Counting the Cost of Common Cause: Five Inevitabilities and/or Possibilities

Good stuff, Matt.
It will be necessary to co-exist on WO; but , hopefully, one will not have to pretend that one accepts it. Yet, one will have to give—It will not be easy, but none of this has been easy, has it?

Brad Drell has a post up about how we are like young eagles, whose mother destroys the comfy nest in order to get them flying and…well, being eagles!
All of the old institutional “career path” that was present when I came into ordained ministry is going bye bye, and these five points are well worth considering (especially if one is tempted to rush into CCP just because it hurts too much to be in TEC!)
1) I agree with the GS, “don’t need to go through Canterbury to get to Jesus”
2) Not a first order issue, and I can work with folks of either ecclesiology.
3) Already engaged in setting up contingent plans and can’t go into detail.  But Matt+ is right on.
4) Amen and am preparing lay people in the same. 
5) Amen again.  The chaos created by TEC’s corrupt leaders has damaged all of us.  A really good exercise is, once you’ve come under a new Bishop’s authority, to have a conversation and let him impose some kind of healthy discipline on you.  Just say, “What is something you want me to do?” It might be something like, “Do extra Bible study every day”, or it might be “I need you to serve on this committee I’ve just formed.”  Whatever it is, let him assign something, and then go and do it to the best of your ability with God’s help.  It is a way to heal.

Great great post, Matt.  THANK YOU!!!!!

I particularly appreciate your point #1.  I personally believe that those who leave ECUSA—even if they still want very much to remain within the AC—are prepared to give that up and willing to “move on” without Canterbury.  But it’s a good idea to spell out the possibilities, publicly, and in writing.

Well thought out piece, you’ve obviously been lurking in the background of some of these discussions

#1 Could happen or could happen temporarily or could happen and those more on the Catholic side might be better off with the GS if the Vatican continue to express it’s opinion on things (a welcome intrusion).

#2 I’m going to say we’ll see. A year ago I’d more fully agree with you, however with Dallas, SC, CFL and other ACN dioceses probably staying inside TEC, the balance has changed and this will be more of a sticky issue. Especially if Continuing Churches are more attracted to join in with other diocese out. I pity +Duncan, prayers for the man in the bullseye.

#3—My favorite pastor is a “tent making” one, the Lord has always provided. It’s kind of scary if you placed your faith in a retirement system and now ask to trust in the LORD. My Indonesian friend thinks the preachers make too much money over here anyways, quite critical of some of the top names for what he saw from the wealthy parishes, he had opinions on the law suits in this area and claim of ‘persecution,’ though his concept of injustice was slightly different. Oh yeah, next Sunday, we’ll be worshiping at a different church because our Baptist hosts are doing a lessons and carols service, that’s okay, I’ve learned that Church is a set of relationships - sometimes losing a structure can force you out on a wild journey that holds hidden blessings never suspected.

#4 I’ve never been so encouraged/pressured to actually fulfill the Great Commission until I started going to CCP parish, now lots talked about it, but actually their actions were quite opposite and they were Christian social clubs. One ‘flag ship’ one. No one talked to my Indonesian friend at one parish we had both attended, odd for he became an important heartbeat at the one we’re at now. Sometimes the removal of all that is comfortable, we’re forced to meet really wonderful people and build a true community. Oh, the crime of the video above, teaching Sunday school, we really have no excuse.

#5 We’re not so hot about submission in the US. Tragically that means we’re not so good at it with the LORD (as my friend would point out). However as we practice with those who are godly, who we can see, hopefully we’ll improve with our God who is spirit.

RE: Are you prepared?

No! Well ... yes ... ah ... I mean I certainly was not prepared in my mind, but the Lord obviously thought I was because He allowed some really bad things to drive me out, but as bad as the sins of others have been the adventure walking with those walking by faith has been wonderful. Maybe no building but we’re supporting several missionaries, one left yesterday to work with NTM. We’re purchasing a tipper lorry internationally and holding a outreach seminar next month with several other local church (one also has no building). This has been an adventure but the pastoral care has been a hundred times better, the teaching been good, there is care all because this parish is build on relationship instead of brick and mortar and my great-grandmother used to go—today my deceased relatives are with the Lord and I’m with the Lord’s people.

Matt+

Excellent.  Yes, we’ll all have to stretch like we’ve never been stretched before, provided conscience isn’t stretched beyond the Elastic Limit. 

As a nice fringe benefit, it’ll be nice to tell these stories to our grandkids.  Hopefully, the province that they inherit, will be faced with other Catch-22’s. 

It’s kind of like that trek to Canaan, imho.  Or anything else with an eschatological goal attached to it, for that matter.

wonderful and thoughtful post Matt+

You have covered the sticking points very well.

Thanks.

Matt,
from an Anglo-Catholic
#1.  Absolutely, no problem.  Indeed staying with Canterbury is a problem if they cannot get it together.  Many of us are not in communion with ABC now.

#2.  Depends on the details-NO WAY a woman could ever lead (primate) the group.

#3, & 4 You have to be kidding.  I realize you did it. Exceptions-yes. 

#5 Not a problem unless it somehow involves #2.

Those who left many years ago because of WO and the praybook- those who have survived this long- would need a really good reason to return.  They did not compromise then and have done fine(more or less).  Why give up anything now?  What would entice them back?

It sounds as if Matt doesn’t think Common Cause is the way to go. Sarah certainly doesn’t think so. I guess, USA clergy like their cush positions more than . . .

“Are you prepared?”  One is never fully prepared, but as one who is active at some level with both a CANA and a Continuing Church, just about all of these things have already come to pass.  Once you make the decision to go, the rest just falls into place.

Sir Higmoor: I’m sure Matt+ will write for himself, but his post doesn’t sound a you conclude to me.

It sounds as if Matt doesn’t think Common Cause is the way to go. Sarah
certainly doesn’t think so. I guess, USA clergy like their cush positions
more than . . .

He just sounds as if he is taking the time as one of the primaries on this blog site to clarify the various boxes one might find oneself in.

best regards, SVA1

Actually, Sir Highmoor, I think this is just Matt saying “count the cost.”

I think Matt has done a very good job summarizing the costs.  One of the drums I always hear being beat on the liberal side is that conservatives will fragment over WO or some other issue.  If Common Cause is to succeed then it must not splinter into factions.

[comment deleted—off topic]

Sir Highmoor,

Actually, you could not be more wrong. I am already gone as is my parish.

So Matt+, are you prepared?

Matt,
The diocese still shows you and your church as part of them:

LINK

Please tell the truth.

Hi bobthehero1,

One the joy I had was watching the Lord move on my friend’s heart to make the leap of faith, returning to his homeland to do what can be dangerous for him physically. I watched as each fear was removed as we spent Friday evenings in prayer, I watch doubt lifted about support. I watched as he went from crazy idea to the LORD making connections with all the right people. The head of the entire operation just happen to be in town the next Friday, when on Tuesday he found out, on Wednesday made contact and at the train station they met and all pieces were in place. This last month he also could say “I am already gone” even though his plane had not left yet. The truth is which are asking, in the physical or has the mind been prepared to the point it’s just waiting until it’s time to depart?

