One canon reduced to writing by God himself, two testaments, three creeds, four general councils, five centuries, and the series of Fathers in that period—the centuries, that is, before Constantine, and two after—determine the boundary of our faith. —Lancelot Andrewes
How then shall we live?
Out of a sense of prudent stewardship, your vestry has likely been exploring various scenarios for the future of your congregation. One potential scenario is the possibility that the congregation may desire to explore Anglican affiliation alternative to The Episcopal Church (TEC). Over the past few years, somewhere in the ballpark of 100 congregations have left TEC and come under alternative oversight.
At the end of this discernment process your vestry may call for a congregational meeting and a vote on whether the congregation will remain affiliated with TEC or will respond to the division within TEC and the broader Anglican Communion by affiliating with another part of the Anglican Communion. Such a vote would invite you to make your own individual decision and cast your ballot in light of our communal nature and the leading of the Holy Spirit as emphasized in the 40 Days of Discernment.
It will help if you are clear with yourself about what motivates you in your involvement in a faith community, about your desires, and about what sacrifices you are able to live with depending on which scenario is played out.
It is important to be realistic about the future. Whether there is a decision to affiliate with TEC or with another branch of the Anglican Communion, there will always be conflict in God’s church. There will always be hard choices to make. No matter what decisions are made at the conclusion of this discernment process, there will be new ramifications and opportunities. This final topical reading is about “counting the costs” of choosing our future (see Luke 14:28–33).
A thought experiment
This guidebook has sought to articulate the issues parishes and missions face in deciding whether to remain affiliated with TEC after the end of the 40 Days of Discernment. In making that decision it is important to consider some of the implications of the alternatives we face. What is the vision God has for our church? What would we have to do and what sacrifices would we have to make to follow each of these alternatives in both the short term and over time? How do we remain faithful to our commitments? What are the goals we have for the outcome of these 40 days?
The following analysis provides a starting point for congregational and small group discussions of possible scenarios. These scenarios are (1) conformity, (2) staying to resist, and (3) affiliate with another branch of Anglicanism. We encourage participants in the discernment process to carefully and prayerfully consider for themselves what they think the effect of each alternative would be.
1. Conform to the TEC status-quo
Avoid further conflict with the American Episcopal church by standing down. Embrace compromise for the sake of unity. Promote the view that what unites us is more important than what divides us. Do nothing that may cause significant conflict. Stop insisting that the Bible is primary authority for what we hold to be true. Allow truth to be defined by prevailing opinion and current culture. Repent of any former stance and pay contributions to our diocese. Embrace the moral and theological leadership of our duly elected national and diocesan leaders. Do not object to inhibitions and depositions of conservative clergy. By remaining silent, lend our support to TEC in any disputes with Global South Anglicans. Allow the diocese to control selection of our rector or vicar, and where our seminarians should be trained for ministry. Use Sunday school curriculum endorsed by TEC leaders so that our children are raised up to support the ethos of TEC. Risk losing members who prefer option 2 or 3.
2. Stay and resist TEC
Remain in TEC even if we determine that TEC has “walked apart.” Stand firm in our commitments to Christian orthodoxy in the Anglican tradition. Decline to compromise or walk apart. Decline to use the prospect of walking apart from TEC as leverage to reform TEC. Refuse offers from Anglican primates to join any new, orthodox branch of the Anglican Communion in America. Persuade clergy and congregations who have previously left TEC to return to the fray. Bear witness to the truth in love. Appeal to the TEC majority to respect the voice of a dissenting minority and to allow orthodox churches to continue their ministries unhindered. Continue to press for full conformity to The Windsor Report at future General Conventions. Mount campaigns to nominate and elect theologically orthodox bishops in all dioceses. Work to attract newcomers to orthodox congregations by a public relations campaign that offsets the public perception of the larger Episcopal Church. Institute a decades-long program to educate promising orthodox students in the hopes that they gain tenure in key professorships at Episcopal colleges and seminaries. Found a publishing house for orthodox Episcopalians. Support orthodox
Anglican leaders and provinces. Endure hostile threats by national or diocesan leaders regarding clergy appointments, aspirant training, ownership of property, etc. Grieve over the continuing loss of members who can no longer in good conscience remain in a congregation that is in TEC, or who prefer option 1.
3. Affiliate with another branch of Anglicanism
Conclude that it is no longer feasible (theologically or otherwise) to remain affiliated with TEC. Recognize the division in TEC and proceed as amicably as possible. Seek alignment with an alternative Anglican body. Budget to support the Anglican body which would provide oversight. Should the diocese file suit against us, defend rights in court as may be necessary. Rededicate resources previously preoccupied with disputes with TEC to evangelical outreach. Acknowledge Global South provinces who have made significant sacrifices in recent years to provide safe harbor for the orthodox in TEC. Continue to pray for repentance by TEC and eventual reconciliation. Be a part of the adventure and challenge of building up an orthodox Anglican presence in the USA. Lose members who prefer option 1 or 2.
This last scenario is an umbrella covering several specific options, each of which carries different implications and costs. Some of these alternatives which the vestry may have considered include the emerging programs being developed by the Anglican Communion Network, Uganda, Southern Cone (including Bolivia), Convocation for Anglicans in North America, Anglican Mission in America, Reformed Episcopal Church, Anglican Province of America, and Traditional Anglican Communion. The present situation is fluid and new options may emerge. Consult with your vestry for further details.
Dozens of congregations have already come under the episcopal oversight of an orthodox province elsewhere in the Anglican Communion, such as Southern Cone or Uganda. This alternative may involve, among other things, some cultural adjustments, perhaps increased international travel, and partnership with a province particularly focused on evangelism.
The Convocation for Anglicans in North America (CANA) is another option. This is an initiative of the Anglican Church of Nigeria which offers a domestic episcopate, an emerging ecclesial structure for the American context, and full membership in a province of the Anglican Communion. This alternative may involve, among other things, some cultural adjustments, and partnership with a province particularly focused on evangelism.
The Anglican Communion Network (ACN) has emphasized its commitment to finding means of caring for, and keeping within the Anglican Communion, orthodox TEC parishes. The ACN also is working on a “Common Cause” initiative, which seeks to reunite orthodox Anglican offshoots in North America. Aligning individually with one of the forty or so groups that have previously disaffiliated from TEC may mean not having the full recognition of many Anglican provinces and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Furthermore, aligning with one of these groups would require accepting the perspective on the defining issues that led to its formation (e.g., rejection of the 1979 BCP).
Other options could be entertained too, including leaving Anglicanism. Congregations could consider applying to become affiliated with the Orthodox Church or the Catholic Church. Some may also consider joining another Protestant denomination or becoming a postdenominational independent church. These affiliations would require a denominational change which likely demand huge adjustments in polity and practices.
By God’s grace, we trust that none of our members will have become so disenchanted by the Episcopal crisis and division that they will leave Christ and his universal church altogether.
Concluding Remarks
As we consider momentous decisions in the life of our faith community, we need to remind ourselves of whose we are. Our Lord has made many promises to us that will encourage us and give us strength. God has a plan for us, a plan not to harm us but to prosper us, a plan to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20). He has promised that the gates of hell will never prevail against his church (Matthew 16:18). He has promised that those who stand firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
In light of these promises, you can be bold, courageous, and hopeful, putting yourself in God’s hands. “The Lord will do what seems good to him” (2 Samuel 10:12). You can be a risk taker—and there is certainly risk in any option—for if you follow God’s will, he will not leave you unprotected. You can rejoice and not be anxious about anything, but in everything, in prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to the Lord. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4–9).