Aftermath

Well, the 76th General Convention of TEC is over. Having left TEC just before Easter this year, I observed this event from "outside". As someone not directly invested in the outcome(s) of this gathering, I nonetheless found myself following the developments with some interest and not a little emotional attachmment.

As I was reflecting on the scriptures for this past Sunday morning, I couldn't help being moved by the timeliness of Jeremiah's words and the gospel lesson from Mark. The clear challenge to faithful shepherding that Jeremiah gives, and the compassion that Jesus shows on the crowd because "they seemed as sheep without a shepherd" both awakened a sense of sadness in me for the people of TEC. The prophet utters words of condemnation and woe to shepherds who lead God's people astray - my mind quickly went to those bishops who (perhaps out of what they view as genuine faithfulness...) are leading people away from Christ's reconciling love. Jesus shares the compassion of God's heart for those who are lost and wandering - my mind quickly went to the people of Nineveh, who didn't know their right hand from their left (another prophet, Jonah, tells us). While others opine about TEC from a place of bitterness or anger (and maybe due to very real personal experiences, mind you), I find myself speaking from a place of compassion. And, yes, sadness.

You see, I still love the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church became a home for me, a real welcome place, as a graduate student seeking a deepening of faith in Jesus Christ. The Episcopal Church, as an Anglican expression of Catholic faith, was a connection to the wider family of Christian people that I didn't clearly have a sense of in my youth or childhood. The local church was the Church, as far as I knew or was concerned. Trinity Church in Iowa City became my connection to the Anglican Communion, which I also grew to love in time. Though I have left TEC, my heart still aches for what I found there. Not least of which gifts I received would be my wife - without whom I cannot imagine life continuing. I still love the Episcopal Church. And I definitely love the people in it. Many of my friends are still there, and seeking to be faithful.

At this General Convention, I saw the church and the people that I love take more steps away from the worldwide family of Anglican Christians. More than that, steps away from Scripture, Tradition, and even Reason as Richard Hooker articulates it. I heard the Presiding Bishop equate heresy with the individual's confessional faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. I saw the church eliminate the Evangelism Office while funding litigation against men, women, and parishes seeking to follow the Lord. I heard bishops speak out of both sides of their mouths, rather than speaking clearly about the Gospel. I witnessed a church expressing complete theological incoherence (thanks, Kendall Harmon for the term), rather than genuine comprehensiveness within the boundaries of Christian teaching. And all that I saw, heard, and witnessed increased my sadness for the future of TEC as a faithful expositor of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. There may continue to be faithful outposts of true hope in Christ, but these will certainly become few and far between.

As the outworkings of this General Convention begin to become clear(er), my prayer is that Jesus Christ will become known, worshiped, and adored by more people because of the witness of faithful disciples of His. Perhaps some who cannot in conscience remain in TEC will find an ACNA parish nearby. Perhaps some who leave will find another faithful family of Christian believers. Perhaps some will stay in TEC, as Jeremiah was called to stay in Jerusalem, and preach "no peace" while others cry "peace." May God add His blessing to all who genuinely seek obedience to His will and purposes, as they have been revealed completely and finally in the person of Jesus Christ His only Son.

Pax et bonum,
Darin+