We are Episcopalians! Part Two.

I haven't had a chance to write a rebuttal to the opinion pieces and other stories from GC. I want to write a narrative about the Episcopal Church I see because I'm tired of what I have seen, which bears little resemblance to the Episcopal Church I love and know.

In the mean time, here are some more particularly good articles:

The Glorious Episcopal Church

Can Christianity Be Saved? A Response to Ross Douthat

A Strongly-worded Letter about General Convention and Love

A Response to Ross Douthat

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Get rid of the Christian Cliches

I found a blogger with a great list of cliches that Christians should just stop using. A sample...

We Christians have a remarkable talent for sticking our feet in our mouths. When searching the words most commonly associated with “Christian,” the list ain’t pretty. I think part of this can be attributed to a handful of phrases that, if stricken from our vocabulary, might make us a little more tolerable. Yes, these things may mean something to you, but trust me, non-Christians don’t share your love for these tried-and-true cliches.
So in no particular order, here are ten phrases Christians should lose with a quickness:

“Everything happens for a reason.” I’ve heard this said more times than I care to. I’m not sure where it came from either, but it’s definitely not in the Bible. The closest thing I can come up with is “To everything, there is a season,” but that’s not exactly the same. The fact is that faith, by definition, is not reasonable. If it could be empirically verified with facts or by using the scientific method, it wouldn’t be faith. It would be a theory. Also, consider how such a pithy phrase sounds to someone who was raped. Do you really mean to tell them there’s a reason that happened? Better to be quiet, listen and if appropriate, mourn alongside them. But don’t dismiss grief or tragedy with such a meaningless phrase.

“If you died today, do you know where you’d spend the rest of eternity?” No, I don’t, and neither do you. So stop asking such a presumptuous question as this that implies you have some insider knowledge that the rest of us don’t. And seriously, if your faith is entirely founded upon the notion of eternal fire insurance, you’re not sharing testimony; you’re peddling propaganda.

Read the rest of his list and his antidotes here.


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Get Married in Church?

There was a thought provoking top ten list of reasons why one should or should not get married in Church...

You find yourself asking the clergy to take all the references to Jesus out of the service. (not)

You have drifted from the church, but as you prepare for your wedding you find yourself seeking a community of faith. (yes)

Check out both lists here.


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We are Episcopalians!

Now that General Convention has concluded, there is a lot of odd reporting going on out there (NYTimes & WSJ). So instead of pointing to those articles, let me point you to four posts worth reading and one satire...

Now is a perfect time to be Unapologetically Episcopalian!

Wrong on Every Count

When “Liberal” Rhymes with “Theology” It’s Time for Evangelism

In Praise of Episcopalians

They are worth the read. And for your humor bone...

The completely truthy account of what REALLY happened at General Convention

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The Cost of Discipleship

“Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjacks' wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices. Grace is represented as the Church's inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace, we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing. Since the cost was infinite, the possibilities of using and spending it are infinite. What would grace be if it were not cheap?...

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.

Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

St. Benedict & Twitter

I believe St. Benedict would have liked Twitter, esp. for prayer.

From the Rule of St. Benedict: Chapter 20: On Reverence in Prayer

And let us be assured that it is not in saying a great deal that we shall be heard (Matt 6:7), but in purity of heart and in tears of compunction. Our prayer, therefore, ought to be short and pure, unless it happens to be prolonged by an inspiration of divine grace. In community, however, let prayer be very short, and when the Superior gives the signal let all rise together.

So if we can't pray in 140 characters, maybe our prayer is too long...

Almighty God give us grace following the teaching & example of your servant Benedict to walk with loving & willing hearts in your service

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Pray for General Convention

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in Indianapolis for the renewal and mission of the Episcopal Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


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