Stand Firm

Saw it! Wanted to puke! Had to run to the bathroom and pray really hard for his soul! To say on National TV that the bible needs to be re-interpreted and to imply that for 2000+ years it has been wrongly interpreted is just too much for one set of ears to take!! OMGosh! Lord heal him of his arrogance and heresy! Then to say that new threats are being hurled on him because of the Lambeth Conference....what hooey! I mean...like it’s all about him and no one else! This man’s arrogance is bigger that Bill Gates Mansion and continues to grow! I need to go to church kneel at the alter and get on my face and pray for this man and his followers and supporters!

’only a 100 churches out of 8000’ - there’s that tiny minority argument again. Hey, if it’s such a small group why even worry? They’re just a blip . . . an afterthought. I’m sure that’s exactly how TEC bishops feel about the parishes in Overland Park, KS and Plano, TX and Newport Beach, CA and Savannah, GA and Vero Beach, FL. “They’re just an insignificant little parish of no significance. They’re an abberation, move along now, nothing to see here.” All is Well™ ...

Wow, big news! Will he know how to find his office? Will they recognize him? Is the world tour over?

Has anyone every taken a look at the ASA for the “100 churches of 8000” so that the real size is taken into account? Does that number include the SJ diocese? How about FW, Texas?

So what if it is 100? That number will grow and is growing. And I beleve that our Lord weeps over every church lost just like He does over just one sheep! He would leave the 8000 to go and get the 100! 1 sheep....100 churches....in God’s eyes they both are a tragedy! In the case of the churches it is the 8000 or 7900 that He is really weeping over that are lost in TEC space!

As far as the world tour being over....only for a few months then he’s out and about again....Honeymoon & Lambeth!

As usual, his numbers are a little off. There are not 8000 congregations, but 7500 at most. In 1920 there were 7500, so we have lost over 1000 since that time.

I’m surprised that he even mentioned re-interpreting the Bible as I didn’t think he had one.

Yeah, and if you want to talk about numbers, there are many more like myself who remain in TEC (for the time being), speak out when we can, but would never be included in the numbers VGR is talking about. THAT number, though I don’t know what it would be, would probably be a lot more than the number of those 100 parishes mentioned. I can say that even people who voted for VGR at GC--one in my parish--are now admitting that their vote hurt the church and caused a number of people to leave. This from a person who upon returning from GC03 defended her vote by saying to me, “It’s nobody’s business what I do in my bedroom!”

Robinson is to be pitied for the truth is far from him. All he knows is spin and lies - about his sex, his identity, his actions, his place in God’s kingdom. He is lying to God, to himself. He is in denial about the eventual outcome of his choices. He not at rest or peace.

Bishop Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, has signed a multi-year deal with They Work, Inc., a nationally known maker of bullet-proof vests, to develop a special clerical line of vests.

“I’m just a country Bishop,” said Robinson, “But I’m getting threats all the time. Yesterday a dog growled at me as I crossed the street, so you can never be too careful. You must always keep your guard up.” Bishop Robinson says he has no idea what’s been causing the rise in anti-clerical threats since 2003, but says he is happy to work with TW, Ink. “Of course I will have something to say about it in my next book,” he said.

The ‘Gene Collection’ will initially offer three options: a vest in “Simple Country Bishop Rose” for Bishops, one in “We’re Doing A New Thing Black” for parish priests, and a made-to-order “Color of Sunrise” for special church occasions, such as depositions. More color options are being considered, including an all-weather fabric for serving outside, which currently code-named ‘Lambeth.’

Each vest will come with a detachable fragment-resistant clerical collar, and will be able to attach the standard US military IBV groin and shoulder protection. As an option on the Bishop’s vest, the groin protection may be attached to the rear in order to cover their posteriors. This will be known as the ‘Beers attachment,’ and will come in especially handy when explaining what happened at House of Bishops meetings.

I imagine that Hitler and all the villeins of the world were convinced that the world was wrong, and that 100 people in camps/dead/fearful/dismayed were of no consequence ...one day they all had to face their consequences and vicky will have to also.

Bishop Robinson, the alcoholic, divorced, bi-sexual, country bishop of New Hampshire is the icon of the Loon Left.

