I remember your astute warning very well, and that is why I copied you on that reply.
Your comments below will be saved and used if needed out here:
"Those people don't want to be caught worshipping in a high school gym and listening to an electronic keyboard! They are too "sensitive" and therefore you OWE them that large building with the stained glass windows and pipe organ; you conservative Episcopalians can go have your antique services down the road at the VFW hall."
"Oh, and by the way, don't think that that endowment money your great-grandparents gave will go with you. They want that money to advance their agenda (which is not anything that Christ would recognize, if you ask me). And when their congregations diminish, they will sell off the land and buildings to a developer, so that the money will go for a "good cause.""
I have told people who have left and are thinking about leaving, that they are doing exactly what these Church Killers have wanted them to do. If you love your church, stay and fight for it.
Thanks as usual.
Dave
This is a real struggle. I left Methodism (after generations of Methodists in my family going all the way back to Wesley in England) in the late 60s over racism. Many others did the same, and when I returned in the 90s, the hymnals and congregations reflected racial integration. Some stayed and fought, but those who left also "sent a message."
In 2003 I left again, after my 6th gay pastor in a row was appointed. Since gays are only 3% of the U.S. population, I felt that this was greatly disproportionate; and the preaching and treatment of the children in the church became indoctrination away from the Bible and towards wholesale approval of homosexual behavior.
I sent my second message, but this time I do not plan to return. I've had it with the UMC. Wesley must be spinning in his grave at what this "church" has turned into, with all its outraged, self-righteous liberals shouting down the Bible-believers in classes and at meetings. Their "tolerance" -- of sin -- has become intolerable to me.
But the liberals won't be able to pay for their buildings or the salaries of their gay priests when all the traditional Episcopalians take their money and go home. My former parish in Virginia is nearly broke because of the drop in contributions; it bought a new building just before the vote on Gene Robinson, and now it can't pay the mortgage on the building. I'm still attending an ECSUA church in my new home, but will not give it a dime because it is in the ultra-liberal diocese of Philadelphia.