Jesus is for all. Jesus is the light of the world. We cannot therefore keep him to ourselves. We dare not attempt to monopolize him. Christianity is inescapably and unashamedly a missionary faith. --- From "The Canticles and Selected Psalms" John R. W. Stott

The Spirit and the church. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts sinners of their sin and guilt, opens their eyes to see Christ, draws them to him, enables them to repent and believe, and implants life in their dead souls. Before Christ sent the church into the world, he sent the Spirit to the church. --- From 'The Great Commission', in "One Race, One Gospel, One Task", ed. C. F. Henry and W. S. Mooneyham

Dear Brothers and Sisters
www.virtueonline.org
Sept. 10, 2009

If consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori must surely take top honors. On the one hand, she says individual or personal salvation is a Western heresy or "work". On the other hand, she preaches that The Episcopal Church has the right to follow its own course, thumbing its nose at 2000 years of Christian scripture, tradition and reason, and by refusing to sign a Covenant that would demand some sort of accountability to the wider Anglican Communion. If this isn't the height of individualism and hubris then what is?

TEC is afraid to sign the covenant because it would lose its autonomy and would have to be accountable to other Anglican Christians around the world. I am so glad she calls this heresy.

Jefferts Schori made it more or less official this week when she said she rejects the two-track idea proposed by Archbishop Rowan Williams. In a bi-lined story, she said he doesn't have the authority to impose it. "No individual body in the Communion really has the authority to impose a structure like that. It simply is his theorizing about what he thinks the future may hold," she told a reporter for the "Daily Record/Sunday News" in central Pennsylvania, where she is shortly to make an Episcopal visit.

"He wrote about it three years ago, too. It's an idea that's found some traction in some parts of the worldwide Anglican Communion, but not a great deal of traction in other parts."

Questioned about what she liked and didn't like about the model, Jefferts Schori said, "We don't all believe everything in the same way. We never have and never will. There are parts of the Anglican Communion that don't ordain women and think it wrong to do so, yet we remain in communion and relationship and in mission partnerships together." You can read the full story in today's digest.

In the same interview she decried the move by 12 nuns at an Episcopal convent in Catonsville who left TEC to become Roman Catholics, the latest defectors from a denomination divided over the ordination of gay men and women.

Jefferts Schori tried to put the best spin on it and said one nun stayed in TEC. Wrong. Two nuns who have decided to remain Episcopal will continue to live, pray and work in community with their now-Catholic sisters. Score another loss to TEC.

But the Presiding Bishop is under pressure.

Seven Communion Partner orthodox Episcopal bishops tripped across the Atlantic to meet with Archbishop Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace over their concerns for the actions of GC2009 where two resolutions (D025 and C056) that could undermine their place in the wider Anglican Communion were passed.

The seven bishops later issued a statement saying that individual dioceses could sign onto a covenant, whether or not the General Convention agreed to do so. (No word from Jefferts Schori on that.)

Their call came in a September 7th statement that also urged the church's General Convention to adopt an Anglican covenant when it next meets in 2012.

Bishops Mark Lawrence of South Carolina, Gary Lillibridge of West Texas, Edward Little of Northern Indiana, Bill Love of Albany, Bruce MacPherson of Western Louisiana, Michael Smith of North Dakota and James Stanton of Dallas also told Williams that General Convention's actions during its July 8-17 meeting in Anaheim, California, "have essentially rejected the teaching of 1998 Lambeth Resolution 1.10 [on human sexuality] as the mind of the communion, and raise a serious questions whether a covenant will be adopted by both Houses at General Convention 2012."

However, the seven reiterated their "commitment to remain constituent members of both the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church."

The seven bishops account for half of the Episcopal Church bishops who are members of the Communion Partners, which describes itself as a "relational fellowship" of primates, bishops and clergy who are committed to the unity of the church but which also supports honoring requests from Anglican Communion leaders to the Episcopal Church for moratoria on the blessing of same-sex unions, the ordination of openly gay persons to the episcopate, and cross-border interventions.

*****

The legal beat goes on however. There is no let up in the relentless desire to litigate over properties. The Bishop of the DIOCESE OF FT. WORTH, The Rt. Rev. Jack Iker issued a statement this week saying that in a hearing before Judge John Chupp in the 141st District Court in Tarrant County, their attorney filed a motion requiring the lawyers who have brought litigation against them to prove that they had the legal authority to do so. They moved for a continuance, which the Judge denied. The hearing on Rule 12 motion will reconvene at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The diocese is calling on all faithful Episcopalians to pray for Judge Chupp and attorney Shelby Sharpe by name.

*****

Not surprisingly, the DIOCESE OF SOUTH CAROLINA saw its first parish, St. Andrew's (Mt. Pleasant), enter a 40-day period of discernment to see if they will stay or leave TEC. The letter was signed by Fr. Steve Wood and twenty-seven other individuals, including every Senior Warden dating back to 1989. VOL predicted this would happen following their special diocesan convention recently.

Fr. Wood was runner-up in the election for Bishop of South Carolina. He made it clear at that time he believed in leaving TEC.

