It appears that the powers-that-be in TEC are determined to prevent any existing parish or diocese claiming to be part of the Anglican Communion unless it remains within TEC. The theological and ecclesiological argument that is being put forward is that of the tradition of only one episcopal jurisdiction within a territory. This is clearly incredible – it only makes sense when there is a commitment to shared common counsel and shared understanding of the faith and the point is that for those parishes and dioceses and for the provinces taking them into their polity this no longer exists with the structures of TEC. Furthermore, the willingness to allow other denominations to take over property does not fit with this understanding.
In trying to understand the real rationale behind this I was reminded of part of the biography of Gene Robinson (Going to Heaven) which I read recently. At one point (p209), his predecessor as Bishop of New Hampshire – Bishop Doug Theuner – is reported recalling part of his early training as a bishop
He told an amusing story from his early days as a bishop, when a group of bishops were invited to spend time with the American Management Association in New York over a period of several months. The AMA had never worked with a group of religious leaders before, and the man in charge finally told them, “We’ve tried to tailor a program specifically for you, and we’ve tried to match it up with our normal experience in the business world, and we’ve determined that the category you come closest to, in terms of what we’ve done before, is “regional managers of a small corporation”
This business and management model gives, I think, the best explanation of what is going on. In the American religious market place, TEC’s niche has been that in being Anglican/Episcopalian it offers a mix of historic church tradition (liturgy, bishops, vestments, historic buildings etc) and wider international bonds through the Communion. That, particularly in recent decades, has been combined with a particular “inclusive” stance on key social and ethical issues. In offering this profile it is only now “a small corporation” but one of its claims is that it is – in this understanding – also the sole recognised national branch of a genuine and large multi-national. Its “market share” and “franchise” will, therefore, be greatly threatened if parishes (and now dioceses) escape the legal and constitutional structures of TEC and are able to continue to offer the Anglican combination of historic church tradition (not just in terms of ecclesiological order but also catholic faith and morals) and being part of an international communion within the church catholic. That is why the central offices of the “small corporation” at “815” are doing all they can to prevent their “regional managers” either departing (as in Pittsburgh etc) or allowing their parishes to depart amicably with their property (as in Virginia etc).
TEC has operated on a BIG business model for decades now, trying to mimic corporate America. This even decades after corporate America has moved on to networks and lean flat organizational models. Let us hope the new Anglican Provence in North America now being formed by common cause partners, can avoit the clumsy armor of Saul.
http://www.pwcweb.com/ecw
When did the Great Commission morph into a business entity?
Hey, in the corporate world we can find the solution: any departing parish could easily sign a “non-compete” agreement. After all, parishes or dioceses seeking to depart aren’t offering the same product that TEC has on its franchise menu now. The two religions are not the same product! It would be like accusing Starbucks of being a threat to Subway.
Look, the *Bible* is a business plan. It shows what sort of beliefs are popular with human beings, and hence what sorts of churches will be successful. You have to have just enough good beliefs to have a reputation for morality, and countenance just enough evil beliefs to attract the masses. You have to make pathetic people feel special – like they’re better than everybody else. You have to tell people nobody else sells your product. You have to lower the price of the product to the point that people are actually willing to pay it – St. Paul taught us that better than anybody. You have to have memorable sales pitches – look at all that poetry!
Oh, and your salesmen have to be men. One of the most interesting things my saleswoman ex-girlfriend taught me was that men buy from both men and women, but women don’t like buying from women as much. And while women can be good leaders, those who want to be leaders usually aren’t good ones. On it goes.
The Bible is a remarkable work about our species, and much underappreciated.