Reflections on General Convention, 2009

I have spent the past ten days, since convention ended on July 17, reflecting on the resolutions passed and the statements we have made to the international Anglican faith community. The passing of resolution D025 and the forming of a study process to create blessings for same gender unions are significant matters deserving much thought.

Resolution D025 (passed in both houses by a decisive majority) included a fairly direct call to the communion to follow through on its past commitment to “listen” to the experience of the Gay and Lesbian community in their churches. We here in T.E.C. have done so, with D025 stating our present conclusions.

However, we have added a powerful new tone to the statement, D025 acknowledges that the conclusions stated are not unanimously held. Further it maintains an openness to the conservative elements in our church who in the past have been pushed to the margins. As convention came to its conclusion, several conservative spokes persons stated there thanks for the way they were treated during convention, even though they disagreed with the decisions.

The Diocese of Massachusetts has posed this invitation to dialogue for its membership.
The most exciting thing I see in the Massachusetts statement is that it’s really a request for the members of the diocese to enter into conversation, and communal discernment about recent events and the way they will go forward together.

Also the Archbishop of Canterbury has posted a reflection as well. Archbishop Williams, on the other hand has mostly reflected on the structural conundrums facing the communion. As he points out, some are looking for the Anglican Communion to remain a loose confederation of national churches, others are looking for a powerful (pope-like) central government. The Anglican Convenient Process is about trying to resolve that matter. Even though this issue is at the core of our international power struggles (autonomy vs accountability) it is also a distraction from the discernment that the Gay and Lesbian community has called us into. In D025 The Episcopal Church reiterates that called to entire communion. Unfortunately Archbishop Williams seem to have either missed or ignored that call.

Another important issue that underlies the international conflict is about how one does theological inquiry and the discernment of doctrine and discipline. Archbishop Williams is right that the discernment necessary on gender identity issues is deep and involved; we are taking about a huge change in the doctrine and discipline of our church. It truly is about engaging our Anglican custom of keeping Scripture, Tradition and Reason in a balancing dialogue when making such decisions. To my way of thinking, one cannot claim to be Reasonable in reflecting on Scripture and Tradition, if one does not listen to the voice of people who have been victimized by the conclusions drawn in past generations. “Ivory tower thinking” has undergird many of the abuses perpetrated by church leadership over the centuries. The Anglican Communion cannot afford to allow such thinking to continue. Unfortunately, we are not yet talking about the how of theological inquiry and the discernment of changes in doctrine and discipline.

The House of Deputies Passes Resolution Embracing Gay & Lesbian Persons in Ordained Ministry

Resolution D024 was passed by the House of Deputies this evening. The house agreed to split the vote by "orders." Meaning that the clergy and laity had to vote separately and that the resolution could only be passed by the house if it was passed by both orders. In essence, this means that the passage required a much stronger majority than would have been the case if a simple vote was called. The voting was as follows, Lay order: 77-31 in favor; Clerical order: 74-35. Very clearly a definitive majority of the deputies were in favor.

Procedurally, this resolution now is passed on to the House of Bishops for their debate and vote. General Convention works much like the legislature of the federal (U. S.) Government. It must be passed by both houses before it has force. Where our church differs from the federal legislature is that we do not have a president who must sign or veto the legislation.

The resolution is long and involved but three elements stand out:

1. A strong continuing commitment to participation in the Anglican Communion.
   
2. A reminder that the entire Anglican Communion committed itself to "listening to the experience of homosexual persons" through the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998.
   
3. And affirms that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church.
   

In my mind, this resolution is making a point to the rest of the Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church has done its discernment and made its decision. Further, that the Episcopal Church does not expect to impose its discernment on any other branch of the communion but does call them to take the challenges of Lambeth seriously.

Further, the resolution acknowledges that "The Episcopal Church, as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters." That is to say, the resolution acknowledges that there is not in perfect (100%) agreement on the matter. I cannot personally imagine a better or more honest way to state the present reality of our church. It remains to be seen how this will play it self out in the House of Bishops. But weather it passes that house or not, it makes a significant statement.

