July 11 pm

A calm day of significant actions in the House of Bishops.  

• We passed the budget unanimously.
• We passed a second reading of the amendment to eliminate the consent of bishops at General Convention.
• We passed unanimously the Structure resolution (C095)--to create a Task Force of 24 people who would make a proposal to a meeting of the whole Church--with the orders represented--in order to make significant change by 2015. The Task Force's report is due by November 2014.
• We passed a new Title III to mediate conflict between bishops and their dioceses.

Calm day. Significant actions.

What I witnessed to day is a recognition that change is seldom at the pace we'd like. For some it is too rapid and for others too slow. We can only grow as fast as we can grow.

Personally, I dislike the idea that we will  spend the same amount of dollars on General Convention in 2015 (maybe $15 million--maybe $20 million). In my mind it's not a good use of resources or time, but I am not going to let those reactions block out the hope that comes from the Church's setting a course for a new vision and a new direction.   We will grow as fast as the whole body can grow.

I am pleased that the 5 Marks of Mission will steer our budget and our programs. I am pleased that we have some intentionality about the changes needed for a 21st Century Church.  And I am pleased that we recognize that the work will bring us together.  

But the work will be hard.  My hope is that our Church will have Good News to proclaim by example to a world addicted to division and fear and scapegoats.  My hope is that we will show that our love of our Lord Jesus Christ is deep enough and wide enough to bring a Church together for God's mission to reconcile the world and bring God's reign of peace and mercy and justice.

When I come to General Convention, I remember it's not my Church; it's God's Church.  It's not my agenda; it's God's agenda. And it's not my way; it's The Way.  General Convention is always messy and unsettling--but so is growth and community and reconciliation.  We didn't do what I hoped we would do, and that's probably good for my soul (and for the Church).  But I come away more hopeful and more committed.  We are on this journey together--all of us. And if we will raise our gaze and hold onto one another, Christ will lead us where He wants us to go.

One more day.

+Porter

July 11, 2012

Yesterday the deadline of Thursday at 6:00 seems to have helped everyone move faster.  Both Houses made some important decisions.

It's a tradition that about a week into Convention, the bishops go and meet with the deputies to receive the budget, and we did yesterday.  What was different this year is that the Program, Budget and Finance had to work so hard.  They came to Convention without one budget to work from. This is a sign of the confusion about structure in the Church.  They were able to produce a balanced budget that prioritizes program and mission.  They restored funds for Christian Formation. They funded some very creative projects for local initiatives: enterprise zones, Campus Ministry Grants, New Congregations, etc. They funded a development officer; restored funding for the Board of Examining Chaplains (GOE's).  They also indicated that the Episcopal Church Center will lose 10% of its staff (@12 positions).

The Bishops confirmed the deputies' resolution to "decline to take a position" on the Anglican Covenant. We did not want to say "no" or "yes." The Covenant has been defeated by The Church of England, The Episcopal Church in Scotland, and the Anglican Province of New Zealand. There is little need for us to have winners and losers on an issue that isn't going anywhere.

The bishops amended the motion to sell The Episcopal Church Center. We affirmed the need to move out of NYC, but did not direct the Church to sell the property because that may not be a wise financial decision.  Owning an office building three blocks from the UN is probably not such a bad thing.  My sense is that most people are eager for a sign the Church is changing.  Selling 815 2nd Ave. would be an exciting symbolic act, but I don't think it'd be a prudent act.  

In many ways that's the task at hand.  We don't want to duplicate the French Revolution but nor do we want merely to move the deck chairs.  We need to get to the foundations.

I remember Cynthia Bourgeault saying that with a sailboat it's not enough to have a sail that catches the wind of the moment. Nor is it enough the have a keel that keeps you on a straight course.  Actually if you only have these two, then your boat will go in circles.  You need a rudder.

Instead of arguing that it's a revolution or that we've never done it that way, we need  a clear sense of mission. Then we can lay the foundations stone by stone.  The Five Marks of Mission are a starting place, but I don't think they are complete.

Today the bishops take up structure and return to our work on changing the diocesan assessment from 19% to 15%.

I can say the work is long but for me it's good work. The bishops are able to stay out of the parliamentary games and maneuvers and talk person to person simply because there are fewer of us and we know each other.

Keep us in your prayers.
+Porter

July 10, 2012

Yesterday was wonderful, exhausting, glorious, and hard--all at once.

We began with an amazing worship service. The Rev. Mary Crist preached an terrific sermon. She told of her parish's story of starting and following wherever the Holy Spirit led.  No pay, no building, no congregation. Just God. Yet they flourished. At the end she said, "It's exhilarating. It's unpredictable. It is messy...yet it is God...and it is good."

The whole day was exhilarating and unpredictable and messy but also holy and good.

The bishops talked about not requiring the Presiding Bishop to resign as a diocesan bishop, but decided to wait to act until we see the Structure piece.   Our afternoon focused on a Trial use of a Blessing for same sex couples.  It was a holy debate. The measure passed easily.  My sense is that we currently have a kind of liturgical anarchy about rites of blessings.  Dioceses use all kinds of rites. This will regularize them and enable us as a Church to see if this rite works.  It's a trial use for the Church to gather information.

General Convention is such a strange way to run a Church.  My hope is that in our reform we will do much less business but do it well.  I think our decisions afford a lot of input but not enough reflection.  I know that after a week of being here, I am tired and not able to think as clearly as this work demands.

