS PARAMOUNT – EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS. THIS UNBRIDLED INDIVIDUALISM HAS PRODUCED DISASTROUS RESULTS IN OUR TIME. IT IS A PRIMARY REASON FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF AUTHORITY, INSTITUTIONAL MISTRUST AND THE DEMISE OF THE FAMILY AND MORAL VALUES. IT FIRMLY BELIEVES, ”I AM RIGHT BECAUSE I AM ME. WHAT I DO IS RIGHT BECAUSE I DO IT.” THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS PLURIFORM TRUTH – WHAT IS TRUE FOR ME MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR YOU. ABSOLUTE TRUTH GOES OUT THE WINDOW. MODERN CULTURE HAS TRADED TRUTH FOR TOLERANCE AND THE CHURCH HAS FOLLOWED SUIT. THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS ARE OBVIOUS. BIBLICAL TEACHING MEANS WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO MEAN. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE ATONEMENT, THE REDEMPTIVE DEATH OF JESUS – NO NEED FOR EVANGELISM – IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE TRUTHS AND THEY ALL ARE EQUAL, THEN WE DON’T NEED TO CONVERT ANYONE TO CHRIST – IN FACT WE WOULD BE WRONG TO INTRUDE ON THEIR TRUTH. THAT MAKES JESUS NO MORE THAN ONE GREAT MORAL TEACHER AMONG MANY OTHERS IN WORLD RELIGIONS.

THIS NEW THEOLOGY HAS MANY STRONG PROPONENTS IN OUR CHURCH AS EVIDENCED BY THE 2003 GENERAL CONVENTION ACTIONS. IT HAS BEEN SOLD AS INCLUSIVENESS AND TOLERANCE. SPECIAL AGENDA GROUPS HAVE PROMOTED IT AS A JUSTICE ISSUE. BUT IT IS A MORAL AND SPIRITUAL AND THEOLOGICAL ISSUE. THE CHURCH IS IN THE SOUL-SAVING BUSINESS – WE ARE COMMITTED TO TRANSFORMATION, NOT TO INCLUSIVENESS. . JUST TO BRING PEOPLE IN, TO INCLUDE THEM DOESN’T MEAN A THING. BUT CONVERSION, TRANSFORMATION TO A NEW LIFE IN GOD’S LOVE MEANS EVERYTHING. LISTEN TO A PROMINENT BISHOP, “THE GOSPEL IS NOT ABOUT SELF ACTUALIZATION. IT IS ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION AND TRANSFIGURATION OF LIFE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.” BUT DOESN’T GOD LOVE ME JUST AS I AM? OF COURSE GOD LOVES YOU JUST AS YOU ARE HE JUST DOESN’T EXPECT YOU TO STAY THAT WAY!

ADDRESS TO THE 174th ANNUAL CONVENTION
OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TENNESSEE
BY
THE RT. REV. BERTRAM NELSON HERLONG, D.D.
JANUARY 28, 2006
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, MURFREESBORO
GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD THE FATHER AND FROM OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!
WELCOME TO THE LAY AND CLERGY DELEGATES, OBSERVERS AND FRIENDS AS WE MEET TOGETHER FOR THE I74th TIME IN ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TENNESSEE IN THE 177th YEAR OF OUR ESTABLISHMENT AND IN THE 13th YEAR OF MY CONSECRATION. WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO FATHER GENE WISE, THE STAFF, AND THE CONGREGATION OF ST. PAUL’S CHURCH FOR THEIR GRACIOUS HOSPITALITY. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION COMMITTEE FOR THEIR WORK IN ARRANGING THIS MEETING, MARCIE RICHMOND, CHAIR, NEWT MALLOY, KATHLEEN HERZOG, ALICIA HOLLIS, COLLIER SMITH, MIKE HURST, ED ARNING, JOYCE ADKINS, BOB PARKER, TERRI STERLING, JANELEE WISE, JEANIE RODGERS, SANDY GLEAVES AND FR. GENE WISE.
THANKS ALSO TO THE ST. PAUL’S ORGANIST AND MUSIC DIRECTOR ANGELA TIPPS AND THE CHOIR FOR THEIR WONDERFUL MUSIC.
