Posted on 08/28/2003 5:40:26 AM PDT by ModelBreaker
On a recent Sunday morning, Jack Scrivner tore open his pledge envelope at Grace & St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs, wrote "restricted" on his check and put it on the collection plate in disgust. The retired Air Force officer and professor didn't want any of his income going to the Colorado Episcopal diocese, whose bishop and delegates had just voted to approve the nation's first openly gay bishop, New Hampshire's Gene Robinson.
"I don't know how else to oppose it right now," the 77-year- old Scrivner said. "I could write a letter to the bishop, but I've tried that before and didn't get anywhere. One person alone isn't going to get it done, but a few dollars just might."
Several conservative Episcopal parishes, at least one diocese and an untold number of parishioners nationwide are using their pocketbooks to voice displeasure about the Robinson vote and other recent church moves toward acceptance of homosexuality.
The movement, which is still in its formative stages, has triggered a debate among the Episcopal faithful about whether withholding or redirecting donations is an effective or appropriate way to voice disapproval.
Since Robinson's historic election, parish boards in Georgia, Maryland and Texas have voted to cut off funding to church leaders. A Florida bishop has vowed to withhold payments to the national denomination.
In Colorado, an economic revolt could have deep ramifications. About 89 percent of the diocese's $1.8 million budget comes from parish support.
The Rev. Don Armstrong of Grace & St. Stephen's, a national leader in the church's conservative wing, is promoting a strategy urging parishioners to decide the fate of their donations rather than letting parish leadership decide.
At the same time, parishes in Denver and elsewhere that support Robinson's election remain steadfast in their financial support of the Colorado diocese and the national church, and some parishioners could increase their donations to offset the protests.
Canon Edward Morgan, assistant to Colorado Episcopal Bishop Jerry Winterrowd, said he understands that people are hurt and upset by the recent events. But he said a decline in giving to the diocese could result in cuts to youth ministry or other programs.
The diocese is expecting $1.6 million from parishes this year, and 10 percent of it will go the national church, another target of protesters.
"I think to vote with your pocketbook is inappropriate stewardship," Morgan said. "This is a time when we're looking for unity."
Armstrong said his blueprint leaves the donation decision to the person rather than the church because he does not want to alienate people who disagree with him. He has spoken of his plan from the pulpit and written a letter to Colorado clergy pressing it.
Armstrong said he expects 75 percent to 80 percent of his 2,300 members to restrict their offerings. He projects the Colorado diocese will get $30,000 instead of $60,000 from his parish this year and $15,000 instead of $100,000 next year. Most Colorado parishes give 10 percent of their donations to the diocese.
At Grace & St. Stephen's, parishioners are not withholding their donations but funneling them to third-world ministries and groups working to make the church more traditional. Armstrong said as a result, giving has risen 30 percent in the three Sundays since the Robinson election.
"We hope to recapture the Episcopal Church, to undermine the stability of the current leadership of the church and redirect funds away from those people who have forsaken the faith of the church and disrupted the order of the church," Armstrong said.
There's disagreement about whether it's right to send that message with money.
Canon Ephraim Radner, rector of Ascension Episcopal Church in Pueblo, said one-third of his 550 members have restricted their giving already.
Radner, the only member of Colorado's four- person clergy delegation that voted against Robinson's election, said people have a duty to discern whether their money is going toward what they understand to be God's purpose.
"There is a whole philosophy that we have been brainwashed into, that stewardship has to do simply with giving money away for the church, having faith it will be used well," Radner said. "But in a situation where the trust is broken, where we are now, I think it would be foolish and unfaithful to say, 'I don't care what anyone does with this."'
Jim Solheim, spokesman for the national Episcopal Church (USA) in New York, said the potential damage of such actions goes beyond program and staff cuts.
"It also raises questions about how we're related to each other: how the parish relates to the diocese, and the diocese to the national church, and our national church to others around the world. If those connections start to fray, it would be a bad witness in society."
The Rev. Georgia Humphries of St. Barnabus Episcopal Church in Denver's Capitol Hill, which is "open and affirming" to gays and lesbians, said her 400-member parish will keep sending checks to the Colorado diocese, as it always has.
"When I think of stewardship, I think of it as my gift given back for all that I have received," Humphries said. "It's not a question of whether I agree with the opinions of other people or leaders. If I disagree with the government, I don't withhold my taxes."
At St. John's Cathedral in Denver, the Very Rev. Peter Eaton said the cathedral will continue to fully fund the diocese and that he will urge parishioners to do the same.
