Posted on 05/16/2006 7:46:31 PM PDT by sionnsar
As a deputy to the 2003 General Convention (until the convening of the 2006 General Convention), I actively follow the discussions on the very active House of Bishops/House of Deputies mailing list, though I seldom post there anymore. Anyway, it's a good source of information, especially on what the progressives are thinking. We don't normally get to share from those ongoing discussions. The mailing list's rules are, "Unless this message is clearly in the public domain, e.g. a press release, it may not be redistributed without its author's permission," and violation of the rules may get one excommunicated from the list.
In yesterday's mail, there was a very thoughtful post from Fr. Ryan Reed, for which he is in the process of being excoriated by the participating progressives who dominate the list. With his permission, I am sharing his posting with you here:
Begin Quote
I have been following this list serve for 2.5 years and rarely have had the courage to speak out, primarily because I'm afraid of computers. I'm also afraid of shrill, intolerant, liberals jumping all over me, as I've seen time and again. Most of the time, reading these posts, I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of a Dan Brown novel.
"Regardless of how the Christian world and the Anglican world reacted to our vote in 03, I would guess most of us never considered the reality that "councils can err". And the second question I would have is, "would the Holy Spirit lead us into a 'new truth' that contradicts what He has revealed to everyone else, everywhere, in every age?"
Encouraging people to avoid sinful, destructive, behaviors is not hateful. Most of the ACN/AAC people I know, are pretty much like you all: compassionate, convicted, loving, and trying to be faithful. The difference that I see is that they are trying, with some sense of humility, to continue to stand on the right side of both history and God's revelation. You can demonize them all you want, but I have found them to be a very charitable and humble people even though we still have many differences.
I can't say much about Peter Akinola, but I have spent a lot of time with Bob Duncan since the formation of the Network. While he is not my Bishop, I have experienced him to be a kind, gentle soul. He is about as loving as a teddy bear and someone I hold dear in my heart. (Since experience trumps everything else: try to counter that).
This "neo-puritan" crap is for the birds. The people you are labeling hold to the same teaching on marriage and sexuality as the overwhelming majority of Christians both today and certainly throughout history. And they have the Bible to back them up. We don't in ECUSA, no matter how we try to read it differently.
And as to accountability...that is what the Anglican Communion is trying to do: hold us accountable to this family we profess to be in. If we don't want to be in, then let's get out. Let the chips fall where they may. It would sure save me a lot of time reading e-mails on digest lists. Centuries ago, a lot of smart people believed the world was flat. A lot of smart people on this list may be wrong as well.
I, for one, regret the actions we took and the pain it caused our brothers and sisters. I also repent of my involvement in that decision. Because I believe with all my heart that Jesus can change lives, I've never found it easy to be a Christian in the Episcopal Church. In August of 03, it became almost impossible.
Ryan Reed, C-3, Fort Worth
End of Quote
The Very Rev. Ryan Reed is the Dean of St. Vincent’s Cathedral Church and School and has served the last two years as President of the Standing Committee. He is currently a clerical deputy to General Convention and served as an alternate in 2000 and 2003. He serves on the Executive Council for the Diocese and has been a member of the Finance Committee, Christian Education Committee, and the Armed Forces Representative. He is currently a member of the Steering Committee for the Anglican Communion Network.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
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