Hosea,

Either Matt and his parish have left or they have not. It is plain and simple. If they have not voted, changed thier by-laws, and moved to secure thier property he is flat out telling a lie.

Fr. Matt, your analysis is insightful and helpful, as usual.
I am intrigued by your question:  Are you prepared?  Meaning, I think, prepared to leave TEC.
It might be equally useful to frame the question:  Are you prepared to stay?  Meaning stay in TEC.
Are not many of the same types of issues involved?  Perhaps not clergy pensions and parish property issues.  But many other issues which arise from “staying in” vs “leaving”.
Two options.  Different impacts.  Might it not be useful to consider both, not just the “are you prepared” for the possible outcomes of leaving?

Hosea and Matt,

The bible is very clear. Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No. IF they ahve not left then why would the diocese still claim him and the church?

Wow, I thought I took everything too literally!

bobthehero1,

heh St. Andrew’s vestal is still listed there as well.

If you are looking for a press release or announcement, there will not be one. You can take my word for it or you can ask anyone in the Diocese.

I stand corrected, congrats! (I suppose that is part of the deal?)

Hosea6.6

Thanks but I can’t and I won’t say more until things are settled.

BobtheHero,

I have deleted six blatantly off-topic comments on two different threads.

Please cease.  This will be your one warning on any thread, with no others.

[comment deleted, commenter banned, unwilling to adhere to comment policy]

Sounds wonderful. As my bishop says (quoting someone else, I think),

If Christianity were outlawed, and you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

...still in the Briar Patch,

bobthehero, I want to be there when a female police officer pulls you over for traffic violation.

Well, maybe I don’t want to be there :-O

BobtheHero . . . done.

But I think that there will be a certain reappraiser commenter who won’t be very happy now.

Actually the female cop from the SFPD already pulled him over.

I think the hero’s been busted by our own Sarah Hey…

On 1, thank you for telling the truth.  Over and over again, with +Nigeria, the Road to Lambeth document, we have learned that the Anglican Communion need not run through Lambeth

On 2, as I watched day 1 of The CCPartnership meeting and the voting, and, finally +Duncan’s request that his new partners reflect on the role of women, I thought, Pittsburgh’s women priests are the last of their kind.  I took a lot of heat on this blog when I made my August prediction that WO was next in line.  +Iker’s subsequent FiF address simply confirmed it.

I am now observing my second Advent since leaving TEC for a Common Cause entity.  Fr. Matt, you are so spot on.  Our Lord cautioned us to count the cost.  I urge everyone to do that.  I underline the need for prayers for +Duncan—and all Common Cause clergy.

Matt I admire you greatly.  # 5 probably means I am done.  I think if CS was alive today he would be a PCA or EPC.

Five excellent points, Fr. Matt.  #4 is the one that, IMO, deserves the most intense focus at the parish level.  Our commission is to bring people to Jesus Christ. 

#2 is the one that could well divide us.  It is not only the liberal side that says we could fragment over this, Nudnick.  Many on our side of the fence have said it, too, and I agree that it is one of the greatest dangers we face.  Those who hold the orthodox position on WO are a much higher percentage within CCP than they were within TEC.  Nearly all who hold that position have left or soon will leave TEC, and most will end up in some part of the CCP.  Having put up with the “reception process” for 30 yrs and seeing it turned into a mandatory acceptance of what could NOT be accepted, few are willing to go through the same thing again.  They now believe that axiom that when something orthodox becomes optional it will soon be proscribed.  If the entities within CCP insist on ordaining women to the priesthood, I think it most likely we who claim to be orthodox will splinter into at least 2 groups.  Let us pray that this issue does not undo us.

“There are now bishops to whom we owe loyalty, obedience, support and respect. It will mean godly submission in all things.”  They also owe us these things.

Matt, you’ve convinced me.  Looks like if you don’t believe in WO your best bet would be to join the Southern Baptist Convention!  Being neither baptist or Anglican I’ve managed to have difficulties in all five areas without even trying.  Cheers.

Plug for Matt+. His podcast page is found here.

Matt+,
Good points, and worth paying attention to.  A comment though—without clearly stating it, your points all seem to envision a traditional structure, with dioceses made up of parishes that people attend on Sundays, where they see their clergy vested up at the front while sitting in (occasionally-)comfortable pews for worship.

I’d like to go in a different direction—with a point rarely made, but one I think worth making.

I graduated from seminary in 1988.  Since then, I served (as is normal) a period in a church setting—actually a cathedral—as a deacon, then as priest-in-charge/interim in a rural parish.  In both places, I also served as a volunteer—as a fire department chaplain while at the cathedral, and then as an EMS chaplain and rescue squad member at the parish.  I then became rector of a parish in the Diocese of Spokane, where I also served as a police department chaplain.

With my bishop’s encouragement, I then entered into full-time military chaplaincy for nine years, until medically retired.  During those years, I was able to help start police or sheriff’s department chaplaincies in two communities here I was stationed, recruiting and training local clergy to serve as volunteers (cops are rarely church-goers—they have trouble trusting civilians.  A uniformed chaplain is part of the system, is on the ‘inside’—is someone a cop might actually talk to).  After my retirement from the Navy, I went to South Carolina, and worked full-time as a hospital chaplain (volunteering at my local Anglo-Catholic parish) until my health wouldn’t let me work full time, then went to half time work chaplaining at a hospice.  After I could no longer work at all, I continued to volunteer as I could for the parish, until moving overseas, where I will be offering my (<u>very</u>) part-time assistance to the bishop of Portugal.

My point is that the priestly ministry isn’t necessarily about buildings.  When I was a rector, people came to me at the church.  They came on Sunday and Holy Days, for Mass, they came for Confession and counseling and conversation, they came for interminable meetings about the budget and the boiler.

When I was a chaplain, I brought the church <u>to</u> <u>them</u>.  I went to where they were, in their daily life and work.  I shared the joys and fears, and was able to share the faith, with them <u>where</u> <u>they</u> <u>were</u>. As a military chaplain, I still celebrated the Mass every Sunday (and on other days as well—sometimes “Sunday” is whatever day you get lowered from a helicopter—a “Holy-helo”—on a rope onto the deck of a destroyer!), I still heard Confessions, and baptized and buried and counseled and did all the other things a priest is “supposed” to do.  Even more, while at sea part of my job was to go up to the Bridge every night at 10 pm and offer a prayer over the ship-wide loud-speaker system.  [Name one civilian ministry where that would be allowed… and here, it was ordered!]

But, and equally important, I was also able, and welcomed and encouraged, to drop by and visit my Marines or sailors in their work spaces while they were working, just to chat (try doing <u>that</u> with a parishioner at Macy’s or IBM and see how long you last!).  I was expected to be part of their lives—and to represent God and the Faith to their lives.

