Given the overwhelming vote this represents for revisionism, it is a no wonder Wimberly has kept his head down so low as a Windsor Bishop…the take over has really happened and there is literally no hope for TEC other than the new green and gay religion of KJS…people of integrity must now leave or effectively be denying their Lord…
Our greatest challenge is proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is also our greatest purpose. We can no longer do things the same old way. The Episcopal Church has been in decline for the past 41 years; the average age of parishioners and clergy hovers at 58. In the next decade, 45% of the clergy in this diocese will retire. Our task is monumental and awe-inspiring. It will take a fresh set of eyes, boundless energy, and creative leadership committed to following Christ in order to turn the tide.
The first charge to a new bishop is to be one with the apostles, proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel. To proclaim a transformational Gospel in a changing culture, we must be intentionally Christian.
We must unashamedly read and study the Bible. We must courageously engage in dialogue with others about Jesus, respecting differing opinions. We must live intentionally spiritual lives as we foster discernment and help craft rules of life for daily living. Our Sunday obligation must expand to include worship throughout the week, with time for contemplation and prayerful conversations. We must create loving communities inside and outside of the church. We must cloak the poor and the environment with the mercy of Christ, putting the Gospel into action on behalf of others and the world.
and on the hot button issue:
Anglicanism values communion as a guiding principle and bases decisions upon scripture, tradition, and reason. The Communion is clear about its teaching on sexuality. The Lambeth Conference has reaffirmed this historic teaching. The General Convention of The Episcopal Church has not changed its teaching on sexuality. The Diocese of Texas is clear in its canons regarding the definition of marriage. Therefore, I will not ordain non-celibate individuals, whether heterosexual, gay, or lesbian. I will not give permission to celebrate unions in the Diocese of Texas. As bishop, I will hold true to the canons of the Diocese of Texas.
“The Communion is clear about its teaching on sexuality. The Lambeth Conference has reaffirmed this historic teaching. The General Convention of The Episcopal Church has not changed its teaching on sexuality. The Diocese of Texas is clear in its canons regarding the definition of marriage. Therefore, I will not ordain non-celibate individuals, whether heterosexual, gay, or lesbian. I will not give permission to celebrate unions in the Diocese of Texas”
Bishop Howard would say the same—and he’s not exactly a friend of the orthodox.
“As bishop, I will hold true to the canons of the Diocese of Texas.” The EDOT has among its canons what we call the “morality canon” which requires that all licensed clergy within the diocese be either married or celibate regardless of sexual orientation. The revisionists have repeatedly tried to have this canon repealed. At one council about five years ago, they nearly succeeded on the repeal’s first reading. Such repeal efforts were solidly rejected at subsequent councils. At this year’s council, I perceived a definite shift to the left on on other issues which the council considered; the revisionists did not attempt to repeal the “morality canon” at this year’s council. I am sure the revisonists will try again to repeal the “morality canon” and may very well succeed. As Andy Doyle said, he will uphold the diocesan canons, and I would fully expect him to let anything go if the “morality canon” were to be repealed.
Dee in Iowa, TEO means “The Episcopal Organization,” a term used by those who no longer consider that group a “church” in the traditional sense. I believe it may have been coined by Christopher Johnson at Midwest Conservative Journal.
Where are the Elves? I thought we were supposed to call people by the titles they call themselves, not insults we make up for them. If you don’t want to be an Episcopalian, fine. That doesn’t give you the excuse to stop exercising Christian charity towards those who disagree with you. I might not regards some of the recently-coined conventicles as churches, either, but I will give them the courtesy of not calling them names.
The existence of a very large diocese that is (1) still part of TEC (2) still loyal (on the diocesan level) to the Windsor principles, and (3) not shrinking into irrelevancy is obviously something that some of you are not comfortable with. You are certainly entitled to your opinion that the Episcopal Diocese of Texas must be a shrinking revisionist mess. Doesn’t happen to be true, but when has that stopped the vitriol around here?
#10–here are the numbers from your election:
the laity were 459 liberals vs. 22 conservatives; and the clergy were 239 liberals vs. 8 conservatives…my point is that the divide and transformation of the diocese is clear and complete…so my question is why do orthodox people stay in that diocese or in TEC when the other options are now well established and faithful?
Given the overwhelming vote this represents for revisionism, it is a no wonder Wimberly has kept his head down so low as a Windsor Bishop…the take over has really happened and there is literally no hope for TEC other than the new green and gay religion of KJS…people of integrity must now leave or effectively be denying their Lord…
St Martin’s, the largest parish in still in the TEO, better be preparing to jump before GC09.
Ok robroy – what is TEO
Here are Canon Doyle’s Q & A responses from last March. I’m not sure what’s revisionist here:
and on the hot button issue:
“The Communion is clear about its teaching on sexuality. The Lambeth Conference has reaffirmed this historic teaching. The General Convention of The Episcopal Church has not changed its teaching on sexuality. The Diocese of Texas is clear in its canons regarding the definition of marriage. Therefore, I will not ordain non-celibate individuals, whether heterosexual, gay, or lesbian. I will not give permission to celebrate unions in the Diocese of Texas”
Bishop Howard would say the same—and he’s not exactly a friend of the orthodox.
“As bishop, I will hold true to the canons of the Diocese of Texas.” The EDOT has among its canons what we call the “morality canon” which requires that all licensed clergy within the diocese be either married or celibate regardless of sexual orientation. The revisionists have repeatedly tried to have this canon repealed. At one council about five years ago, they nearly succeeded on the repeal’s first reading. Such repeal efforts were solidly rejected at subsequent councils. At this year’s council, I perceived a definite shift to the left on on other issues which the council considered; the revisionists did not attempt to repeal the “morality canon” at this year’s council. I am sure the revisonists will try again to repeal the “morality canon” and may very well succeed. As Andy Doyle said, he will uphold the diocesan canons, and I would fully expect him to let anything go if the “morality canon” were to be repealed.
Dee in Iowa, TEO means “The Episcopal Organization,” a term used by those who no longer consider that group a “church” in the traditional sense. I believe it may have been coined by Christopher Johnson at Midwest Conservative Journal.
And TRO – The Reasserters’ Organization
Or whatever description for your Organization is appropriate.
Where are the Elves? I thought we were supposed to call people by the titles they call themselves, not insults we make up for them. If you don’t want to be an Episcopalian, fine. That doesn’t give you the excuse to stop exercising Christian charity towards those who disagree with you. I might not regards some of the recently-coined conventicles as churches, either, but I will give them the courtesy of not calling them names.
The existence of a very large diocese that is (1) still part of TEC (2) still loyal (on the diocesan level) to the Windsor principles, and (3) not shrinking into irrelevancy is obviously something that some of you are not comfortable with. You are certainly entitled to your opinion that the Episcopal Diocese of Texas must be a shrinking revisionist mess. Doesn’t happen to be true, but when has that stopped the vitriol around here?
[i] This elf agrees with #10. Please stop using the creative acronyms. TEC is the accepted acronym. [/i]
Elf Lady
#10–here are the numbers from your election:
the laity were 459 liberals vs. 22 conservatives; and the clergy were 239 liberals vs. 8 conservatives…my point is that the divide and transformation of the diocese is clear and complete…so my question is why do orthodox people stay in that diocese or in TEC when the other options are now well established and faithful?