ON BEHALF OF THE WHOLE DIOCESE, IT IS OUR GREAT PLEASURE TO WELCOME ALFREDO MORANTE, BISHOP OF LITTORAL, OUR COMPANION DIOCESE IN ECUADOR AND DEACON HUGO MENDOZA WHO ARE OUR SPECIAL GUESTS, AND TO BISHOP HERBERT THOMPSON WHO GAVE US SUCH A WONDERFUL MESSAGE LAST NIGHT AT OUR CONVENTION BANQUET. IT IS ALWAYS A JOY TO HAVE OUR OWN BISHOP SANDERS WITH US. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT HE GIVES SO FREELY TO ME AND TO THE DIOCESE.
WE WISH TO GIVE THANKS AND RECOGNIZE OUR DIOCESAN STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS – FIRST, “VOLUNTEERS”-THE MEMBERS OF OUR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TEAM, DR. PAUL TESCHAN AND MR. DAVID HERBERT; EDITOR OF OUR CROSS AND CROZIER, CHARLIE APPLETON. OUR STAFF: SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST, CATHY HENDRIX OUR FINANCIAL SECRETARY, JUDY BUTTNER; AND OUR OFFICE MANGER AND SECRETARY TO THE BISHOP, COLETTE BARRETT,
AS YOU KNOW, CANON ROBERT DEDMON IS NOW DEAN OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL IN PEORIA, ILLINOIS. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO BOB FOR HIS UNTIRING MINISTRY IN THIS DIOCESE AND PARTICULARLY FOR HIS ELEVEN YEARS AS CANON TO THE ORDINARY AND MANY MORE YEARS THAN THAT AS SECRETARY OF THIS CONVENTION. OUR CANON FOR MINISTRY, ROBERT BRODIE HAS ACCEPTED A CALL TO BE DEAN OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PAUL, SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS. HE HAS SERVED FAITHFULLY AND WITH DISTINCTION IN THIS POST FOR OVER NINE YEARS YEARS, WORKING WITH CONGREGATIONS AND NUMEROUS COMMITTEES TO STRENGTHEN THE MINISTRY AND OUTREACH OF OUR DIOCESE.
WE HAVE RE-STRUCTURED OUR STAFF ASSIGNMENTS TO CONTINUE OUR WORK. THE REVEREND JILL ZOOK-JONES CONTINUES AS PART TIME YOUTH DIRECTOR. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME PART TIME HELP IN THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENABLE HER TO BECOME CANON TO THE ORDINARY AND SECRETARY TO THE CONVENTION. SHE HAS ALREADY PROVEN CAPABLE AND COMPETENT IN THIS POSITION AND IS DOING A FINE JOB. IN ADDITION TO THESE CHANGES, WE HAVE BEEN ADDITIONALLY BLESSED THAT THE REVEREND FRED DETTWILLER HAS ACCEPTED MY CALL TO BE SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP. FATHER FRED IS A VOLUNTEER WHO IS A RELATIVELY NEW PRIEST BUT IS A SEASONED MANAGER WHO HAS MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THAT HAVE ALREADY PROVED INVALUABLE TO THE OPERATION OF THE DIOCESE.
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO GIVE FREELY OF THEIR TIME AND TALENTS TO HELP THE DIOCESE CARRY OUT IT’S MISSION – WILL ALL WHO SERVE ON COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS OF THE DIOCESE PLEASE STAND?
THIS IS MY LAST ANNUAL CONVENTION AS BISHOP OF TENNESSEE AND I HAVE MUCH TO TELL YOU – MOST OF IT GOOD!
FOR YEARS I HAVE CHALLENGED THE DIOCESE WITH BHAGS – BIG HOLY AUDACIOUS GOALS. THESE GOALS ARE SO BIG AND AUDACIOUS THAT WE COULD NEVER HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH THEM BY OUR SELVES. BUT WITH GOD’S HELP, SUPPORT AND STRENGTH, WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TOWARD THEIR ACHIEVEMENT. YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL, WORKED HARD PRAYED CONTINUALLY AND GOD HAS HELPED US DO WONDROUS THINGS.