[A study the Brits did after WWI showed that units that had chaplains present with them had significantly fewer atrocities than those did not, because, they surmised, chaplains served as living reminders of both God and something <u>real</u> beyond the horrors of trench warfare—I’ve often wondered whether we had chaplains stationed full-time at Abu Ghraib…]

I didn’t go to seminary to learn to discuss budgets or reach group consensus, but rather to learn to discuss the Gospel and reach hearts.  Chaplaincy isn’t for everyone, granted, and some chaplaincies are particularly difficult.  But for a priest to be there in the emergency room when the news is broken to a family that, ‘well, we’re sorry, but we couldn’t save your mom’, or for a priest to be with a battalion of Marines in Fallujah or Camp Courtney…  that priest is truly making a difference.  The vast majority of the people whom I served probably weren’t Episcopalians—many weren’t even Christians—but just having a chaplain there can make a tremendous difference.

As an orthodox Anglo-Catholic priest (yup, maniple, biretta, East-facing altar and all), I certainly have strong feelings about such things as WO and the Rite II liturgies* (Holy Communion in Charleston, where I was the voluntary Associate, is an ASB parish!), and I truly believe that my orders are only valid as long as I am in communion with my bishop and that my bishop must be in communion with one of the three primary branches of the Catholic Church: Benedict of the West, Bartholomew of the East, or Rowan of Canterbury—and it grieves me that there are three and not one, BUT for me that which is “First Order” is that which is found in St. Matthew 35:31ff (“Lord, when did we see you thirsty, or hungry, or sick, or imprisoned…”), and of course Jesus’ own bottom line—that we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, and we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

For me at least, chaplaincy, far more than parish ministry, provided that opportunity.  It grieves me greatly that my spine is so damaged that, at 52, I can no longer serve as I would in chaplaincy (I <u>hate</u> these lessons in humility and patience!), but I take great joy in what I have been allowed to do, and in what ministries God does still open up for me.  And I am glad that God isn’t calling me to administer a parish, or to worry about the boiler and the leaky roof or that touchy, easily-aggravated women who has been on and off vestry since before I was born!

*Theological problems aside, Rite I, essentially, was puy into English when Shakespeare was writing—Rite II comes from the same period as the BeeGees.  ‘Nough said?

FCZ+

It’s nice to find myself largely in agreement with Matt Kennedy.  People who read this post, however, should note carefully what he is saying in #2 (if I understand him): we may have to accept women already “ordained”, but others may have to accept the cessation of future such “ordinations.”  Depending on the details, I can live with that (barely).

[comment deleted, commenter banned, unwilling to adhere to comment policy]

Sarah, you really need to take more lessons from the commenatrix. Where are the swooping talons… where are the blood and entrails? Is this what you mean by “dolphin-like”?

The points are good ones, esp. #5 for us Americans.  #2 finally seems to be getting the attention it deserves from CCP.  I’ve seen mostly patience and maturity w/ #2 so far, having left over a year ago. 

All these costs, of course, cut both directions.  I say count the cost of staying over leaving, but don’t be naive about leaving.

If you stay…
1) you’re already in impaired communion w/ Canterbury and a big chunk of the Communion.
2) you’re wishing for the good ‘ol days when all you had to worry about was the ordination of women… (not “June brides”).
3) you’re certainly not getting rich digging the TEC ditch, but point taken.
4) same as leaving, but worse since your mission field is often the very church you’re attending.
5) why is it ok to disobey your not-so-orthodox TEC bishop? Shouldn’t you leave if you can’t obey?

Congratulations +Matt and parish on the partial news!  Eagerly awaiting more details.

I think the theme of this thread could best be summed up by this song.

I have a blog thingy

“If I go there will be trouble,
If I stay it’ll be double.”

RE: “If you stay . . . 2) you’re wishing for the good ‘ol days when all you had to worry about was the ordination of women… (not “June brides”).”

The “good ‘ol days” were when nobody knew anything, and very few people cared.  I am thrilled to be in these times and not in the good ‘ol days.

RE: “Where are the swooping talons… where are the blood and entrails? Is this what you mean by “dolphin-like”?”

I am so sorry that I do not have the style and flair of the Commenatrix. 

[sniff]

Neither Jackie nor I have the time to do things with the pizazz that she does. 

[toss head]

Perhaps you should hire several Commenatrixes, rather than just the one, who could do bannings with the style to which you have become accustomed.

Matt+,

As we’ve often butted heads, I’d like to say that I think this post is excellent.  Points 1 & 5 are particularly important.  Well done.

This is a very nice post.  One additional question once a realignment is said and done is whether AC and evangelicals will be able to work together in a unified entity.

Lee Parker’s comment is very appropriate re: point #5.  If we get autocratic, non-pastoral leaders in CCP groups, it will not make for very happy congregations.  There is also the case when ecclesiastical leadership will not even communicate directly with lay leadership.  That is not a healthy situation. You will also find that the administrative support structures of CCP groups will not be well developed in some cases.  If you are a self-sufficient congregation this is not a problem, but it can be a significant issue for small congregations and new plants.

I would add a very important point #6 - Be prepared for significant conflict within your group that can easily escalate out of control if you do not have a Biblically grounded, well defined process for conflict resolution, and clerical ukases dont’ count as a valid process.  I highly recommend [url=http://www.resolvechurchconflict.com]http://www.resolvechurchconflict.com [/url] as a useful resource.

Lee,

It is true that servant leadership is the model Christ set and yet I think there is a value and goodness to hierarchy. The Church is not an egalitarian structure, nor should it ever become one. Bishops, in so far as they do not issue demands that are clearly contrary to God’s Word are to be obeyed.

CanonZ, I salute you.  Thanks for your service.  I have seen the tremendous benefit of chaplains in military, medical, and law enforcement.  It is a good thing our society still recognizes it.  Anybody who ministers to our troops is a blessing to all.  Now as for the present unpleasentness,  all of you may have to gear down and go back to minimuns.  When ever there is a large disaster such as the TEC apostacy and implosion, infrastructure is wiped out and everyone has to regroup and get by on the minimals.  Some of this may be just deserts for allowing the apostacy in the first place, but God has promised to restore what the locust have devoured. (Joel 2:25-26).  After all, the early church met in homes the first two hundred years and did well.  I don’t know if they even had a budget.  The Lord is good and honors those who honor Him and obey Him.  Peace

May I add one more cost?  This one is for laity in particular.  Your priest is taking a huge risk for the sake of your soul.  He is leaving a comfortable pension system for one perhaps not so generous.  There are the details about his health insurance, his life insurance, and so on.  There are questions about his continued employability if this doesn’t work out.  Laity, you’ve got to come through financially for these people.  Laity can just get up and move to another pew; your priest is risking his livelihood and the financial support of his family.  Consider well, and give sacrificially.

