I found this piece on the Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon’s blog and thought it very appropriate for the times in which we live. I’m including a link to the site, as well as adding it to my "Blogs" section.
Peace,
Jerry
<><
A Resolution and a Plea
I perhaps should have made this post on New Years Day or before. But I’ve struggled with how to approach what I think needs to be said and still do even as I type this (which will probably show). Those who peruse the big Anglican blogs know that “Communion Conservatives” (those who advocate contending for the faith by staying in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion) and “Federal Conservatives” (those who are convinced one or both of those bodies are too far gone to the point they think it best orthodox at least prepare to leave) are rather close to each other’s throats at the moment. To be honest, I have my opinion as to which side is most at blame, but that’s not my concern right now. This post may even seem a bit vague because I don’t want to engage in figure pointing. For my concern is that anger between the two sides is getting to and past the point that it will make it difficult for these two sides of orthodox Anglicans to work together in the future. That distresses me. If it turns out the Federal Conservatives are right and the Communion Conservative eventually find staying in TEC and the like to be untenable, I want the Comm-Cons to feel they have a refuge in Common Cause and/or whatever church bodies the Fed-Cons form. Likewise, if a miracle happens and the Anglican Communion or even the Episcopal Church sufficiently reforms, I want Fed-Cons to feel they can return. I hope the current divisions between the two are temporary. And even if Comm-Cons and Fed-Cons remain on different tracks, I want them to be able still to work together on those things they can. For the sake of current and future unity and witness, both sides should step back and engage in self-criticism instead of undercutting the other side. And, yes, there has been willful undercutting of the efforts of faithful orthodox Anglicans by other committed orthodox Anglicans. That must stop. Communion Conservatives should focus on what they are going to do in the current situation instead of undercutting what the Federal Conservatives are doing. Likewise, Federal Conservatives should focus on their direction and not ridicule the strategy of Communion Conservatives or say they are in any way unfaithful for staying. And I include myself in that. I find some Communion Conservatives exasperating at times, and when I get in rant mode, my words can be rather sharp. So if I’ve said anything unhelpful about the Comm-Cons, I apologize. I will exercise the utmost care in what I write about them from henceforth, and I invite my good readers to hold me accountable in that. Both sides need likewise to step back and repent or at least relent lest we become an ugly spectacle that makes our divisions harsher and more permanent and causes long lasting damage to orthodox Anglican unity and witness.WannabeNewbie Anglican
2 comments:
One very sad thing about all that has gone on is that no one among us has any Christian business being at anyone's throat - there's no place for it.
Who's fault is it? Every single individual who has been divisive in the argument in some way instead of just clinging to faith steadfastly and therefore demonstrating a love of God first. That means every single one of us at one time or another, to one degree or another.
CommCon vs. those departing (or reverse the order if you prefer) only weakens the whole thing - that I know all too well. We label such things and choose camps at extreme peril. I may wish to be elsewhere but have little real choice. Those who mean well by suggesting I attend 60 miles away don't have a clue about the message I understand about worshi: it's not about form and the sterility of the crowd I am among, it's about loving service to a community around me - one that has supported me (even those I've disagreed with have shown love I cannot turn my back on). That they don't respect me for this sometimes simply makes me pity them because they cannot seem to see the godliness in tolerance and love of fellow and neighbor, even they are errant in my view.
And shame on those among me who love and wish me to be there if they'd take advantage of my presence in spite of difference in some way.
No, we're all in error and we have every one weakened His church by what is happening - and we are wrong to judge others for wishing to try to improve things in our old church. Those who stay are also wrong to engage in a fight with those who leave. Only one person wins in all of that - Satan.
""Those who mean well by suggesting I attend 60 miles away don't have a clue about the message I understand about worship: it's not about form and the sterility of the crowd I am among, it's about loving service to a community around me - one that has supported me (even those I've disagreed with have shown love I cannot turn my back on).""
This sums up pretty well exactly where I am at as well. I think the Continuing Anglican crowd means well.. but they really don't understand that some of us need to get on with living the Christian life and fellowship, sacraments, and reading His Word. Striking a Gideon pose, having less fellowship and driving 60 miles to worship in what usually amounts to a unenthusiastic handful of folks who are all 30 years my senior is not something I feel like throwing away another 10 years on.
I love my Federal Communion brethren, but I cannot compromise having a real spiritual life any longer simply because they cannot or will not understand where I'm at.
Brett
Post a Comment