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SAN JOAQUIN BISHOP SAYS ECUSA IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING

SAN JOAQUIN BISHOP SAYS ECUSA IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING

The following is an address delivered by John-David Schofield at the Forty-Fifth Annual Convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin, St. James' Cathedral, Fresno, California.

October 22, 2004

Despite the gloomy news that greets us daily in the media, I strongly suspect we are living in a time that will be remembered in years to come as the "good old days." Our nation, though divided politically, is intact. We have time, money, and energy to debate everything from issues of human sexuality, stem cell research, retirement programs, to foreign policy as well as challenging the wisdom of our leaders for involving us in war in Iraq. The Church, too, whether considered from the stand point of the world-wide Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church in the USA, or diocesan level - has somehow held together no matter how serious the debate is concerning the faith and our own differences regarding science, medicine, and human behavior.

My concern is that we are in for a rude awakening such as we have never experienced before.

As Christians, if we are going to fulfill God's calling to be salt and light, we must have truth. Both our political and church leaders have shied away from the reality that surrounds us today. The war that we are engaged in is nothing other than a religious war. On Tuesday, this week, a spokesman for Al Quaida and the Palestinians announced to officials of the United States that hostilities in the Middle East will stop the minute that America suspends all support of Israel.

Extremists in the Moslem world have made no secret that what is being perpetrated on American, English, French, Spanish (until their withdrawal of troops) and Turkish Nationals is a JIHAD. We could believe such an announcement were it limited to extremists. When leaders of the Arab nations do not speak out against terrorism, their silence is not only self-condemning it re-affirms the reality that the war being fought is a holy war.

The silence is not limited to those abroad. Not long ago Bishop Ed Little of Northern Indiana and Bishop Geralyn Wolfe of Rhode Island, both of Jewish heritage, attempted to make a presentation to the House of Bishops concerning its not so subtle anti-Semitic stance. They were told there was not enough time to bring this matter before the House. Meanwhile our Church publications continue to promote only the Palestinians in the Holy Land.

This year thirty-four of us made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. (This was my fifth visit to Israel.) While there, we made a special request to visit Bethlehem - now in control of the Palestinians, and - for the most part - off limits to Christian groups. Despite the myth that the Palestinians are our Christian brothers and sisters and therefore the only ones deserving of the Church's support - we saw with our own eyes the empty streets, shops, and restaurants of Bethlehem. We were required to be accompanied by a special Palestinian policeman. The owner of the Palestinian Restaurant where we ate, a committed Christian himself, begged us to speak a good word to others who might be traveling to Israel. He wanted us to ASK that Bethlehem be included on their Pilgrimage. "You see," he said, "when your group leaves I will send my whole staff home. We won't serve a meal for the rest of the month." Then he added, "you remember when Bethlehem was a thriving Christian city. Since the Palestinians (and here he spoke of them as THEY) took over, there are only 300 of us Christians left in the city. I don't know how much longer we can hold on!"

There is a holy war, a JIHAD, going on. Today the Islamic government of KHARTOUM is systematically practicing genocide in the southern part of the Sudan. All of our Anglican churches have been destroyed through bombing and fire. As a brother bishop of mine from Sudan told me personally, "It's all right that our buildings are gone. Most of them only held a 100 or so people. We could no longer fit. Most of our parishes are well over 1,000 now." Meanwhile, and shockingly, Moslems are kidnapping Christian children on the way home from school, and - along with young women - selling them for $15 American each in open air slave markets - primarily to buyers from Saudi Arabia - a nation claiming friendship with America.

You may wonder, and rightly so, why I've devoted so much time to this topic. I believe this JIHAD will continue against this nation and Israel no matter who is elected in November and the goal of this war is the extermination of life as we know it in the Christian West. We may well face into unbelievably hard times in this country in the near future. As Christians, we must know how and be prepared to stand. Armed with truth, we can be salt and light for many.

Turning our attention more specifically to the recent turmoil of the Anglican Communion and our own part in it when the Episcopal Church, USA, voted to approve for consecration as bishop an ACTIVE homosexual man, it is important that we understand who we are as defined by the official documents of ECUSA. My brother bishop, James Stanton of Dallas, has summarized the facts for his own diocese succinctly. I cannot improve on his words which I hereby quote. "The Constitution of the Episcopal Church defines us corporately in the following words:

The Episcopal Church ... is a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a Fellowship within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces, and regional Churches in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.

