Posted on 11/04/2003 2:27:15 PM PST by Gman
Time to Act +Thad Barnum Nov 4, 2003
TIME TO ACT
The Bible says it clearly: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? [2 Cor 6:14]
We must choose. Now is the time to go before the Lord, prepare our hearts, and ask what course of action is required of us.
The House of Bishops in the Anglican Province of Rwanda has done more than issue a statement denouncing the recent actions of the Episcopal Church. We must all do more than sign statements.
The House of Bishops in Rwanda is no longer in communion with the Episcopal Church. The Bishops have stated this publicly. Other Anglican provinces are taking similar decisive action.
Today, many orthodox clergy and laity in the Episcopal Church are asking urgent and essential questions: Am I in communion with the Episcopal Church? Am I safe under an orthodox bishop – an orthodox rector – who stands in opposition to the election and consecration of Gene Robinson? Is it enough to withhold funds from the diocese and national Church? Do I remain in communion with the Episcopal Church while we wait for alternative episcopal oversight or a definitive strategy that will bring an Anglican realignment in the States?
What can be done right now? We need to say our prayers.
The first step belongs to our leaders. For clergy in revisionist dioceses – with bishops who remain in allegiance with the Presiding Bishop and the consecration in New Hampshire – the act of breaking communion begins with publicly renouncing the ordination vow of obedience to their bishop. In the same way, clergy in “safe” dioceses must demand their bishops formally separate from the Presiding Bishop and the House of Bishops.
The action step is to break communion. By declaring this publicly, the members of our congregation coming this Sunday to receive communion at the Lord’s table may know with assurance that they are no longer in communion with the new religion of the Episcopal Church [let the reader take seriously 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 and 11:27-30]. Our people must be protected even if alternative episcopal oversight has not yet been appointed or approved.
This is not a time to wait; it is a time to act even if there are – and there will be – consequences to our actions.
The second step belongs to lay leaders if, and only if, their clergy are unwilling to act. We must have the grace and courage to break fellowship. For some, this might mean not going to the Lord’s Table. For others, it might mean stepping out of the church fellowship until the realignment comes. In such cases, it is clear we are living in the most troubling days but, still, action must be taken.
The retired Archbishop of Southeast Asia, Moses Tay, said these words recently in Raleigh: “Why does the Lord allow heresy and persecution? It is because it forces people to ask: Where do I stand? Am I a Christian or not? Am I ready to stand even if it costs my life? The Lord is purifying His Church. People are having to choose.”
From the African perspective, Bishop John Rucyahana of Rwanda made this statement: “Our call is to engage the truth in action. This notion of drawing lines in the sand – just one more thing and I will act – must stop. The Episcopal Church has denied the teaching of the Lord Jesus and nullified the transforming power of His cross. They stand contrary to Scripture. We cannot go with them. Jesus saved me. He rescued me from my sin. I cannot betray Him – no, never.”
It is time to act. It is time to say our prayers. Before we go to the Lord’s Table this Sunday, it needs to be clear: We are no longer in communion with the blatant rebellion in the Episcopal Church.
Thaddeus Rockwell Barnum Missionary Bishop: Anglican Mission in America 04 November 2003
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