GOAL #1 – TO BECOME ONE CHURCH IN A MISSIONARY DIOCESE WITH 50 MISSIONARY OUTPOSTS. WE HAVE STUCK TOGETHER AND GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY BECAUSE OF OUR MISSIONARY OUTREACH AND NOW HAVE 51 MISSIONARY OUTPOSTS. WE HAVE LOST NO CONGREGATIONS DUE TO GENERAL CONVENTION ACTIONS. SINCE 2003 WE HAVE LOST THREE PRIESTS, TWO TO SPLINTER GROUPS AND ONE TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. WE HAVE LOST SOME MEMBERS BUT NOT MANY. THERE HAS BEEN A SHUFFLING AROUND OF MEMBERSHIP BUT AS YOU WILL HEAR, OUR GAINS FAR EXCEED OUR LOSSES.
GOAL # 2 – TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR EXISTING CONGREGATIONS. WE HAVE EXPANDED OFFERINGS IN STEWARDSHIP, EVANGELISM, LONG RANGE PLANNING, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION, YOUTH WORK, COLLEGE WORK AND ADDED A NEW INITIATIVE IN PLANNED GIVING.
GOAL # 3 DEVELOP A CATALOGUE OF MISSION OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DIOCESE AND WORLD WIDE.
INSIDE THE DIOCESE, WE HAVE SUPPORTED ST. LUKE’S COMMUNITY HOUSE AND HELPED START THE WEST NASHVILLE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WHICH REHABS HOUSES AND MEETS SOCIAL NEEDS IN THE WEST NASHVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ST. LUKE’S. IN THE WORLD, OUR PRIMARY FOCUS HAS BEEN THROUGH OUR COMPANION DIOCESE RELATIONSHIPS. MANY OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MISSION TRIPS, MEDICAL MISSIONS AND SISTER PARISH RELATIONS HAVE INCREASED AND OUR CLERGY HAVE TAUGHT THEOLOGICAL CLASSES IN ECUADOR. SEVERAL OF OUR CONGREGATIONS HAVE OTHER COMMITMENTS AND MINISTRIES IN MANY OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. EACH CONGREGATION HAS BEEN GIVEN A DIOCESAN MINISTRY OUTREACH BOOKLET THAT IS A WONDERFUL TESTIMONY OF OUR CONGREGATIONS’ OUTREACH MINISTRIES. .
GOAL # 4 – TO ADOPT THE UNIVERSAL TITHE. THIS SETTING OF DIOCESAN FAIR SHARE ASKINGS AT 10% HAS LEVELED THE PLAYING FIELD SO THAT LARGE OR SMALL, EVERY CONGREGATION’S GIVING IS EQUAL PERCENTAGE WISE. THIS HAS ALLOWED MORE MONEY TO STAY IN THE CONGREGATIONS TO EXPAND THEIR LOCAL MINISTRIES. SINCE 1993, GIVING TO LOCAL CONGREGATIONS HAS INCREASED BY A WHOPPING 95%. HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT LIVED UP TO THIS GOAL IN RELATION TO THE NATIONAL CHURCH.
GOAL # 5 TO HAVE A TRAINED YOUTH WORKER CONNECTED TO EVERY CONGREGATION BY 2006.
WE HAVE TRAINED OVER 100 VOLUNTEER YOUTH WORKERS AND THE NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL YOUTH WORKERS HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. IN 2000, WE HAD 4 FULL TIME AND ONE ½ TIME YOUTH WORKERS. NOW WE HAVE 8 FULL TIME, 6 PART TIME AND 8 PAID INTERNS AND ASSISTANTS.
GOAL # 6 TO GROW FROM 12,000 TO 40,000 MEMBERS BY 2006. WE DIDN’T QUITE MAKE THAT BUT WE DID GROW MORE THAN 30%. IN THE MIDST OF VERY TROUBLED TIMES, PERCENTAGE-WISE, WE ARE STILL THE FASTEST GROWING DIOCESE IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. WE ARE ONE OF ONLY TWO DIOCESES WHO HAVE HAD AN INCREASE IN AVERAGE SUNDAY ATTENDANCE SINCE THE GENERAL CONVENTION OF 2003.