Being an Episcopalian means being an Anglican. Belonging to the Episcopal Church involves belonging to the Anglican Communion. Loyalty to the Episcopal Church entails loyalty to the Anglican Communion: that is the meaning of this preamble which was adopted in 1967 and which was, according to the Journal of the General Convention, adopted as an 'integral' part of the Constitution. To be a Church is to be in communion. That is why the Episcopal Church enacted this Preamble - to strengthen its ties to the communion of bishops which is the primary sign of being a Church in the Anglican tradition."

"There is a crisis in the Anglican Communion concerning the Episcopal Church. The decisions of the recent General Convention were taken in direct contravention of the pleas of two Archbishops of Canterbury, the Meeting of Primates, a resolution of the Anglican Consultative Council, and previous actions of the Lambeth Conference; and against the advice of numerous bishops and bodies around the world."

"The Primates' statement, issued last year as we gathered to meet in Convention, said the following:

'If [this] consecration proceeds, we recognize that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion and we have had to conclude that the future of the Communion itself will be put in jeopardy. . .'"

"Our Primate, the Presiding Bishop, signed this statement - indeed all the Primates did. The extent of the critical nature of the decision to proceed was also spelled out:

'This will tear the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level, and may lead to further division on this and further issues as provinces have to decide in consequence whether they can remain in communion with provinces that choose not to break communion with the Episcopal Church (USA).'"

"As soon as the consecration took place, the predicted divisions began to manifest themselves. To date, some 22 Provinces of the Anglican Communion have declared "impaired" or 'broken" communion with the Episcopal church. That's 22 out of 38!

In addition,

* Ecumenical dialogues have been suspended

* Furthermore, several Provinces have refused missionaries or clergy from ECUSA refused monetary assistance from ECUSA experienced reprisals from neighbors - often Muslims. The decisions made by our General Convention have shocked the whole Christian world.

Responding to this crisis and at the specific direction of the Archbishop of Canterbury - a network of dioceses and parishes was formed. I'm proud that we in San Joaquin are among the first eleven diocese to form the Network and that half of the Primates around the world recognize today this as constituting a legitimate, stable, and orthodox Anglican voice."

"From the beginning of discussions of the Network, it has been clear that this was meant to be within the Constitution of the Episcopal Church.

At no time was the possibility of splitting from the Episcopal Church even discussed, contrary to press reports to this effect and the claims of those outside."

"A second major emphasis of the Network continues to make clear that we are pledged to support the agreements of the Anglican Communion.

This does not mean that we come under any foreign rule or government of any kind. It does mean that we support the Instruments of Unity which promote the health and mission of the Communion as a whole."

"The Network was also clear that it wished to be based on the

Historic formularies of the Anglican Communion.

That is, the Scriptures, the historic Creeds, the Book of Common Prayer, the Thirty-Nine Articles. Finally, the Network members agreed to Honor and respect the differences of those in the Network on the matter of the Ordination of Women.

This is hardly controversial, despite some efforts to make it seem so, since all of us in the Episcopal Church already live together with these differences."

For a year, now, the Archbishop of Ireland, appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, has with his commission been preparing a report - now known as the Windsor Report - on the nature of the world-wide Anglican Communion and the proper role authority, covenant relationships between autonomous provinces, and discipline must play - if we are to remain together. All of this, of course, was occasioned by the unilateral and rogue behavior of our Province, ECUSA.

In assisting readers of the Report (over 90 pages long) Anglican Mainstream views the work through the lenses of four questions - which I have found particularly helpful. They are: First, do its recommendations affirm the supreme authority of Scripture? Second, do the recommendations provide for effective discipline? Third, do they affirm mutual accountability within the family of churches which make up the Communion? And finally, fourthly, do they provide adequate protection for congregations in revisionist dioceses?

In answer to the first question the Windsor Report re-affirms the classical Anglican position that Scripture is our supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct. In paragraph 58 it goes on to stress that the bishops' role is that of "teachers of scripture."

The second question dealing with discipline calls for self-discipline and asks for expressions of regret from bishops who supported the consecration of a divorced homosexual man living with a male lover as bishop of New Hampshire. Equally, it requests expressions of regret from bishops who have crossed provincial and diocesan borderlines. It asks those who have supported the novel position of accepting homosexuality as an alternative life-style to step down or withdraw from functions of the Anglican Communion.

With regard to the third question involving accountability, it makes it very clear that Provinces are NOT entitled to act unilaterally on core doctrine and moral issues, that - in fact - they have to take into account the views and interests of other churches and dioceses in the Communion. The "Communion covenant" which proposes that only those Provinces agreeing to matters of faith and morals be entitled to remain in the Communion points toward a self-selecting membership in the Anglican Communion.

