Martyn Minns
A New Start for the Anglican Church in North America
Once upon a time, the Anglican Church was a powerful presence in the U.S.A. known as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. or more recently as The Episcopal Church. It claimed a large percentage of the population (16% in 1789) and an even larger representation among the leaders of our great nation.
Once upon a time ought to tell everyone that this is clearly a Christmas fairy tale. Good way to begin, try to merely entertain everyone with "friction".
The language of its liturgy shaped much of our culture and its cathedrals and churches were a witness to the community. Today however, it is wracked with internal conflict, shrinking numbers (less than three-tenths of one percent of Americans regularly worship in Episcopal Churches) and is known more for its rejection of biblical authority and its willingness to litigate against its own clergy and congregations than for its passion for Christ. But that isn't the end of the story.
Brother Minns has clearly and already gone off the deep end. There would be no litigation if the robbers and thieves had not stolen property that did not belong to them. TEC passion for Christ involves bringing everyone under the big tent. We exclude no one who willingly wants to seek and find Christ. AND, as you can see by the last line in this paragraph, Mr. Minns does in fact believe he is weaving nothing more than a fictitious story.
A growing number of Anglican Christians have realized that they cannot continue down this path. On December 3, as the Bishop of CANA (the Convocation of Anglicans in North America) I joined the bishops and representatives of 14 other Anglican dioceses and networks to introduce the provisional constitution of a new Anglican Church in North America.
The Bishop of Cana? Who invented that little country/province? Is it like Peter Sellers Parador?
We are making a new start. This new Church already represents more than 700 congregations across the nation with a diverse leadership that is committed to the centrality of Christ and the trustworthiness of the Bible as we seek to live out our faith in an authentic way. We are convinced that our Anglican heritage with its balance of Word and Sacrament, historical roots and present day concerns, has a great deal to offer to the challenges of our contemporary culture.
WE (huh?) are making a new start? No, you have decided that you and a few of your friends would rather hurt people rather than help them so YOU have stolen a whole lot of parishes and property both real and personal in hopes that you will not have to start a new "sect" and by the way, earn what you get rather than simply steal it.
We believe that we have very good news to share with those who are struggling with personal and corporate brokenness. We also know of the transforming power of the Gospel from our own personal experiences. We are passionate about mission both in our immediate communities and around the world.
The good news you have to share is a message of exclusion. You cannot live with everyone under the big tent and you have decided who gets to play. Just ask the Primates Council. Check out the GAFCON website if one thinks that everyone is invited, cause that ain't happenin'.
We are planting new churches in urban centers and in rural settings. We are working in homeless shelters. We are working to strengthen marriages and protecting children at risk. We are fighting HIV/AIDS and other pandemics in the Majority World. You haven't planted anything. You lied, cheated and stolen your way to a new group. We are moving forward with Jesus' ministry of radical inclusion, profound transformation and inspired service. We believe that lively Christian communities are one of the best ways to strengthen the foundations of a just society.
Radical inclusion is the new "buzz phrase" for only those who know the secret handshake get to come in.
We have already received great encouragement from Anglican leaders around the world who have welcomed and blessed this new development. There was deafening silence from ABC land.
Earlier this year, leaders representing more than half of the world's 77 million Anglicans called for the creation of this new Anglican Church in North America during the June 2008 Global Anglican Future Conference held in Jerusalem. GAFCONites and Conealonialists love to overwhelm you with numbers. Keep in mind when Christ died he was pretty much alone. Numbers don't necessarily mean diddly.
We are not looking back to the good old days of power, privilege and prestige, but looking forward to a bright new tomorrow. Here WE, meaning Jack Iker, John Guernsey, Bob Duncan, John David Schofield, et al have the only power and privilege that anyone needs. They are now the "playas". NB: And don't you forget it.
We believe that the message of the angel heard in those Bethlehem fields more than 2,000 years ago is still true. We have good news of great joy for all people! Actually he means they have some interesting stuff for a few nice, pre-selected people. LGBT need not apply (unless you are "fixed").
The Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns is Missionary Bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America. Not much to add to this last line. Truth be told that is what the man is.
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