President Obama Comments on Hate Crimes Legislation

Army Secretary Sees No Problems With Ending Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

John McHugh, Secretary of the Army, formerly a Republican Congressman for 17 years from the conservative 23rd district of New York, does not see any significant challenges to lifting the ban on gay or lesbian soldiers serving in the Army.

A short article in the Army Times ends with this:

When asked, specifically, if lifting the gay ban would be the serious disruption to the military predicted by those who oppose the president, McHugh said there is reason to think there would not be turmoil.

“Anytime you have a broad-based policy change, there are challenges to that. In the Army’s case, the Army has a big history of taking on similar issues and having predictions of doom and gloom that did not play out,” he said.

McHugh’s views are supported in a report just published in the Pentagon’s Joint Forces Quarterly. I commend the entire report.   In it, the author Col. Om Prakash states, “there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly.”

Colbert: Holy Water Under the Bridge

I’ve been intentionally not dwelling on the “Pope Invites Anglicans” story because I think there are more important foci for our attention.  However, Stephen Colbert is just to funny to ignore.

The Resurrection of the Son

I appreciate evocative and beautiful art.  I think churches should be places where art breaks us out of our regular consciousness and introduces us to surprising facets of God’s grace and presence in the world.

An article was posted in today’s Episcopal Cafe about a beautiful altarpiece by Kermit Oliver that was installed in Trinity Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas in 2007.

Here’s a picture of part of the piece:

My experience of this altarpiece was expanded by the artists’ explanation of the face of Jesus.  The face of Jesus comes from the face of Oliver’s son, who is currently on death row and is scheduled to be executed on November 5 for a crime he committed when he was 20 years-old.  As a father myself, I can’t imagine the agony I would experience if my child was convicted of a horrible crime and was sentenced to be executed.   To paint this child into resurrection, to enfold this child into the resurrection of Christ, is so, so beautiful.

I commend the article.  It is very moving.  You can find it HERE.

Growing Churches I

It is well known that mainline denominations have been shrinking.  Contrary to this trend in other denominations, The Episcopal Church was actually growing in Sunday attendance from the early 1990’s through 2001.  From 2002 onward, we have declined.

According to a recently released report, the Average Sunday Attendance (my preferred benchmark) in the Episcopal church fell 14% in the past five years.   I suspect much of this is a result of the conflict over the acceptance of people who are gay or lesbian.

There is other data in the report I find more interesting.   55% of the churches in TEC have less Sunday attendance than they did five years ago.   So over half of our congregations have been shrinking.  But 18% have increased attendance over the past 5 years.  35% of the churches have grown this past year.

In an environment of decline, 18% to 35% of the congregations are growing, depending on whether you use the 5 year or 1 year figure.    What makes those congregations grow while others are shrinking?

There is a another report that attempts to answer this question.  I commend the full report.   The conclusion lists the two most important factors for growth:

The strongest correlate of growth when all controls were in effect was the presence or absence of conflict.  Obviously, conflict cannot be completely avoided, but whether or not a congregation finds itself mired in serious conflict is the number one predictor of congregational decline.  This finding points to the need for conflict resolution skills among clergy so minor conflict does not become serious, debilitating conflict.  In the Episcopal Church the impact of conflict is greater than in many other denominations because conflict is more widespread –largely due to the fact that conflict over sexuality is added to the usual congregational disputes over leadership, finances, worship and program. (p 17)

I think it is important to pay attention to the toll that the conflicts these past several years have had on us.  I agree with the report that we need to be savvy about how we handle situations of conflict in congregations.  I think non-anxious leadership has been key in congregations that weathered conflict well.

I also think the worst is behind us.  People are eager to move forward in mission.  This certainly seems to be true at Trinity Cathedral and I think it is true in our denomination.  Conflict in congregations will always be with us, and we need good leadership, but I think the large scale fighting is pretty much over.

The report goes on to say:

The second most powerful correlate of growth when all controls were used was a scale that combined four highly related characteristics of the parish’s rector or vicar: generates enthusiasm, charismatic leader, has a clear vision for the congregation , and knows how to get people to work together.  Leadership is critical to growth in the Episcopal church. (p 18)

I think this is absolutely true.  We need leaders who generate enthusiasm, cast compelling vision and get people to pull on the oars together.   I think our potential for growth is huge.  The gospel is such good news.   The potential in the Episcopal church for authentic community, inspiring worship  and effective social action is spectacular.   And people in the world are hungry for community, spiritual depth and living lives of purpose.  We just need good leaders to proclaim, organize and mobilize.

What would it look like if we intentionally recruited clergy with these traits?  Do diocesan commissions on ministry consider demonstrated leadership skill as a primary criterion?    What if,  in addition to writing spiritual autobiographies, aspirants wrote leadership autobiographies.  What about our seminaries?  How much time in seminary is spent teaching priests how to lead effectively?   Or perhaps it is too difficult to teach important leadership lessons before someone is actually leading congregations.  Maybe what we need is more robust continuing education targeted toward leadership skills.