The other strong sense is that we have not gotten to the real work which is to make way for the future Church.  We don't exactly know how to let go and what to let go.  So we talk about reform without getting there.

I think it's because the task is not the details but the vision.  Once the vision is clear, the needed structure will also get clear but not the other way around.  What is clear is that we cannot do business like this again--but I do not know if we are capable of letting it go.  It is cumbersome and expensive and not thoughtful enough.  However, for reasons I can't quite fathom, this way of doing General Convention has hold of us and is less of an anchor than a 9 day weight.

The Structure Committee reports out soon. We'll see where they start.
+Porter

July 9, 2012

Sunday was a glorious day and a welcome change from the legislative grind. The Presiding Bishop preached a stirring sermon on the need for prophets in our world and our church.  This was the Church at its best--3,000 people singing, praying, hearing The Word, and being empowered by the sacraments. The music was glorious.

We then went to the baseball stadium (home of the Indianapolis Indians) for rich display of ministries and information about this area. The main drawback was the heat.  I felt sorry that despite the very hard work by  the Diocese of Indianapolis, it was just too hot to stay out very long.  My favorite event was listening to a steel drum band from Brooklyn, NY.

Back to work at 2;15.  The Bishops dealt with a sensitive issue. Seven bishops--some retired or no longer Episcopalian--had signed a friendly brief for the court proceedings  in Fort Worth to support the parishes who left The Episcopal Church and are trying to keep their property. Because much of our conversation was private, I can only report that we had a unanimous roll call vote to support the Episcopal parishes,  the right of the Episcopal bishops in the  dioceses struggling with property disputes, and affirmation that the Episcopal bishops are the only rightful bishops in these dioceses. It was a hard but grace filled conversation.

Then it was kind of like having a snow day--you are free but you know you have to make up the work. There is so much legislation still in committee that The House of Bishops adjourned an hour earlier. This is a reminder that our way of doing business by resolution and Convention isn't working.  We cannot get to talking about most of the crucial topics because our method mirrors the US Congress (and how is that working?).

We had a wonderful diocesan dinner. I was particularly happy to be with The Episcopal Church Women who are also here for their Triennial meeting.  Katarina Whitley received an award from the ECW recognizing her many contributions to the wider Church.  (Because my computer is new, I can't figure out how to download photos from yesterday but I am calling my 23 year old daughter.)

We had better get going today or we just won't sleep. There is a guarantee that we are leaving by 6:00 Thursday done or not.

July 8, 2012

The evening of July 4 I watched the fireworks over the baseball stadium from the comfort of my 9th story hotel room. I didn't even watch to the end.  After a while you need to turn away from stimulation.  While there are wonderful parts of General Convention, it's like never being about to turn away from the fireworks. I intend to use our a short break after Church today to recalibrate and rest.

The word here is change.  The Deputies voted to allow the next Presiding Bishop to remain a Diocesan Bishop.  The Bishops voted to fund a significant Development Office.  We also are exploring moving the diocesan contribution to The Episcopal Church to 15%.  And of course, we are waiting to hear about the Budget and reforming General Convention and a new structure for our Church.

As I have worked on the Education Committee, I once again remember that our Church has many perspectives.  The Education Standing Commission presented resolutions to replace Confirmation with Baptism as rite for full initiation into Church leadership.  However, most of the Deputies and Bishops did not agree.  I am disappointed but not surprised.  Change is long and when I think I know where the Holy Spirit is headed, I am most often wrong.

What's happening is that we are trying to rebuild an airplane while in flight.  I am both excited by the changes proposed but also apprehensive that we might forget our base line structure that keeps us airborne.  I am also doubtful that strategic change happens with a committee of 1,000. My hope is that the Convention will give a direction or a plan for moving forward and commission a group to do the thoughtful work.

While here a hymn has been rolling in my head. It's "Canticle of the Turning" by Rory Cooney.  Here's the first verse:

My soul cries out with a joyful shout

that the God of my heart is great.

And my spirit sings of the wondrous things

that you bring to the ones who wait.

You fixed your sight on your servant's plight,

and my weakness you did not spurn,

So from east to west shall my name be blest.

Could the world be about to turn?

The Episcopal Church world is about to turn.  Let us pray we are turning with the God who turns all things to bring them closer to his reign.

+Porter

July 7, 2012

We are finding our way in Indianapolis but it is not a smooth path.  We have a way of conducting business that cannot take into account the many variables--especially financial.  Thus, we receive a resolution but since we don't really have a budget, it's hard to vote on whether this funding is financially responsible or not. No doubt 2015 will have a clearer budget process and have a clearer sense of priorities (we are after all hopeful people), but not now.

However, I can see many signs of living into the future right now. I was astounded that the House of Deputies passed a resolution to sell the Episcopal Church Center in New York. We have talked about this for decades but never taken the first step.  This is a sign of hope but also a recognition that we are not quite sure of where we are going. The motion is to move out of NY but is not certain about where.

It's been great to see old friends and make new ones--especially on the Education Committee.  I knew few of the deputies assigned to the committee but working together 6 hours a day eliminates the gap.

President Bonnie Anderson preached about courage yesterday. I think the courage called for comes from our hearts. It comes from our deep longing to be Christ's Church--to be made new--to make a difference as disciples.  That longing binds us all together here.  There are huge theological differences, but we serve One Lord, we proclaim One Faith, and we are saved by One Baptism.  I think remembering all of that is a lot of the reasons we come.

Jim Pritchett and Karla Woggan waiting to speak at the Structure Hearing--7/5/12