This Blog, Episcopal Journey of Hope, desires that the American Episcopal Church will reverse 50 years of decline, not end up a boutique church, and remain a meaningful part of this Nation's religious landscape. We have written about our history, theology, philosophy, and our ecclesiastical leaders plus our institutional structures. We trust our Blog has been thought provoking and a catalyst for change.
Gary Gilbertson
Our mutual effort with Episcopal Journey of Hope has been for me a very satisfying team effort. As with every aspect of life, this initiative by our mutual decision has finished its purpose for now. I am very grateful for any and all readership and for any number of comments, including critics, as we are all in a free community of conversation. And most especially I will always be grateful for so many kind and great leaders of the past in the Episcopal Church whose witness inspired me in leadership and spiritual courage. May we all go forth in peace. Thanks be the God.
Ron Reed
I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this blog. Episcopal Journey of Hope, while recognizing the spiritual and theological realities of eschatology, has nevertheless spoken more often to the hope, or lack thereof, for the future of the Episcopal Church. This is because our colleagues, as former leaders and containers of wisdom through a broad and deep experience in the life of the church, have believed that we had something to say that is both critical and positive about the life of the church. We trust that our musings have fostered an interest and willingness for change so that hope may emerge and the Episcopal Church might grow in the future and be a strong witness in American Christianity.
Bob Terrill
Contributing to this blog has allowed me to clarify some of the major issues pertaining to the Episcopal Church. I have really come to two major conclusions about the future of ECUSA. One, we will continue to decrease in membership, consequently, for the greater part we will be a denomination of small congregations, i.e., ranging from 25 to 300 in terms of weekly attendance. It will demand a radical change in life style.
Two, I fear that progressive Episcopal theology is really grounded on the Romanticism of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's world vision. We have fallen into the tendency of modern and postmodern intellectuals elitists to emphasize ideas such as subjectivity and spirit and reduce theology to the transcendental history of subjective spirit. It is a progressive liberal theological homogenization where the passionate love of humanity blends all ideas of tolerance, duty and truth into a vague oneness. Consequently, we attempt to feed our community on liturgical practices and a humanitarian ethics of social progress. In other words, we are becoming a community of liturgical practitioners without a sacramental or evangelical theology. These are the final thoughts of an Anglo Catholic scholastic.
A. William McVey
Name one thing your efforts did to help the church in anyway. One thing. Please.
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ReplyDeleteThe Bloggers at Episcopal Journey of Hope and Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, are mutually concerned about the leadership of our respective Communions.
ReplyDeleteBack in April of 2012 Episcopal Journey of Hope called on Episcopal Bishops to declare a moratorium on travel outside their Dioceses in order to tend to critical spiritual business at home. Last week, February 2014, Pope Francis “blasted bishops who strut about in church finery as “peacocks.” He called on bishops “to be pastors who are close to the flock and not “airport bishops” who buzz around the world padding their resumes.”
In a dozen or more articles we Bloggers have expressed concern over the lack of qualified clergy to lead our Dioceses and Congregations. Pope Francis expressed a similar concern when he spoke of clergy selected to be Roman Catholic Bishops; “We need to raise our sights, to move to a higher level.” He sternly warned 19 new Cardinals to avoid “rivalry, jealousy, and factions.” He said the Cardinals must reject “habits and ways of acting typical of a court: intrigue, gossip, cliques, favoritism and preferences.”
Perhaps the admonitions of the Pope will be heard on our side of the street too.
Yes, thank you, Gary.
Delete"I really miss the Journey of Hope blog."- said. no. one. ever.
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