From Minnesota-
In a recent opinion piece in The Free Press, syndicated columnist Cal Thomas had some rather unflattering things to say about our denomination concerning decisions made at its convention in Anaheim in July. Likening our church to that in which a con-artist would feel right at home, Thomas used an appellation to describe his view of what kind of church he believes we are.
Actually, we’re really not that different from most other mainline congregations. Our worship is fairly traditional, with good hymn-singing, bible reading, praying and sharing of the Lord’s Supper. We don’t have a rock band or use big screens. There’s not much hand-clapping (save when a couple celebrates years of marriage or after we’ve baptized a child) and we don’t have folks dancing in the aisles like in that YouTube video.
No. I’m afraid as far as being a “Church of What’s Happenin’ Now,” we’d pretty much fail. I’m not saying that there aren’t Episcopal churches like that; it’s just that most of us are pretty middle-of-the-road.
What we are is a people who love and worship the God of Jesus Christ. Informed by scripture and mindful of our traditions, we use reason to engage the issues of the day in order to determine the leading of God’s Spirit. This is really no different from the way people of faith through the ages have come to understand themselves and their relationship with a loving God.
More here-
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/letters/local_story_217002705.html
1 comment:
Wow. Glad you linked to this. Rev. Rider tells the truth, without the deceptive "nuance" spread about here in Pittsburgh. Wish the leadership here would be as honest about D025 and C056:
"Our decision to fully open the process of ordained ministry to persons living in committed same-sex relationships and to authorize the establishment of rites of blessing for such couples"
That sure doesn't sound like the spin of "nothing changed" being pushed so strongly in Pittsburgh. Honesty, yea!
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