Finally, I believe that it is important to notice that this resolution does not mandate any course of action. It appears that local parishes and diocese are free to embrace or ban gay and lesbian vocations as they see fit. The resolution simply states that God may do as God pleases. Although this sounds like stating the obvious, it is profound in that our church has stepped away from the previous notion that God can't or wont call gay and lesbian persons to ordained ministry.

For those of you who like to see the whole text, as amended during the floor debates, I'll include it bellow.

Resolution:	D025
Title:	Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion
Topic:	Anglican Communion
Committee:	08 - World Mission
House of Initial Action:	Deputies
Proposer:	Ms. D. Rebecca Snow

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Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this the 76th General Convention reaffirm the continued participation of The Episcopal Church in the Anglican Communion; give thanks for the work of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference of 2008; reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further

Resolved, That this the 76th General Convention encourage dioceses, parishes congregations, and members of The Episcopal Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the many instruments, networks and relationships of the Anglican Communion, including but not limited to networks involving youth, women, and indigenous people; networks and ministries concerned with ecumenical and interfaith work, peace and justice, liturgy, environmental issues, health, and education; and companion diocese relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That this the 76th General Convention reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to maintain its full asking for participate fully in the Inter-Anglican Budget; and be it further

Resolved, That this the 76th General Convention affirm the value of "listening to the experience of homosexual persons," as called for by the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998, and acknowledge that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God" (2000-D039); and be it further

Resolved, That this the 76th General Convention recognize that individuals gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church over the centuries and are currently doing so in our midst, often without the church's recognition of their lifelong committed relationships and the blessings bestowed by such relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That this the 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals, like any other baptized members, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church, which call is tested in our polity through our discernment processes carried out under Canon III acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and the canons of its dioceses; and be it further

Resolved, That this the 76th General Convention acknowledge that, while the members of The Episcopal Church, like those in our sister Provinces as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not all of one mind on this issue, and that Christians of good conscience, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, may disagree about this issue, the validity of the Church's sacraments comes from the action of the Holy Spirit in and through them, not from the frail humans celebrating them in God's name disagree about some of these matters.

Prayer Book Committee hearing

Rebecca Wilson has a great report on Episcopal Cafe about a hearing held by the Prayer Book committee on the topic of blessing for same sex unions. Her report is especially good because she reports on testimonies and arguments from both sides of the aisle.

Read it here!

Convention Updates

Hello All,

The first two days of convention have gone by with out any outrageous excitement. Thank God! I do have a few things to point out as worthy of your attention:

First, Episcopal Life has begun publishing a daily e-paper on the proceedings of the convention. You can find them here.

Today's Episcopal Life Daily has information on the Archbishop of Canterbury remarks to the convention, he is observing as a guest of the Episcopal Church. In short, he spoke of the current world economic challenges and the need for philosophy of business.

Finally, I recommend the story on the budget priorities that has passed out of committee (also in today's Episcopal Life Daily). This promises to be a hot topic.

General Convention Starts Tomorrow!

With the beginning of General Convention I thought I take a moment to share with you some of the resources that will help make sense out of the spin we will inevitably see in the popular press.

First here is the on line home of Episcopal Life, which will carry the latest news of the convention.

Also, this is the “official” video web site of the convention. There should be some fun things posted here.

Finally I recommend Episcopal Café. Many of the Deputies will be blogging here at the café. This may well give a much more in-depth and personal take on the proceedings.

Also, stay tuned here at Eclectic Musings, and I’ll up date you from any other information that come my way. Also, watch for discussion on the various topics.

Most importantly, let all be praying for God guiding grace to be upon our brothers and sisters at convention. From page 818 of the BCP, I suggest using this prayer:

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and
understanding, be present with those who take counsel
[in Anaheim ] for the renewal and mission of your Church.
Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide
us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to
pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.