And, finally, the fourth question concerning protection for orthodox parishes and believers in revisionist dioceses fails to help those who are at the mercy of bishops of those revisionist dioceses.

Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh is quite correct when he says: "The Windsor Report is good on doctrine but weak on discipline."

Were this long awaited report meant to be the final word, it would be most disappointing. But, as Bishop Stanton puts it: "The Windsor Report is a FLOOR - NOT a ceiling." What it does accomplish is solid as a foundation on which the Primates are sure to build when they meet in Ireland this coming February. What is affirmed clearly was: the supreme authority of Scripture, the importance of the world-wide Communion where unilateral decisions and actions are unacceptable, and a moratorium on all ordinations involving candidates who are active homosexuals.

Many have already expressed the disappointment that the medicine offered is not adequate to deal with the seriousness of the disease that afflicts the Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Kolini from Rwanda has indicated that he intends to bring three demands to the All-Africa Conference to be held in Lagos before the end of this month. They are: First, the Presiding Bishop must repent publically for his deceitfulness in signing a document urging that Gene Robinson not be consecrated, and two weeks later actually officiating at this consecration in New Hampshire. Second, that Gene Robinson step down from being a bishop. Third, that the General Convention of ECUSA repent its decisions to allow Robinson to be consecrated and individual bishops be allowed to authorize services for same-sex unions. Clearly he hopes that these demands will be built into the Primates' final decision. Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria who heads up 21 million of the 80 million Anglicans world-wide has expressed outrage that sexual sin and its acceptance as a holy life be apologized for when nothing short of repentance is called for. And, he has utterly rejected equating the promotion of sexual life styles that contradict Scripture to efforts to protect and encourage orthodox believers in revisionist dioceses. There is no question of the demands he will make when meeting with the other Primates.

Meanwhile, Gene Robinson has released a statement indicating he regrets having caused pain to a large part of the Anglican Communion but he does not repent going forward with his consecration nor will he step down.

The Presiding Bishop has called for a special meeting of the House of Bishops in January just before the all important meeting of Primates in Ireland in February. He gives no indication that he repents what he has done or that he will attempt to place a moratorium on future ordinations of active homosexual men and women.

Bishops from the Global South (including Africa, South America, and Asia as well as parts of Australia) have already indicated that North American arrogance will inevitably end in ECUSA and parts of the Canadian Church going it alone. At the present moment there appears to be no "fudge element" left among Anglicans. This could spell the excommunication of North American Anglicans and possibly the demise of the Anglican Communion itself.

What does this mean for us in the Diocese of San Joaquin? At the moment, nothing has changed. As one of the earliest partners in the Anglican Communion Network we have already made our position clear. There is nothing new about being an island of orthodoxy surrounded by a sea of revisionist dioceses. It will be the same stance that I have always taken when I go to the meeting called by Bishop Charles Jenkins, President of the Presiding Bishop's Council of Advice. (The forty-two of us who voted against the consecration of Gene Robinson are being asked to meet in Houston, Texas November 29th and 30th.) I shall take the same stance when I participate in the urgent meeting called for the entire House of Bishops in Salt Lake City, Utah in January. There will be one significant difference, however. When I stand, I shall not be alone. The number of Primates around the world who support the Network is increasing. Today there are 22 who stand with us out of the 38. By January who knows how many will have broken Communion with ECUSA and identified themselves as supporters of those who remain orthodox? Storm clouds are gathering.

What does this mean for us within the diocese? I am happy to report that the work of preparing for the future goes on at full speed. What appeared to be an innovation a few years ago is now a well-established institution, the San Joaquin Schools for Ministry. At this very moment we have 31 students - 12 are studying for the priesthood; 13 are studying for the diaconate; 6 are lay people studying toward a deepening of their faith. There are three students preparing for the priesthood at Nashotah House as well as one who will study for the diaconate. We have one student at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania; one student at the Anglican Program in Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, while two students are on directed study programs. Next year we'll have our first student strdying in Canada at Wycliffe House in Toronto.

This year five students graduated with the degree of master of Divinity, another completed directed study for Canon 10. It has been my privilege to ordain eight deacons this year and one to the priesthood.

So successful has our local program uniting the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno with the extension program of Anglican Studies of Trinity, Ambridge that the Presbyterians of the Central Valley are copying our model.

