(He just finished speaking–KSH).
So back to the question: What specifically is the Diocese of South Carolina called by God to do? I believe
Ӣ We are to proclaim the gospel in Word and Sacraments (Article XIX) and make disciples for Jesus Christ and God the Father in the power of the Spirit who become responsible members of local parishes or missions and witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ in their personal lives and within our communities and world.
The heavy lifting involved in this is clearly carried out by the parishes and missions of the diocese. How the bishop, diocesan staff and structures, are called to carry this out is
Ӣ By assisting our existing congregations to grow in numerical and spiritual vitality and to plant new congregations within the diocese in places where the church is inadequately present.
Bishop Salmon, in his Diocesan Convention Address in 2000, put it thusly, “The fundamental responsibility of the administration of the diocese is to exist for, build up, strengthen and empower the congregations so that they can be effective instruments of the Gospel.” This concept is renewed at each staff meeting at the Diocesan House because the tendency for administration to become an end in itself is a perpetual problem.
But along with this a diocese, and again I speak inclusively, has another essential job to do””and I trace this back to the apostolic writings, particularly to the Letters of St. Paul, who seemed always to be striving to connect the churches he had founded in Galatia, Macedonia, Corinth, and Ephesus with the sending churches of Antioch and Jerusalem.
”¢ We are to unite our members and congregations to the universal church through our diocesan life, our province (TEC), and the Anglican Communion, and in dialogue with ecumenical partners to the mutual enrichment of each in fulfilling God’s reconciling work in the world.
Since we recognize, however, that our relationship with the church catholic is jeopardized by the recent theological innovations of TEC, and that this has forced a crisis in the Anglican Communion we must engage this matter proactively. We cannot sit on the sidelines and wait for things to unfold, allowing others to shape the future in which we shall live. We must be among those who shape the future. Thus I am increasingly convinced that God has called us, (in assuring the apostolic call for Christian unity),
Ӣ To help shape the future of Anglicanism in the 21st Century through mutually enriching missional relationships with dioceses and provinces of the Anglican Communion, (Romans 1:11-12; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15), and through modeling a responsible autonomy and inter-provincial accountability (Philippians 2:1-5; Ephesians 4:1-6) for the sake of Jesus Christ, his Kingdom and his Church.
While each of the words can be unpacked to address our present situation, I believe we can state the above sentence, more succinctly””“We are to make Biblical Anglicans for a global age.” If you prefer the T-shirt version, it is “Making Biblical Anglicans for a Global Age”.
This is based on my best efforts, I dont have access to the full address in its final form.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
Anybody know what that code-worded phrase means?
Kendall, thank you so much for making this available. Many of us try to pray for +Mark, you and your diocese regularly. You all are very much on the frontlines (and perhaps in the crosshairs).
I like the vision +Mark Lawrence articulates here. It seems very balanced – numerical AND spiritual vitality. Not forgetting that the diocese is to serve and strengthen the parishes, not the other way around, and calling for a broad vision beyond congregationalism or even a narrow focus on the diocese, but a call to be connected to the church Catholic. Amen & Amen.
Given the position y’all are in, it must be incredibly tempting to circle the wagons and look inward and say, “we’ll just focus on ourselves and what we’re doing. We’re orthodox, that’s enough.” But that’s not what I see/hear here, no, in fact just the opposite. This is a vision that looks outward and I’m thankful for that.
May the Lord grant wisdom & grace to glorify Him and accomplish His vision and purposes.
My Husband was at the Diocesean Convention as a delegate from our parish. I was there for the Bishop’s Address. WOW!! Bishop Lawrence is very articulate !! It is a joy to read his letters as well as to hear him speak. Was this recorded??? His address should be sent to every other Diocesean Bishop in TEC!!
Anyway, here what I remember from his address. He had three main points for us a diocese:
1) We are to make disciples in all nations and proclaim the Gospel in Word and Sacrament,.
2) Heck, memory fails but it was about our relationship to TEC-i think
3) We are to pursue relationships around the world with other Provinces (and about inter-provincial accountability).
I loved his T-shirt “motto”: Making Biblical Anglicans for a Global Age. When will this T-shirt be available?? I want one!!!
Also, his metaphor for our relationship to TEC was a motorcycle with a side car. The front wheel is our drive to carry out the Good news as stated in his first point. The back wheel is our relationships with other Anglican provinces, another driving force in our common life.
The side car is our relationship to TEC. As he pointed there are still persons and institutions that are important to the diocese…so it can not be unbolted with out great thought – at least that is my understanding. He mentioned that we will remain part of TEC as long as our conscience will allow.
I had NO idea that Bishop Lawrence receives e-mails regularly from other Anglicans around the world. I was quite surprised and very pleased to hear that our orthodoxy is known around the world.
One of the first announcements the Bishop made was that The Rev. Dr. Kendall Harmon was appointed to chair a committee that will pursue relationships and strengthen ties with other provinces?? Help me out, Kendall. What exactly did the Bishop appoint you to do and what is your title? I am remember being so thrilled when I heard your appointment by the Bishop I forgot to write it down. DRATS! Anyway, I can not think of anyone better qualified for this position. I know that you will represent us well. May I pass this along to diocesean DOK so we may pray for you in this new position?
OK, enough from me. Remember that these are my thoughts and impressions, no doubt the full address will be available soon.
This is good news for the diocese: because these points of Spirit-discerned direction are things that +Mark has already been living out, articulating, desiring, and thinking through before and after his (first) election, and now with a firm sense of divine affirmation, their bishop will not be sitting around trying to figure out what he just said, but will have already hit the ground running.
The difficulty for the diocese: keeping up with their bishop.