The first event was a welcome in the Big Top, the name given to the large blue tent where plenary sessions will be held. The archbishop of Canterbury kicked off the evening with introductions of the planning committee, followed by a lots of details from those committee members about what our time together will look like. And of course, there was advice about talking to members of the press; internal official press officials wear red lanyards, while outside, accredited reporters wear blue lanyards. The bishops and spouses? We get purple lanyards.
In the most important part of his remarks the archbishop said that in planning the conference, the planning group has emphasized the need to draw together around the Bible. We need to be fluent and confident speaking to each other in the language of scripture. “We have tried to build a conference in which every view can be heard,” he said.
He further said that the Anglican Communion is a wounded body, and he hopes that we can find the trust in God and one another to change in the way that God wants us to change.
“We need to be fluent and confident speaking to each other in the language of scripture. “We have tried to build a conference in which every view can be heard,†he said.”
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Does that mean that the Anglican Communion has bishops who are NOT “…fluent and confident speaking to each other in the language of scripture…?”
I thought that in order to become a bishop, a person had to first be a competent priest, or at least should be a competent priest. A priest capable of teaching and leading other priests.
But, to go on, it seems that ECUSA, at least, has many ‘second-career’ priests and bishops who have become clergy in order to add new direction to their ‘personas’ and their ‘careers.”
“Indeed, the reporter from the Guardian had written that Gene seemed to be first and foremost a solid evangelist who emphasized Jesus.”
I take note that our Gospel lesson from last Sunday (Trinity VIII) ended with this “gem from Jesus:”
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
Just calling on Jesus’ name isn’t a guarantee. He will say he never knew you. The admonition proceeding this concerns false prophets that come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The “Big Top” tent seems a very fitting venue for this Anglican circus!
I’d trust anything coming from the Guardian about as much as I’d trust something coming from ENS. They are ideological bedfellows.