i've followed to some degree the happenings of the episcopal/anglican church after the election of Bishop Robinson. it's been a heated topic in tennessee with some congregations splitting and others shutting down completely. i watch this to have an idea of what is to come with the umc as it struggles with spiritually addressing the issues, emotions, viewpoints, and theologies associated with homosexuality in the church.
to say, the church has been pretty clear with accepting into membership those who are gay. even with decision 1032 that doesn't seem change our attitude as a whole church there. what is the struggle is clergy. it's the struggle with the anglican community to define what is permissible through the words of "practicing." with Bishop Robinson, he is & was a "practicing" homosexual with an established relationship. it lived outside the means of marriage as that is another issue, thrown about adolescently in the political systems of government and church (which i think is a shame, shows how much we really do revere marriage that we use it as a tool for gain, and that goes for both sides).
anyways, back to the episcopals. to keep a short history, the episcopal church in america elected Bishop Robinson. this set things in motion. a year or so ago the anglican communion (the world anglican church and somewhat conservative in nature) issued the 'windsor report' which simply said, "bad american episcopals. now you apologize and say that you won't do it again." the response to this report hasn't been too swift of anything, the bishops developed a letter in response saying that bishop elections needed some heavy approval, but never said that they would respect the church to put a "moratorium" on electing officials who are "practicing." well, the pals are in their general conference at the moment and they are debating over the windsor report and other things. thunder is always so kind to keep me informed of what is going down. here's what he emailed to me as the ecusa response to said report.
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, that the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church regrets the extent to which we have, by action and inaction, contributed to strains on communion and caused deep offense to many faithful Anglican Christians as we consented to the consecration of a bishop living openly in a same-gender union. Accordingly, we are obliged to urge nominating committees, electing conventions, Standing Committees, and bishops with jurisdiction
to exercise very considerable cautionrefrain from the nomination, election, consent to, and consecration of bishops whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.; and be it further
Resolved that this General Convention not proceed to develop or authorize Rites for the Blessing of same-sex unions at this time, thereby concurring with the Windsor Report in its exhortation to bishops of the Anglican Communion to honor the Primates’ Pastoral Letter of May 2003; and be it further
Resolved that this General Convention affirm the need to maintain a breadth of responses to situations of pastoral care for gay and lesbian Christians in this Church. Resolved that this General Convention apologize to those gay and lesbian Episcopalians and their supporters hurt by these decisions.
if this is how it works out with the umc (and i'd suspect it might unless we change our methods of leading church, calling to an end a business model of church decision making). then, we'll see ourselves quarreling with the global church in much the same way. since we think so highly of us enlightened american status we'll opt for a 'we are smarter' childish mentality which might bring us to a semantics and reasonable stand still.
Bishop Robinson has engaged the conversation which should be interesting to see what happens.
update: talked with thunder today about a number of things. in regards to the convention and this resolution not being adopted due to the semantics. apparently it was agreed that both sides of the fence hate each other. i say that is good common ground to start from.
