In July 2003, I was preparing to enter seminary to study for the Episcopal priesthood. That same summer, the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire elected a man in an openly gay relationship, Gene Robinson, as bishop. I knew the sparks were going to fly at General Convention a few months later, since the convention had to approve the election. As a “closet conservative,” I was bothered by this, quietly mind you, for fear of getting kicked out of the postulancy process. I was baffled by the lack of concern about Robinson’s consecration at my local seminary, and in the wider Episcopal church. I eventually came to the conclusion that the Episcopal church really was Protestant, and willing to “go it alone” for the sake of its own view of “social justice” (heck, the word “Protestant” was in the official name of the Episcopal church up until a few years ago”¦that should have been a clue). So I decided to attend local American Anglican Council gatherings, banding together with a few other traditional-minded Episcopalians in the Southern Ohio area. I made quite a few friends during this time. However, in 2004, after concluding that the “Network” of conservative Anglicans was more talk than action, more process than result, I finally became open to the Catholic Church, and became Catholic in August of 2004. Almost five years later, it is interesting to see where everybody in our original group of orthodox Southern Ohio Episcopalians has ended up…
Read it all–another from the long list of should-have-already-been-posted material–KSH.
Kendall, this was posted on Stand Firm several weeks ago and has received extensive comments.
David+
I read it over at Stand Firm. Since then I can attest to the fact of 2.5 people leaving TEC in Texas. I had not mentioned to my family the fact that I had officially left TEC, but they have known my feelings regarding what has happened. I didn’t realize that the 2.5 were also as concerned. This past week, one of the 2.5 emailed me the web page of a Reformed Episcopal Church web site and asked what I thought about their investigation of same. Needless to say I told the to investigate by all means and should they decide to join, they should send a formal letter to the parish of TEC to which they belong, asking that they remove their names from the parish list as they were formally leaving TEC. You see the 2 are looking out for the .5 who will become a 1 later this year…..It is their intent to protect 1 as it is their God given responsibility…..I’m so glad they have choices. Not all of us do……
I myself left the TEC in 2004. I helped organize a new parish in the AMiA and then watched politics play out until the pastor was forced into resignation, the “senior warden” began preaching and I was asked to leave the church I help found! No wonder I’m an independent. I myself question the authority of +Rowan and the legitimacy of the Anglican Communion. Perhaps it is up to the true Anglicans out there to declare they are part of the “real” Anglican Communion. If Lambeth does anything, it will show us just where Anglicanism/Episcopalism stands. Your friends in Southern Ohio each made their own decision on what they deemed best for them. Was it best for God? Time will tell.
“Anglcianism” was a romantic notion largely born of the early-19th Century Romantic Movement. Both have died, and those who would remain true disciples of Christ must move on. Amen, amen.
indyanglican:
There are no “independents” in Christianity. We are all members of Christ’s body if we have been baptized into Him. In fact it is the “independent” focus (IMO) of all these “breakaways” from TEC, and of TEC itself (!) that is the problem. Ten years ago I experienced a painful experience in an “independent” church, Five years ago I got tired of all the division and came home to Rome. God bless you on your journey!
#4, Elizabeth 1 would be interested to know that her church is only a romantic notion from 4 centuries after her death.
But why would anyone join the Roman Catholic Church? For what gain?
LM
For what gain?
For Heaven. 😉
Seriously, one should join any church because one believes it’s doctrines to be [i]true[/i]. As to gain, many Christians of the first centuries might answer that question by showing the scars on their bodies.
Thank you, Words Matter! I read Mr. Morse’s comment at work when I had no time to reply. All for the best, as you replied with clarity and charity. 🙂