All of us in the No Anglican Covenant Coalition have been looking at the actions at the Church of England's General Synod with equal bits of puzzlement, sadness, annoyance, and ultimately the hopeful resolve that the spirit of God is still with all of us as we muddle our way through this period of Anglican angst.
The Revd. Dr. Lesley Fellows of Lesley's Blog made this keen observation of the Archbishop's opening address:
The Archbishop’s message was clear—be afraid of rejecting the Covenant. It is the only lifeboat in the troubled sea of Anglicanism, and doing nothing or being idealistic is not an option. It is particularly ironic that Dr. Williams painted a picture of a frightening Anglican dystopia should the Covenant fail, as he and other supporters of the Covenant have been quick to accuse Covenant sceptics of “scaremongering.” It is also surprising, both in this speech and in the subsequent debate, that concerns were raised about the decline of the role of the Church of England, as well as references to its being “the mother church” that needs to set an example, whereas Covenant sceptics have been accused of being “Little Englanders.”
You can read our statement at our blog, and see the resources for our positions at our website.
I find it curious that the Archbishop evokes so much fear at a time that I would think calls for much faith.
The Revd. Dr. Lesley Fellows of Lesley's Blog made this keen observation of the Archbishop's opening address:
The Archbishop’s message was clear—be afraid of rejecting the Covenant. It is the only lifeboat in the troubled sea of Anglicanism, and doing nothing or being idealistic is not an option. It is particularly ironic that Dr. Williams painted a picture of a frightening Anglican dystopia should the Covenant fail, as he and other supporters of the Covenant have been quick to accuse Covenant sceptics of “scaremongering.” It is also surprising, both in this speech and in the subsequent debate, that concerns were raised about the decline of the role of the Church of England, as well as references to its being “the mother church” that needs to set an example, whereas Covenant sceptics have been accused of being “Little Englanders.”
You can read our statement at our blog, and see the resources for our positions at our website.
I find it curious that the Archbishop evokes so much fear at a time that I would think calls for much faith.
This whole debate about the Anglican Covenant and all the attending other skirmishes that we've been having in the Anglican Communion seem to have pulled so many of the higher-ups away from their faith and trust in God, and into the place of fear and imposing limits, rules, drafts, black and white lettering of who gets to decide when one isn't Anglican enough to be part of a "covenanted" relationship. Didn't St. Paul's message this past Sunday say to the Romans, "Cast aside darkness and put on an armor of light"? That message is true for us today in the 21st century. We live in a world where we are butting up against those who are different from us all the time. Are we going to turn our faces away from our neighbor so as not to see the light of Christ in their eyes? Do we not trust that God is with us and can lead us through whatever darkness we feel is engulfing us at the moment?
The Anglican Covenant is a way of throwing in the towel and saying, "We can't trust in God that our differences and diversity are a good thing, even when it makes us uncomfortable." It seems to me that it is a lack of faith that drives this engine which is full up on its fear factor. What a way to start the season of Advent! O come, o come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel....
The Anglican Covenant is a way of throwing in the towel and saying, "We can't trust in God that our differences and diversity are a good thing, even when it makes us uncomfortable." It seems to me that it is a lack of faith that drives this engine which is full up on its fear factor. What a way to start the season of Advent! O come, o come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel....
2 comments:
Another great observation. Thanks for sending it.
Peggins
Well said, indeed!
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