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Christianity Today, January (Web-only), 2008 |

Episcopal Headquarters Takes Steps to Remove Conservative Bishops

One has led a diocese out of the national Anglican body, two others are preparing to go.

George Conger | posted 1/18/2008 09:45AM

Three conservative bishops of the Episcopal Church are under fire from the church's national leaders and are being threatened with dismissal for seeking to pull their dioceses out of the church in protest ...

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Sarah

Posted: January 23, 2008 6:07 PM


This article is rather skewed. You might consider including some of the national church's responses rather than reporting only one part of the conversation. I can't say I'm happy with this.

Clinton

Posted: January 21, 2008 8:36 PM

Finally the heretics have taken over the Anglican church and are now expelling the followers of Jesus. Rejoice, you bishops who suffer for His Name's sake. Just as Peter and John did when they boldly declared, "which is better - to obey God or men?" Deacon Steve, vows and submission mean nothing if your church asks these men to break their vows and submission to God in order to bow down to yours. It is assumed that when a Bishop makes a vow of ordination, he makes it to Christ, like St. Paul who said, "I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." (2 Cor 11:2,3). May the church be protected from the serpent and his heresy! God bless every Anglican Christian and give you the grace to see and stand for the truth. We your brothers are concerned and will be praying.

Non-Anglican Observer

Posted: January 21, 2008 2:07 PM

I find the Episcopal Church's footloose and cavalier attitude toward the Scriptures quite interesting. I find it interesting, too, that we in America can get so upset about toxins in our childrens' toys--and rightly so--yet be largely unconcerned about poisons in the theological positions of many churches in the US. Either God has spoken clearly and authoritatively through His Word so we might understand it (despite the protests of postmoderns), obey it, and conform our lives to it, or He is silent and unknowable? And if the latter is true, then it really doesn't matter at all, does it? Woe to us.

Just a Christian

Posted: January 21, 2008 12:09 PM

To Anglican: Uh, you want everyone to go to the "official," Episcopalian sources to get unbiased information? Please, use your head. Christianity Today would hopefully be an unbiased source as opposed to any official outlet. As a Southern Baptist I am not naive about what goes on at a national level within denominations. As a result of the wars that have gone on in our own denomination I have become sickened by our national body and they don't see my dollars or support anymore either. If you look at a lot of the numbers most denominations will be or are a moot point anyway. And what is your response to that Christmas card? Kind of hard to defend I would think.

Vinnie

Posted: January 21, 2008 7:36 AM

Philipside, whatever and however poor the research was which has been published in christianity today, the real issue here is not the research but the fact that homosexuality which is categorically condemned by both the old and new testaments of scripture is now being endorsed by TEC. Why call me Lord, Lord says Jesus, but obey not my commandments. Whether or not christianity Today write about it, this open sin and rebellion against God's Word endorsed by TEC was not done in secret. It was broadcast over the satelite and I saw it live on television here in Europe.

Anonymous

Posted: January 21, 2008 5:58 AM

Again we see the move of the marker ever so slightly to rule of conformism with a seemingly pious clergy of a fellowship adrift in a sea of notions which of course when seen against the Light of the Gospel display the master hand of Shadow behind it. We run risk of falling in with a subtle enemy should we elevate the doctrines of men or women above that which is the Truth unto Salvation. God save us from ourselves.

jim k

Posted: January 19, 2008 11:49 AM


Jim, would that it were that easy. As a conservatively inclined (though by no means strident or activist) family in the fairly middle of the road (by episcopal standards) diocese of Missouri, we're really feeling marginalized. There isn't an ongoing dialogue, only an organization which seems to be hell-bent on deconstructing itself totally in the name of "full inclusion".

Roger - Australia

Posted: January 19, 2008 4:48 AM

Next 'Bishop' Schori will be telling us Jesus was actually a woman and it's all a big misogynist conspiracy. As far as the Episopalian Church, Jezebel Schori, Bishop Spong and all the other clowns, they will reap what they sow, and there will be a lot of reaping going on. Almighty God is not mocked. Without wanting to be too controversial, maybe this whole fiasco demonstrates the truth about what the Apostle Paul said about women in leadership in churches. Sorry, but it has to be said.