Let him talk and write to his heart’s desire. He will soon drive people to AMiA, CANA, Uganda, Kenya, and others IN DROVES!!

really when I think he has gone as far astray as is possible I am again surprised

Pitiful for all of the above reasons but particularly for the re-interpretaton of the Bible bit. Nothing can be more plain spoken than the issue of homosexuality in scripture.

On the subject of numbers it is not so much that 100-200 have left but the number of spin-offs from the original group. For example, the Virginia Congregations separated with 11 parishes; now there are 21 in the Anglican District of Virginia.

I had read that there are only 7000 churches left in TEC. Out of those how many are really viable? What number will have to be abandoned and sold within the next ten years? I predict a whole bunch.

The poor man needs to spend less time worrying about his bullet-proof vest and more time worrying about his theology - which is already shot though with holes.

I’m sorry to inform you Gregg, but you have mistyped the name of this article. Instead of “+VGR on the Today Show,” it should have read “Today on the +VGR show.”

#18
“Now, he has announced that he will “marry” Mark Andrew, his partner of some 20 years, a move sure to outrage conservatives in his religion.”

Piedmont, MSNBC may have something here, especially if you place the emphasis on “His.”

I wonder if he realizes that this is more than spin, and he really has invited a death threat. It’s spelled out in Romans 6:23—both the threat and the answer to it.

There are slightly more than 7600 Episcopal congregations if you count those “overseas”. TEC counted 7,095 in 2006, down from 7,155 in 2005. If I remember correctly, there were 7200 domestic parishes in 2003 when +Robinson was consecrated.
Some parishes have been planted since he was consecrated, and to be fair to him, some that have closed were headed to closure before he was consecrated.

He will not be pleased with a bullet proof vest, it will make him look fat in his wedding dress. Now, maybe a bullet proof corset…

Thanks for the link to the article. I hadn’t seen the full title of his book before : The Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God .

Volcanoes
The Hindenberg
Bp Gene Robinson of The Episcopal Church
DING
“What are things which spew hot gasses and leave destruction in their wakes, Alex”
Correct for $2000.00 dollars. Now for a bonus round.
La Petite Trianon
Balomoral Castle
Bp Gene Robinson of The Epsicopal Church
“ What are simple country things”
Correct, would you like to continue? Please.
A balloon
The dollar
Bishop Gene Robinson’s ego.
“ What are things that inflate” Correct. Please continue
Margaret Thatcher Naked On A Cold Day.
Large Puppet Liturgies.
One More Public Appearance By Bp Gene Robinson of The Episcopal Church.
“What are things which make you long for a pair of bbq skewers heated to redness so you can poke your eyes out with relative swiftness”. CORRECT !!!!.
Enjoy your prize money.

Greg, I think CJ is becoming prophetic...first Today Show.....how long will it be before Vicki Gene makes his appearance on Meet the Press with Tim Russert.

#25
Brilliant! I’m a great fan of Lady Thatcher, but that last bit, “Margaret Thatcher naked on a cold day.” had me in stitches.

Kata (Vicky Gene Robinson) has served his first five years as a simple country bishop beleving that, although he has an amazing ministry, the only thing that lies in his future is a broken heart, the symbol of his New Hampshire Street Gang. He and his lifelong friend Ana (Mark Andrew) are two of the toughest members of their gang, fearing nothing but someone else getting attention. Church-jacking, fights, depositions, and running from the cops are a daily routine as the guys fight to protect their diocesan territory and their reputation. Performing as “Outrageous Chaos” in local dance contests provides their only relief, but each night they must return home to the sad reality of their lives - an abysmally low level of page views for their personal web page and home cam.

The percentage of Episcopal churches that are unhappy is the same percentage that the Gay community is of the population as a whole. Why is one favored and the other not favored within the Episcopal church?

Sometimes the whole purpose of your life is to be an example for others, and, I have to agree that VGR is just such an exemplar! There is no finer WHINER anywhere. Whether the June bride to be is a whiner or merely a whine is a matter for some eternal concern.

Too bad they didn’t give him a go on how Kevlar and Bride’s dresses are the coolest thing this season!!!

Bishop, would you please give us the names of the world recognized theologians you mention? Just who are “they”.

