Silly me, I thought that a committee entitled “world missions” might actually talk about the proclamation of the Gospel message to the ends of the earth. And, maybe they will. But not just yet. Instead, here is a sampling of the resolutions set to appear before this committee: equal access to discernment process for transgendered persons; several resolutions seeking to overturn or supersede resolution B033 (a moratorium on same-sex blessings/ordinations passed in 2006); affirmation of full participation in the Anglican Communion for all Lesbian/Gay/Bi-sexual and Transgendered persons. And, that’s just the appetizer. I’ll keep you appraised on these as they move through committee and onto the floor. The only connection I can make between these topics and world missions is that passage will effectively END any credible efforts at world mission.
One side note: Interestingly, when the Archbishop of Canterbury walked into this legislative session the topic under consideration immediately shifted to Resolution D057: “Five Marks of Mission”. When members of committee objected as to the reordering the agenda and questioned the chair as to the rationale for the out-of-order consideration of the this particular resolution, the chair responded by saying, “I thought the ABC might rather hear us discuss the mission commitment of the Episcopal Church”. I’d like to hear someone around hear discuss, and affirm, that Jesus it THE way, THE truth and THE life.
Steve Wood writes: Silly me, I thought that a committee entitled “world missions†might actually talk about the proclamation of the Gospel message to the ends of the earth.
The Gospel message is central to the Episcopal Church … it is addressed on a daily basis … it needn’t and doesn’t wait for General Convention. It’s sad that Steve doesn’t seem to recognize that many of the topics being discussed are critical to carrying out the Gospel as Jesus commanded of us.
Sorry to quibble, FFV, but TEC seems more interested in goings-on below the waist at the moment. That, and scourging dissenters.