Jim	Posted: January 18, 2008 10:18 PM

As a cradle Episcopalian who left 10 years ago because I couldn't take it any longer, this article is only the tip of the iceberg. The brutal fact is that the Episcopal Church is now controlled by non-Christians and is a full-fledged cult. It is centered on promoting homosexuality and teaching that the Gospel is fulfilled in following the United Nations' Millenium Development Goals. Most of the Anglican Communion no longer recognizes its legitimacy and refuses to have anything to do with it. My former parish has lost 60% of its members in the last 5 years (and this was a parish with a "liberal" membership). People are just not interested in hearing about how great homosexuality is every Sunday. I'm now in a Bible-believing church, and at least half our small group Bible study members are former Episcopalians. They basically all left because they didn't want their children exposed to what the Episcopal Church teaches and its scorn for scripture and God's commands.

Fr.Dr.Ed

Posted: January 18, 2008 9:24 PM

A brilliant and clear explanation. George ought to be applauded for his detailed and crystal clear analysis. For those who thinks he is biased I suppose anyone who holds to anything, especially the Bible, would have to be biased as well. It's sad that the age-proven message of the Gospel has been tainted by those who seek to inject their political agendas. I guess I'm biased because I think It's appropriate to say "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," rather than something politically correct that is heretical. The prob. in TEC is that they have allowed the heretics to infest the churches, the dioceses, and the seminaries like roaches and their false teachings have BRED! Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father and other ways are false, according to the Scriptures. Why don't those who reject this go start your own religion? Name it Roachism because that's what falsehood is like, like dirty little bugs that direct seekers of truth away from Jesus Christ.

Anglican

Posted: January 18, 2008 4:43 PM


This is the web address for the relevant aritcle from ENS (Episcopal News Service) You would do yourself a favor if you follow all the links within the article. http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_93969_ENG_HTM.htm

Anglican

Posted: January 18, 2008 4:33 PM

I have never read a more biased account of what is going on in the Episcopal Church USA. Regular readers of Christianity Today would do well to also read the reports on the topic coming out of the Episcopal News Service (www.dfms.org/ens).Secret panels and review boards indeed.If anyone really wants to know about the organization and government of the Episcopal Church go to the official site and read about it. Try to understand how it has been organized ever since George Washington had a pew at St. Paul's Chapel in New York.If anyone wants to know what I believe you'll find it in the Apostles' & Nicene Creed.Look up Resolution 26 of the 1988 LambethConference and see what accomodation was made to some of the dioceses of the Global South so they could baptize practicing polygamists into the Body of Christ and keep all their wives.These are some of the dioceses that the "conservative' bishops are leading their parishes to. www.bcponline.org

Keith Johnston

Posted: January 18, 2008 4:20 PM

With Bishops like Bishop Spong, Bishop Pike, etc., I would argue that the position of Bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States has been a joke for many years. I know that it is fashionable to talk about a church as a 'centered set' rather than a 'bounded set', but how far from the center of a 'centered set' does one have to go to no longer be considered a Christian (instead perhaps morphing into a Hindu, for instance), unless of course one argues that everyone that has even been alive on earth has been or is an 'Anonymous Christian' (by the way, why not an 'Anonymous Hindu' -- what difference does that kind of label make).

Deacon Steve

Posted: January 18, 2008 3:01 PM

The removal of these bishops is not about them being 'conservative', but it is about their failure to fulfill their ordination vows and attempting to get portions of an established church to separate with them. This is not a new issue. Firing priests on Christmas day is not exactly an act of Christian charity or even Christian polity. There are still all kinds of unhelpful comments floating around such as sweeping generalizations ("chosen to abandon the inerrancy of scripture - Dale Carlsen; just WHAT does that mean in an Episcopal theological context?), and tinstar's uncharitable and nonsensical statement above. Amanda's comment is most helpful. I hope others can be similarly helpful instead of silly.

