In 2010, I will also be putting together a special task force to review the issues that may arise from General Convention in 2012 and to create a strategy with a means of leading into the following Convention as opposed to reacting to it.

Such a strategy will help us navigate what is already a turbulent time, with a steady course. This will help us to live within a relationship of mutual affection for both the structures of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Moreover, we must discover how we in the Diocese of Texas are going to move through these next few years together for the sake of the Gospel, Christ, all of God’s people, for justice and for peace, and for the mission of the Church. Let me be clear, we have got to learn to live together, how we discern the outward and visible signs of that life together, and the daily living out of Church, as our common work – not only the work of your bishop.

We will be tempted by cynicism to say this work can’t be done; but the scripture reminds us of God’s desire to gather us all under his wing. We will be tempted by our ego to say we cannot work with the enemy; but the scripture tells us go with a friend to our brother and sister and be reconciled one to another before offering a sacrifice at the Lord’s Table.We will be tempted to say I have tried to speak but they will not hear, but we must be reminded of Christ’s model of listening first to the other. We will be tempted by our fear to say it’s just better if we don’t talk about it at all; but we know “to you all our hearts are open, all desires known, and no secrets are hid.”

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • TEC Diocesan Conventions/Diocesan Councils

1. dwstroudmd+ wrote: Nowhere dealing with the now, the Robinson and Glasspool reality of GC 2009, we see great committee formations anticipated for the GC possible outcomes of 2012 and 2015 so the DioTX can be “prepared”. I prophetically predict increasing alignment with the EcUSA/TEc failure to adhere to the Anglican Communion, increasing incursion of the General Convention gozpell, and continued monetary support of the Episcopal Political Action Committee headquartered at 815 to the detriment of the diocese and mission work. February 24, 9:49 am | [comment link]

2. Ralinda wrote: Here’s the money quote: “Until we get these pieces worked out as a body of faithful people following Jesus Christ, we are going to have difficulty doing the greater work of mission and attracting people to our church. A divided house cannot stand.” February 24, 10:08 am | [comment link]

3. Martial Artist wrote: Someone needs to educate the good Bishop in the vocabulary of international law with respect to piracy and privateering. TANSTAALP, or, to spell it out, There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Legal Pirate. Piracy is, always and everywhere, illegal! What Sir Francis Drake was, was a privateer, i.e., the holder of a valid, and thus legal, letter of marque and reprisal from the English crown, which licitly permitted him to attack and sink or (preferably) take vessels belonging to the declared enemies of England or of those enemy’s citizens. Pax et bonum, Keith Töpfer February 24, 6:58 pm | [comment link]

Registered members must log in to comment.