GOAL # 7 – TO START ONE NEW CONGREGATION EVERY YEAR THROUGH 2006. BEGINNING IN 1995, WE HAVE STARTED SEVEN NEW CONGREGATIONS THROUGH 2005 AND IT IS OUR INTENTION TO START NUMBER EIGHT THIS YEAR. YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THE NATIONAL FAILURE RATE ON NEW CONGREGATIONS IN MAIN LINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN THIS COUNTRY IS 50%. ALL SEVEN OF OUR CONGREGATIONS ARE HEALTHY, VITAL AND GROWING. INCLUDING HOLY SPIRIT NASHVILLE, THREE OF THEM ARE NOW SELF-SUSTAINING FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT PARISHES AND WE CONFIDENTLY EXPECT ONE EACH YEAR TO ACHIEVE PARISH STATUS THROUGH 2010. 80% OF CHURCH GROWTH OCCURS IN NEW CONGREGATIONS. SO, NOT ONLY ARE WE BEING FAITHFUL TO THE COMMAND OF JESUS TO MAKE DISCIPLES, BUT WE ARE EXERCISING GOOD STEWARDSHIP IN OUR PRIORITIES. FINANCING THE COST OF PLANTING AND SUPPORTING THESE NEW EPISCOPAL CONGREGATIONS WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A WONDERFUL GROUP OF EPISCOPALIANS, THE BISHOP’S VOLUNTEERS FOR STARTING NEW PARISHES. SINCE 1997, MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP HAVE GIVEN $1,000 OR MORE OVER AND ABOVE THEIR REGULAR CONGREGATIONAL PLEDGE, TO ASSIST THE DIOCESE IN PLANTING NEW CONGREGATIONS.
I HAVE A DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE COMMITMENT WE HAVE MADE TO THESE NEW CHURCH PLANTS, THEIR CLERGY AND THEIR PEOPLE AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM AFTER MY RETIREMENT. UNDERSTANDING THAT CONCERN, A GROUP OF CHURCH LEADERS HAS ORGANIZED VOLUNTEERS FOR MISSION, INC. THIS IS A SEPARATELY INCORPORATED FUND CREATED TO CONTINUE TO SUPPLEMENT THE DIOCESAN BUDGET’S SUPPORT OF NEW CONGREGATIONS AFTER MY RETIREMENT AND TO START AT LEAST ONE MORE NEW CHURCH. THE MONEY CONTRIBUTED TO THIS FUND WILL BE USED EXCLUSIVELY OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS FOR THAT PURPOSE. IT WILL ALLOW THE NEXT BISHOP OF TENNESSEE TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM OR TO FOCUS THE DIOCESE ON OTHER THINGS. IF THE DECISION IS TO CONTINUE, VOLUNTEERS FOR MISSION, INC. WILL BE A VEHICLE FOR THAT PURPOSE. IF THE DECISION IS NOT TO CONTINUE, THE FUND WILL SIMPLY PAY OUT ITS ASSETS TO THE NEW CONGREGATIONS OVER TIME UNTIL IT IS EXHAUSTED. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FUND HAS NOW RAISED $300,000. IN ADDITION, A $100,000 DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR MATCHING FUND HAS BEEN GIVEN AND $35,000 HAS GIVEN OR PLEDGED TOWARD THAT MATCH. WE ARE NOW SEARCHING FOR $65,000 TO BRING THE FUND TO HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. I HAVE HOPES THAT ADDITIONAL MONEY WILL BE PLEDGED TO PURCHASE LAND FOR THESE NEW CONGREGATIONS. I HAVE PLEDGE CARDS WITH ME AND WILL BE GLAD TO DISCUSS THIS WITH ANY ONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HELP US MEET THIS GOAL.
NOW TO THE DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR CHURCH AND THE ACTIONS OF THE 2003 GENERAL CONVENTION. THEY HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED IN A DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THE PRIMATES OF ALL OF THE CHURCHES IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION INCLUDING OUR OWN PRESIDING BISHOP AS, “TEARING THE FABRIC OF THE COMMUNION.”
AS A RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OF THE 2003 GENERAL CONVENTION AND CERTAIN ACTIONS OF ONE DIOCESE IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN CANADA, THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY APPOINTED THE LAMBETH COMMISSION. THE RESULT WAS THE WINDSOR REPORT, A SEMINAL DOCUMENT ON THE POLITY AND THEOLOGY OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION WRITTEN BY REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR WORLD WIDE COMMUNION. IN POLITE BRITISH UNDERSTATEMENT, THE REPORT ASKED ECUSA TO “EXPRESS REGRET FOR THE INNOVATIVE ACTIONS OF THE 2003 GENERAL CONVENTION AND “TO REFRAIN FROM FURTHER INNOVATIVE ACTS WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH AND CONSENSUS IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION.”