He said his message would have been the same regardless of the Robinson vote. Most of the cathedral's 3,800 members supported Robinson's election.
"I am not prepared to pass judgment on those individuals and churches who are at the moment restricting their giving," Eaton said. "At this moment in the church, feelings are raw, nerves are tender and it's too easy to be lobbing grenades into each others foxholes."
He said the cathedral, which expects $1.3 million in pledges this year, has received "significant increases in giving" in the past month. But he couldn't say whether those donors were motivated by the Robinson vote.
Sounds like a good deal, as long as your'e me.
Also don't you love how the 'open and affirming' priest is not going to judge those who withhold their money. What a guy!
This will all come to nothing. The Episcopalian Church will be back to business as usual within six months.
Well, I think inflicting a gay bishop on us is inappropriate stewardship.
"This is a time when we're looking for unity."
Bullshit, Father, you're looking for acquiescence. God bless anyone who doesn't give it to you.
I hope you're wrong. :-(
But...but...but...the Gaystapo told me that "everyone" supported Robinson?
You mean they were wrong?
What an absolute Scumbastic statement that is!
Why not cut their own saleries? The dems couldn't come up with a better line than that!
Don't get your selfish way, bring up the children.
A plea to all Episcopalians, do not let your focus veer from Christ!
Me too. But the denomination owns all those beautiful old churches. As long as Episcopalians are more attached to the buildings than they are to the gospel, this will all come to nothing.
The Episcopal church can be saved. But only by schism. The old Episcopal church, which I grew up in, is no longer attached to the vine. It will wither and die. The only question is: how many Christians will die with it?
Episcopalians who believe in the Gospel need to walk away now and start a new, gospel-based Episcopalian church. No good can come of hanging around an institution that has severed its connection with God and has no desire to get it back.
Well then, why not fire Robinson, 'for the children.'
In other words, protest in every way except the one that might make a difference.
They will probably get more upset when those "uppity" African and Asian bishops excommunicate them.
They will probably get more upset when those "uppity" African and Asian bishops excommunicate them.
We are related to each other by the power of the political arms of the church, which, of course, are not elected by the parisheners. If the church starts to fray, don't start a new church, find one that you believe fits your needs. We already have too many factions.
In the end times, the churches are supposed to come together, not grow further apart. I'm looking forward to the end of time.
Well, here's a start..
Canon Edward Morgan, assistant to Colorado Episcopal Bishop Jerry Winterrowd, said he understands that people are hurt and upset by the recent events. But he said a decline in giving to the diocese could result in cuts to youth ministry or other programs.
Typical liberal threat/tactic. Disagree with us, withold funds from us...children will suffer. Oh, and we need the money for diversity training for the parishes and we will start in Sunday School.
"It also raises questions about how we're related to each other: how the parish relates to the diocese, and the diocese to the national church, and our national church to others around the world. If those connections start to fray, it would be a bad witness in society."
Certainly wouldn't want society to look down on the church now would we? Who cares about God? The real question here is: "What does society think?"
"I think to vote with your pocketbook is inappropriate stewardship," Morgan said. "This is a time when we're looking for unity."
We have divided the church and now we demand that everyone bow down and worship at the false altar we have erected. Then everyone must welcome non-repentant sinners into the church as a living testament that Jesus died for absolutely nothing and the Holy Eucharist doesn't matter because sin doesn't matter anymore.
The Rev. Georgia Humphries of St. Barnabus Episcopal Church in Denver's Capitol Hill, which is "open and affirming" to gays and lesbians, said her 400-member parish will keep sending checks to the Colorado diocese, as it always has.
"When I think of stewardship, I think of it as my gift given back for all that I have received," Humphries said. "It's not a question of whether I agree with the opinions of other people or leaders. If I disagree with the government, I don't withhold my taxes."
This is a tough one. Let's examine the choices.
A. Disagree with the government and withold tax payments....go to jail.
B. Disagree with the church and withold tithes and offerings....get a letter asking you to please give.
C. Disagree with God....go to Hell.
And finally...
At the same time, parishes in Denver and elsewhere that support Robinson's election remain steadfast in their financial support of the Colorado diocese and the national church, and some parishioners could increase their donations to offset the protests.
The church really shouldn't worry because 2-5% of the church population is going to make up for the shortfall from the other 95-98%
I think you've called it correctly. A "Christian" church that can ignore the plain strictures of Bible is the rankest hypocracy. What's next? A bishop practicing bestiality with his sheep Cindy? If Robinson is acceptable, why not?
WARNING!!! Be sure that you know where your church spends their money.
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