Kendall Harmon: About Tomorrow and How to Receive What Comes Out from the Bishops

Posted by Kendall Harmon

Maybe it is good that I am writing this just after getting off the elliptical. Tomorrow it appears two written statements will come from the House of Bishops. The situation is fluid.

Predictions are to be treated with skepticism.

The documents will be important, but so will how we respond to them.

There have been a number of occasions recently like this where a key document or statement has come out, and the response has been, shall we say, less than satisfactory. Therefore there needs to be some preparation on our part so as to try to react in a Christian manner. Herewith some suggestions:

(1) Please try to read the actual text itself and concentrate on the language the Bishops used. I am sorry if this seems obvious but my Mom was an English teacher--you would be amazed at how little it actually occurs. Who are the worst people to do a Bible study with? Seminarians. Why? Because they have the most deep seated ideas of what the text says before they read it. It is vital that the text be heard on its own terms.

(2) Try to draw conclusions yourself FROM THE TEXT before getting your head clouded with what others think. Be aware that some of the early reactions will be wrong.

(3) When you consider others reactions, read from a variety of sources. You should regularly be visiting reappraiser and reasserter sites, writers you agree with and authors who drive you crazy.

(4) Make your early evaluations tentatively. "It seems to be saying that," "what I hear the statement saying is," are the kinds of things I would prefer to hear.

(5) Be aware that every statement like this goes through a process of sifting. Give it at least three days. There is an earthquake, there are aftershocks, and then things settle down.

(6) Expect the discernment to be a corporate activity. We still seek to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ, and we need one another. May the way we respond demonstrate this--KSH.

P.S. Pray that the server works!

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • - Anglican: Commentary • Episcopal Church (TEC) • TEC Bishops • Sept07 HoB Meeting • TEC Conflicts • * By Kendall

12 Comments
Posted September 24, 2007 at 8:41 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Daniel Lozier wrote:

Maybe…just maybe….if Bps. Bruno and Alexander are correct, they will give us a “full and forthright response as possible….as fully and completely and clearly as we possibly can.” 

We can pray for that also.

September 24, 9:00 pm | [comment link]
2. TonyinCNY wrote:

I’ll admit I’m a bit dense; what is “the elliptical?”  Is it an Amtrak train that runs from upstate ny to sc, or some kind of execise equipment?

September 24, 9:11 pm | [comment link]
3. robroy wrote:

I would also advise to keep expectations low. My expectations are either open defiance of DeS or obfuscation. Most likely a mixed stew of DEPO, the subcommittee report, B033, and a health quantity of shalom.

September 24, 9:45 pm | [comment link]
4. Jeffersonian wrote:

Not likely, #1.  Mendacity and obfuscation are woven into the DNA of so many in the HoB, it would be as a leopard changing his spots.  Look for a rhetorical handful of sand to be thown into the AC’s eyes.

September 24, 9:47 pm | [comment link]
5. dl wrote:

I recall when the WR was released I waited for what seemed like hours by my computer.  I downloaded, printed and walked to my Anglican History tutorial reading all the way.  I was quite convinced of the Report’s value only to have my heart sink as I read the overwhelmingly negative comments on the blogs upon my return.  So, when whatever is produced is released I hope to print myself a copy, read, mark (it may not be all that digestible), discern and then catch up with you all duing the day.

September 24, 10:25 pm | [comment link]
6. Kendall Harmon wrote:

Tonyincny

http://www.fitnessgear101.com/cardio-equipment/elliptical-machines.aspx

http://www.soletreadmills.com/?OVRAW=elliptical&OVKEY=elliptical&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=2872930512&OVKWID=31522215512

September 24, 10:52 pm | [comment link]
7. Frank Fuller wrote:

I especially appreciate your admonition to read the text, Kendall.  Do you think it would be possible to get the HOB to write their material in Koine Greek, so we would have to parse it more carefully?

September 24, 11:01 pm | [comment link]
8. Irenaeus wrote:

Kendall: Good suggestions. Thank you for helping us get ready.

Louis Pasteur wrote that “chance favors the prepared mind.” So does discernment.

September 24, 11:42 pm | [comment link]
9. Craig Stephans wrote:

I strongly object to that remark in Kendalls point #1.  Seminarians can’t be the worst…can they?  I mean what about people who don’t bathe or who can’t control the volume of their voice or insist on reading the Amplified Bible? 
Craig Stephans
Seminarian

September 24, 11:49 pm | [comment link]
10. robroy wrote:

Kendall, your overly long link munged the comments into the sidebar and I can’t read Craig Stephans’ joke. Now, I am mad!

September 25, 3:33 am | [comment link]
11. Br_er Rabbit wrote:

Hmmm…
Danders are up. A Certain Bishop does that to me.
Anyone got any dander spray?

September 25, 4:53 am | [comment link]
12. midwestnorwegian wrote:

Thank you KH…everyone take a deep long needed breath….here we go!

September 25, 10:42 am | [comment link]
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