An Update on General Convention

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church recently concluded its business. And reports of its work have appeared and continue to appear in the press. I noticed in this afternoon's paper that the lead article is an AP report headlined, "Episcopal church to affirm gay clergy." The headline is accurate, I believe, regarding the effect of the legislation.

In addition, the convention voted this afternoon to develop liturgies for the blessing of same sex relationships. Since our church doctrine is found in our liturgies, the convention is changing the doctrine of the Episcopal Church in a way that is not consistent with the Anglican Communion and, of course, Scripture and historic Christianity.

In each case, those in favor of these developments outnumbered those opposed by nearly 2 to 1. General Convention 2009 has revealed clarity about the present and likely future of the Episcopal Church.

I don't want any confusion about where I stand. I am strongly opposed to these actions. My opposition places me in a distinct minority in the Episcopal Church, but a solid majority in the Anglican Communion and, of course, the vast majority of the Christian world.

Our Dallas Bishops also stand in opposition to these developments. Writing earlier this week, and in response to the developments, Bishop Stanton said, "My word is 'caution.' And, of course, prayer. I am troubled, as many who have written me in emails are, about what has transpired until now. There is no getting around that. Over all, however, I think we must walk through these days a step at a time."

Those are sound words that I'm happy to share with you all. "We must walk through these days a step at a time."

As a next step for St. David's, I simply want to make myself available to you all to listen to you and address any questions you may have. Here at St. David's, we'll have our conversations on Wednesday evenings. Of course, I'm always available by phone or email.

Let's commit ourselves to perseverance, patience, and continued study of and obedience to God's Word as He has revealed it in Jesus and the Holy Scriptures. And trusting our heavenly Father, we may wait word from our Bishops in Dallas, and word from Anglican leaders world-wide.

Remember that we are called to be faithful disciples of Jesus in our homes and our communities, and with God's help, that's what we will do. No legislation can keep us from that.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Rom 15:13).

Fr. Greg+

What is an Anglican Church?

The following article is a short introduction to who we are and what we do as Anglican Christians. My prayer is that this is a helpful invitation to "come and see."

Fr Greg+

Why Choose the Anglican Church?

By The Rev. Quintin Morrow, St Andrew's Church, Fort Worth, Tex.

One of the great triumphs of capitalism of course is the multiplication of choices for the consumer. If you have ever traveled abroad you cannot help but notice that while most of the world's population must content itself with three kinds of ketchup we in America can choose from thirty. That kind of choice can be a wonderful think. But that kind of choice can have a deleterious effect as well -- especially if it creates a culture in which people thing they have a right to a multiplicity of options, and that this right applies to every arena of human existence.

Modern American culture has certainly made a supermarket out of religions. There are more "brands" of religion in our country than in any other country on the planet, and all with sometimes subtle and sometimes outlandish distinctions between them. Spirituality has literally become a designer enterprise with every conceivable preference and permutation made available to the potential proselyte. I even read recently of a "church" in San Francisco dedicated to promulgating the "gospel" of jazz great John Coltrane.

But it does no good for us to wrinkle our noses in disdain at this phenomenon and pretend that our church still has a preferential cultural claim on the vast majority of un-churched Americans. It doesn't. We must now compete with other spiritualities and other churches to get a hearing with people as to why we thing we have something unique to offer them. We mustn't change who we are -- that's not my meaning. But we must clear out throats and invite people to our church, and with the inviting, provide them with compelling reasons to, as Philip said to Nathanael, "come and see" (John 1:46).

The Anglican Church is an historic church, with roots going back to the time of the Apostles. While it is true that novelty is interesting, it is also undeniable that things that have stood the test of time endure because of their quality.

The Anglican Church is a catholic church that holds fast to, and proclaims, what Christians in all times and is all places have believed. The Greek word katholikos, from which we derive our English word "catholic," has two distinct but related meanings: The first is "universal," and the second is "that which belongs to the whole." The content of the faith we declare to be true is not simply the pious opinions of a select minority on the "Sceptered Isle," but what Christians everywhere and for all time have accepted as true. Our church is not the church in toto, but a part of the whole.

The Anglican Church is a reformed church that emphasizes the authority of Holy Scripture and the truth that we are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Antiquity does not equal verity. The 16th century Protestant reformers purged the medieval church of centuries of man-made accretions that obscured the grace of God and restored it to a simple gospel based upon the Word of God. The motto of their work was "Post tenebras lux" -- "After the darkness, light."

The Anglican Church is a biblical church that proclaims and strives to live by the unchanging truths of God's Holy Word. One gets more Bible on Sunday morning in an Anglican Church -- in the prayers, the liturgy, the readings, and the sermon -- than in any other church in the nation. It is only the Word of God that possesses the power to change the human heart and alter destinies; consequently, saints and sinners alike ought to get as much of God's Word and as little of man's ever-mutating opinions as is possible.