+Minns is sounding more and more like a PB everyday:

“We will keep our promise to honor both integrities within CANA and fulfill our commitment to the full participation of women, in the life and leadership of the church. We will do so in such a manner that both those who are unable to support the ordination of women and those who embrace it will know that their position has been honored,” as quoted in the <a >Fairfax Times</a>

God bless you, Katherine, for taking the time to understand and exhort.

May I add one more cost? This one is for laity in particular. Your priest
is taking a huge risk for the sake of your soul. He is leaving a
comfortable pension system for one perhaps not so generous. There are the
details about his health insurance, his life insurance, and so on. There
are questions about his continued employability if this doesn’t work out.
Laity, you’ve got to come through financially for these people. Laity can
just get up and move to another pew; your priest is risking his livelihood
and the financial support of his family. Consider well, and give
sacrificially.

nailed it!

Good grief, John316, that quote is chilling.  Did he really say that - “honor both integrities?”  What’s next?  “Live into the tension of two realities?”

I don’t think women’s ordination will cease in ANiC - the leaders were pretty clear about that at the Burlington conference.

Phil the article is here.

The web site of Good Shepard seems to answer the question someone had.  This may not be a press release but answers the question.  Sorry I cannot figure out how to blockquote it.
===========
”Resolved that the Vestry, Wardens, and Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, on behalf of the Church of the Good Shepherd, intend to seek affiliation with and submit to full episcopal oversight from an orthodox Anglican province in communion with the See of Canterbury subsequent to adequate communication with members of the congregation.”

As you may remember, we held two parish meetings to explain and discuss this resolution. During those meetings, the decisions taken were overwhelmingly affirmed by those present.

Since that time we have been engaged in two distinct processes.

The first process has been the search for affiliation with another Anglican Province . That search has been successful. As was announced earlier this year, the Church of the Good Shepherd has been provisionally received by the Province of Kenya contingent upon our ongoing negotiations with the Episcopal Church and the diocese of Central New York . The Province of Kenya recently consecrated two American bishops: Bishop William Murdoch from Massachusetts and Bishop Bill Atwood from Texas . When the provisional reception is complete, we will most likely fall under the jurisdiction of Bishop Murdoch.

Both bishops along with bishops from the dioceses of Ft. Worth , Pittsburgh , San Joaquin, Western Kansas, Quincy , Albany , and from the provinces of Kenya , Nigeria , Uganda , Southern Cone, and Rwanda and several orthodox Anglican bodies that have already departed from the Episcopal Church are part of a new entity called the Common Cause Partnership (CCP). The CCP includes over 51 American-born bishops from 8 different jurisdictions and bodies. The goal of the CCP is to become a separate Anglican Structure in the United States .

I believe that the future of orthodox, biblically sound Anglicanism in the United States lies with the Common Cause Partnership.

The second process has been the currently ongoing negotiations with the Bishop and Diocese of Central New York. We hope to leave the Episcopal Church while retaining our property. We believe it is possible to do so and the bishop has affirmed that so long as we remain in full contact with him that it may also be possible make our disaffiliation official before the property negotiations have been fully worked out.

We are currently working through a proposal to the diocese that, if accepted, would allow us to sever our relationship with the Episcopal Church and the diocese of Central New York and continue worshipping in our present building.

We intend to negotiate an amicable separation and we believe that the Bishop and Diocese of Central New York also share that desire.

It is possible, however, that at the end of the day, we could lose possession of the building. We must be spiritually prepared for such a possibility.

I do not think it probable but it is not impossible.

As followers of Christ we must be willing to take up that cross an prepared to sacrifice all that we hold dear for the sake of the gospel.

Again, I do not think this is likely, but I do not know.

In any and every case you can be assured that God is faithful and that he is good. Whatever his will in this matter we can know that he works all things together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Those are not mere words, that is an eternal promise from the Almighty God.

I am therefore confident that God’s will for us in this matter is good beyond our ability to ask or, perhaps, to see.

Our task, then, is simple. We will be faithful and we will trust God.

Yours in Christ,

Matt

Okay…. so does the CCP allow and/or support women’s ordination or not?  If so, can women be bishops?  If not, what about ordained women who wish to join—will they be required to give up their priesthood?

Rick D.

Depends on who you ask:

Anglican Communion Network and the Common Cause Partnership are fully committed to undertaking a substantial theological study of the question of the ordination of women, once a structure is in place and we have relatively settled in. We will have a chance, in other words, to bring those who now accept this innovation to reconsideration of their decision for the future.

or

We will keep our promise to honor both integrities within CANA and fulfill our commitment to the full participation of women, in the life and leadership of the church. We will do so in such a manner that both those who are unable to support the ordination of women and those who embrace it will know that their position has been honored

Understand now?

The matter was up for discussion, probably after the Prayer Book fight, but things are being said ahead of time, thus giving us a whole lot of ammunition ...

If Greg had way to charge for a WO free for all, unbanning all people and let them at it, I’m sure he could make his end of year subscription drive, especially if he charged a dollar a post of penny per character!

NOTE to CCP bishop - Sometimes it’s better to KISS these subjects.

Katherine,

Thank you for broaching a subject that (too often) “goes without saying.”  Yup, let’s not muzzle the oxen, as they tread out the corn. 

Our lives are made rich by being in the Church.  I like Buning’s “Sea of Forgetfulness”  :

http://www.barnabasfoundation.com/firstfruits/sermonstarters/individualsermons/thegraceandworshipofgiving.htm

(and scroll down)

We really can’t out-grace a good priest, or out-give God.  It’s impossible.  But - we can always try! 

WO, prayer book, candles, incense——-one war at a time.  Right now the focus should be on getting out of Sodom and avoiding judgment. IMHO

Where are the swooping talons… where are the blood and entrails? Is this what you mean by “dolphin-like”?

EGAD!  Is there a new creature lurking in the shadows of StandFirm - a creature who lives only to discipline recalcitrant posters by herding them gently (if permanently) to the door?  Could it be the dreaded ... Dolphinatrix?

Matt - Have you written about your leaving before? If so, would you provide a link? If not, would you do so for the record?

Thank You!

Sir Highmore,

I am sorry but all the information I am at liberty to share may be found on Good Shepherd’s website. We have completed a number of the significant steps outlined in the section of my letter (I believe it was dated early November) above quoted by Matthew and are no longer part of the Episcopal Church but because of ongoing discussions which are both gracious and cordial I am not at liberty to discuss this further.

“...so does the CCP allow and/or support women’s ordination or not?”

The CCP is in the nature of an association.  By joining the CCP, a mission (e.g., AMiA) or church (e.g., REC) does not waive its own canons, governance rules, bylaws, etc.  Thus, CANA (Minns) speaks only for CANA.

According to CCP Article 10.3:

“The Clergy of the several Partners shall be entitled to officiate transiently in the congregations of other Partners, subject to the canonical requirements of these Partners, and shall also be eligible to hold a cure of souls in them, subject to the respective regulations of said entities.”

