Lambeth, are we certian about the point?

A lot of people are in a turmoil in the  Anglican Communion these days. The progressives point out the bald faced power politics played by the right, the conservatives point out the fuzzy thinking and rushed agenda of the left.  What is the end of all this? Are hoards of  unchurched people pouring into the "Continuing", conservative "Anglican" churches?  Hm.  Not that I see.  Are  hoards of people pouring into the Mainline Episcopal Church? Not that I see.

But is that a problem? What is the real point here?  Is it to save our ancestral worship that  we are comfortable in, our vestments, incense, male (presumed straight) Bishops OR is the point to worship Christ and Him crucified? To  invite others along side to do the same, and to  reach out in His name to all who enter our door or cross our path.  It doesn't matter if we follow the "faith once delivered" if our youth refuse to attend. Don't get me wrong, I love my Church, and all the worldwide Communion, and I see so many faithfully following Christ across the world.  I do, however get tired of the bickering, and wish we could set it aside.

Be attractive, be like Jesus, Who lived among  sinful people yet drew them to Him.  That will draw people to Him, not our Church, because after all, I think people can tell when we are following causes and not Christ.

Gracious Father, we pray for Your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ Your Son our Savior. Amen.

Comments

[Erudite Redneck]

Bless you. I'm glad you happened by my joint today.

[Tim Sean]

How do we get ourselves out of this tension? It has its own expression in the progressive baptist community--the cherishing of hymnry and formality in worship. I've got friends who talk a great lengths about informal community, the singing of songs and story-telling, living out acts of justice, these simple things being the heart of Christ infected community. It is this ideal that we strive for.

But eventually, even in these idealized small groups, I would guess someone arrives one day with an "idea" about something being important to codify. And so it begins...