I am very optimistic for the future of the Episcopal church.  Our major conflicts are behind us.  The world is hungry for the gospel we share.  I think now we need to focus our efforts on raising up and training effective, inspirational leaders.

The website with these and other reports is HERE.

Sacramento Mayor Helps Homeless

The Bee is reporting that the Mayor is about to announce an initiative to support the homeless.  This issue has been in the press a lot, in part because of the advocacy of the “safe ground” folks who have been setting up various “tent cities.”  Here’s what the Bee is saying:

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson proposes plan to shelter homeless

By Mark Glover
mglover@sacbee.com

Published: Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 – 10:18 am

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson today is proposing a plan to open 269 temporary beds and motel rooms for homeless women, children and men in the Sacramento community during the winter months.

The mayor said he will provide more details of the program later today at Sacramento City Hall.

On his blog, he wrote: “If Sacramento can’t provide emergency cold-weather shelter for our neediest citizens, we fail our community and ourselves. This winter, we will not fail.”

Johnson said the program is a byproduct of a task force he created last month.

“We will provide about twice the number of beds than the county supplied last winter,” Johnson’s blog post said. “And we will do it for less money – many thousands of dollars less. Moreover, we will help transition more than 200 men, women and children to leave shelters and find permanent or transitional housing.”

Canon Kathleen Kelly, who serves on the board of Loaves and Fishes, has learned of some of the details of the Mayor’s plan.  The goal is to have a system up and running by 11/15 whereby anyone in need of emergency shelter can call 211 and be triaged.  The city and county together aim to provide 270 beds through a combination of:  80 beds at Mather for families and children, 80 beds at an extension of the VOA Detox Center off Richards Blvd., and 100 monthly motel vouchers funded with stimulus money.  Calling 211 is supposed to allow for centralized support, so people do not have to make endless calls.  Each option is supposed to include 24/7 services, so that transportation to and from does not become an obstacle.  How that will happen with those using motels is not clear. The mayor has renamed the local initiative:  Stepping Forward/Fresh Start Sacramento, 3-Year Plan to End Homelessness.  I am sure that will make all the difference.

There will still need to be other alternatives for the homeless, such as safe-ground. But this is a huge step in the right direction.  Good job Mayor Johnson!

Blind Bartimaeus this Sunday

I’m not preaching this Sunday.  Canon Lynell Walker is.  I always enjoy hearing her perspective.   Here’s the gospel text followed by some reflections.

46They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

There are a few things I noticed about this passage:

The followers of Jesus, with good intention I’m sure, keep Bartimaeus away.  I feel, like the disciples, the church has too often gotten in the way of people hungry for Jesus.

Jesus hears Bartimaeus.  There was lots going on.  Jesus was surrounded by a crowd.  In the midst of it all, Jesus hears the cry of the one in need.

I love what the friends of Jesus say to Bartimaeus, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”  That’s not a bad example for the church.  Perhaps our job is to invite people to take heart and hear the call of Jesus.

I love even more the response of Bartimaeus.  ”So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.”  He threw off his cloak and sprung up.   The cloak was what he used for begging; it was how he collected the coins.  He threw it off – threw it on the ground.  He was blind.  He couldn’t easily fetch it later.  If he had intended on keeping it, he would have clutched it as he got up.  But he threw it away and sprung up to Jesus.  No wonder Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well.”

Jesus asks Bartimaeus the same question he asked James and John just a few verses earlier, “What would you like me to do for you.”  Instead of asking to be great in Jesus’ kingdom, like James and John did, Bartimaeus says, “My teacher, let me see again.” At our Bible study today, Lynell asked, “What part of this text touches your heart.”  For me it is this request from Bartimaeus.  I want to see.  I want to see the world as God sees the world.  I want to see God’s presence in my life, and in those around me, more clearly.  ”Teacher, I want to see.”

The last line of this passage is important.  With clear sight, “ Bartimaeus  follows Jesus “on the way” — which is the way to the cross.   Jesus has been trying to heal the disciples’ blindness – get them to see clearly so they will join him on the way to the cross.  And here’s Bartimaeus.  He throws off his cloak, springs up, sees clearly and joins Jesus on the way.

More Thoughts on the Pope’s Announcement

The Pope’s offer to create an Anglican scheme within the Roman Catholic church so married priests can become RC and retain Anglican liturgy seems rather odd and imperialistic.   It’s not like he’s making it easier for Anglicans to become Romans by reducing red tape.  He’s rather creating an Anglican form of Roman Catholicism so Anglicans can feel more comfortable leaving their tradition.   This only makes sense if the Pope doesn’t believe the Anglican Church is a true Christian church, as if he thinks the Anglican Church has gone so far off the rails that it’s fair to blatantly open a wide door to the true  Christians in Anglicanism that need a home.

