Here's A Little Something For GAFCON Leadership

Every now and then we go off the deep end.  

Without any great consultation and for not a very good reason I offer a song

to the leadership of GAFCON and the alphabet soup boys. Hope you all enjoy.

It is possible to look up the lyrics but I am going to leave it to you to do that, I don't want to

spoil your fun.

Even Grandchildren Need Straight Scoop

 

True, as children grow older they need to talk real stuff to their bishops.  In this particular instance this grandchild is getting some really good information.  Bishop Lamb came to visit our parish lately and was kind enough to talk to the crowd, even the young ones.

One of the fun things about this media is one can kinda rejoice when the mood strikes one.  So, pardon my rejoicing but my grandson has been in the arms of two of the most important people in the Episcopal Church and what an honor.  WC Fields once said never do anything with animals and children.  Clearly our bishops do not subscribe to that theory.  CD is really quite blessed and I am quite thankful.

Does it Look like a Cult? UPDATED!!

As you read through this post please also read from Leonardo Ricardo's dual post on Purity Cults.  It seems we provided dual coverage on a very important topic and the both combine for a fascinating read!

/"Purity Cults"

I had a very good friend.  Jim was possibly the most literate person I have ever known.  A high school dropout who graduated from UC Berkeley cum laude and then graduated from Hasting School of Law.  He turned to schools and what he was doing with the likes of me in a doctorate in Educational Leadership program is subject to speculation.  He had turned his attention to autism and was set on exposing the "solutions"  that had thus far come up in this field.  

Jim and his first wife were married by the Reverend Jim Jones.  Yep, the one and only.  The guy that went to Guyana and ultimately everybody had koolaid shooters.  Jim shared with me that Jim Jones was an incredibly charismatic guy that one could not be around him otherwise he would simply suck you into his "group".   Jim died around this time a year or so ago and I have thought about the loss to education recently.  The point, however,  is the issue of cult.  

Let us take a quick look and see what gives.  

UNIVERSAL DEFINITION

 CULT - Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person/persons at the top.  Would that sound like the Primates Council or GAFCON in general. The group will claim to be the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members. This definition covers cults within all major world religions, along with those cults which have no OBVIOUS religious base such as commercial, educational and psychological cults. Others may define these a little differently, but this is the simplest to work from. THE 'ORTHODOX BIBLE-BASED CULT'

A group is called a cult because of their behaviour - (would that behavior be that of John David Schofield or Bob Duncan or Peter Jensen or Peter Akinola OR how about BISHOP MacBurney - not their doctrines. Doctrine is an issue in the area of Apologetics and Heresy. Most religious cults do teach what the Christian church would declare to be heresy but some do not. Some cults teach the basics of the Christian faith but have behavioural patterns that are abusive, controlling and cultic.(Sound vaguely familiar?)

This occurs in both Non-Charismatic and Charismatic churches. These groups teach the central doctrines of the Christian faith and then add the extra authority of leadership or some one's particular writings. They centre around the interpretations of the leadership and submissive and unquestioning acceptance of these is essential to be a member of good standing. This acceptance includes what we consider non-essential doctrines e.i. not salvation issues (such as the Person and Work of Christ.) Primates Council Jerusalem Declaration? The key is that they will be using mind control or undue influence on their members.

An excellent book on this subject is "Churches that Abuse" by Dr Ronald Enroth.

OTHER IDENTIFICATION MARKS

(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. e.i. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT the one true Anglicans - everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD'S WILL - everyone else is in apostasy.

(b) They will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse God-given personal rights and freedoms. This abuse can be THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.

HOW THEY DO THIS

1. Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or position of authority given by God.

2. They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance regarding the Christian church while at the same time praising and exalting their own group, leader/s and work.

3. They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of threats of dire calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon; being shunned by their family and friends etc. This is a vital part of the mind control process.

4. Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to the group (like other peoples money and real property). This could be compulsory tithing (which is checked); signing over all their property on entering the group; coercive methods of instilling guilt on those who have not contributed; selling magazines, flowers or other goods for the group as part of their "ministry".

5. At the same time bible-based cults may ridicule churches that take up free-will offerings by passing collection plates and/or sell literature and tapes. They usually brag that they don't do this. This gives outsiders the intimation that they are not interested in money.

6. There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the group's activities. They will have little or no time to think for themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion. This is also a vital part of the mind control process.

7. There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private lives of members. This control can be direct through communal living, or constant and repetitious teaching on "how to be a true Christian" or "being obedient to leadership". Members will look to their leaders for guidance in everything they do.

8. Bible-based cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity distinction and no paid ministry class - that they are all equal. (Peter Jensen lay presidency)

9. Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged. Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. This is vigilantly maintained.

10. Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in some way. This could be in the form of "dobbing" on fellow members (including family) under the guise of looking out for "spiritual welfare".

    They may be required to deliberately lie (heavenly deception/theocratic strategy) or give up their lives by refusing some form of medical treatment.