IN A RESOLUTION PASSED AT LAST YEAR’S ANNUAL CONVENTION, THE DIOCESE OF TENNESSEE EXPRESSED REGRET TO THE PRIMATES AND THE CONSTITUENT MEMBERS OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION FOR THE PART WE HAVE PLAYED AS A MEMBER DIOCESE OF ECUSA IN THESE INNOVATIVE ACTS AND COMMITTED OURSELVES TO WALK TOGETHER WITH THE PRIMATES AND CONSTITUENT MEMBERS OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION AND NOT APART FROM THEM.
THE WINDSOR REPORT WILL BE AT THE CENTER OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND IMPORTANT DECISIONS THAT WILL OCCUR AT THE UPCOMING 2006 GENERAL CONVENTION IN COLUMBUS, OHIO THIS JUNE. WE NEED EVERY EPISCOPALIAN TO BE WELL INFORMED ON WHAT THE REPORT IS AND IS NOT SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND ANY ACTIONS BY THE GENERAL CONVENTION. THEREFORE, I AM ASKING EVERY CONGREGATION THAT HAS NOT DONE SO ALREADY, TO STUDY THE REPORT. THE REV. LEIGH SPRUILL AND THE REV. TIM JONES OF ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH HAVE PREPARED A STUDY GUIDE TO THE WINDSOR REPORT. IT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE REGISTRATION TABLE IN THE NARTHEX AND WILL BE HELPFUL IN YOUR STUDY.
THE WINDSOR REPORT AND YOUR RESOLUTION SUPPORTING IT GIVE ME GREAT HOPE FOR THE FUTURE BECAUSE AT OUR ROOTS AND AT OUR BEST, WE ARE ANGLICANS. IT WAS FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND THAT OUR FOREBEARS CAME. WITHOUT THEIR MISSIONARY EFFORTS, THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOULD NOT EXIST.
IT DISTRESSES ME WHEN I HEAR EPISCOPALIANS SAY, “WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT CHURCH, JUST LIKE AMERICA IS AN INDEPENDENT NATION. WE DON’T NEED THOSE FOREIGN BISHOPS TELLING US WHAT TO DO.” THAT KIND OF THINKING IS JUST PLAIN WRONG! IT IS A TOTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF ANGLICANISM AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO THE WORLDWIDE COMMUNION. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS NOT INDEPENDENT, WE ARE INTERDEPENDENT. I CANNOT AND WILL NOT UNDERSTAND MY IDENTITY AS AN EPISCOPALIAN APART FROM BEING A PART OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION. SPEAKING TO A SMALL GROUP OF BISHOPS, OUR PRESIDING BISHOP WAS ASKED ABOUT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH LEAVING THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION. HE STATED THAT HE WAS NOT INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF A SMALL PROTESTANT AMERICAN SECT. WITHOUT THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD BE. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THAT EITHER. I WAS BORN AND RAISED AN ANGLICAN EPISCOPALIAN AND I INTEND TO REMAIN EXACTLY THAT. LISTEN TO WHAT ONE OF OUR CLERGY HAS WRITTEN: “EACH SUNDAY WHEN I STAND TO RECITE THE NICENE CREED AND CONFESS BELIEF IN ‘ONE, HOLY CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH,’ I DO SO THANKFUL THAT THIS CONFESSION FLOWS THROUGH MY MEMBERSHIP IN AN ANGLICAN TRADITION THAT IS LARGER THAN MY PARISH, LARGER THAN MY DIOCESE OR NATIONAL IDENTITY, BUT RATHER STRETCHES AROUND THE GLOBE TODAY AND BACK THROUGH TIME ALL THE WAY TO THE APOSTLES.”
HERE IS MY TAKE ON THE PRESENT SITUATION IN OUR CHURCH. IT BEGINS WITH SOME BAD NEWS AND SOME GOOD NEWS. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THE ACTIONS OF THE 2003 GENERAL CONVENTION IN CONSENTING TO THE CONSECRATION AS A BISHOP, A MAN LIVING IN A HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER MAN HAS DRAWN A LINE THAT SEPARATES CLEARLY AND DISTINCTLY THOSE WHO AGREE AND THOSE WHO DISAGREE WITH THAT ACTION AND THE BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION AND THE THEOLOGICAL TEACHING THAT JUSTIFY IT. . THAT LINE MEANS THAT THERE IS NO LONGER A MIDDLE OR MODERATE POSITION – YOU ARE ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE 2003 GENERAL CONVENTION HAS DRAWN THAT LINE AND WE NOW HAVE A CLEAR IDENTIFICATION OF THE UNDERLYING ISSUES AND TEACHINGS THAT HAVE BEEN LONG SUBMERGED BUT ARE NOW IN THE OPEN SO THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH THEM.
