Dear Brothers and Sisters,
After the second day of “Indaba” groups, there seems to be an incipient revolt stirring among us. Many of the Africans are saying, “This isn’t ‘Indaba’ at all! First of all, we are not a village, and we don’t know each other. And secondly, we are not attempting to solve a problem; we are talking in small groups about minor issues of little consequence.”
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu (himself an African, I believe from Uganda) is reported to have said, “If Indaba is such a great idea, why is Africa in such a mess?” There seems to be the beginning of some rumbling that we need to get to a decision-making moment in the life of the Conference.
Nevertheless, I found my two “Indaba” conversations today somewhat more interesting than yesterday’s. The first one discussed the Church’s (the Bishop’s) ministry to young people. And, from across extremely different social and cultural contexts, in many different parts of the world, there were a few key points held in common. First, the Bishop’s personal involvement in meeting with young people can be enormously significant. Secondly, the high priority of training youth leaders, and providing opportunities for young people to meet together beyond their local congregations. And thirdly, the need to provide numerous opportunities for young people to hear and encounter the Gospel, and be given opportunities and encouragement to respond with personal commitment to Christ.
I thought this was a pretty resounding confirmation of what we are attempting to do in Central Florida.
In the second conversation, once again, across extremely different local contexts, there was remarkably deep agreement that most of the implementation of the Church’s mission is at the congregational and diocesan levels, and that there is very little significant support – of any kind – that comes from the Provincial (national) or international levels of the Communion.
There was a general acknowledgement that one of the best things in the Communion is the encouragement of companion relationships between far-flung dioceses, and the proliferation of new forms of companionship at many different levels. It seemed to be agreed among the Americans that we do a few things very well at the national level: specifically, military and prison chaplancies were mentioned, along with the work of Episcopal Relief and Development. Apart from that there was not much enthusiasm for the mission efforts beyond the diocesan level.
This afternoon there was a meeting sponsored by the “Global South” (even though three of its most prominent Provinces are absent). Approximately 150 bishops attended. The history of how the Global South has come to have a life of its own within the larger Communion was recounted, and a brief update on the Anglican Covenant was presented (much more on this to come), and then Bruce MacPherson and Bob Duncan were each invited to speak, Bruce about the work of the Communion Partners, and Bob about the Network, and its evolution into Common Cause.
It was very clearly recognized that these two approaches are complimentary, CP is an “inside” strategy, and CC an “outside” strategy to attempt to maintain and further an orthodox witness and ministry in North America.
It was also clear that the phrase “Global South” no longer accurately names the configuration of Bishops represented, as all parts of the Communion were strongly in evidence. I found this a very encouraging session.
I also had a brief conversation with the Russian Orthodox Bishop who is in my Bible Study (and Indaba Group). I asked him two questions. First, how have things changed for the Church, and for you, since the dismantling of the Soviet Union? “Drastically! Before there were 6,000 parishes in my area, today over 30,000. Before there were 18 monasteries, today over 750. Today I am free to teach religion in the public schools.” Secondly, we in the West were often told that the Soviet government used to place its own people in positions of authority in the Orthodox Church. Was that true? “Yes, but we always knew who those persons were. Usually they were placed there so that, after a time, they could publicly renounce the Faith and embrace atheism.”
I think that if God isn’t finished with the Russian Orthodox, he may not be finished with the Anglican Communion, either!
Warmest regards in our Lord,
–(The Right Rev.) John W. Howe is Bishop of Central Florida
[i]After the second day of “Indaba” groups, there seems to be an incipient revolt stirring among us . . . There seems to be the beginning of some rumbling that we need to get to a decision-making moment in the life of the Conference.[/i]
Well, well, well.
Bishop Howe’s honesty about the process is commendable.
I now look forward with eager expectation for Bishop Howe’s daily reports from Lambeth…they are the most informed and balanced of all the news coming out of Lambeth…which makes sense as he seems to be the only one actually reporting (not spinning) from the inside…thank you Bishop Howe and please continue with your daily epistles to all of us.
“It was very clearly recognized that these two approaches are complimentary, CP is an ‘inside’ strategy, and CC an ‘outside’ strategy to attempt to maintain and further an orthodox witness and ministry in North America.”
I know that I would like to hear more about the complimentarity. Will it be coincidental or intentional?
William Shontz
Good grief–that should be “hear.”
[blockquote]Many of the Africans are saying, “This isn’t ‘Indaba’ at all! First of all, we are not a village, and we don’t know each other. And secondly, we are not attempting to solve a problem; we are talking in small groups about minor issues of little consequence.”
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu (himself an African, I believe from Uganda) is reported to have said, “If Indaba is such a great idea, why is Africa in such a mess?”[/blockquote]
Now I find that interesting – how Westerners try to imitate/borrow/adapt something from another culture… and members of that culture (yeah I know Africa is many many cultures but hang with me) say “what on earth is this?!?” Our efforts to be cross-cultural come across as uncomprehending distortion. We don’t get it. But they get it – all too well.
I really ripped into +Howe in another thread for his observation that the Global South movement was driven in part by reaction to colonialism, and that their response was perhaps inevitable absent the issues now creating a wedge within the Anglican Communion. I sincerely apologize to him and all; I believe my characterization and treatment were unfair.
+Howe is doing a stunningly good, honest and balanced job reporting from Lambeth. Thanks be to the Father that he sends good men such as +Howe to be witnesses and proclaimers.
Don, I’m struck by your admiration for +Howe and no one else. Do you think +Lawrence is spinning, for example?
#6, I can’t speak for Don, but I also am very appreciative of the efforts Bishop Howe is making to communicate back to us at home about what’s going on. That has taken a lot of effort and time on his part, and I personally appreciate that. We did get a letter from Bishop Lawrence. Only one. It was not as open and honest. Perhaps it’s just not his style. I really don’t know. I did see his stand against KJS in his diocese earlier this year. That was commendable. However, this is the BIGGEST conference for ALL of Anglicanism, and it only comes once every ten years. EVERYONE who is not there wants eagerly to hear something from those inside who are not of the press. The bishops are the ones we need to hear from. We really need their perspective of what’s happening right in front of their eyes. Bishop Howe has been giving us that EVERY DAY!!! How can we not commend him for this strong effort? It shows he truly CARES about the folks back at home and wants them to be informed. That’s what being pastoral is all about. That’s his JOB, and he’s doing a FINE job of it.
I had hoped to hear directly from Duncan, Iker, and Venables from the conservative point of view as well. So far we haven’t received any direct communication from them at all that I’m aware of. We have received indirect quotes of what they’ve said from the press, but THEY have not written us with their OWN perspective. I would love to have that from them.
Also, has anyone heard anything from Abp Mouneer Anis? I’m truly curious about what he thinks of the conference so far. He was the most outspoken bishop in attendance in New Orleans and I was so impressed by his courage and directness in presenting the truth there. I pray he will tell us something here as well.
So, again I have to say it, Bishop Howe is to be commended. He’s putting the folks at home at a high priority. That’s his job, to serve and feed his sheep, and he’s truly doing that. I can only applaud him for that.
Oh dear, I’m sure the whole Indaba thing sounded much better in the fantasies of some English and American designers of this “conference” than they are turning out to be in fact. I’m sure it doesn’t help that most of Africa isn’t represented at this circus/conference under the steamy hot Big Top, and the part of Africa that did come actually wants to speak truth plainly. What a bother! It all seemed like such a good way to avoid the elephant in the room. What a horrid mess!