Integrity expresses its profound disappointment and anger that the Archbishop of Canterbury has failed to find a way for the Rt. Rev. Gene Robison to meaningfully participate in the Lambeth Conference. The Rev. Susan Russell, President of Integrity, said, “Bishop Robinson’s marginalization is symbolic of the discrimination experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faithful daily throughout the Anglican Communion. It runs completely contrary to the promise made at the last Lambeth Conference ‘to listen to the experience of homosexual persons’ (see Lambeth 1998 Resolution 1.10.) making a travesty of the so-called ‘Listening Process.'”
Russell added, “Integrity completely supports Bishop Robinson’s call for other U.S. bishops to attend the Lambeth Conference despite his exclusion — and we challenge them to speak not only for him, but for the LGBT faithful throughout the Anglican Communion who will have no voice in Canterbury. Integrity will be consulting with a number of progressive bishops on how to best offer that witness.”
Russell concluded by saying, “Integrity continues to prepare for our Lambeth Conference witness with our global Anglican allies. We will be there in numbers and we look forward to the opportunity to claim God’s justice and proclaim Christ’s love.”
Anger? How’s that for a Christian response?
“…making a travesty of the so-called ‘Listening Process.'”
My comment is not intended to appear mean spirited or derisive but I find Rev. Russell’s use of “travesty” somewhat ironic.
Charley – Although I certainly am NOT a supporter of Integrity, how would you characterize Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in Matthew 23? Sounds like anger to me.
Oh, He was angry. But He is God.
If the passage had gone on to say something to the effect that he looked on in approval while the entire temple was trashed by his followers THEN you might have a point.
Personally, I am very grateful that Rowan held his ground. The real travesty would have been if Robinson would have been invited. It is so good to hear, at least every so often, The Episcopal Church being told “No.” If only it would heed the “No”‘s more often, we wouldn’t be in these kinds of pickle. Sorry to say, I equate Integrity’s response to be the equivalent of a child’s loud borderline temer tantrum whine that they didn’t get their way.
Harry, He also destroyed the whole world, should we do the same?
It is TEC who has not been listening. They created the problem and should own up to it.
Apparently “listening to” equates to “let me” and “endorse me”.
I wish to once again express my hope that TEC will one day require an annual two week spiritual formation retreat for its clergy … and a psychological exam every four years.
“…(see Lambeth 1998 Resolution 1.10.)”
Yes, I WISH that Integrity would read ALL of Lambeth 1.10.
Integrity confuses “listening” with “agree”. By listen, they mean that they talk, and the rest of us listen until we agree with their viewpoint. We have listened since 2003. We disagree. At least on the point of invitation to Lambeth, so does the ABC.
Even though I am totally opposed to Integrity’s position, and their reasoning (which is certainly false from the outset), I have to agree with Harry, but would point out a different verse to Charley:
Ephesians 4:Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger
However, the first part of the passage gives no opportunity for Integrity to claim that verse:
25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and give no opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
(Bible passages from the English Standard Version)
Peace
Jim Elliott <><
BillS, in Post #10, is dead right. Listening and agreeing have become equated and it just isn’t so.
I used to be angry about all this until it dawned on me that nobody was forcing me to attend an apostate church.
KJS and those of her ilk have been evangelized. They’ve heard the Truth and have chosen to ignore it. Time to move on. I’m comfortable with that.
There comes a point in a relationship with certain people when, if you realize that they are either insane or relentless liars, you cease trying to have any meaningful conversation with them. You might talk about the weather, the latest ball game or anything else of little substance, but to try to communicate about important matters becomes itself meaningless and even a small sign of insanity on your part.
You’re not alone, Charley, and that’s why my wife and I left El Camino Real and have never looked back!
If listening is [i]all[/i] that is desired Gene could come to our church. He would be welcome and many of us would be glad to listen to him.
The trouble is that participation in Lambeth implies approval. Even if the rest of the AC eventually sees the light and wisdom of the TEC position it is only reasonable that implicit approval be withheld until there is explicit consensus on the matter.
[blockquote] profound disappointment and anger that the Archbishop of Canterbury has failed to find a way for the Rt. Rev. Gene Robison to meaningfully participate in the Lambeth Conference [/blockquote]
Maybe the real “profound disappoinment and anger” with the Archbishop of Canterbury is that he has failed to find a way to make men women or to make women men.