Alan Wilson, one of my favorite British bishop bloggers has this to say:

Not being of a Chauvinistic/ Imperialistic bent about religion, I’ve always thought people should serve within the denomination in which they can best be discipled. All denominations are only delivery systems for the Kingdom, after all.

This new scheme has some rather odd resonances — if a clergy colleague came to see me to say they believed God was calling them to be a Baptist, if that’s discipled, I’d be delighted. If the Baptists then announced they had a special scheme for Anglicans where you could be a Baptist but also, as a former Anglican, you could carry on doing infant baptisms, my eyebrows would raise.

As conservative CofE bishop Edwin Barnes points out, this special provision has been available to Anglicans in the U.S. for 25 years, although few have opted to leave for Rome.  There might be a bigger exodus in the U.S. now with the new publicity around this offer.  I suspect most of the priests that cannot abide the Episcopal Church have already left.   This renewed offer from the Pope may give the Roman-leaning clergy in this group a good home.  I hope it does.   I tend to agree with Sam Candler’s post that I referenced last night — it’s good to have the door to Rome open for clergy that want a more centralized authority structure.  There may be a some priests that are currently serving in the Episcopal church who shift to Rome, but I don’t think it will be a significant exodus.

I think it will be more interesting to see what happens in England.  With their current fight over women’s ordination, there are lots of Anglo-Catholic clergy who have not been able to abide the thought of woman bishops.  They may leave the CofE for the Roman Church.  This could then make it easier for the CofE to ordain women bishops with the opposition leaving for Rome.

But what about the churches that are led by these departing priests?  What about departing congregations?  Will the Archbishop let them take their churches with them? Bishop Edwin Barnes hopes so:

Those of us compelled by conscience to leave will expect generous provision, not just financial, but also in the way of the transfer of churches and vicarages. The Archbishop of Canterbury has often berated the American Church for its meanness towards those who have left over issues such as the consecration of gay men and the ordination of women.

He has a good point.  Archbishop Williams has been critical of the Episcopal Church for trying to retain the property when a disaffected congregation wanted to leave the Church.  How will he respond when this is happening on his side of the pond?  This will be interesting to watch.

But then . . .

I was just about to press “publish” on this post when a new post from George Clifford popped up, reminding me of Jesus and the gospel.  I hate when that happens.  I get so involved in the exciting drama and then somebody comes along and reminds me of Jesus.  The title of George’s post is “Who Cares.”  He points out that all this hoopla over church structure doesn’t advance the gospel.   I’ll let his conclusion serve as my conclusion as well:

The people who care little about the Pope’s pronouncement are the very people to whom Jesus ministered: the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned, and the marginalized. The religious establishments and their leaders of Jesus’ time largely rejected these people and cared little about their plight. Jesus was radical precisely because he loved the peasants, the unclean, and the aliens.

Unfortunately, the plight of the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned and the marginalized is unlikely to change. New controversy will arise in England about ownership of Church property; existing controversies in the U.S. are likely to continue if not perhaps worsen. Instead of being about the business of being the Church, the body of Christ – his hands, feet and voice – too many Anglicans and Roman Catholics will focus on issues of structure, property, etc.

In other words, the new policy of the Roman Catholic Church may ameliorate the status of dissenters and those perturbed by current conflicts, but in no way does the policy alter the basic religious landscape or improve the life for the least among us. I very much doubt that God greatly cares about what the Pope has done.

Catching up on Anglican Drama

Today was vestry day.  On vestry day I spend time reading, thinking and praying about the vision and future of Trinity Cathedral.  The staff meeting on vestry day focuses on our vision as well.  Then 1/2 of the vestry meeting is spent on the same thing.   We are using Stephanie Speller’s book Radical Welcome as a springboard for discussion.   Both meetings were lively and energizing.   I think we are heading into a very exciting chapter in the life of the congregation.  I used to dread vestry meetings.  Now I look forward to vestry day.

But vestry day did get in the way of me focusing on the drama in the Anglican Communion.  Today’s topic was the Vatican’s announcement that male Anglican priests (even the married ones) are welcome to become Roman Catholic priests and still retain their Anglican customs.   I’m not quite sure what to make of it all, mostly because I haven’t had time to reflect on it much today.  It certainly seems  insulting for the Pope to make such a radical offer in an attempt to rescue clergy from a Christian church he thinks is apostate — particularly without talking this over with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out and how many Anglican clergy jump ship.  My friend Sam Candler, the dean in Atlanta, thinks it’s a good thing.  The clergy that want a strong, centralized authority structure can go to Rome.  The others can stay in the Anglican Communion.

Andrew Brown of the Guardian offers another interesting perspective.

Called to be Great, Sermon 10/18/09