On its most recent parochial report, St. Andrew’s listed 2,698 baptized members, 2,520 members in good standing and an average Sunday attendance of 1,515. Fr. Wood says another 500 to 700 people are active givers who will not join the church formally because of its affiliation with The Episcopal Church.

Bishop Lawrence said at that convention that any parish that wanted to leave could, presuming of course that fair market value is obtained. Jefferts Schori and David Booth Beers will be watching. This could be the beginning of a wider exodus from TEC in that diocese.

*****

In the DIOCESE OF ALBANY, Bishop William Love stood before 125 church members at St. Paul's Church in Troy, this week, and spoke for two hours in an often tense give-and-take about the church's future. "I realize emotions are high, feelings are high," said Love. The Episcopal Church is split by the ongoing debate over the ordination of gay and lesbians and the blessing of sex same unions. "We are a divided church. There's no question we are a divided church," said Sheridan Biggs of St. Paul's Church in Schenectady, who indicated his uneasiness with the direction at the national level to support ordination and the blessing."What state we are in when we get through this, only God knows that," said Love, who is counted among the Episcopal Church's conservative bishops. He urged Biggs to stay in the church. You can read the full story in today's digest.

*****

In a move that might well be defined as defiant, the AMiA parish of Christ Church Plano issued a paper in support of women presbyters. The church's rector, David Roseberry issued a paper outlining its support for women being ordained to the presbyterate.

This is very awkward for Bishop Chuck Murphy AMIA's leader. In 2003 Bishop John Rodgers an AMIA bishop, wrote a paper announcing AMIA's policy on the ordination of women. He concluded that properly qualified and called women could be deacons, but not priests or bishops.

The decision follows two years of intensive study and input on the part of a special commission chaired by the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Rodgers. Bishop Rodgers, formerly President of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Pittsburgh, indicated that to his knowledge, it is the most extensive study and review of its kind on the issue of women's ordination.

"As baptized Christians, we all have a call to ministry," observed Bishop John Rodgers. "As a missionary movement, we need the full and active participation of all our members, ordained and lay. This is true of both women and men in our midst. We need godly women to provide important leadership and ministry as lay leaders, and when so called, within the sacred order of deacons."

The question now is what will AMiA leaders do now?

*****

An interview VOL conducted with the newly consecrated William H. Ilgenfritz, Bishop of The Missionary Diocese of All Saints, Anglican Church in North America, and the first consecration of a Forward in Faith bishop in the new diocese for FIF congregations across the country, reveals that he will hold the line against the ordination of women. No surprise there. What is significant is that the actions of TEC are galvanizing orthodox Episcopalians and Anglicans as never before. The idea of a FIFNA bishop goes back to 2002. It took the actions of TEC and Gene Robinson to finally get FIFNA moving and off the dime. Now they are off to the races. They will undoubtedly start to grow. You can read VOL's interview in today's digest. Bishop Ilgenfritz continues to serve as Rector of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Charleroi, PA, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

******

No bleeding heart liberal voices were heard this week when VOL wrote that the former Archbishop of Southern Africa, Njogonkulu Ndungane abandoned his wife of two decades, bought a house and disappeared. After she filed a claim for financial support, it was revealed he was divorcing her. Not a word of 'naughty naughty' from any liberal. TEC has poured millions of dollars into Southern Africa over the years. Mrs. Ndungane told a Times (SA) reporter, "When I married him in 1987, he was still a provincial executive officer to Archbishop Tutu. My business was doing excellently and I carried the brunt of payment for every household cost. He would say: 'When I take retirement from the church, I'll be the one to take care of you'." You can read the full story in today's digest.

*****

A South African priest wrote VOL with an interesting observation re: ACNA and the Church of England in South Africa (CESA). He asks why would the Synod of the House of Bishops of the Church of England and Lambeth consider recognizing them.They are, after all, the remnant of the original English Church in South Africa - hence the original name - and they are still governed by the 39 Articles, don't have women priests (or deacons for that matter) and have close ties with Sydney and various places in the UK as well as Rwanda. The priest wrote that one of their Bishops did the controversial ordinations in London in the Diocese of Southwark when their liberal Bishop in Southwark refused to ordain conservative orthodox candidates. They were at GAFCON with their Presiding Bishop Frank Retief. A paper "Ghost at the Feast" was delivered to all Primates at the 1988 Lambeth conference detailing their situation. It's a fascinating history. "A Candle Burns in Africa" - Anthony Ive (1992) details the story of the split and the subsequent history as well as the apostolic succession which makes CESA still completely Anglican and legitimate....if only Lambeth would recognize them. If ACNA is ever recognized, CESA should be recognized before it. Point taken.

*****

A local blogger says Dallas stockbroker/clergyman William Warnky has resigned from the Episcopal priesthood. Meanwhile, Dallas Episcopal leaders are cautioning clergy not to talk to him about discipline scandals -- nor about Warnky and fellow broker/priest Raymond Jennison's financial dealings with parishioners or another priest's three-year suspension for harassment. Episcopal leaders have hired one of the Dallas area's top crisis-management consultants, the LeMaster Group, said the blogger. A decade ago, group president Lisa LeMaster helped the Dallas Catholic Diocese manage the aftermath of child sex-abuse scandals. The blogger said he covered that mess for years.

