In searching for its 11th bishop, the Diocese of Springfield describes itself as “more conservative than liberal” philosophically and theologically, “although several parishes likely would describe themselves as more liberal.”
A survey included in the diocesan profile [PDF] reinforces that description, but with some unpredictable results.
The Rt. Rev. Peter H. Beckwith was the diocese’s 10th bishop from 1992 until February 2010. In addition to his diocesan duties, Bishop Beckwith served as vice president of the American Anglican Council and as chairman of the AAC Bishops Network.
The diocese’s election committee says 846 people completed the survey. That number “constitutes 40.61% of the diocese’s average Sunday attendance of 2,083 taken from the 2008 parochial reports.”
An interesting glimpse into a small diocese that represents Middle America in more ways than one.
Often the search for a new bishop or a new parish priest becomes a referendum on perceived weaknesses of the former bishop or rector. But that certainly doesn’t explain the rather odd item that came out on top of the diocesan survey’s wish list in qualities desired most in the next bishop. For there can be no doubt whatsoever about the vibrancy of +Peter Beckwith’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Perhaps in this case, it reflects the opposite tendency, that the diocese likes the fact that the depth and reality of +Beckwith’s piety was so obvious, and many folks want to be sure the next bishop is similar in that way.
But it makes me wonder: what in the world does it say about TEC that such a thing can’t simply be taken for granted as a given? That is, it’s comical or sad (or both) that people in the Diocese of Springfield don’t assume that [b]of course[/b] all priests display a strong, lively personal relationship with the Savior. That speaks volumes about what’s wrong with TEC.
I’m glad that my friend Doug LeBlanc signed his name to this article. Many of his contributions to TLC go unsigned, but this reflects his keen eye for striking things that others might overlook.
And Springfield’s choice to go with a nominating synod instead of the normal diocesan search committee is a striking and innovative idea. One that I think is a creative experiment that bears watching to see how it pans out. But it might only work for a really small diocese like Springfield.
David Handy+
Fr. Handy,
At the rate they’re going, most of the dioceses in TEC will be small enough for a nominating synod before too long.
“But it makes me wonder: what in the world does it say about TEC that such a thing can’t simply be taken for granted as a given? That is, it’s comical or sad (or both) that people in the Diocese of Springfield don’t assume that of course all priests display a strong, lively personal relationship with the Savior. That speaks volumes about what’s wrong with TEC.”
Oh come on. Presumably it was one of the items on a multiple choice list. What would it have said, in any church at any time, if it were there to be chosen and people didn’t choose it as important? I suspect “believes in God” would have outpolled it, if that had been on the list. You honestly don’t believe in a similar poll with similar choices “has a strong personal relationship with the Lord” would poll well among the AMIA faithful? (Now that would speak volumes….)
MarkP (#3),
The point is that this made the top of the list, as if it separated the best candidate from the also rans. I stand by what I wrote.
And evan (#2),
Always good to hear from you. You’re right. TEC is tanking badly.
David Handy+
Fr. Handy,
Will you by any chance be at the Diocese of the Holy Spirit synod tomorrow and Thursday (if that’s your diocese)? If so, hopefully I’ll get to meet you.
As i grew up about 100 miles south of Springfield, I may well be misguided by youthful experiences. I remember well the Evangelical & Reformed Church: a solid bunch of traditional Christians from German stock. Now its part of the United Church of Christ with full acceptance of homosexual clergy. And so, it should not be any surprise to me (but it still is) that the TEC in the diocese of Springfield is of such mixed positions on that subject. Given the disaster that the diocese experienced during 2002 through 2008 (Members down 19 percent, ASA down 28 percent, and Plate & Pledge adjusted for inflation down 16 percent) it is hard to imagine that many would support the TEC leadership. As for the future: the diocese is really Aging with 62 Infant Baptisms and 112 Burials in 2008. And for Money 28 of its 38 churches had less than $150K in Plate & Pledge in 2008 with 6 churches having $10K or less. As for the next bishop, I am totally confused. May be the first bisexual! Statmann
Alas, Evan (#5),
Although I’m indeed in +Guernsey’s diocese, I won’t be making it this time. I’m sorry. You’re one of many people I would have liked to see in Ridgecrest.
David Handy+
MarkP,
Once the option is given, true, it is a little difficult to back off by not giving it some validity. However, even if it was given a “yes” by a high percentage, the survey also noted that not every body thought it should be in the top 5 (see final thought in my comment below).