The practical implication is that some of the clergy of CANA will be unable to officiate transiently in other CCP members.  This appears to be the current status of No. 2 above.

There may eventually be mergers of members within the CCP, and obviously this will be one of the major issues.

I am so very sorry to hear this Fr. Matt. Is there anyway that you and Anne+ might be persuaded to change your thinking?  Even though we don’t agree concerning this sexuality issue, I feel that TEC needs your evangelical witness, and balance.  The diocese of Kenya doesn’t, Fr. Mattl.

Either way, just know that you and your whole church, and family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Our Lord’s blessing!

Grace, TEC has ignored Fr. Matt’s evangelical witness, as well as the witness of +Schofield and others for many, many years.  Jesus gave very strict directions about “shaking the dust of that place off your feet” when the message is not received.  He didn’t say “keep trying, you might convince them”.  There has to come a time when you shake it off and move on.

“They have Moses and the Prophets”

...still in the Briar Patch,

Guys,

I could understand if TEC renounced the Nicene Creed, and forbid the preaching of the gospel.  (I surely would not join the unitarian church.)

But, this isn’t the case,  friends. We are never going to have a perfect church out there. Until the Lord comes there are going to be problems, “tares mixed with the wheat.” I personally don’t feel that the answer is just to run away from each other, when Jesus wants us to be one in Him.

I feel grief,and a sense of lose that Fr. Matt, and his church are leaving. I think it comes from the Lord. We need to be hanging in here, and loving each other through these differences, IMO.

Plus, Gillian, has everyone rejected Fr. Matt’s witness.?? Even though we don’t completely agree, I’ve certainly been edified by many of his posts on alot of topics.

Even though we don’t completely agree, I’ve certainly been edified by many of his posts on alot of topics.

He doesn’t have to be in TEC for you to be edified - and the harm that comes from the association with them is to be considered. 

If adherence to the Nicene Creed and the lack of a ban on the Gospel are the only criteria for a church, then perhaps it is just as well that there is a parting of ways.  Fr. Matt has made it quite obvious that he expects the leadership of the church be based on the Gospel, not merely tolerate it - they barely tolerate it these days.  Time for the parish to go, and I am sure that God has called them to do so.

Grace - you’ve been around the block enough to know that what TEC (or any body) does or does not formally say has no necessary connection to the reality of life in that body (are Mormons Christian simply because they say they are?).  And that reality has been documented here and elsewhere, again and again and again: the Wiccan priests, the Muslim-Episcopalian who would still be in good standing if not for the quirk of being canonically resident under a remote bishop (the bishop in her locality having enthusiastically gushed over her syncretism), the Unitarian-Deist beliefs of the Presiding Bishop for which TEC mouthpieces have no criticism, etc.  Even those who give the line of “not crossing their fingers when they say the Creed” will, more often than not, go on to tell you why the Virgin Birth is a fable, how Christ rose not bodily but just as a warm feeling in our hearts or how it would be barbaric to understand Christ’s crucifixion as being “for us.”

Grace, you have spent enough time at Fr. Jake’s site to know, in your heart of hearts – as you’ve expressed in writing a few times there, only to receive contempt in return – that the progressive portion of TEC rejects the concept of identifiable Christian beliefs, and mocks anybody who puts it forth.  You have seen how your appeals to a basic belief that Christ is our only hope, our only mediator, the unique person of the Son of God, have drawn wicked and hateful responses.  This, to a long time commenter, and probably the kindest and most sincere, no less.

I’m sorry, but the culture of TEC is hostile to any kind of orthodox Christian belief, and it isn’t “running away” to recognize this and act accordingly.  You say you “surely would not join the unitarian church.”  Equally, your brothers and sisters in Christ will not stay in a church once it turns Unitarian.  There is no distinction.

Grace IMHO this is even more important.  I personally feel a great loss after losing my parish.  Moreover, the real loss for ECUSA is the lack of Christian beliefs.  You see we are still brothers and sisters but everyday I wonder more and more are we brothers and sisters in Christ.  For the sake of my children and my own soul this is why we leave.

Canon Z,

What a lovely comment.  God bless.

A fellow Anglo-Catholic

Matt,

Really, really good points you raise and worthy of all to be given deep and prayerful consideration.  Well done.

Grace,
I believe that we must recognize that Fr. Matt and his church, or my friend Fr. Andrew and his church, or Bp. Schofield and his diocese, are not leaving the Church.  They are leaving a corporate structure that is trying to pull them farther and farther from union in Christ.  TEC, as the Archbishop of Canterbury points out, is an abstraction.  The Church has no national boundaries. 
You may be lucky enough to live in a diocese where orthodox clergy are not threatened with inhibition, or where orthodox parishes are not threatened with seizure under “parish in distress” canons, or where the tenets of the Creeds are not replaced with various deistic or pantheistic “affirmations,” but those places do exist.  Perhaps your bishop has not told you to your face that holding fast to the Creeds and to the uniqueness of Christ puts you outside “mainstream Anglicanism” or that rejecting gay marriage is a sin.  Or that the Bible is misogynistic (that last not from a bishop, but a priest in the pulpit).  But those things happen every day in many places in this church.  I do not believe I will come into a closer relationship with Christ by following those people.
This does not mean that there are not many good people, clergy and laity alike, within the Episcopal Church.  There are still many churches where I feel welcome.  But there are many where I do not.  And more to the point, while TEC may “welcome” me, it is becoming increasingly clear that in most dioceses I visit, I am being asked to leave my theology at the door.

Grace,

There has never been balance between the Kingdom of God, and the temporary realm of the Prince of this world.  There never will be. 

Personally, I do grieve for the loss of TEC, in that despite all of it’s evil, it still is a handy platform where Christians from disparate traditions can still ‘hob-knob.’ 

TEC, for all of it’s clamour over being “Via Media,” does not embrace the ends of the Via Media referenced, nor even the middle.  Via Media as originally conceived, was both Reformed and Catholic;  TEC is not only neither / nor, but has become hostile towards Christians at any point of that continuum. 

If you find that you miss the balance that people like the Kennedy’s bring to TEC, my suggestion would be for you to join them. 

- Moot

TJ, You list prompts me to add an anecdote. 

A few years back, I attended a confirmation at an east coast TEC parish.  The bishop’s sermon was on the prodigal son.  In setting the context, the bishop noted the absence of reference to the mother of the prodigal son, and attributed this to the sexist perspective of the first century mind.

Aghast, I reflected on how this bishop in good standing of TEC had just called the Son of God, the storyteller, a sexist.  I could not walk out, as we were guests.

You must prepare for the loss of a comfortable parish rectory and/or parish endowment cushion, the loss of salary, and the possibility of part-time or full-time secular employment ...

The priest’s wife may have to go to work not only for the income itself but in order to obtain health insurance at a reasonable rate.  I would encourage any priest for whom remaining in TEC is not a certainty to explore available options in advance.

