The Editorial: Taking stock

WELL I DON’T KNOW if you have been keeping score, but it would seem that the courts have pretty consistently sided with the provincial churches in the property disputes that have been brought before them. Although we might have hoped and prayed otherwise, perhaps it should not surprise us that a secular judiciary has made its judgment on formal matters of canon law which it understands, rather than on the substantial matters of doctrine which are beyond its grasp. There are of course still some cases before the courts, but as we watched two iconic churches, St. John’s Vancouver (formerly St John’s, Shaughnessy) and Christ Church Savannah, courageously move en masse to new homes this fall, we cannot but think that the matter has been decided. We wish God’s blessing on those churches who have boldly made this decision, and praise God that our fellowship in Christ is not determined by synods or supreme courts. So where does this leave those of us who remain?
As a result of the recent legal decisions, one cannot help but recognise that the threat of property disputes to the ACC is now significantly diminished. These have been a real concern to many dioceses, not just the prospect of losing buildings, but also that lawsuits are simply money pits for everyone involved.  Now that that the legal question seems to be settled, we can expect certain prelates to lead their flocks more boldly into a glorious liberal future.
Furthermore, it would seem that the pendulum of theological liberalism has not yet swung to its furthest point. Although, the progressive campaign has been an incremental one, it shows no sign of running out of steam. This fall the progressives in the Diocese of Toronto, who have already been given license to bless same-sex unions set their sights further yet, when they passed motions to memorialize General Synod to reopen the Marriage Canon, and to petition their bishops to remove any barriers to the ordination of actively homosexual men or women. Perhaps most alarming about this, is that they passed these motions against the expressed will of Archbishop Colin Johnson. While, he would not be described as a theological conservative, Archbishop Johnson has been relatively successful at maintaining unity within his diocese. It would seem his tempering influence to the progressive agenda may no longer be effective.
We also need to take stock of the losses conservatives have suffered in recent years. We have experienced the loss of formidable long-serving churchmen such as brothers Harry and Tom Robinson and Fr. Robert Crouse. They have entered into their rest in Christ. But we have also been weakened in our witness as we have lost many talented priests and congregations through the fracturing of the Communion. Many of the churches who have left have encouraged numerous vocations, whose ministries will now bear fruit outside of the ACC.
At this time of year, it is much safer and more prudent to look back rather than forward, yet we at The Anglican Planet have never been terribly committed to the safe path. So let us speculate for a moment about what the future holds for conservatives remaining within the Anglican Church of Canada.
If we look south at the example of Mark Lawrence, Bishop of South Carolina, things do not look great. Despite all of the verbal reassurances that there is room for diversity in the Episcopal Church, the persecution that he has suffered at the hands of TEC has been unconscionable. It remains to be seen if the liberal victors in the Anglican Church of Canada will follow that course of tyranny, or become magnanimous in their ascendancy.
It seems to me that we are heading into some tough years for theological conservatives who choose to remain in the Anglican Church of Canada. Those of us who are committed to reforming from within will not likely see a lot of success. In all likelihood conservative clergy will be passed over for preferment, or out of conscience be prevented from accepting it. It would seem like the political options have been tried. But things are not entirely hopeless because we worship a God whose power is made perfect in our weakness. So, while it might seem that success in ecclesial politics is unavailable to us, what is still available to us is the glorious opportunity to faithfully preach the word of God, and disciple Christians, for this we should give thanks. Let us close the book on 2011 with the encouraging words of Bishop J.C. Ryle:
“Forever let us thank God that the building of the one true Church is laid on the shoulders of One who is mighty. Let us bless God that it does not rest upon man. Let us bless God that it does not depend on missionaries, ministers, or committees. Christ is the almighty Builder. He will carry on His work, though nations and visible Churches do not know their duty. Christ will never fail. That which He has undertaken He will certainly accomplish!”
A Joyous Christmas from your friends at The Anglican Planet!   TAP