I believe our steadfastness will be of service within TEC—if only by challenging the structural conservatism of the theological innovators to face the changes of the future. Even more importantly it will be of service for the Anglican Communion as it moves towards the emerging structures God is providentially shaping. This is the field where the game is being played. So I am confident under God that it is essential to Anglicanism in North America and throughout the world that we in South Carolina are where we are.
But it does present us with a challenge. How do we keep this need for differentiation and truth-telling from dominating our diocesan life in negative ways? How do we balance these three dimensions of our common life as a diocese—(a) the gospel mandate, (b) the call to make Biblical Anglicans for a global age, (c) this need for vigilance toward the unbiblical agendas in TEC? What is the relationship of each to the other—especially in terms of the stewardship of our time, resources and energy
As I have looked for a metaphor to help convey the relationship between these three dimensions of our common life in this Diocese of South Carolina I have reluctantly settled on what I believe is a helpful, if less than noble, one—that is, A Motorcycle with a Sidecar. A metaphor or analogy, as Robert Frost noted years ago, is like an ice cube on a hot skillet. It rides on its own melting until it eventually dissolves. It is important to keep this in mind as I bring this metaphor before us. It is a metaphor I have employed specifically to assist in describing the emphasis we place on these three dimensions of our diocesan life and how they relate to one another. Let me explain. The front wheel of the motorcycle is the Christ’s mandate to proclaim the Gospel, to make disciples, and grow the church. That is the one non-negotiable. Lose that and we might as well close shop. We become salt that has lost its taste and, as Jesus taught, worth nothing but to be thrown under foot. It is the front wheel of our motorcycle and it decides where we as a diocese are to go—the direction of our common life. The back wheel is our God-given calling to help shape Anglicanism in the 21st Century through missional relationships, responsible autonomy and inter-provincial accountability. That is what gives us thrust and drives us toward that future our Lord has called us to help shape. The side car bears the third wheel; this is at present our relationship with The Episcopal Church. It is there; we all know that it is there; at times we appreciate it; at times some of us don’t.
Read it all here-
http://www.dioceseofsc.org/lawrence_address_218_convention.pdf
1 comment:
The engine of the motorcycle is Christ's command to love God and love others. TEC has the engine which Bishop Lawrence's bike lacks. He needs to get the engine out of the sidecar and on the bike where it belongs. We could work together if he were less interested in laws and judgment and more interested in feeding, clothing, sheltering, comforting, etc. Don't know about his Bible but the Gospels in mine say that should be our agenda. The souls will follow naturally.
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