In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Christ begins to teach in parables and when asked why, he told the disciples that they understood, but the ones on the outside would not understand. Integrity and the entire GLBT community I believe is on the outside, and can not hear the truth no matter how much we listen and respond to their apostasy. If you are not of God, you can not hear God according to John. I will let you draw your own conclusions concerning integrity and the GLBT community.
Charley, Scripture is very clear that apostates who have heard and intentionally rejected and mocked the Gospel have been condemned. Their treatment is not in our hands and scripture tells us to give them over to their passions and subsequent judgment. As Paul teaches, we cannot have anything to do with them. As the writer of Hebrews states:
The African church understands this. Many in the “civilized” West, who want to be “polite” and continue to have conversation with those who have become tools of the Enemy, do not.
I’d like to reflect that it is a dangerous thing for any of us to “claim God’s justice.” We are bold to ask for his mercy for our unfaithfulness.
No, I do not judge, vengeance is in the hands of the Lord. I am not judging, but I am following scripture’s command not to call good that which is not good. Christians at this point must come out from among these people. You risk your spiritual destruction if you do not.
We are called to love and save the lost. But there is a difference between the lost and those who have heard the Gospel and have intentionally rejected it and trodden it underfoot. They are not the lost. They are the wolves that eat the flock.
Integrity wants Lambeth to be a freak show, and so it will be. It will have more straight freaks than gay, that’s all.
From the listed title of the post:
[blockquote] Lamebth [/blockquote]
I’m certain it’s a typo, but it certainly seems appropriate at this time, emphasis as follows – [b] Lame[/b]bth; notwithstanding the non-invitation of Bp. Robinson.
What I find ironic is that, in their hodgepodge of contradictory statements, integrity finds any audience at all. A few days ago I read that they are hurt by the notion that their aim is anything less than spiritual, the notion that they have some sort of agenda other than serving Christ and his church. But today, they assure us that they will have a strong presence at Lambeth to remind/coerce the bishops in regards to their failure to sufficiently listen to them. No agenda there…
Yes, there’s CLEARLY is an Integrity “agenda”, Schumanbean:
[i]We will be there in numbers and we look forward to the opportunity to claim God’s justice and proclaim Christ’s love.[/i]
Onward to Easter!
I still do not see how all of these Bishops, wives, Susan Russell, and all of her cohorts who are going to Lambeth in great numbers, can justify the carbon output and Global Warming effect which will melt the ice caps and drown our South Pacific Island neighbors that Schori is so concerned about in her most excellent Easter message.
Maybe all this Global Warming stuff is just not a serious enough threat to really worry about.
Are there any other groups like Integrity that are seamlessly indentified with a particular church or denomination?
Integrity may wish to be careful seeking God’s justice. They may find it.
You know Susan there were large numbers present on Good Friday too.
Susan,
You do have enthusiasm. I think that your talents are hidden under a bushel by being part of a multi-staff line-up at All Saints. Perhaps it is time that you took your enthusiasm out front in your own parish. The newly reconstituted Episcopal Diocese of San Joachin may be a good place. (I would like to urge you, though, to remember that “numbers” of Integrity supporters might backfire at Lambeth. You’ll not want to look like loud and obnoxious people haunting a religious meeting).
Charley, post 27
[blockquote] Are there any other groups like Integrity that are seamlessly identified with a particular church or denomination? [/blockquote]
Yes there are other groups – the “RCRC” (Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice), a lobbying group which advocates abortion, is seamlessly identified with the Episcopal Church. This affiliation was made without approval of church members. and even though church members have protested, the committee responsible, (I think it was the standing committee of TEC) recently made it plain to the Bishop of Mississippi that they would not consider his request that the affiliation be rescinded and they would continue TEC’s affiliation with “RCRC”.
I may be mistaken but I believe Rev. Susan Russell is on the Board of Directors of both the “RCRC” and “Integrity”.
I guess an exploration of why these groups sprung up in TEC would probably get to the heart of matter.
Fertile soil, I suppose.
Why waste time with Integrity. Russell has made it abundantly clear that Integrity’s goal has nothing to do with religion, but the acquisition of political power for the sake of an agenda. Religion for Integrity is simply a lever for moving the world in ways they want it to be moved. If TEC did not provide that fulcrum, Integrity would not waste its time.
Its actions say what TEC’s actions say: Our words are a sales pitch for the marketplace; we will do what we want to do without regard for anyone else, and no one can stop us. What could be more obvious by now? LM