tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post115334145466560270..comments2024-02-15T03:32:25.686-05:00Comments on Preludium, Anglican and Episcopal futures: A FOURTH WAYMark Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871096746243771489noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-1158121697477400652006-09-13T00:28:00.000-04:002006-09-13T00:28:00.000-04:00What a wonderful alternative to titusonenine!I'm t...What a wonderful alternative to titusonenine!<BR/>I'm trying not to suffocate in my "Network" diocese. Thank you for your words of hope and challenge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-1153888768064039082006-07-26T00:39:00.000-04:002006-07-26T00:39:00.000-04:00But the evangelical Anglican churches of Africa ar...<I>But the evangelical Anglican churches of Africa are, quite frankly, the future of the Anglican Communion</I><BR/><BR/>rb, I think you may be right about this . . . but not on a surface kind of way, as your next phrase, "if the statistics have any meaning at all", would suggest.<BR/><BR/>The thing about the vibrant ecclesial communities of Africa, is that they're not really <I>Anglican</I> . . . and yet they're saddled w/ a "neither fish nor fowl" dilemma, by (largely due to their overbearing heirarchs) continuing to <B>pretend</B> to be Anglican.<BR/><BR/>I think---for the best interest of ALL concerned!---this charade ought to come to an end. The churches of Africa really SHOULD break w/ Canterbury, and figure out, on their own, just what their own unique African charisms are.<BR/><BR/>It is through this work---which the Africans must do on their own---that they can then SHARE what they've discerned, <B>ecumenically</B>, with the Anglican Communion (and indeed, w/ the larger "Christian Church" writ large).<BR/><BR/>Because Africa IS the cradle of the <I>Imago Dei</I> that I have a hunch that what they discover, may well be bring the Unity-in-Christ that Christians have lacked . . . well, basically since the beginning (from the time Christians started "voting other Christians off the island").<BR/><BR/>But all of that will happen in <I>God's Good Time</I> . . . and it can't happen in some kind of tiered AC (or a purified-of-Yankees-and-other-liberals AC, either).<BR/><BR/>Let Africans be Africans.<BR/><BR/>And let Anglicans be Anglicans. (*)<BR/><BR/>And let there be charity towards ALL.<BR/><BR/>(*) Of course with pastoral hospitality for those relative few---notably, in South Africa---who can really <I>comfortably</I> be both.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-1153648976985509042006-07-23T06:02:00.000-04:002006-07-23T06:02:00.000-04:00I really think that the Archbishop is prepared to ...I really think that the Archbishop is prepared to offer us this very option. He seems to be aware that many want the Anglican Communion to be nothing more than an "ecumenical fellowship", and he sounds quite willing to extend to us "ecumenical fellowship" as an "associated church." <BR/><BR/>The thing is, many of the other churches have no interest in such a fellowship, and would prefer a covenanted communion that would allow for a greater degree of trust and a closer working relationship. And the Archbishop is willing to offer them this as well, as "consituent churches." It appears to me that the ABC is listening to the TEC, and their voice matters. But theirs is not the <B>only</B> voice that matters. I think the ABC deserves credit for trying to find a way to maintain relations with both sides.<BR/><BR/>I have to admit my admiration for the man. He doesn't talk about listening. He listens. As I read his many speeches and reflections, he truly seems to understand and respect both sides of those in conflict within the AC. Such listening seems nearly impossible on this side of the Atlantic. Both sides appear hopelessly infected by their own perception of their personal enlightenment and superiority, and their distrust of the other side's integrity (sometimes compounded with wild conspiracy theories). Everything heard is heard and distorted through these filters, and therefore is not heard at all. To listen requires humility and respect in order to see things from the perspective of the other. These commodities are in short supply in the TEC. The ABC seems to have a good supply of both.<BR/><BR/>My personal observation is that evangelicals are not particularly interested in ecumenical fellowships. The Southern Baptist Convention still hasn't joined the National Council of Churches, last I checked. Surely you have noticed the lack of participation of evangelicals in ministerial associations. I believe the reason is that they do not find such associations helpful (and possibly even a hindrance) in fulfilling <B>their</B> primary mission of proclaiming the Gospel and making disciples (not to help the poor, which, though important, would be secondary and derivative). I do not believe such a vision of the Anglican Communion would interest them as it interest us. A covenanted communion with a common understanding of doctrine, practice, and discipline would be of much greater value for combining resources for education and evangelism.<BR/><BR/>But the evangelical Anglican churches of Africa are, quite frankly, the future of the Anglican Communion, if the statistics have any meaning at all. Furthermore, with the constant turmoil in Africa, these churches need the ABC far more than we do, though these churches may not know it. The loss of these churches to the Anglican community would be disastrous for them and for us -- and I think the ABC knows it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-1153359392170272952006-07-19T21:36:00.000-04:002006-07-19T21:36:00.000-04:00Fr Mark --Sadly, I was afraid that the Coates piec...Fr Mark --<BR/><BR/>Sadly, I was afraid that the Coates piece was NOT unfair to ++Rowan -- surely the greatest disppointment as ABC since Becket (& he was only a disappointment to Henry II)<BR/><BR/>As to your ancient reflections -- they could have been written by Tobias Haller -- that is a compliment!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com