Re: #2

As a Anglo-Catholic, I am against WO for a host of reasons. However, I can live with it for as long as it takes to phase it out. I have been doing so until just recently and I can continue happily to do so. While I don’t consider it a first order issue of the kind that must be immediately stopped, I do think it must at some point.

But notice that I used the words phase out. I would also use the word compromise. I for one do not want to see anyone force this issue and come down on the minority like a ton of bricks because I think its not only uncharitable, but its also unneccesary.

I would like to see a few things happen and I happen to think there is a good chance it will happen.

New ordinations to the priesthood should cease as a first step. But those already ordained should be allowed to continue their ministries as they are until they retire if they choose. This would mean that such women would not rise through the ranks to be bishops etc. But, in the spirit of compromise and charity, I think CC should very strongly consider officially creating an order of women deaconesses complete with the appropriate seminary training and special rites for entry into this order. These could be paid for their work and given other non-sacramental benefits and priveledges the same as ordained clergy such as pensions and special recognition by the church for their special committment to it. This order would serve in all capacities except the sacramental in other words.

In this way, the demands of orthodoxy does not need to preclude women from a greater committment, comparable to Roman religious orders, to the life of the Church if they feel a strong calling to do so. I believe this is the compromise that never was and should have been from the time when traditional religious orders were excised from our communion. When the issue of women priests came up in modern times it should have been offered instead. It might have saved a lot of heartbreak on all sides.

I hadn’t realized the religious orders had been excised. All Saints’ in Catonsville, MD still accepts women to the religious order. I do know that a female episcopal priest did not like it that she wasn’t allowed to serve them as would have the chaplain to the nuns or an appointed substitute; there is certainly a different understanding that is just shewing up more and more in the communion.

((Phil)) I’ve missed you at Fr. Jake’s, and have missed our sharing together. I feel that there is a diversity among even the progressives, Phil. Not all feel in the way that you describe.  And, I think when people do become angry and hateful there is something behind it more than just disagreement.

I can sense that some of these people are hurting, and have other issues with orthodoxy. They fear exclusion, and want to make certain everyone and all views will be included. That way they or no one else will ever be considered outcasts again. Of course, this is all fruitless if it comes at the expense of the gospel, itself. But sometimes people can respond emotionally out of their own issues.

I realize this isn’t where everyone is at. But, I think it does explain some of the anger. Otherwise, they would just calmly agree to disagree. No huge deal.

Anyway, I’m trying to understand. I can’t think that the answer is for us to abandon each other. And, it’s not as if we have it altogether either, Phil. God isn’t finished with any of us yet. I hope that you won’t leave TEC. Even though we’ve never met personally, and don’t always agree, I would grieve your lose very much. You’re a wonderful brother in the Lord.

If I"m just being naive, or wrong about any of this, God will have to show me. My heart is sold out to the gospel, and I want very much to honor God in everything that I do or say.

Grace,

We are not abandoning each other. Some are abandoning Christ and his revealed word and we are not following them.

RE: “I can’t think that the answer is for us to abandon each other.”

Grace, people need to have in common a foundational worldview in order to be in the same organization.

If people are members of the Rotary Club, they must all affirm the Rotary Club’s goals.  The same for the Garden Club, or a Kung Fu group. 

The same for a church.

When folks don’t share a common vision or common goals, it is simply not possible to stay together.  Even if they do not formally “leave” they are not actually “together” even though formally within the same organization.

“The priest’s wife may have to go to work not only for the income itself but in order to obtain health insurance at a reasonable rate.  I would encourage any priest for whom remaining in TEC is not a certainty to explore available options in advance.” 

Interesting, it assumes that priest is
1. male
2. spouse isn’t already working
3.  The primary reponsibilty for the financial ramifications of a clergyman’s leaving, rests with his wife…

CANA’s +Minns objected strongly when the Diocese of Virginia refused to provide COBRA coverage for CANA clergy.  But on the CANA website, it clearly stated insurance would be provided by CANA congregations.  Why should this function default to the clergyman’s wife?  Should not the shepherd’s sheep insure, as CANA promised, that he and his family are protected? 

I think that Matt is being very honest when he speaks directly to the hardship that clergymen making these choices might endure.  They might have to get a job, maybe a fulltime one.  They might have to address the issue of health care and insurance.  And, the real life effects of their decisions should be their burden not their spouses as the commenter above implies.

Moot says:

Via Media as originally conceived, was both Reformed and Catholic; TEC is not only neither / nor, but has become hostile towards Christians at any point of that continuum.

Exactly!  Momination for the category “aphorism of the day”.

StayinAnglican writes,

New ordinations to the priesthood should cease as a first step. But those already ordained should be allowed to continue their ministries as they are until they retire if they choose. This would mean that such women would not rise through the ranks to be bishops etc.

You and Matt Kennedy should read Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.  It’s a blueprint for how to do it.  Seriously.  Very clean, very effective.

RE: “Interesting, it assumes that priest is
. . .
3.  The primary reponsibilty for the financial ramifications of a clergyman’s leaving, rests with his wife…”

No it doesn’t.  It assumes nothing of the kind.

Pointing out that the consequences of a decision may mean that a spouse will have to work in no gives primary responsibility to that spouse.

Really . . . a perfectly asinine comment.

Somewhat off-topic but somewhat relevant, also:

North Texas Common Cause Partners move forward.  An internet bulletin board has been created as the next step forward for making the Common Cause Partnership a reality “on the ground” in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This moderated forum allows parishes and individuals to communicate with each other about upcoming meetings, ministry opportunities or needs, or other topics of interest. 
The URL for the site is:  http://ccpntx.forumco.com. 
Registration is required to post messages.

Sarah and Matt+,

I’m looking at this from a different perspective. I feel the church is not so much an institution, but an organism, the body of Christ.  It’s universal, not just focused in one denomination. If part of the body is struggling, I don’t feel the answer is just to walk away. What does that solve, really?

Of course, there are folks in every denomination who have abandoned Christ, and left the gospel. This is true even in more conservative churches. People can say all the right things, with their hearts far from God. (But, I don’t feel this is true of most people in TEC.) How many, Fr. Matt, are truly rejecting the divinity of Jesus, or the reality of the resurrection? Even among progressives this is a minority position.

I think we need to stay put, and address all these concerns and issues together, trusting God to reveal truth, and to bring renewal to His church.

Please understand that by walking away, you are also leaving faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. God called you and Anne+ to the Episcopal church for a purpose. Sometimes is can be easier to “bail out,” than to continue to love each other, to address, and to work through the issues at hand.

The Church is an organism. Heresy is, as Paul says, like gangrene. If one part succumbs to it then that part dies and is cut off. I do not believe that the Episcopal Church remains in the Body of Christ. Her official embrace of false teaching means that she is actively leading souls to hell. She is, in my opinion, a dead branch. Given that this is true, there are two faithful options. 1. Stay and subvert the leadership and drive out those who are dealing death to souls or 2. leave.