*****

At a recent Anglican Church League Centenary Dinner in the Moore Theological College dining hall in Sydney, Australia, the breakup of Anglicanism and the Danger of Moralism was discussed.

The following were some highlights recorded by an attendee:

"Listening in" on a conversation between Sydney Archbishop Peter Jensen and American priest and Cranmer scholar, Dr. Ashley Null was revealing. The "conversation" was particularly engaging, he writes.

Null: [Given the history of racism in the South of the United States,] it is a sign of grace that so many [southern] parishes have now turned to African bishops for pastoral leadership. Null (speaking of English Anglicans): they are often described as "Loving Jesus with a slight sense of superiority since 597."

Jensen (on our current Anglican conflict): This is a war that will be fought over decades.

Null (on the benefits of being in a Communion): Communion gives accountability - we speak into each other's cultures and show each other our blindness.

Null (on Anglican identity): everyone can pick a century which justifies their views.

On the question of why we are seeing such a fracture now when previously Anglicans have managed to hold together, Null made the observation that the splits were already occurring in the 19th Century, but then our theological differences were masked by a common agreement on morality. Even the theological liberals, in their Pelagianism, were arguing for the same morality - just a different way of achieving it. But now, that common agreement is gone and so there is nothing that holds us together.

*****

Columnist Mike McManus has written a piece on President Obama's Health care speech this week.

In his column, McManus quoted Obama as saying "Under our plan no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions." Sadly, that is simply not correct. True, none of the bills explicitly say that abortion is covered, but House committees have defeated eleven amendments to specifically prohibit using public funds for abortion.

He wrote to VOL: "I am working to persuade conservatives in Washington to hold a press conference today with the Catholic Bishops, Concerned Women for America, the Family Research Council and other allies. I am suggesting that each of them could applaud President Obama for his new commitment to the non-funding of abortion in America, and ask for specific language being inserted into the bill. I proposed they draft such language, and present it in a united front on behalf of America's Catholics, Evangelicals, pro-family groups, and pro-marriage groups like Marriage Savers.

"Here is what I would say in such a press conference:

"Right after the President was rudely interrupted by a Congressman who called him a liar in saying that his Health Care Reform bill would not fund immigrants, President Obama made this unscripted response, which was not in his prepared remarks' It's not true. And one more misunderstanding I want to clear up -- under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.'(Applause.)

"As a syndicated columnist, I was skeptical about the President's new found commitment to the non-funding of abortion. I wrote my 'Ethics and Religion' column, with these paragraphs:

"'Obama said 'Under our plan no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions.' Sadly, that is simply not correct. True, none of the bills explicitly say that abortion is covered, but House committees defeated 11 attempts to prohibit using public funds for abortion.

"'Reasonable people will disagree on whether abortion is morally right or wrong, but there has been a consensus in America since passage of the Hyde Amendment in 1976 that public funds should not subsidize it. Polls reveal opposition to public funding by 2-1 to 3-1.

"'During the campaign, President Obama championed passage of a 'Freedom of Choice Act' to 'provide all essential services, including reproductive services.' His campaign confirmed that 'reproductive services' included abortions. Won't he fulfill his campaign promise?" I wrote.

"However, upon reflection, I believe that those of us who are pro-life should take the President at his word, and ask him to offer specific language to be added to the Health Care Reform bill, that would prohibit the use of any federal funds to promote abortion. We should also ask for language that federal conscience laws on this issue would be honored. A nurse or doctor or hospital which refuses to perform abortions, should have the freedom to refuse to participate.

"I thank the President for his new commitment, and believe this will increase the odds of passage of his total Health Care Package."

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If you haven't checked out VirtueOnline's new GLOBAL ANGLICAN THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE (GATI), take a moment to go there and read some 27 articles in 42 languages: http://www.globalanglican.org/

We believe the wave of theological education in the future is via the Internet. We are writing and posting the finest stories from the best Anglican theologians in the world led by VOL's very own resident cyber theologian, the Rev. Dr. Robert Sanders. We recommend you tell your friends and let us know how we can serve you. Please feel free to write to Dr. Robert Sanders @ dr.sanders@globalanglican.org

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This week, VOL put out one of our infrequent appeals for funds. Many of you will have received it in your email in-box and some of you by snail mail. We urgently need your support to keep this one-of-a-kind ministry going. The website, staff and travel needed to keep you informed is vital.

Even as you receive this digest, I am en-route to Virginia Theological Seminary to cover the annual EPISCOPAL EVANGELICAL ASSEMBLY. These are evangelicals who are staying in TEC despite the tensions and much more. They are bringing in a Church of England preacher, the Venerable Michael Lawson, as guest speaker. Whatever your feelings are about those who stay in TEC their thoughts are worth recording for history. VOL will be there.

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In Christ,

David