Deus Regulum

Posted: January 18, 2008 2:29 PM

We have to learn that scriptures are the rule for our righteousness as is the Lord's Prayer in the scriptures. That should guide our integrity. But the scriptures also point to how Jesus soundly treated people of different doctines kindly and well. Such as the story of the Good Samaritan who was foreign to mainstream believers of the day yet he was the kindest of all. Who of the opposing sides treats all others as neighbours and is kind to them, even when their doctines are very different? We are surely in a war of doctrines and especially a war against unbelief in the firm certainty of Jesus and His divinity and uprightness. We will survive that war though and we have to remember that the enemy should also survive! Our weapons are not the weapons of this world and our weapons are spiritual ones, including praying for the best for an enemy and turning the other cheek. We must remember who our neighbour is and then go and do likewise. Otherwise we won't have the fruit of the Spirit.

Becky Wadkins

Posted: January 18, 2008 1:57 PM


I can't understand why you would remove the conservative leaders, when they are the ones who seem to be followers of Jesus Christ.

Jim F

Posted: January 18, 2008 1:56 PM

What a wonderful opportunity for the Episcopal Church - for both sides to put their egos aside and ask the Lord to develop in them more fully the fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control. Just think what the Lord can do if each person involved, from Bishop Jefferts Schori to the person sitting in the back row at Grace Church-New York, allows the Lord to develop the appropriate "fruits" in his or her heart.

Sean M

Posted: January 18, 2008 1:39 PM


Apparently, Christianity Today is perfectly comfortable with bearing false witness as practically everything in this article is either half-truth or intentionally misleading. Perhaps George Conger sees "The DaVinci Code" as a template for best practices in "news" writing. At least he didn't actually type that it's all a vast left-wing conspiracy.

Dale Carlsen

Posted: January 18, 2008 1:36 PM

My prayers are with all my brothers and sisters in Christ that are in Episcopal churches. Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ. May the coming months be a time of healing and of clear discernment. God Bless You on your journey of faith. To those in leadership that have chosen to abandon the inerrancy of scripture- consider your eternal destiny and the eternal destiny of those you are leading astray. repent.

Dale Carlsen

Posted: January 18, 2008 1:33 PM

tinstar

Posted: January 18, 2008 1:26 PM


Our Mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation indeed. Boy am I glad I left that circus before they let the clowns take over.

Ann	Posted: January 18, 2008 1:11 PM


Hardly a "secret review panel" -- the names of the panel are on the Episcopal Church web site.

Greg in MI

Posted: January 18, 2008 1:08 PM

Whenever the emphasis is placed on denomination, the denominational theology fails because its human conception pales to the light of Christ's John 17 prayer. Whenever the cause of Christ becomes the emphasis, no matter the denomination, the church thrives. Take a look around you at thriving churches. Those in The Episcopal Church need to ask themselves, "Are we a denomination or are we Christ's church?" Their answer will determine their corporate and Spiriutal destiny as the Church of Jesus Christ. Their answer will also determine how un-churched and de-churched people react to "church" in general, thereby affecting everyone's ministry. My prayers go with them.

Amanda

Posted: January 18, 2008 12:16 PM

To anyone with a general interest in this theological split, I highly recommend Pope Benedict's latest book "Jesus of Nazareth." It's easily the best intellectual challenge to liberal theology and scholarship that I've read. His own scholarship is supplemented by his careful, humble search for the real Jesus who came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it in himself (Mt 5:17). I sincerely hope that this powerful work can contribute to dialogue and healing within the Episcopal church and other Protestant churches.

P Smith

Posted: January 18, 2008 12:00 PM


It appears that the Episcopal Church is fast becoming a church exclusively for women, of women, and by women, with a few scattered homosexual train-bearers being the only others truly welcomed. These are sad times for Anglicanism.

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