RE: “Of course, there are folks in every denomination who have abandoned Christ, and left the gospel. This is true even in more conservative churches. People can say all the right things, with their hearts far from God. (But, I don’t feel this is true of most people in TEC.)”

Grace, so you think that the leadership of these conservative churches has the equivalent percentage of leadership who have “left the gospel” as TEC—say, 60% of the House of Bishops, and around 75% of the General Convention along with the vast vast vast majority of Executive Council?

southernvirginia1,

I thought I had added the word “largely” to my post. That was what I meant.

But my point is still accurate, I think. Becoming a woman religious in the Anglican communion is really, for all practical purposes, not an option for most women who feel called to a special dedication to the church as many obviously do. Anglican religious orders were once gutted and have never really recovered. Those orders that rose in an effort to revive them are largely now in decline at least in the West. Here, Anglican religious houses are few and far between.

To those with the most determination to live that kind of life, it doesnt matter if the nearest house is half-way across the country or half-way across the world, but most would simply rule it out and still be left with a frustrated sense of calling. This is not to say that their calling is somehow not real, but that through much of history convents have been easily available in all localities and many women with a genuine calling have not also felt called to pick up everything and leave for the ends of the earth. Different strokes. Women of today aren’t much different, I think, and shouldn’t be expected to be in order to follow their calling. There should be a practical option for these women then.

While a order for women deacons is not historical or traditional in regards to the Western Church, I think it can be a practical and orthodox progression for this communion which would be in keeping not only with orthodoxy but also with our protestant side of our heritage ie allowing these women to marry, have families and remain in their communities. It is an idea that is viable for Catholic, Reformed and evangelical alike and promises to be the solution which could please both sides of the issue without abandoning women who feel called out of the laity. It could also help to restore our relations with other orthodox bodies which were damaged by WO.

Will take these problems on ... small compared to say being eaten by lions for what you believe in - for specator sport.  There are no pro vs con here in Matt’s listing of points.  Who is to say the ABC remains relevant .... most of their churches in England are being sold off to be Mosques….being facitiious here but that is not without an element of truth .... maybe a new Anglican Union is to be formed ... between conservatives in NA, Africa, South American ... my - - might I be talking about a reformation ...........at least this time, not thousands will die in battle with Roman Catholic armies.

fwiw, stayinganglican, I don’t have time to go back and find your first comments. please forgive if i misunderstood them.

from what i have observed, for many, not all, clergy women, nothing short of blessing the communion elements and being in charge of men will satisfy the calling. and that is across the board. any second tier arrangement, and that seems to be the perception of a thought of any difference between the call of men and women, is not gonna do.

thanks for correcting my misunderstanding on your part. good to have this forum for ‘conversation’.

Matt+ and Sarah,

I have no way of knowing what percentage of people, even leaders in any church may have left the gospel.  How can we ever be certain of anyone else’s heart? But, my thought is that even if a part of the leadership of a church has fallen into heresy, this doesn’t mean that the entire denomination has become apostate from the faith. What about all the faithful clergy and laypeople?

Also, Fr. Matt, and Sarah, I feel so strongly about this. ..The only think that eternally alienates anyone from God, is a deliberate, and willful rejection of the cross of Christ, a refusal to be found in Him. As Christians, we are unconditionally loved, and accepted by God in Jesus. Does God send His children to Hell even if they may be holding wrong opinions, or not have it altogether. This sounds like “works righteousness” to me. If so, I know I’m toast. All my hope is in Jesus Christ, and the power of His resurrection.

The third alternative, for me, is to faithfully proclaim the gospel, to lovingly share the whole counsel of God, and trust that God’s spirit will bring conversion, and renewal to all our churches.

Grace:
you said:

“As Christians, we are unconditionally loved, and accepted by God in Jesus.”

The operative word there is “as Christians”. Those who reject apostolic teaching, as TEC has officially done as a body repeatedly through her legislative arms, are not to be treated as brothers (Galatians 1). We are neither to eat with them (1 Cor 5) or participate in any way in their ministry (2nd John 9-11) because to do so is to participate in their wicked work.

Whether they personally are believers I do not know. Since they reject the teaching of Christ and lead others to do the same, I suspect millstones lie somewhere in their future. but I do not know their personal fate.  It does not matter. They are false teachers. And as such they are anathema.

RE: “I have no way of knowing what percentage of people, even leaders in any church may have left the gospel.  How can we ever be certain of anyone else’s heart?”

Hi Grace, you are right—we cannot know their heart.  That is why we should only come to conclusions about their stated beliefs, not their hearts.  The stated beliefs of the leadership of the Episcopal church are clearly articulated through 1) General Convention resolutions, 2) HOB resolutions, and 3) Executive Council resolutions.  One may read these and come to clear conclusions about their stated beliefs on any number of Christian subjects.  That does not judge their hearts at all—merely their stated beliefs.

RE: “But, my thought is that even if a part of the leadership of a church has fallen into heresy, this doesn’t mean that the entire denomination has become apostate from the faith.”

Very true.  But people who are leaving are doing so based on the stated beliefs of the leadership of the Episcopal church.  Those stated beliefs have been clearly written down in the above forms that I have just mentioned.

As I stated above in another comment, the stated beliefs of the vast majority of the leadership [HOB, Executive Council, General Convention deputies] of the Episcopal church are not remotely similar to the stated beliefs of those departing ECUSA.  They really need to be in the same ball-park on foundational worldview and goals and values in order for unity to exist.

southernvirginia1,

I couldn’t agree more when it comes to a certain type of woman priest. But for those women ordained who are otherwise orthodox and even willing to accept such concepts as submission and even the possibility of renouncing their orders (Mrs Kennedy comes to mind) yet who have experienced a real feeling of calling out from the laity, then this option is a viable option. My comments were directed towards those. I didn’t make that distinction before. The first type won’t be a consideration once Common Cause gets off the ground. The second type will be a reality we will have to reckon with in all charity and with all due respect.

stayingangilcan, methinks we are on the same page. women have a ministry in the church just not necessarily the same one as men.
which is why i mentioned the religious orders earlier. if things go well for the people of God then we can expect a lot of revival across what is now a fairly weak and torn christendom. And oh would it be nice to have a christendom again!

I have this vision of a faithful people locked out of their church celebrating their faith in a parking lot in the rain.  The doors are padlocked, the graves of their forefathers owned by someone else, the organ stilled.

And yet there is a joyful singing in the air, a mighty purpose forged, an invisible magnet attracting people from all over to this cold, damp parking lot, and the praise which is on their lips and in their hearts overflows, and just begs to be shared, and their forebears do not feel abandoned.

It’s not about the money, or about buildings or about possessions, or even about suffering or what others believe.  This is a revival, a renewal of spirit guided by THE Spirit, a summons to practice the Great Commandment, to put first things first, and trust that the Lord shall provide.  Amen.

slcj,

Thank you! That was just what I needed to read right now. It’s been a long day for me today. But you brought it to a nice end. I shall fall asleep tonight conjuring up the same vision that you have had, and meditating on the implications of the scenario you describe… Thank you!