Is it just me or does this man just want stir up trouble and create division? I mean he knows that what he is doing is against God Word and teachng regardless if he admits it or not, and yet he will go forward anyway and push the proverbial envelope. He’s just not satisfied unless he is creating discontent and division....gee reminds me of another biblical figure....from the darkside!

Greg,
I have to ask- is the take off on “I’m just a simple country bishop” from Star Trek when Bones McCoy says to Capt Kirk “Jim, I’m just a simple country doctor” right before he is expected to do a brain transplant or some such operation?

The left secular media has given VGR a soap box to sell his personal epistle that will further divide the communion with the presiding bishop’s approval. VGR you need to read the blogs here and repent or perish.

If the whole visualization of vickie Gene and his new husband kissing at the end of the ceremony and their evening together in the privacy of their honeymoon swuite at the local hotel doesn’t make you cringe, you have a stronger stomach than I.

DJ #40,
I had just finished my lunch and then read your post! So much for my lunch stayin’ down! Now I must go find something on TV that will erase that image that seems to be forming in my mind. I know!!! I’ll go find a SF Giants game. Watching them lose again will definately help take care of that image!

I hear that top of the list on Macy’s registry of wedding gifts are a stunning set of frilly kevlar nighties.

People haven’t stopped going to the Episcopal church for fear of being told of the things they can’t do. People have stopped going to the Episcopal church because of the things they’re being told they can do.

Thanks to #2 for The Episcopal Church’s Fast Facts. I noticed that St. Martin’s, Houston, showed about 8,000 members and about 2,000 ASA or only 25% ASA of their membership. Does anyone know if that is the average percentage showing up on Sundays or does that reflect ballooned, outdated membership roles as is the situation in many Episcopal Churches?

Too bad they didn’t put him on that “fourth hour” of the show with Kathie Lee…

Petra,
The numbers are often misreported. I was on the vestry of a parish where we purged the membership rolls of 20% of the membership (deceased, moved over 100 miles away, some unknown to any member of the vestry, or who were known to have affiliated with other churches). I am led to question the veracity of the membership of one parish in the diocese I currently reside in:
http://12.0.101.92/reports/PR_ChartsDemo/exports/ParishRPT_58200861038PM.pdf
where the membership is stated as 8 times ASA. I rather suspect that this means the diocese of Northern Michigan is even smaller in reality than it already appeared.
For 2006, some of the charts show ASA as equal to the whole membership. In one or two cases, we are talking churches that are hardly more than chapels in vacation areas, so there it is understandable, but a couple are established parishes, which leads me to think there were reporting errors. So the ASA of N Mich may also be lower than the “almost 800” claimed.

Some observations on this interview. First, Matt really served up a succession of softball questions. No doubt the mainstream media is sympathetic to Gene and helps his cause. Second, Gene comes across as quite reasonable in the interview. Picture someone who is essentially secular and not at all well versed in the Bible and church tradition of the past two millenia. To them, Gene is going to seem quite rational and they will probably think that those “conservative” Anglicans are picking on a nice man. I have to give the “loon left” props for their skillful manipulation of the agenda and language here, ably abetted by the mainstream media. The orthodox really need to figure out a way to redefine these issues and get a good public relations campaign going.

Last observation - I think that some orthodox Anglicans need to get together and provide physical security for Gene during the Lambeth confab. If he is going to be outside the security arrangement for the conference and making himself available to talk to anyone, I really think he needs security. From a selfish point of view, the last thing he needs to do is be made a martyr. From a Christian point of view, it would be a good thing to protect him from the nut cases out there and show that we of the vast right wing conservative conspiracy love the sinner.

I find it actually good that he did. At least now Christendom knows where both he and TEC stand. Corruption, anyone?

No, no, you misunderstood him. What he actually said was, “re-interpreting my Babble...” Glad I could clear that up for you...

The sign of evil times when a person can speak such lies before the world and be honored (at least in his own mind). I’m glad I left ministry in ECUSA on the day he was consecrated. A small gesture really, but hugely important for my soul’s health. Even dwelling on him darkens the mind.

2006 - 7,095 domestic parishes and missions
- 2,154,572 active baptized members
- 765,326 average Sunday attendance (ASA)
There are about 126 congregations that have left or split in the last 5 years. That number of parishes and mission includes even those like in Vermont who have 8 ASA. I read that the break even point for a parish with average giving rate, with a full time priest, is 110 ASA.
So, even though about 126 may not seem significant compared to 7,000. One of those churches was Grace Church in Orange Park in Florida. When they left, they also took the $100,000 per year they give to their diocese.

