I’m sorry for these people—what a sad day for them.

But what a great final line from a parishioner of a dying church—redolent of TEC in general: “We are inclusive.”  Wonder if he—or all the other revisionists out there—recognize the rich irony of a shrinking church, sinking into the abyss of history’s forgetfulness, proclaiming as their last words their canard “we are inclusive.”

On another note, the writer seems to have actually done some research—good for him!

The Colorado diocese, which had a membership of about 34,000 in 2000, had an estimated roll of just over 30,000 in 2007. In the same period, Sunday attendance fell from 15,000 to 12,000.

It isn’t known how many of those losses can be attributed to doctrinal disputes. However, by the end of 2008, more than 25 Colorado parishes had affiliated with The Common Cause Partnership, a federation of conservative Anglicans. Of these parishes, 16 had either left the Episcopal Diocese or were formed outside its authority.

It seems that the more “inclusive” TEC becomes, the fewer people it includes.

YBIC,
Phil Snyder

I can think of nothing more “inclusive” than the grave; and these people have certainly achieved it.

I’ve learned, through the grapevine, that the DioMO is going to sell our old parish building they kicked us out of a few years ago.  They could have likely sold it to us, an AMiA congregation, but this is all about burning the crops and poisoning the water.

I like the whole quote, myself:

“I don’t agree with everything the bishop says either, but community is more important. We are inclusive.”

My goodness, where will they quilt when the church’s doors close?
That may be the sewing circle with the world’s highest overhead costs. Not a great mystery why it didn’t turn out to be financially self-sustaining.  Rather a hard sell for evangelism.

#4…but that is the thread that holds the whole Episcopal Church together at this point, relationships among old friends in buildings that are already paid for…BUT, the Episcopal Church sees those buildings as a revenue stream to fund its otherwise unfundable program…so the heck with the people and onward with funding the inclusive agenda.

And, how nice of Bp. O’Neill to “feel their pain” after contributing in great measure to their parish’s dissolution (through his support of the very “inclusive” heresies that are ripping this denomination apart).

What’s fascinating to me is that it’s the YOUNGER parishioners who appear to be the more doctrinally and theologically orthodox/conservative, while the ones proudly waving the “inclusiveness” flag as the ship sinks are the older ones.  While this may be unique to St. George’s (although I very much doubt it), what does this say about TEc’s attempts to evangelize the youth?

#6 Regarding the younger parishioners: Much as punk rock was a reaction against the flower-child namby-pambyness of the late sixties and early seventies pop music, a rejection of the hippy ethos after the movement crumbled under it’s own weight, so too are those youth who actually care about God rejecting the watered-down theology that was born of the same age but been far more pervasive.  For most of us who have come of age in a modern society that has shown whatever hostility it can get away with toward Christians, the mere act of reaching adulthood with faith intact can do a lot toward making darn sure we defend that faith.

#3, two things.  Any idea who they’re going to sell it to?  And does that mean that the rump congregation is going under?

The saddest line is the last quote.

“No one is ever going to know we were
ever here,” Jansson said.

Slightly edited by elf.

#3, two things.  Any idea who they’re going to sell it to?  And does that mean that the rump congregation is going under?

I assume that’s for me…yes, I would imagine that the two-dozen or so that attend each week will be absorbed in another TGC parish around Town and Country.  As you may know, we’ve purchased property in Chesterfield for our new building, but I think we ought to shoot ol’ George Wayne a lowball just the same.  Good Shepherd is a very good location.

#4…but that is the thread that holds the whole Episcopal Church together at this point, relationships among old friends in buildings that are already paid for…BUT, the Episcopal Church sees those buildings as a revenue stream to fund its otherwise unfundable program…so the heck with the people and onward with funding the inclusive agenda.

Yeah, but needing the money or no, the DioMO would rather chew a giant roll of tin foil than sell it back to us.  Like I said, it’s about scorching the earth so your enemy cannot find sustenance as he pursues you.

Oh, and Chris, I don’t know to whom the Diocese might sell it…all I know is that they have approached the city of T&C to inform them that they are making plans to dispose of the property.  I’d love to read the restrictive terms GWS puts on the sale.

Jeffersonian,

If he won’t sell it to you guys, I hope George sells it to an actual Christian church.  Because if that property goes secular, Kate’s “protecting the legacy of Episcopalians of the past” mantra blows up in her face.  Either way, if it goes down, I intend to do all within my power to see to it that as many people as possible know what snakes Missouri Episcopalians are.