LIPSCOMB: It is in part correct. We have not dropped the word Episcopal but have included the word Anglican to show a connectedness to the wider communion.

VIRTUEONLINE: What are you saying or statement are you trying to make?

LIPSCOMB: Simply, that we are part of a faith community that is more than a national church. We are part of a Communion of Churches to which we have responsibility. I believe that one of the major issues addressed by the Windsor Report is a call for ECUSA to consider our responsibilities to the wider communion before we find ourselves asking about our own rights and privileges. I hope that placing the context of our diocesan life is this larger context will enable and strengthen our understanding of mission and the interdependency of our Communion and the responsibility that we have to the wider Anglican Communion and to the ecumenical Christian community.

VIRTUEONLINE: I gather you did not sign the minority report statement out of the recent Utah House of Bishops meeting. Why?

LIPSCOMB: Frankly, whoever authored the minority report never gave it to me for consideration or for my signature. I certainly find nothing in the statement with which I would disagree. In my response to the Salt Lake City meeting in my diocesan news posting I was clear that I found nothing in the statement with which I would disagree. I do wish that it had not been called a minority report as it represents I believe the majority position of the members of the Communion and is in part an opportunity to bring other voices from the Communion to our continued conversation. This Church will need to respond to the Primates following their meeting and that the so called minority report points us in the appropriate direction. I do believe that the Windsor Report belongs first to the Primates and Archbishops for whom it was prepared and that it is appropriate for us to have the humility to wait on their reception, reaction and response to the Report before making any major declaration of our own.

VIRTUEONLINE: What are your immediate goals?

LIPSCOMB: At this point in my journey I am looking forward to our developing diocesan program in evangelism. We have called for the Great Fifty Days of Easter 2006 to be a season of intentional evangelism. Our Men's Ministry Apostolic Team has developed a program for the men of our diocese that we call "Equipping the 70." In a short time it has brought together over 100 men from several denominations to work in an ecumenical effort in evangelism in Southwest Florida. We have witnessed a growing group of individuals from several denominations who believe that the Lord has called them to work for the revival of the whole Church as we prepare for the work of evangelism as the Body of Christ and not simply one denomination or another. We have a vision of teams of men representing different Christian traditions going out together to tell the story of our Lord and invite people into a new and healing relationship. We believe that this will give a stronger witness to the love of God that we have found in Jesus Christ than simply working to grow a particular congregation or denomination. Our Apostolic Team is offering three seminars to prepare for this season of evangelism. Each seminar is being offered three times over the next 18 months to allow us to prepare as many as the Lord calls to this work. The three seminars are on personal witnessing, apologetics and discipleship (supporting the formation of new Christians).

VIRTUEONLINE: What other programs do you have?

LIPSCOMB: Along side our "Equipping the 70 Seminars", a group of women in the diocese are also working to develop a program of mentor evangelism. Their program is entitled, "Believe in a Miracle" and will prepare 500 women to support the development of new Christians. They are working toward a major teaching mission in the diocese in early 2006. While this has not yet developed an ecumenical dimension I believe that the leaders of this work are in prayerful consideration of how to invite women from other Christian communities to join in this effort.

VIRTUEONLINE: I was told you plan to be an evangelist when you retire from ECUSA? Is that true?

LIPSCOMB: I am not sure what the future holds. I have a deep concern for the work of evangelism and believe it to be a major part of the ministry of peace-building for the Christian community. I am currently involved with and learning from REACH (Reconciliation, Evangelism and Christian Healing) a ministry in Rwanda that is working to bring reconciliation and healing between Hutu and Tutsi. I also have a deep concern about the formation of our clergy and their care. I am not sure how the two might fit, but I am beginning to explore options for ministry after my transition from Southwest Florida. I am not sure that I would use the word "retire" rather I look at post May 2009 as the next chapter of my pilgrimage and certainly plan to continue in our Lord's service. This is a season of prayer and waiting on the Lord as my wife and I seek God’s for us.

VIRTUEONLINE: Thank you Bishop Lipscomb

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