I have this vision of people congregating in a parking lot by the cemetery outside of the church.  It is raining, and with the dark umbrellas and the rain coats, the setting is naturally somber.  It looks like a funeral, melancholy, as the rain comes down.

But then you see the children running between people’s legs, and you hear the songs, and the clouds break and the light streams down, and you see the simple white vestments of the priest giving thanks, holding up the communion cup to be sanctified before God, and you realize that this isn’t a funeral, but a new beginning.

But this vision continues.  For now I see the police officers, unwillingly approach, called by the new owners of the church grounds, for it seems that the parking lot was also church property, and the new owners deem this simple communion service a trespass.  So they have summoned the officers to enforce their rights, and the officers reluctantly, unwillingly, must uphold the law, and so they do.

But the congregation does not resist.  They offer up their hands to the handcuffs, and the priest and a few others are led away, while two of the police officers inquire of their prisoners what this is all about and where they can learn more.  And thus two more come in to the church who had not known it before. 

And the next time, for there will be a next time, two more are inspired, and then two more, and step by step, soul by soul, this new church is built in the hearts of our people, universal, holy, and triumphant, not through violence or political litigation, but through humility, sacrifice, and love.

Partly because I am basically lazy and partly because I am only marginally computer literate I have copied Matt’s well written comment.  I hope I can respond 1/2 as cogently as he commented.

Below behind each of Matt’s comments are my responses set off in (). 

Below are five inevitabilities and/or possibilities for which to be prepared when leaving the Episcopal Church for another Anglican jurisdiction within the Common Cause Partnership. Some of what is written below may not come to pass. But it could. Before setting out on any journey it is necessary to count the cost. Here is my contribution to that effort.

Five things for which to be prepared:

1. The possibility/probability of a North/South Communion-wide division that will leave you outside the Canterbury centered Anglican Communion. If you are a parish leader, please do not tell your people that the reason you are leaving the Episcopal Church is to remain in communion with Canterbury. Subsequent events may very well undermine your promises. If you leave, do so because you and those who follow you believe that there is no other faithful option

(If the ABC refuses or is not able to lead the World Wide Anglican Communion the seat of the Communion will automatically follow to a leader who will lead.  Its not only leadership but where that leadership is leading.  If true Anglican Leadership rises out of some other location like Africa true Anglicans will follow true leadership.  Todate many of us have seen not wit of leadership in ABC and so not being married to having our leader in Canterbury or even England we are free to cast about for a suitable Godly and Anglican leader.  At this point my parish is leaning towards joining CANA under Archbishop Akinola.  Our parish is composed of former Episcopalians who decided that we could no longer follow an apostate and heretical Episcopacy so we left to found our own Anglican Parish just over a year ago.  The Archbishop of our province has just resigned as a Bishop and joined CANA as a Priest we intend at this moment to follow him and we think the rest of our province along with our rector and assistant rectors.)
2. An uncomfortable compromise on women’s ordination. If you are opposed to Women’s ordination be prepared to coexist in the same body, though not in full communion, with ordained women and those who support their ordination. If you cannot do that because you believe the ordination of women to be a first order matter, then you will not likely last long in the Common Cause Partnership. If you are an ordained woman or support the ordination of women, be prepared to accept the end of the female ordinations to the priesthood. Prepare also for the unlikely but possible cessation of your own ministry. If you cannot do this under any circumstances because you think that Women’s Ordination is a first order issue, then you will not likely last long in the Common Cause Partnership. (I have to admit that I for one have no problem accepting female ordination but then I can also accept an all male priesthood if that’s what the majority of Orthodox Anglicans in CANA support.  Its not a deal killer issue for me and I suspect that I am not atypical in this regard.)

3. Clergy must be prepared for poverty (in the American sense of the word which comparatively speaking is not quite so impoverished) and parishes for the loss of property. The Episcopal Church pension plan is a good one. If you are vested, they cannot take it away. But your contributions to it will cease and you cannot transfer it elsewhere. You must prepare for the loss of a comfortable parish rectory and/or parish endowment cushion, the loss of salary, and the possibility of part-time or full-time secular employment at least until your parish recovers from her (possible) loss of assets. Parishioners must be prepared and committed to worship anywhere. Some parishes will win in court. Others will be able to retain their property through negotiation. Many, if not most will lose their property and possibly their assets. (Both our priests and for that matter our former Archbishop are already bivocational.  (In fact, truth be told, now that you mention the early church not having buildings and that they did quite well without them, it’s also true that most if not all the early church’s priests were bivocational too.  Maybe theres something to that mode of operation that is a benefit to an emerging or in our case re-emerging faith.  So it might actually be liberating to have bivocational priests and for that matter even bishops.  Our former Archbishop was also bivocational he retired from being a CMISO to become a cop and was a cop when he was ordained and later consecrated as a bishop.  Imagine that.) 

4. Both clergy and people must be prepared for evangelism. There were few if any dedicated church buildings in the first century. They seemed to manage just fine—and wasn’t because pagans were impressed with their liturgy. The apostles planted churches and the churches obeyed the Great Commission, individually and corporately, by sharing the gospel in their region not just by deed (that famous St. Francis quotation about preaching the gospel through deeds is true, but it can also serve as a rationale for not sharing your faith) but also by word. If the people in your parish are not prepared or equipped to share and proclaim Jesus Christ as King and Savior in the world, then you will probably not make it.  (Necessity is a great teacher.  If we are going to follow the great commission then we must learn to evangalize and you know that maybe after all God’s design at work.)

5. Both clergy and people must be prepared to obey their orthodox bishops even when they do not agree. There will not, in all likelihood, be the same sort of coercive power within Common Cause that exists in the Episcopal Church. The Common Cause Partnership will not sue for your property if you choose to depart. That means that while there may be ecclesial consequences for disobedience, there will likely be no legal/financial consequences. This is both good and dangerous. It is good because it prevents the sort of unjust authoritarianism currently exercised by the Presiding Bishop and her legal consigliere. It is dangerous because it opens the way for sin. Those, especially those of us in revisionist dioceses, have learned to live and act as if there were no king in the land. Those days are over. There are now bishops to whom we owe loyalty, obedience, support and respect. It will mean godly submission in all things.  (Which is truer followership the one who follows for fear of losing property and trappings and money or one who follows because he or she feels called to do so?  Sure there will be disagreements.  Show me a group that passively follows without question and I will show you a group that only wants to be told what to think not how to think.  I place a far higher premium on honest well thought out discourse over points of disagreement than I do coerced obedience.  I think most Anglicans agree that God gave us brains to be used and intellect to be exercised.  Blind passive followership is the rejection of the gift of intellegence.  That’s not what God wants of us.)   

Are you prepared?  (With God’s help I think we are.)