There is a saying that goes something like this: don’t use technical solutions to address/fix adaptive problems.
Today the House of Bishops addressed a number of resolutions under the rules of order and we either voted them up (approved) or voted them down (did not approve) them to become enacted within the life of the Church.
You may track the day's legislation through the Media Hub, far right box labeled "Legislative Tracker."
Resolution A185 from the Committee on Canons proposed revision to Title IV and completely amended the entire section of the Constitution and Canons for the Government of The Episcopal Church. This has been in process for over six years and offers to the Church a new way to look at the Ecclesiastical Discipline. It was approved and is a very fine work. It seeks to offer both grace and confrontation to those who have been accused of doing wrong and seeks to protect all God’s children from those who would abuse or harm them. I was impressed with this work.
Resolution A074 is from the General Convention Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue. This is a Committee of which I am a member and I also serve on the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious which has worked on perfecting this document for over five years. It is still not perfect, but it is a superb document that seeks to articulate a rationale for the Episcopal Church to enter into interreligious dialog. It explores who we are as The Episcopal Church within the Anglican Communion and why we are interested in interreligious relationships. The core of the document begins with the words, “We affirm the foundational Gospel proclamation the “Jesus is Lord.” We are committed to share who and whose we are and to know all of God’s children. This document is for those in congregations and Diocesan Committees who want to have a theological and practical context in which to engage in interreligious dialog. One other aspect of the document is its understanding of sharing with each other. This work is important as the world we engage continues to become more pluralistic and we encounter more people who are not Christian. It is my hope that this is an area that we as a diocese will be able to engage more fully.
These two resolutions are both technical fixes for the work needed to be completed and it was under the rules of order. There was wonderful embrace of many of the resolution that tell the story of who we are as Episcopalians.
The House of Bishops also began a process that is not a technical fix as a way of dealing with a more controversial resolution. I believe and hope that this will allow grace to enter into relationships as another method and another way to deal with our divisions. We went into executive session as an appointed committee gathered to rewrite the resolution so that the maximum number of people would not be excluded and become marginalized by the outcome of the process. It is a process to draw people into community. This method is an adaptive “fix” that makes use of the “interlude” we are in at the present time. I am most grateful for this process and I will be able to say more about this tomorrow. In the meantime, there is lots to do and consider as we begin to move deeper into the rush as the General Convention moves towards its conclusion. I pray my blessing to you all and God’s love. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
PAX, Bishop Duncan
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