Jul

Just in from England

Posted by Steve Published in TEC/General Convention

I woke up to a text message this morning from Kendall Harmon telling me “huge things overnight.” I called him immediately he told me two significant events transpired in the Church of England in response to the actions of the House of Deputies.

First, the Archbishop of Canterbury weighed in with this:

As for General Convention it remains to be seen I think whether the vote of the House of Deputies will be endorsed by the House of Bishops. If the House of Bishops chooses to block then the moratorium remains. I regret the fact that there is not the will to observe the moratorium in such a significant part of the Church in North America but I can’t say more about that as I have no details.

This is huge for the ABC to weigh in while we are still meeting. He has inserted himself fully into the life and process of TEC. I would think that his comments have all but killed this motion in the House of Bishops.

Secondly, The General Synod, meeting in York, received a private member’s motion asking for a debate on the Church of England’s formal relationship with the ACNA (the newly minted Province in North America headed by Bp. Duncan). To be considered for debate, a private members motion must receive the support of 100 members of synod. Prior to the actions of the House of Deputies approximately 75 members had endorsed the motion. After, the number cruised well past the necessary 100 to ensure reception for debate.

Here’s the story on The Archbishop of Canterbury.

Here’s the story on General Synod.

Not a good day to be a liberal in TEC – well, it’s never a good day to be a liberal, but today it’s especially so.

Anglican Congregations Move Forward After Losing Buildings (January 30th, 2012)
Interesting Stats for the Diocese of South Carolina (January 28th, 2012)
John Wesley’s Church Planting Movement (January 10th, 2012)
Province 4 Bp’s Letter re: the Meeting with +Lawrence (December 15th, 2011)
South Carolina Standing Committee Responds to Province 4 Bishops (December 13th, 2011)

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Brian Lago said in July 13th, 2009 at 11:42 am

Steve,

I really think the majority of the leaders in TEC don’t care what the larger communion thinks. They honestly believe they are on the cutting edge of God’s new work. That is why they have begun emphasizing the international character of TEC. I’m sorry, but I can’t get too excited about this post. Perhaps the Bishops will hesitate before supporting all of the bull**** being propogated in Anahiem, but I doubt it will stop the free fall.

Brian

KimL said in July 13th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

Can’t stop thinking about TEC. The “cutting edge of God’s new work” seems to be just love and inclusion, nothing else. Maybe i have too much of a Reformed perspective, but it doesn’t seem possible to really know love (and really want to share it) without first knowing our human limitations- yes, our sinfulness. (Sin, salvation & service, in that order, a la the Heidelberg)

Steve said in July 13th, 2009 at 3:47 pm

Brian, you miss my point. I have no illusion that the ABC’s comments or General Synod actions will break our fall. What is significant is that: 1. The ABC took the question; 2. Addressed the question; 3. Expressed his point of view so very clearly; 4. General Synod will vote on extending Communion status to the new North American Province in February.
TEC remains lost.

Spencer said in July 13th, 2009 at 6:43 pm

This news does not bring me joy. Many of us have been wanting honesty and clarity for a long time. If the ABC’s comments do restrain the HoB from doing what it really wants to do, then is this honesty? Of course God is in control and perhaps He will bring TEC back from the brink of destruction, but if this were even remotely possible, I certainly cannot envision how. Therefore, it seems to me that further delay and dishonesty only serve Satan’s purposes, not our Lord’s. What I hope for is clarity! Let the Bishops vote their conscience and let the chips fall where they may. From what I have seen, TEC is cold, calculating and extremely political and will likely only push as far as it thinks it can get away with it. Knowing that the ABC rarely makes such statements, this is clearly a shot across the HoB’s bow. So I would be willing to bet the HoB will back down and as a result the CoE Synod may not be so eager to receive ACNA. “Oh what a tangled web we weave…”, And yes, “the wheel in the sky keeps on turning”…

Steve said in July 13th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

Spenser, from a parochial point of view I agree with your point and call for honesty – and that’s been my advocacy here (see post from prior days).
Never the less, this kind of commentary from the ABC and General Synod is amazing and notable.
This statement also has value for our friends in other parishes who are being told that what TEC is doing is normative and that parishes like SAMP are rabble-rousers.
I hope that the liberals run the table on every issue.

Spencer said in July 13th, 2009 at 7:23 pm

Amen Steve, Amen!

Spencer said in July 13th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Just in, HOB passes amended resolution. HOD also likely to pass amended version, so I stand corrected… It would appear that I am wrong and that TEC is more arrogant than it is shrewd. Now let those chips fall…