At each stop, Episcopalians from the region interviewed the clerics, probing them on such questions as how they resolve conflicts, whether they would support the diocese’s practice of blessing same-sex unions and ordaining gay priests, and how they would reach out to the disenfranchised inside and outside the church.
Delegates and clergy will elect the new bishop at a special May 22 convention in Salt Lake City’s St. Mark’s Cathedral. He or she will replace the Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, who is retiring in the fall.
“It will be hard because each has clear gifts,” said the Rev. Trace Browning, chaplain at Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s School after Tuesday’s walkabout interviews. “I don’t think it will go on the first ballot.”
Only 6,000 members and they are “entitled” to a bishop. I daresay that there are churches in Africa with that membership.
This slate raises interesting missiological questions. It has been argued since 2003 that the choices TEC has made have been appropriate to our social context of mission and ministry, whereas the context of -say- Nigeria, require other choices for the sake of mission.
Utah as a mission context would seem to mitigate against the choices for this slate. Or is this a choice where a diocese is making an explicit choice to be a contrast and contradiction with the prevailing culture? And, if so, does this not argue against the rationale that our context has guided our choices since 2003? What theology of mission is informing the selection here?
Of course, having been involved in several episcopal elections over the years, I realize that mission concerns do not rise to the level of importance as they should. Without making any judgments about the relative merits of these candidates, There is a missiological conundrum at work here.
#2:
A theology of mission is informing the diocese of Utah? Now, THAT is a funny question.
Since the question is even being asked about same sex marriage, can you really blame a Mormon for laughing at such odd ducks in his neighborhood? Their theology knows better. And THAT is pretty lame.
#2:
[blockquote]Of course, having been involved in several episcopal elections over the years, I realize that mission concerns do not rise to the level of importance as they should. Without making any judgments about the relative merits of these candidates, There is a missiological conundrum at work here.[/blockquote]
Good point. When I interviewed at the church where I serve, I was told by the senior pastor that I should consider myself a missionary if I moved here to be a pastor.
On a slightly unrelated note, is Bp. Irish ill? She seems to have lost a great deal of weight in the picture from the website.