ARTICLES AND LETTERS IN CHURCH PUBLICATIONS AND TONS OF E-MAIL BEAR OUT THE FACT THAT THE DIVISION IS REALLY OVER BASIC THEOLOGICAL AND BIBLICAL ISSUES. THE QUESTIONS ABOUT HUMAN SEXUALITY ARE JUST THE PRESENTING PROBLEM, THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
FATHER ANDREW ARCHIE, WRITING IN THE ANGLICAN DIGEST SUGGESTS THAT IT WAS THE REFORMATION THAT REJECTED THE NOTION OF THE CHURCH AS THE MEDIATOR OF GOD’S GRACE. THE PERSONAL COMMITMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER BECAME THE BASIC UNIT OF THE FAITH. OVER THE CENTURIES SINCE, THAT CONCEPT HAS BEEN DISTORTED TO MEAN THAT PERSONAL FULFILLMENT IS PARAMOUNT – EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS. THIS UNBRIDLED INDIVIDUALISM HAS PRODUCED DISASTROUS RESULTS IN OUR TIME. IT IS A PRIMARY REASON FOR THE BREAKDOWN OF AUTHORITY, INSTITUTIONAL MISTRUST AND THE DEMISE OF THE FAMILY AND MORAL VALUES. IT FIRMLY BELIEVES, ”I AM RIGHT BECAUSE I AM ME. WHAT I DO IS RIGHT BECAUSE I DO IT.” THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS PLURIFORM TRUTH – WHAT IS TRUE FOR ME MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR YOU. ABSOLUTE TRUTH GOES OUT THE WINDOW. MODERN CULTURE HAS TRADED TRUTH FOR TOLERANCE AND THE CHURCH HAS FOLLOWED SUIT. THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CHRISTIANS ARE OBVIOUS. BIBLICAL TEACHING MEANS WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO MEAN. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE ATONEMENT, THE REDEMPTIVE DEATH OF JESUS – NO NEED FOR EVANGELISM – IF THERE ARE MULTIPLE TRUTHS AND THEY ALL ARE EQUAL, THEN WE DON’T NEED TO CONVERT ANYONE TO CHRIST – IN FACT WE WOULD BE WRONG TO INTRUDE ON THEIR TRUTH. THAT MAKES JESUS NO MORE THAN ONE GREAT MORAL TEACHER AMONG MANY OTHERS IN WORLD RELIGIONS.
THIS NEW THEOLOGY HAS MANY STRONG PROPONENTS IN OUR CHURCH AS EVIDENCED BY THE 2003 GENERAL CONVENTION ACTIONS. IT HAS BEEN SOLD AS INCLUSIVENESS AND TOLERANCE. SPECIAL AGENDA GROUPS HAVE PROMOTED IT AS A JUSTICE ISSUE. BUT IT IS A MORAL AND SPIRITUAL AND THEOLOGICAL ISSUE. THE CHURCH IS IN THE SOUL-SAVING BUSINESS – WE ARE COMMITTED TO TRANSFORMATION, NOT TO INCLUSIVENESS. . JUST TO BRING PEOPLE IN, TO INCLUDE THEM DOESN’T MEAN A THING. BUT CONVERSION, TRANSFORMATION TO A NEW LIFE IN GOD’S LOVE MEANS EVERYTHING. LISTEN TO A PROMINENT BISHOP, “THE GOSPEL IS NOT ABOUT SELF ACTUALIZATION. IT IS ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION AND TRANSFIGURATION OF LIFE BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.” BUT DOESN’T GOD LOVE ME JUST AS I AM? OF COURSE GOD LOVES YOU JUST AS YOU ARE HE JUST DOESN’T EXPECT YOU TO STAY THAT WAY!