11. Attempts to leave or reveal embarrassing facts about the group may be met with threats. (St. Andrew's Taft) Some may have taken oaths of loyalty that involve their lives or have signed a "covenant" and feel threatened by this.

    Refugees of the group are usually faced with confrontations by other members with coercion to get them to return to the group.

SOME ABUSES OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS:-

1. ABUSE OF INDIVIDUALITY They adopt a "groupness" mentality. They are not permitted to think for themselves apart from the group and only accept what they are told.

2. ABUSE OF INTIMACY Relationships with friends, relatives, spouses, children, parents etc are broken or seriously hampered.

3. ABUSE OF FINANCES Pressure to give all you can to the group. In non-communal groups, members usually live at the lower socio-economic strata, not because of a lower income level, but because they are always giving money to the group for some reason.

4. "US VERSUS THEM" MENTALITY Isolation from the community in general. Anyone and everything outside the group is seen as "of the devil" or "unenlightened" etc. Their enemies now include former friends; the Christian church; governments; education systems; the media - the world in general. Those who are involved with these in any way see such involvement as a "means to an end".

5. ABUSE OF TIME AND ENERGY The group controls and uses almost all the members time and energy in group activities. They are usually in a constant state of mental and physical exhaustion.

6. ABUSE OF FREE WILL They must unquestioning submit to the groups teachings and directions and their own free will is broken. Their "will" actually becomes the groups "will" without their realizing it. This is done either by coercive methods including low protein diets and lack of sleep, or over a period of time through intimidation. Both methods make heavy use of "guilt".

Well, there you have it.  Now, I am just spitballin' here but sure seems to ring a bell?  How about you?  Ring any bells for you?

A Christmas Story (Like No Other)

A writer from St. Stepehn's in Aurora, Colorado sent me to web crawling back at the St. Stephen's Anglican website where I found brother Martyn's "Christmas Message".  Here it is in its entirety.  I have taken the liberty to help elucidate some of the more "murky" ideas "Bishop" Minns has espoused. Clarifications are in red.

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.

THE DOOR IS WIDE OPEN

This is an open letter to those who are currently suffering from John David Schofielditis, also known as conealonialism.  The California Supreme Court has now ruled you do not own the property and cannot take the property with you and in fact you must give it back!  So let's look at the final score, shall we?

You cannot use the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.  You must use the book of common prayer 1662 (or maybe some variation of the theme, but your very own American Book of Common Prayer with all the great liturgy is out).

TEC 1 Conealonialism 0

You may not have women priests.  Oh, women have a place in the Conealonialism church just that the place is at the back of the bus - so to speak. So much for equality.

TEC 2 Conealonialism 0

You may not include everyone in your house of worship.  In fact, best I can tell you are going to have to have cameras in most peoples bedrooms.  So much for privacy.

TEC 3 Conealonialism 0

You may not help just anyone who needs assistance.  You must first discover whether they are "good Christians".  This will of course save you money for the trips your bishops like to take to and from Argentina.

TEC 3 Conealonialism 1 (opps!)

You may not think for yourselves.  If John David Schofield or Gregory Venables wants you to have an opinion they will issue you one.

TEC 4 Conealonialism 1

Your conventions will dramatically change now that you no longer rest under the umbrella of the Episcopal Church.  Speak with Gregory Venables about how they run their conventions. You do not get to choose anything.  You may get to vote, but the ballot is rigged.  But then you know how that works from your days with JDS.

TEC 5 Conealonialism 1

You are NOT affiliated with the Archbishop of Canterbury.  In fact I cannot imagine that you are affiliated with anyone except Greg Venables.  How sweet the sound?

TEC 6 Conealonialism 1

You do not own the property in which you worship.  You must give it ALL back and the sooner the better.  You folks that went just to stay with your family building -- might as well come on home now 'cause the buildings and the property are headed to the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.

TEC 7 Conealonialism 1 (Cal Supreme Ct 2)

So, the door is open and we would love to have you all back.  Want to know what you have missed?  Here is our website http://www.diosanjoaquin.org/

Ready to come home?  Well, let's not wait any longer!  All you need to do is call 1-209-952-0006 and ask to speak with Bishop Lamb.  He is waiting - - - 

California Sumpreme Court Gets It Right AGAIN!

For the second time in the last few months the California Supreme Court has ruled in favor of those who have been maligned and downtrodden.  The purple shirted ruffians have again been rebuffed.  First, the Court ruled in favor of Marriage equality allowing LGBT folks to marry.  BTW, the court will also have a chance to clear up that "November hiccup" just as they have now cleared up the issue of theft and deception in property.

From the AP news article:

In an unanimous decision, the California Supreme Court ruled that the property belongs to the Episcopal Church because the parishes agreed to abide by the mother church's rules, which include specific language about property ownership.