I am deeply indebted to Fr. Bob Richard who, until recently, has served as Dean of our School, Kelsey Stewart, as Registrar and Program Director, and to Fr. Karl Dietze as academic advisor. I am grateful, too, to Fr. Van McCalister who in addition to serving as vicar for two congregations, has been part time with the diocese as Vocations Director, and is now appointed Dean of San Joaquin Schools for Ministry.

In his retirement years, Fr. Don Seeks has contributed his time and services generously as he oversees the deacons in the diocese, serves as head of our clearing house for African grants and keeps abreast of legal matters regarding Constitution and Canons.

When Title IV of the Canons changed making the bishop more of a judge than a Pastor - it became apparent to many of us bishops that we would need a Canon Pastor to hear Confessions of the Clergy. In addition to this important ministry, Fr. Ken Richards has been faithful in hearing confessions of lay people and serving as spiritual director and counselor particularly for our deacons, other clergy and lay people. He has made hospital calls on behalf of clergy who have requested him to do this. His availability as interim and supply priest has kept him busy in addition to serving as a speaker for special occasions around the diocese and seminar leader at the request of clergy. His time spent as an intercessor is invaluable as has been his assistance to me as bishop. He shares in celebrating the regular round of services, too, at the cathedral when not called elsewhere.

As part of our educational program, the Canon to the Ordinary, Fr,. Bill Gandenberger and the Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese, Duke Golden, have reached out with seminars for the building up of local congregations. Fr. Bill has brought "Friendship Evangelism" to representatives of 30 of our parishes and missions while Duke has offered Stewardship Seminars to 20 of our congregations with both men doing follow up intensive seminars with 5 congregations. In the next 18 months Duke will be offering Stewardship seminars to all the remaining churches who request them. It is rewarding to hear the positive and enthusiastic responses made by participants in these seminars.

Looking very much to the future San Joaquin has been noted for our state of the art camp for teenagers. Having completed its fifth summer under the direction of Steve Phillips-Matson, each year 50 to 60 young people have made profound commitments of their lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior. And of those numbers five have themselves, gone on to do youth work ministry!

A study group has begun the task of looking at our vision and mission statement with an eye to strategic planning for the diocese in the years that lie ahead.

Not waiting for this strategic planning group to bring its insights to bear, we have already sent two teams of clergy and lay people numbering 14 persons all told to the finest seminar available on the West Coast for Church Planting Initiative.

As plans are being made for parish visitation for this next year, it is my intention to travel to each of the six deaneries for continuing an open-ended conversation with clergy and lay people. These evenings will have no planned agenda but are meant to keep the lines of communication open at a time when rumors and inaccuracies are certain to abound.

With all of these ministries being offered the necessary and regular work of the diocese continues on budget for expenses due to good management and diligent monitoring. Not satisfied with our own monitoring we are inviting a nationally known clergyman from outside the diocese to review in depth and make recommendations to structure the most efficient team under the bishop to carry out the strategic planning of the diocese.

Finally, no small amount of anxiety has been expressed by many of the dioceses on the West Coast and nationally due to the loss of people and subsequent loss of funds. Dioceses known for their financial strength in the recent past are facing frightening deficits. We in San Joaquin are not insulated against such woes. Rectors and vicars report that we have lost orthodox traditionalists from our midst due to the anger and frustration they have experienced with ECUSA despite the solid stand of the diocese. Simultaneously, there have been those who are angered at me personally for my stand. Some have left and withheld pledges.

Taking all this into account, we can see the enormous political, cultural, and theological forces impacting all of us may bring us to the point where I will need to call for a special budgetary convention in the new fiscal year.

No matter what the circumstances, Scripture counsels us to be instant in season and out of season. Given the overwhelming correspondence, emails, and telephone calls we continue to receive from all over the country, the message we are being given is that we are salt and light and, as such, a sign of hope for them.

With that in mind, words penned decades ago by a man named Roland Wilson apply to us today every bit as much as they did to members of his generation.

"Evil multiples, standards slip and violence is deeply disturbing people, but the devil's supreme deception is to persuade us that ordinary people, everywhere, are less hungry for God's answer and that WE are less able to offer it. Only it must be the FULL answer, the FEARLESS answer, the answer dictated from above, the answer for EVERYBODY."

It was for such an answer that the white robed army of martyrs met their deaths victoriously. (One cannot imagine a single person willing to sacrifice his life for pluriform truth!) May it be that our Primates will offer the answer dictated from above. And, to that end, let us pray for a holy boldness, filled with the Spirit, and wedded to the Word of God to come forth from the land of Patrick and Columba this February. Amen.

John-David Schofield is Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin

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