So apparently the Episcopal church is going to implode at any moment.
Between the passage of DO25, C056, the financial crisis in the church - including the elimination of THE ENTIRE EVANGELISM OFFICE - and the attendant media blitz which has distilled the legislation beyond all recognition, The Episcopal church must be ready to keel over and die...right?
Well I certainly hope not! both D025 and C056 are more descriptive than proscriptive in nature. D025 does not repeal 2006 B033 and Co25 states what was already a reality, that bishops have the ability to create liturgy not addressed by the prayer book. I do take issue with these decisions though, and especially with the decision to cut the entire evangelism office out of the National church center. My issue is that there is no theological reasoning behind any of the three. If I asked why D025 and C056 should be passed, I have a feeling that the answer I would receive would be some variation of "Because it's the right thing to do." What I want to hear is how this fits into the continuum of the salvation narrative. How does passing these resolutions proclaim the Good News of salvation, give evidence of the reign of the Kingdom of God, etc? Where is the deep theological insight that will show people that these decisions have been thought about deeply in a meaningful way. I don't see that. And I certainly don't see any theological reasoning to cut Evangelism from the Budget.
It dismays me that leadership of The Episcopal Church, a part of so rich a heritage of theology, liturgy and tradition cannot seem to muster the energy to present its thoughts with theological underpinnings. The church seems tired, but rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated.
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