I mention this because as we prepare for the upcoming 218th Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina the stormy seas have not abated in the almost six years since General Convention 2003. If anything, the swath from the northeaster has broadened and intensified, engulfing more and more provinces of the Anglican Communion. While nothing is certain at this point, it seems clear to me that there is no immediate solution to our present crisis. In the midst of a storm, most of us can only react to changing circumstances as they develop. My commitment is to keep in line with the Scriptures, the historic faith of the Church, and the larger Anglican Communion. So long as we can remain Episcopalian and keep with these three instruments of trustworthy navigation, there is no reason at this point to man the lifeboats. Though many would like to see this crisis ended, or hear prophetic predictions of calmer seas, such are not likely to be forthcoming. The next foreseeable sounding of significance is the Primates’ Meeting in February 2009 and the Anglican Consultative Council in May. At both meetings, issues regarding the Anglican Covenant and, I suspect, the proposed new province in North America will be in the forefront. Then comes TEC’s General Convention in July. It’s questionable that any of these will be ports of decisive destiny; still, vigilance is a virtue.
While there are many dimensions of our present situation we cannot control, (what else is new?), that does not free us from discerning God’s vision for the Diocese of South Carolina as we near the end of this first decade of the 21st Century and prepare to enter the next. Rather, it makes it even more imperative. This raises for me the question””“What is a diocese supposed to do?” Theologians often reflect on what a diocese is””such as those who say, the Diocese is the basic or fundamental unit of the Church. But that is a statement of being, not of doing. I have spent more than a little time lately reflecting on this question. And from there, the more specific question””“What is the Diocese of South Carolina supposed to do?” Or put another way, “What is God calling the Diocese of South Carolina to do?” This is demanding but essential work if we are to maintain both a macro and micro-perspective in God’s kingdom. In fact, it is all the more essential if we are to be proactive about our future rather than merely reactive to the tossing of every gusty wind and swelling wave. Therefore, I will seek to articulate what I believe this is at our upcoming convention.
Lucid, wise, and faithful; thanks, +Mark.
Well, I’ve never been a sailor on a big ship or even owned my own little boat, but +Lawrence’s analogy seems like only a partially true assessment. Yes, the Church of Jesus Christ as a whole will weather even the worst of storms, according to Christ’s promise. And I don’t doubt that the Diocese of SC is strong, healthy, and sound enough to ride out fierce storms too.
But sadly, this isn’t necessarily true of the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, or even the Anglican Communion, in the form that we know it. Some ships do sink, after all. And TEC does resemble the famous Titanic in so many ways: proud, luxurious, and seemingly invulnerable. But due to colossal arrogance and misjudgment, the “unsinkable” Titanic did hit that fateful iceberg and then its doom was sealed, with a horrendous loss of life.
Put another way, the tragic reality is that some regional churches do die, as the historical record makes all too clear. Look at Turkey or North Africa, or once great churches like the Nestorians in Central Asia, or the Congregational Church in both England and New England, which was gutted by Unitarianism and heresy. The Lord sometimes does reluctantly remove a church’s lampstand (cf. the ominous warning to the church in Ephesus in Rev. 2:5).
I have great admiration for Bishop Lawrence, as I do for my own bishop, Bill Love of Albany. But I must confess that I wish both men would bravely lead their dioceses out of TEC and cast their lot with the new ACNA.
David Handy+
Handy+, I totally agree with you.
David,
Are you complaining because +Mark is calling the diocese to move forward in discernment of vision for ministry and outreach despite the storm, or because he implies that the ecclesiastical venue in which the diocese currently resides provides for the same occasions of bravery, defined in the same terms as you have?
Or perhaps all you are saying is, “Get out”, because you believe +Mark’s leadership is deceived, and there is no voice from God within this storm?
We could go on……but wisdom says your time is better spent being an intercessor.
Rob+ (#4),
Yes, brother, you’re right, of course, that my time would be better spent as an intercessor than in composing the sort of probably useless post represented by my #2 above. I was NOT intending to imply that it’s impossible to hear the still, quiet voice of God amidst the howling winds of the storm, that noble +Lawrence was deceived in thinking that he was called to stay the course, at least for now, or any such thing.
My aim was more modest. I was merely registering an alternative interpretation of his chosen image, a hallowed, biblical and traditional one, of the Church as an old, sturdy ship that has survived many fierce storms at sea. Sometimes, the Master of the wind and the waves says, “Peace, be still!” and miraculously calms the storm, as in the gospel accounts. And sometimes he calms us in the midst of the raging storm.
My point was simply that the good bishop’s presentation begged an important question that was left unasked. Namely, what ship are we talking about? Is it the diocese? TEC as a whole? The grand old AC as a whole (as we know it anyway)? Or the universal church of Jesus Christ? Which one you have in mind does make a big difference.
Actually, I thought the bishop’s address clearly implied that leaving TEC was still an option, and I welcome that signal of openness to that possibility. I meant no disrespect of +Lawrence, or of other leaders in the Communion Partners group, like yourself.
David Handy+
David, as a member of the Diocese of South Carolina I certainly don’t take umbrage with your comments… they are an excellent critique. I firmly believe in +Lawrence’s leadership and am confident that not only should he consider leaving TEC, but that it would be good to challenge the metaphor that sees TEC as the Church. The Anglican Communion is delightfully strong and not in any danger… certainly not from the nattering nabobs of TEC. Leaving TEC as a Diocese is a logical and appropriate action that should cause us no more heartburn than a mild reminiscence of the “good old days”.
Thanks, GMS. I appreciate such an affirmation from someone within your great diocese.
David Handy+
RE: ” The Anglican Communion is delightfully strong and not in any danger . . . ”
This assertion intrigues me. I suppose it all depends on how you define “the Anglican Communion.”
If it’s a “unified set of provinces all headed in the same direction and with the same gospel” then it would appear that it is not delightfully strong.
We have about 1/4 of the Provinces riding boldly off into the sunset of attempted cultural followership, and another 1/4 of the Provinces deciding that they are allying themselves within the Gafcon group as the means of differentiation and discipline.
We have 1/2 of the Provinces which are vaguely to firmly orthodox, but committed to the Covenant as the means differentiation and discipline.
It is quite possible that the Anglican Communion will not include all three of those groups within a decade or score of years.
To me — that’s pretty “in danger.”
I personally did not read Mark Lawrence’s use of the words “the Church” to mean “TEC” but rather the broader church invisible down through the ages of Christendom. Were that the case, then his assertion was that The Church will survive no matter what sliver or portion or even simply organizational entity of which we are a part.
Very true, Sarah. To define the AC as a “unified set of provinces” seems a quaint historical idea not known since the mid 90’s… well over a decade ago. However, if you define the AC by sheer numbers then 75% or greater are delightfully Gospel focused and growing by leaps and bounds.
Only if one is equating TEC with The Church would they imagine that we are in a storm… for the Church… indeed the Anglican Communion is growing by leaps and bounds and is multiplying everywhere except the missionally challenged global North.