This is really good news for the Episcopal Church (national) and there is much more good news when one unpacks the ruling but I don't want to do that right now.  I want to take this opportunity to share in the joy that must be felt by parishioners in Taft and Turlock and Stockton and Oakdale and Bakersfield and all throughout the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.  I also do not want to forget those who were forced into sacrificing their church buildings to the mean-spirited  Southern Cone folks who have used the ill-gotten gains to support the foolhardy attempted theft of all the other buildings and property  from our diocese.  It is sad to think that even though the long nightmare is almost over for many there are still some, St. Dunstan's parishioners that comes to mind, that will never be able to recover.  Their property was sold out from underneath them and it is now impossible to recover.  Please keep these members in your prayers for their grief is heavy and their loss is both real and forever.

For those who have perpetrated this farce your time is now growing short.  Better that you give the property back now than wait for the courts to rule.  You will save your dollars (actually Episcopal dollars) but you will also save what little shred of decency you may have left.  It was one thing to decide to leave a church that has been nothing but good to you and it is one thing to lead others down "the garden path" but it is sinister and evil, to do so and then spend the money that is not yours to defend property that is not yours and thereby not only ruin the people that followed you but by spending those precious dollars that were not yours you leave those whose dollars they are with far fewer in order to follow Christ.  

Mr. Schofield you have now accomplished something no one else has done.  You have torn an Episcopal Diocese asunder for your own personal ego satisfying purposes.  You have ruined the lives of untold numbers by your actions over the last 20 years.  It is time to leave the stage, once and for all.

Patient Endurance My A**!

At The great risk of being quirky once again:

Father Mark has written a piece on the Anglican Communion Institute' latest rot on "Patient Endurance".  He asks us to read the entire article which I will also ask of each of you as well.  Here is the url:

http://www.anglicancommunioninstitute.com/?p=345

I had some significant difficulty getting past this early on statement:

In a recent address, Bishop Duncan said of the proposed new province, “We need a unified body both to heal the divisions among ourselves and to give the broader Anglican Communion a unified and coherent partner with which to be in relationship.”  When taken in conjunction with other remarks he has made, it is clear that the goal of the “outside strategy” with which Bishop Duncan is associated is in fact not a new province but a replacement province–one that will take TEC’s place within the Anglican Communion. Given the nature of this goal it seems initially plausible to seek a province that lies “outside” TEC’s jurisdiction.

Well, shall we all collectively say "DUH!"  How about once more real loud and with great fervor, "DUH!"  Just where have these folks been?  Have they ever read the Chapman Memo?  In that memorandum, written by Robert Duncan's left hand man, Mark Chapman, the whole strategy is laid out clearly and unequivocally -- create a new province and have it replace the current province known as The Episcopal Church.  Now, this wonderful think tank (as Father Mark calls it) has come to this brilliant conclusion.  

Then, the "think tank" comes up with this gem:

 Our work is not to take this kingdom by force of design and tactic, but to make a faithful witness, practice faithful endurance, and wait upon the Lord to see what he will make of what we do and say.

Well, let's see, if we practice a little more endurance then we will wake up one morning and find that we all belong to the Anglican Church of North America.  These folks come to the party and finally realize after oh so many years that the real idea is to replace The Episcopal Church with a new province and the best they can come up with is "patient endurance".    They also add a whole bunch of added convictions and commitments that further weigh down the argument leaving the Episcopal Church in disarray.  

Then, in conclusion they come up with this beaut:

It seems that those who have formed the Anglican Church in North America have decisively entered the path toward a replacement province.  The time for debate about this choice has now past. Time and time alone will tell what future lies in store for this venture.

I would prefer not to wait.  Once again, I ask where is the plan?  I am hopeful that the Anglican Communion Institute is not the only Epsicopal "think tank".  I am desirous of a think tank that is a little quicker on the uptake than this one.  It is time to move on these malcontents.  Moderator Bob and Mr. "I never renounced my vows" Iker and Mr. "can't I be Pope too" Schofield as well as their henchmen Peter "lay presidency" Jensen, and Peter "I love all (well almost all) my people" Akinola and Henry "let me consecrate one more bishop" Orombi and Michael "Hey, I wanted to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury" Nazir Ali and the entire bunch need to be moved on into the next newest whatever, but certainly out of the Anglican Communion.  

The Anglican Communion Institute is correct about one thing, the inside and outside strategy is no longer functional.  From the outset of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America a certain tension between the various factions has been what has moved the church along.  No longer content to retain this tension certain folks have decided to start something new. They knew this when they started the process way back with now retired bishop Wantland.  I am hopeful that the door does not hit them on the way out, that can be painful.  One thing is clear, the Episcopal Church was, is now and I am hopeful, will continue to be the church of full inclusion.  This is the floor, not the ceiling. This is a non-negotiable issue.  Father Mark, in a prior post, discusses the minimum action required by GC 2009 in this regard and many excellent comments have added to this discussion.  

What we need is committed Christian action.   Somebody, somewhere needs to build a plan and then implement it and soon.  And maybe we can disagree on exactlywhat that action may look like but one thing is certain, it does not look anything like "Patient Endurance".