Read on Twitter
The Episcopal Church will not flourish as long as we treat Christian faith like an odd, slightly embarrassing hobby.
This tweet struck a nerve. A few more thoughts.
1. I am glad to be an Episcopalian. I will take our flaws and gifts, along with those of the Anglican tradition, over any other. I have seen conversion here. I have experienced it here. I am regularly moved by members' desire tp grow in love of god and neighbor.
Still, I also see a lot of self-satisfied complacency and a sense that Christianity and the church are more or less optional to a good life.
Someone asked who is treating Christianity like a hobby. First of all, I fear I am all to often. My own faith and discipleship tends to be tepid, domesticated, and comfortable. Not to mention half-hearted.
More generally TEC as for a generation of two has often acted like it was slightly embarrassed by much of what the church has classically affirmed and hesitant to expect too much of its members.
Someone asked what i think should change. I hesitate here. Unfortunately being a bishop does not mean i have the answers. And I am wary of the tendency to say that what the church needs is to just look more like me with my biases and convictions. But . . .
I think something along, the lines of an affirming orthodoxy, ala @earthandaltar, is the most faithful way forward.
I suspect that adopting/emphasizing shared communal practices that help shape a shared culture would help.
We need a thick narrative (doctrine) and identity (church/belonging) that can counter the narratives of nationalism, consumerism, individualism, militarism, etc.
We need to be willing to have all our biases, political, intellectual, etc challenged - not just those of the people we all agree are wrong based on biases we would have regardless of our commitment to Christ.
All are welcome
All will be comforted
All will be challenged
All will be transformed by the Holy Spirit
Toward the measure of the full stature of Christ
All will be comforted
All will be challenged
All will be transformed by the Holy Spirit
Toward the measure of the full stature of Christ
I could continue to add random things but would like to know what others think would help.