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
BUT EVEN IN THE WORST OF TIMES, WE DO NOT DESPAIR; REDEMPTION IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE. IT IS WHEN THINGS ARE REALLY DIFFICULT THAT THERE IS THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. FOR YOU SEE, MINISTRY AND SERVICE TO OTHERS MEANS MOST WHEN TROUBLE ABOUNDS. DIFFICULT TIMES CALL FORTH THE BEST FROM US. IT IS TRUE THAT WE PRAY MORE WHEN WE ARE IN TROUBLE THAN WHEN WE ARE NOT.
WHEN THINGS ARE AT THEIR WORST, WHEN THERE IS THE GREATEST NEED, THERE IS THE GREATEST OPENNESS TO REDEMPTION. AND RECONCILIATION.
THIS IS THE TIME TO CALL ON ALL EPISCOPALIANS TO STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH AND TO CONTINUE OUR WORK. THIS IS THE MOMENT OF GREATEST NEED FOR DYNAMIC, WELL-TRAINED, DEEPLY COMMITTED, NON-ANXIOUS CLERGY AND LAY LEADERS. EPISCOPALIANS ARE AT THEIR BEST IN ADVERSITY WHICH MEANS THAT WE SHOULD BE REALLY GREAT RIGHT NOW!
OUR FAITH AND LOYALTY ARE IN JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR, NOT IN CHURCH STRUCTURES. WE ARE ALL IN THE CHURCH TOGETHER AND IT IS THE PRIMARY INSTRUMENT FOR THE MAKING OF DISCIPLES AND TEACHING WHAT JESUS HAS TAUGHT US. AS THE WINDSOR REPORTS SAYS, WE MUST LEARN TO WALK TOGETHER OR ELSE WE WILL END UP WALKING APART
NEITHER THE GENERAL CONVENTION OF 2006 NOR THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS IN 2008 IS GOING TO FIX WHAT IS WRONG OR SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. IT TOOK A LONG TIME FOR THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO GET IN THE MESS WE ARE IN AND IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO WORK THROUGH IT. SO GEAR UP FOR THE LONG HAUL AND GIVE OUR NEW BISHOP THE SAME LEVEL OF STRONG SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME SO THAT WE CAN MOVE CONFIDENTLY INTO THE FUTURE. ALTHOUGH WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS, WE DO KNOW WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT THE GENERAL CONVENTION DOES OR WHAT THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE SAYS, WE STILL HAVE OUR WORK TO DO, WE HAVE NOT CHANGED AND THE POTENTIAL FOR GREATER SERVICE AND EXPANDED MINISTRIES IS STILL BEFORE US. GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON US AND IT IS, AFTER ALL, GOD’S CHURCH. GOD IS STILL IN CHARGE AND GOD WILL WIN IN THE END. IN THE MEAN TIME, OUR JOB IS TO BE FAITHFUL, TO WORK AND PRAY TO MAKE DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES, TO BAPTIZE AND TO TEACH ALL THAT JESUS HAS TAUGHT US.
A POSTER IN THE DIXIE KREME DONUT SHOP IN GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA. WHERE I SPENT MUCH TIME AS AN UNDERGRADUATE SAYS:
IN ALL OF LIFE
LET THIS BE YOUR GOAL:
KEEP YOUR EYE UPON THE DONUT
AND NOT UPON THE HOLE.
I AM CONVINCED THAT THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE CHURCH IS TO KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED ON THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH. IF THE MISSION OF JESUS IS TO SAVE THE WORLD AND WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN THE WORLD, THEN THAT MUST BE OUR MAIN JOB. YOGI BERRA SAID, “THE MAIN THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MAIN THING IS THE MAIN THING.” THE MAIN THING FOR THE CHURCH IS THE CONTINUATION OF THE MISSION OF JESUS IN THE WORLD TODAY. WHAT IS THE MISSION?
THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IS TO RESTORE ALL PEOPLE TO UNITY WITH GOD AND EACH OTHER IN CHRIST. (BCP P. 855) HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION? BY FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION – MAKING DISCIPLES, BAPTIZING AND TEACHING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST.
IF WE FOCUS ON THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH, THE CHURCH WILL BE HEALTHY AND WILL GROW, LIVES WILL BE CHANGED, OTHERS WILL BE LED TO JESUS AND DISCOVER THAT HE IS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR AND WE WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE TO DO THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH TO THE HURTING PEOPLE OF THE WORLD FOR WHICH CHRIST DIED.
