My experience as a clergyman within the Episcopal Church for some 17 years, was often one of great frustration and anger. Decisions were made of which I disapproved. Statements were made with which I disagreed. Every pronouncement from the National Church seemed to open the wound only wider. The result was never good for my spiritual well-being. It is one thing to start out one’s spiritual career with a notion that you will be among the “reformers.” This, in fact, is probably not good. The Church should exist to save us, not us to save the Church.
But it was also destructive to my spiritual well-being because I was frequently so deeply exercised about things over which I had no control. I could and did voice my opinion and even led one national movement that was engaged with structural change (we failed). But in such struggles other human beings can quickly become little more than adversaries – known by whatever name we know adversaries. Prayer without peace is deeply damaged prayer.
As an ECUSA priest who has seen too much over the last 35 years, I have to agree with the statemetn that the Church should be there to save us, not we the Church! Yet that is impossible now in ECUSA.
I was just talking to the sister of a rather famous Episcopal Priest this morning, and all three of us agree that we no longer think a whole lot of the institutional church…and –Rowan Williams certainly is no small part of that…
David, the same thing resonated with me. For some time I have noticed that the Church is no longer a source of support and comfort but a cause of additional stress and discord. This can seem overwhelming when other crises arise.
Thank you, Fr. Freeman, for reminding us all what the priesthood should be all about.
Ask not what your Church can do for you, but…what you can do for your Church. The above posters seem to think of “the church” as 815, TEC, or whatever. To me, “The Church” is the whole Christian community. Every Believer is a member of The Church. Baptist, Methodist, all True Believers. There are thousands of people in Episcopal churches all across America that need to hear this message right now. Just because TEC has sunk to cultism, there is no reason to believe that YOUR Church…the Christians around you, do not need real guidance now. Now….all you real Priests can really go to work. The facade of “the episcopal church” was not really a rock at all…..He is.
bl
“The Church should exist to save us, not us to save the Church.”
I disagree with this statement. Jesus Christ saves us by his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. In that salvation, we become members of the Church – the Body of Christ and we participate in that salvific action as we begin to mediate that grace to others – even others in the human institution known as the Episcopal Church. Ask Athanasius if the Church saved him or he had to work to save the Church. Ask Anthony the same. How about the Cappodocians? Anslem? Dominic? Francis? Aquinas? Latimer & Ridley? Wesley? All these men worked to “save the Church” in their day. Why should we despair when we have to do so in ours? Is 815 following heresy? I believe they are? Is +Cantuar reluctant to do anything about it? Well, yes. But that’s his nature as an academic and not as a leader. Are things falling around us? Well, yes and no. Things are bad in the Church. Our ship of faith is foundering, but we still should labor to rebuild it and to right it and to make it seaworthy again and safe again. Is it hard? Yes! Is it impossible? Well, for Phil Snyder it is. But for God, nothing is impossible.
This has been a depressing couple of weeks for those of us who follow the teachings of the Church and put our trust in the faithfulness of God and His Word in Holy Scripture and are part of The Episcopal Church in the United States. But things were hard for Anthony. They were harder for Athanasius. Instead of giving up to TECUSA, we should make further surrender to God and be willing to empty ourselves just as the Son emptied Himself.
Ultreya!!!
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
I agree that it really stinks to be at odds with your church all the time. While very few would say TEC is “the Church,” it still is troubling to know that you can’t turn to your own church for basic guidance and support. I grew up United Methodist, and my dad was/is an evangelical UMC pastor. I learned early that fighting your own leadership is natural and to be expected. I was confirmed in TEC in 2000 in a parish where the priest praised Spong and was into the Jesus seminar. From day 1, I was at odds with the church I was involved in. In many ways it is a total shame that this has to happen.
In response to Phil Snyder (#6), let me note that Steve Freeman did give up on the Episcopal Church and now believes that he is part of the one true Church. Anglicans have ever claimed that even apostolic churches have erred (Aritcle XIX), and this conviction led them to depart from Rome. Discerning when the time for departure has come is a matter of discernment, but it nevertheless is a part of Christian faithfulness. Steve Freeman, AS AN ANGLICAN, exercised it. Perhaps those who think a particular visible Church is indefectible would be better going to Rome or Orthodoxy.
An outstanding article by Fr. Stephen.
Re:#1
What do you believe are the implications of your statement (which I wholeheartedly agree with)?
It’s a nice article, but I do not believe the Church saves us. And further, I do not believe that any denomination [which name I ascribe to ALL entities that believe themselves to be “the church”] is “The Church.”
So, even though “The Church” is a wonderful thing and does much for me as a Christian — that entity that titles itself “The Episcopal Church” isn’t “The Church” any more than the Methodists, the Roman Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, or that non-denominational building down the street.
All of the above going to show . . . I’m not either Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox. ; > )
Sarah, with all due respect and having read a lot of your posts, you are what I like to call a ‘strife magnet.’ You’re going to find it, no matter what.
You’d never leave. You’re having too much fun.
Think about it, take a deep breath, before you type one of your obligatory cute but well-written responses complete with winks and internet facial gestures.
“The Church should exist to save us, not us to save the Church.”
Of course the Church saves us, or as the early Fathers formulated it, Extra ecclesia nulla salus.
Without the Church, we would never have heard the gospel. Without the Church, we would never have been baptized and reborn in the Spirit. Without the Church, we would never partake of Holy Eucharist. Without the Church, we would not be brothers and sisters to each other. Without the Church, we would not be able to meditate on God’s Word in the pages of Holy Scripture. Without the Church we would not be able to listen to Holy Scripture expounded by the preachers of Christ. The list can be expanded, but I think the point is made.
The Church saves because she is the body and bride of Jesus Christ and he refuses to be separated from her. Union with Jesus Christ is union with the Church. Or as the Apostle Paul puts it: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
Stanley Hauerwas: “Put as offensively as possible, ‘Outside the Church there is no salvation.’ Less offensively, ‘Without the Church, there is no salvation.’â€
RE: “Sarah, with all due respect and having read a lot of your posts, you are what I like to call a ‘strife magnet.’ You’re going to find it, no matter what.”
You’ve hurt me so much.
To have the respect of someone like you . . . well . . .
Harsh words, harsh words.
It’s very true, however, that given the gospel of the leadership of ECUSA, there will certainly be strife wherever that gospel is resisted — by anyone within ECUSA.
And yes . . . ; > )
“..But as many as believed in Him gave He the power to become the Sons of God, even to those who believe on His name…” The “church” had nothing to do with our redemption only Christ’s gift to us – His redemptive Grace. Many “churches” claim they are the only way. This has gone on for centuries and is still going on. Do not trust in a “church” – trust in Jesus.