Moving Day!

The actual moving phase of our move is underway. I am signing in for the last time before I unplug and pack up the computer. If anyone is reading out there in the blogdom, whisper a word of prayer. Hopefully, if everything goes well, I'll be back pecking by tomorrow. 

Wish us well! 

Episcopal Schism: Both Sides' Leaders Unsure Of Next Step -- Courant.com

Episcopal Schism: Both Sides' Leaders Unsure Of Next Step -- Courant.com

The North American schism is not news but it has officially, for practical intents and purposes, happened. I was out running an errand this afternoon and my local NPR station was talking about it. The broadcast was highlighting how the schism would affect churches in the Charlotte, NC area. One break away church was interviewed and then an Episcopal USA church was interviewed as well. There were two things in this broadcast that really caught attention. 

First, it was acknowledged that in spite of the schism, most of these Anglican churches will praying similar prayers, having essentially the same order of service, dictated by the same Book of Common Prayer. I find this extremely interesting; if you visited both churches being unaware of each respective church's position on the homosexual issue, and you based your opinion solely upon the worship environment, you would likely leave each church not being aware of any significant difference. 

Secondly, each church highlighted in the broadcast was asked what their church mission was; that is, what was important to them as a body of believers in their community. Each church answered with essentially the same answer. They were concerned about the people around them who were hurting and in need of help and ministry. Neither church answered with the desire to be a bastion of some ideological position.

So, they both worship the same and they are both reaching out the same people, being concerned about the world around them. Consequently, what is this schism doing effectively to the Anglican church in North America? It is weakening their ability to carry out their stated purpose to minister to a hurting world with the love of God. These dividing churches are not just buildings or people with different ideals, they are resources, monetarily and physically, as people with hands to serve and touch a world in need and peril. 

There is allot more I would love to say here to these two groups. I am not a cradle Anglican but I love the Communion; I love the Book of Common Prayer. I am proud to be an Anglican and look forward to many years of worship and ministry within the Communion. But it really grieves my heart that this divide is happening, happening in front of a world that needs the church,  of all places, to be a place safe from contention and strife, hate and bigotry. 

United we stand, divied we fall. That is an old but powerful principle that I think should be heeded here. Perhaps, each side should go back and read the parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30).