THAT OLD SAW ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAVING NO GRANDCHILDREN IS QUITE TRUE. WHEN WE STOP EVANGELIZING – MAKING NEW DISCIPLES, THE CHURCH IS DYING. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE EPISCOPALIANS AND DON’T KNOW IT AND OUR JOB IS TO TELL THEM. (I SAID THAT IN A SERMON RECENTLY AND A WOMAN TOOK ME TO TASK. SHE SAID THAT OUR JOB WAS TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS. I CERTAINLY AGREE, BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MAKING THEM EPISCOPAL DISCIPLES OF JESUS.) OUR DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES TELL US THAT AT 35 TO 50 % OF THE PEOPLE IN ANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE NO RELIGION AT ALL. AS JESUS TOLD US, “THE FIELDS ARE WHITE FOR THE HARVEST.” OUR MISSION IS CLEAR: TO MAKE DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES, TO BAPTIZE AND TO TEACH ALL THAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM JESUS SO THAT WE MAY MINISTER EFFECTIVELY TO A WORLD IN DESPERATE NEED OF GOOD NEWS.
DO NOT MISTAKE WHAT I AM SAYING, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE ON THE CRITICAL ISSUES OF OUR TIME IN THE CHURCH WILL BE THE DETERMINING FACTORS OF THE FUTURE OF OUR CHURCH AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO WORK ON THEM. BUT WHILE WE WORK ON THEM, WE MUST GET ON WITH THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH. WE MUST MOVE FROM RELATIVITY TO CERTAINTY, FROM A FEELING MODEL OF MINISTRY TO AN ACTION MODEL, FROM A CLINICAL MODEL TO A PASTORAL MODEL AND FROM A MAINTENANCE MODEL TO A MISSIONARY MODEL.
IT IS TIME TO STOP BEING REACTIONARY AND BE PROACTIVE. IT IS TIME TO STOP BEING SINGLE ISSUE ORIENTED AND BECOME ACTIVE IN FULFILLING THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH. IT IS TIME TO STOP USING THE TENSIONS IN THE CHURCH TO CAUSE DISSENSION AND DESTRUCTION AND START USING THEM TO GENERATE ENERGY FOR THE EXTENSION OF GOD'S KINGDOM – BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE LOVE OF GOD THAT WE HAVE KNOWN IN JESUS. LETS USE OUR DIFFERENCES TO SHARPEN OUR WILL TO WORK TOGETHER CREATIVELY. AS THE VIOLIN STRING ONLY MAKES MUSIC WHEN IT IS STRETCHED TIGHTLY AND IN TUNE WITH THE OTHER STRINGS ON THE INSTRUMENT, SO OUR LIVES AS EPISCOPAL CHRISTIANS MUST BE STRETCHED AND IN TUNE WITH OTHER EPISCOPAL CHRISTIANS IF WE ARE TO WORK IN HARMONY FOR THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH.
AS JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “I HAVE MUCH MORE TO TELL YOU BUT YOU CANNOT BEAR IT NOW.”
LET ME CONCLUDE BY THANKING YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR PRAYERS AND YOUR SUPPORT. THESE LAST 12 ½ YEARS HAVE BEEN THE MOST EXCITING AND FULFILLING TIME OF MY LIFE AND MINISTRY. I HAVE DONE MY BEST FOR GOD, FOR THE CHURCH AND FOR YOU. I PRAY THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT AND YOU WILL EXPAND AND ENLARGE THE GOOD THINGS AND USE EVEN THE NEGATIVE THINGS FOR GOD’S GLORY AND THE CARE AND NURTURE OF HIS PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD AROUND US.
MAY THE GREAT JOY I EXPERIENCE AT EVERY VISITATION CONTINUE IN THIS EXCITING PART OF GOD’S VINEYARD. MAY THE EXCITEMENT AND OUTGOING LOVE AND PRAYERS YOU HAVE GIVEN ME, STRENGTHEN EMPOWER AND SUSTAIN OUR NEW BISHOP AND THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT DIOCESE. . LET US CONTINUE TO REJOICE IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT, AND LET US WITHOUT FEAR OR ANXIETY CONTINUE TO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD. AMEN.