Has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ:
yes: 475
percentage of survey takers: 64.54%
average given of top 5 ranking: 1.84
I think it has more to do, though, with trained agenda and the long tradition of priorities from bishops and people in the diocese from a “renewal” perspective and (forgive me) spirituality. This has been truly a “3 stream” diocese for quite awhile. The question is a badge of honor, recognizing that for DECADES -whether evangelical or anglo-catholic or broad church or whatever – a primary method of filtering out circumspect clergy would be how they handled the answering of that question. And just to back up that observation, the second highest rated question – together the two stand apart from the rest of the top 5 rated priorities for a bishop – is:
Believes in the authority of Holy Scripture, the Apostles’ and
Nicene Creeds, and the 39 Articles:
yes – 465
percentage of survey takers – 63.18%
average given from top 5 ratings – 1.88
On the one hand, it is quite a concession to the life of the diocese over the last 40 to 50 years, and more, to have those questions included. On the other hand, it was quite a risk of faith to have those questions included.
Just think, MarkP and David H,– 1.84 and 1.88 means that even though these two got the highest ratings for top 5 status, not everybody who took the survey thought that “a personal relationship with Jesus Christ”, nor believing in “the authority of the Scriptures, etc” were worthy of being top 5 priorities and requirements for their bishop at all.
This does give me hope for the final slate in Springfield. It also means the battle should be shaping up quickly.
Thanks for the analysis, tule spouse. If I read you right, you see it as a good sign that the people in the diocese thought a strong relationship with Jesus is important. Me too. My comment was only to suggest that David’s comment was a cheap shot in a forum where, to a moderate eye like mine, “speaks volumes about what’s wrong with TEC” sometimes seems to be the entire content of the Gospel message. Forgive me, but this place often feels like one of those high school conversations where people strengthen their friendships by insulting their absent enemies, then telling each other how right they are.
RE: “where people strengthen their friendships by insulting their absent enemies, then telling each other how right they are. . . . ”
There is plenty of disagreement on this blog about various matters — but I expect it’s true that most of the traditionalists commenting here hold the *ideas* of the revisionist activists in TEC in complete disdain.
My own disdain for those ideas has not, however, “strengthened my friendships” with the commenters here nor have I desired that.
1. New Reformation Advocate wrote:
[blockquote] And Springfield’s choice to go with a nominating synod instead of the normal diocesan search committee is a striking and innovative idea. One that I think is a creative experiment that bears watching to see how it pans out. But it might only work for a really small diocese like Springfield.[/blockquote]
My understanding is that this is essentially the same process that was used for the last election in the Diocese of Springfield.
BrianinDioSpfd,
You came in after Bp Beckwith from Albany, right? And you were there when Bp Love was elected? How does this nominating synod approach feel compared with how the search committee in Albany did their work leading into their electing convention?
That’s about the only way to compare – one conservative diocese to another.
And if I read the profile right, this is indeed the same method as when +Peter was elected. And there were more people in the diocese then, although perhaps not much more attending a nominating synod (based on normal delegate election guidelines in the congregations).
Personally, I think that this is the way to go, given the excesses and abuses of power in search committees, and their undue influence over the last 20 years from 815 oversight.
And in that light I’ve been saying for years that in any diocesan election for bishop, all active clergy who hold priest-in-charge responsibilities should be automatically included without the formality of submitting a nomination form. They can always formally opt out.
I thought about getting nominated myself, invoking Paul’s extolling of those who desire to the office as a good ambition. But why not yourself (if you are who I think you are), and Chuck R., and Chris A.?
MarkP,
Yes, you read me right.
But I wish you hadn’t used my analysis as a springboard in your comment to make generalizations and an unfortunate swipe at “this place”, when there would have been nothing wrong with simply challenging David in his.
By doing so, you’ve tainted somewhat the nature of the comments that I made.
[b] 12. remaining wrote: [/b]
[blockquote] And you were there when Bp Love was elected? How does this nominating synod approach feel compared with how the search committee in Albany did their work leading into their electing convention?[/blockquote]
Actually, I left Albany before the nominations and election occurred. So I really cannot compare the process.
I continue to pray that the Lord will provide us a godly person to elect and that we will be able to secure consents to have the person consecrated.
Fr. Handy,
I noted with regret your absance at last week’s synod. Your name was listed among the expected attendees and I was looking forward to meeting. I your absance wasn’t due to ill health or other unpleasantness. +Guernsey was superb, as always.