[Bishop John McKee ‘Kee’] Sloan, a soft-spoken man known for his work with the disabled in summer programs at Camp McDowell, has a firm grasp of how he wants to lead the diocese.
“The diocesan office should not be detached, remote, long-distance,” Sloan said. “It has to be more hands-on, with trust and affection.”
Sloan assumes the reins as a diocesan leader after watching for years as liberals and conservatives battled over issues related to the growing acceptance of openly practicing homosexuals as priests and bishops. That caused defections and ill feelings.
The Dio of Alabama had a fairly easy 2002 through 2010 experience with only two churches lost, Members down 9.4 percent, and ASA down 14.7 percent. But the longer tem picture is lmore bleak with Marraiges down 37.8 percent and Infant Baptisms down 32.3 percent. Statmann
[blockquote] “During the service, Sloan will be officially recognized as the head of the diocese, which includes more than 30,000 Episcopalians in 90 parishes across the north-central part of the state.” [/blockquote]
I wonder how many of those 30,000 attend church on a regular basis, or at all?
Whatever the number, it is likely to be smaller by the end of his tenure. +Sloan may well be a very godly man (I don’t know anything about him), but the extreme liberal message emanating from the leadership of TEC will likely overshadow any orthodox ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. And liberal values usually seem to lead to shrinking churches.
Thanks Statmann, didn’t see your #1 before I posted.