The Anglican Church is a liturgical church that worships with the biblical and time-honored Book of Common Prayer. The prayer book saves us from the tyranny of man-centered worship, and the tyranny of becoming the "church of what's happenin' now," and frees us and teaches us how to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The Anglican Church is a welcoming church, which invites all kinds of people from all walks of life to come and meet the Lord Jesus Christ.

Statistics indicate that three-quarters of visitors to any church are there because they've been invited by someone. Won't you invite someone to "come and see?"

-- Reprinted from The Anglican Digest

Lenten Study: 30 Days Through the Bible

Our Lenten study begins Monday, March 2 and ends Saturday April 4.

We will read and discuss 30 Days Through the Bible, edited and with commentary by F. LaGard Smith.



Our discussions will be on Wednesday evenings at St. David's Church from 6-7pm, with Mass following. Discussions begin Wednesday, March 4th and conclude Wednesday, April 8.

Whether or not you're able to read along, join us for teaching, discussion, and worship on Wednesdays during Lent.

A Day in the Life

The next sermon series at St. David's Church is a three-week series called, "A Day in the Life," and it will begin Sunday, February 1.

This three-part series will cover the Gospel of Mark, chapter 1, verses 21-45. This section of the first chapter of Mark is a summary of one day in Jesus' ministry.

We will look at this day, as described by Mark, and find how, by grace through faith, we can live with Jesus on all of our average days.

Blessings,

Fr Greg+

The Perils of Priestly Blogging

Apparently, when I started this blog last summer, I thought I would have time to post frequently enough. Now I see that I haven't done so.

Looking back, I didn't have a firm grasp of how a wife, three children, two parishes, and two extra teaching assignments for the Stanton Center for Ministry Formation would eliminate my time for blogging.

Though there's no evidence on the blog, the last six months have been quite productive and exciting. Good things are happening at St. David's Church. Come and see.

Fr. Greg+

How to Read the Bible pt. 1 of 5

One of my favorite teachers and speakers frequently says, "If you want to have an opinion about the Bible, it helps to read it." I think he's right, and I find that the more I read the Bible, the fewer opinions I have. As I read the Bible, opinions give way to quiet confidence (trust, faith) in the goodness and mercy of God.

But how do we read the Bible so that we grown in faith (confidence), rather can become swept up in our own opinions. Here's how.

Jesus said, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority." (John 7:16-17, ESV)

We read with the intent to obey. We don't read, evaluate, and then decide if we want to obey. We begin with the intent to obey and then read. For, the only way we can know if Jesus' teaching is true is to submit to it. We can't evaluate it critically from a safe distance. We must commit. And only then can we know.

Another writers says, "And without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him" (Heb. 11:6, ESV).

I would think that's another way of saying the same thing. If we would know if Jesus' teaching is true, we must submit our will to God's will. Then, and only then, can we begin to know.

In parts two through four of this series, I will briefly introduce the inductive method for Bible study. It's a four-part method with these four parts: context, observation, meaning, application.

However, prior these for steps is a heart asking for the grace to be humble--to seek, to hear, and then to do the teaching of Jesus.

Covenant Series Review and Conclusion

We’ve finished our seven-week series on the major covenants of the Bible. This series is based on Scott Hahn’s book, A Father Who Keeps His Promises. Those desiring a more detailed study of the covenants can read that book and profit from it.

For those who, like me, enjoy a good summary, here goes.

God created and saves the world in love. We could say that God’s love is relational, existing before all time in the eternal and united divine relationships between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity is eternal and all holy relationship. The Holy Trinity condescends in grace to create and relate to creation. This relationship is built around covenants, or promises. The Bible contains seven major covenants that teach us of the constancy and character of the Father’s love for His creation.

Covenant 1: Adam – major texts: Genesis 1–2.

Covenant 2: Noah – major texts: Genesis 8:20–9:17.

Covenant 3: Abraham – major texts: Genesis 12:1-3; 15; 17; 22

Covenant 4: Moses – major texts: Exodus 12; 19–20; 24; 32–34; Numbers 12–13; Deuteronomy 30

Covenant 5: David – major texts: Exodus 19:3-6, 2 Samuel 7; Psalms 2, 72, 89, 110

Covenant 6: Jesus – major texts: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the remaining 23 books of the New Testament (plus all 39 of the Old Testament).

Covenant 7: Covenant Consummation – major texts Revelation 21–22

I’d like to go into more detail, but I’ve already done that week by week in the studies. For those who participated, I hope this serves as a good review of the major Bible passages. For those unable to participate in this series, I believe you’ll still profit from knowing this basic outline of the major covenants. And I urge you to read the passages mentioned. I understand the reading for Covenant 6: Jesus may take a little while. You’ll be surprised at how far 15 minutes a day will get you.

Blessings,

Fr G+