Daniel, #49, I agree that Lauer threw him whiffle balls. A good person to interview him, in depth, with people from ACI present, would be Margaret Warner of PBS. She is one of the best reporters on national television. Giving Robinson a grand stand in the NBC format will off course make him look good. NBC promotes the brave new world of homosexuality pretty unabasedly; what is needed is a more serious forum on the national news, with a credible interviewer, and people who can respond to his vacuous propoganda. Has he reported the death threats to any authorities? If not, reporters should not let him get away with talking about them as though they were clearly true.

Daniel is right: I was a lot less perturbed by Bp. Robinson than I was by the absence of any kind of a rigorous interview. We know that the media is largely secular, and therefore more likely to serve up uncritical formats for unorthodox Christians. (The part of the interview that bothered me most was a non sequitir; Matt Lauer prefaced a statement about orthodox bishops not taking communion with Bp Robinson with a “Get this...,” As if to say: you just can’t believe what these looney conservatives are doing now.... Fact is, formats on secular television are not likely to cover this accurately, with any depth or insight. And we have to be prepared for that.

For that reason, I ask my brothers and sisters here: please, let’s keep our comments about Bp Robinson to Scripture, theology, formularies & facts. I like red meat like the next person, but our objections are based upon the abandonment of Scripture in modern life, not this man and his sins. I pray he will find the truth and repent. And I pray we will help make whole the remnant, the people of God. Thanks for listening.

This morning, I ran across some tract about Iraqi and Palestinian Christians prostletizing among radical Islamists. Those guys are risking it all for their faith. VGR has about as much chance falling under the Underground in London as he does of someone actually doing him violence. How dare he suggest that he is “putting his life on the line” by going to Lambeth. Sheesh.

People ought to write to Lauer and ask him to interview some of the clergy who have been victims of the “reign of terror,” brought on by Robinson and his handler, Schori.

Well, I just picked up the SF news, and I’ve found out what I’ve been missing by not watching broadcast commercial news–our illustrious bishop of New Hampshire. Neither Mr. Lauer nor Mr. Robinson come off very well. They both seemed to be very uncomfortable screaming at one another. And of course, I now know way too much about the bishop protecting his wife or husband and daughter with that bullet-proof vest and the security problems he’ll have in England. Perhaps he shouldn’t travel to England, ya think? Bizarro news item of narcissism. You’d think NBC could come up with at least more entertaining exclusive interviews. I can understand why +VGR wants free publicity for his book.

VGR needed the bullet proof vest when he ran from his airplane as it landed in Bosnia under sniper fire.

I just now watched the interview. Robinson answered each question so fast and so pat, he never even paused for a second to consider the question. It seemed really strongly scripted in advance. Am I just embarrassingly naive? Are all interviews on these kind of shows like that?

It’s interesting to note that VGR reiterates the party line about how it’s such a “tiny minority” of parishes and/or individuals who are leaving TEC, that they are so insignificant. Yet over at Jake’s place, Jake has put out an APB on Bp Cavalcanti. Anyone who spots him is ordered to notifiy the proper authorities immediately.

I also find it fascinating that the people who are currently running TEC were once the people who shouted and carried banners on college campuses that said “Question Authority” and who burned their draft cards. Now they seem to be saying, “okay, you can stop questioning authority now and blindly obey ours, now that WE are calling the shots.”

This undying loyalty to TEC coming from people who once laughed at such things is astonishing.

I watched the interview on NBC yesterday. Some thoughts:
-we all know that Mr. Robinson and the rest of his cabal are causing the death of the Episcopal Church and it is very painful.
-we are dealing with it.
-God in all His glory reigns.
Meanwhile:
-the pathetic demeanor that Mr. Robinson emanates is overwhelming.
-although it is easy to be angry and vicious towards a man like this who is so weak and with others has done so much damage, one must consider his ultimate emptiness and pray for him.
-God in all His glory will have the final word.
Peace

Exactly right. Let’s all remember that just a week or so ago, Robinson backed out of a forum on the issue of ex-gays, at which he was to share the dais with Al Mohler. Like the rest of the Integrity crowd, he’s no more interested in real “dialogue” or “the listening process” than the man in the moon.

