Here are some initial thoughts about recovering a better understanding and application of the Bishop’s role in our midst….
Here are some initial thoughts about recovering a better understanding and application of the Bishop’s role in our midst….
This is a bold and exciting vision written by a man who lives out his beliefs in a very faithful manner.
At the risk of dampening any consequent enthusiasm from this post, why do we feel the need to reinvent everything in light of the current unpleasantries, neglecting our Anglican heritage? Rather than extemporizing about the role of a bishop, why not go back to the Ordinal and its prayers for some guidance?
GIVE heed unto reading, exhortation, and doctrine. Think upon the things contained in this Book [the Bible]. Be diligent in them, that the increase coming thereby may be manifest unto all men; for by so doing thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf; feed them, devour them not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring again the outcasts, seek the lost. Be so merciful, that you be not too remiss; so minister discipline, that you forget not mercy; that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the never-fading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
anxious — I have two thoughts on your comments. 1) I think he is both trying to reinvent the position of bishop … BY going back to the book. 2) I would say that our current crises shows that this IS necessary. There appears to be something fundamentally skewed in the current Episcopal / Anglican institution that has allowed things to go as far as they have. For far to long the orthodox bishops have committed a sin of omission in their lack of standing up for the faith and advancing the Gospel message – IMHO. Too many “good” bishops have been complicit in the sin of the Episcopal church. Even now how many have stood up to the presiding bishop? How many attend the HOB meetings and go along with the agenda that seems to ignore the current crises — or at best ignores their roll in the crisis.
So.. I think it goes beyond having the right man in the role of bishop. We also need to have the right role of bishop for the Church and the lost and dying world.