Almost all interviews like this work by having a little back-and-forth between the subject and the interviewer ahead of time. The subject usually gets to request that a few topics and questions be brought up. If it’s a “friendly” situation, then those are lobbed in there as softballs. I’ve seen - and done - interviews that are in fact “friendly,” where the topics the subject wants to address are brought up in a “hostile” manner by the interviewer, but the subject knows how he’ll handle them in such a way as to appear to turn a defeat into a victory.

Not all interviewers do this, obviously, but it’s a common method used in a lot of these morning shows and other similar “fluff” formats.

martin4,
I see that there are 643 U. S. parishes that worship in the Anglican tradition but outside of TEC. That’s 8.3% of the total number of parishes worshiping in an Anglican tradition (TEC and non-TEC)in the U.S. That should be remembered when considering that less than 2% have departed or split in the 5 years since +Robinson was consecrated.
Anglican Mission in the Americas (137 churches listed) Anglican Province of America (currently list 83 parishes)
Anglican Province of Uganda (26 churches)
Charismatic Episcopal Church (95 churches)
Convocation of Anglicans in North America (60 churches)
The Reformed Episcopal Church (142 parishes)
The Traditional Anglican Communion in America (100 parishes)

CarolynP [60],
My experience with interviews bears out what Greg said. +Robinson is on a book tour after all which is by nature “friendly” and very pre-produced. He’s already been asked those questions in other interviews recently too, so it isn’t surprising that the interview comes off as it does.

The interview begins with Laurer’s claim they same “in these same chairs” 5 years ago. Never mind the Today Show set was remodeled last year. It goes down hill from there…

65, to that that the Anglican Catholic Churcch, the Anglican Provice of Christ the King, the Anglican Province of America etc…

NEW YORK (LifeSiteNews) - The head of the Episcopal Church in the United States, Bishop Jefferts Schori, shocked listeners of a BBC Interview when she announced that Gene Robinson - the controversial Episcopalian bishop who was consecrated bishop despite his being an openly practicing homosexual - is not the only homosexual and partnered bishop in the Anglican Church.

“[Robinson] is certainly not alone in being a gay bishop,” Schori said in response to a question from her interviewer. “He is certainly not alone in being a gay partnered bishop. He is alone in being the only gay partnered bishop who’s open about that status.”

The interviewer then asked Schori whether she meant that Robinson was not the only gay, partnered bishop in the Episcopalian Church. She responded, “Within our own church and within the Anglican Communion as a whole.”

See, its ok, its not really a change...he is just being open about...all is well

I saw his mouth moving, but all I heard was “blah blah blah me blah blah blah me"…

Well, I think it’s an outrage the way we have treated VGR. All the poor man ever asked of us was that we “just let him be the bishop of New Hampshire”—and what have we done? Dragged him kicking and screaming before microphones and cameras, forced him to give interviews, compelled him to write a book about himself and go on tour to promote it when all he wanted was to stay at home. And now we’re making him go all the way to Lambeth against his will! There’s no end to our cruel demands on his time. I say give him what he asked for: let him just be a bishop! LEAVE VGR ALONE!!!!!!!!!

Bishop Robinson, if by chance you read the postings in this forum, please don’t be discouraged. People in here and at other sites have called you nasty names. They say vile and unkind things about you. They accuse you of being a sexual pervert a confused bi-sexual and an alcoholic. They mock your upcoming nuptuals saying that the event is disgusting and perverted. Plus they accuse you of wrecking the Episcopal Church. Just for the record sir, most of us here believe all those accusations and comments to be fairly accurate.

+Robinson is doing is a huge favor. How else could we get the news out about the direction TEC is going for free? There are many who just don’t know what is going on ... but they will soon enough come June. Then more churches/people will leave. I am sure not how much TEC can afford all these lawsuits either at the 815 level or the diocese level. Time will tell soon enough.

I’m in a compare and contrast mood tonight...compare Robinson’s self-focused speil with the Rector of Trinity Vero Beach’s letter posted on SFIF: http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/12348/ and Robin Eames’ shocking falsehoods at babyblueonline.com. BIG contrast.

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