Bishop Ackerman, Diocese of Quincy, says cancel The Episcopal Church General Convention 2009
From Hans Zeiger in Canterbury for Virtue Online:
A leading orthodox bishop of The Episcopal Church has proposed canceling the 2009 Episcopal Church General Convention in order to fund the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Following the Thursday march on London by over 600 Anglican bishops and their spouses in support of the MDGs, the Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy, said that "there should be no General Convention this year, and all the money for the convention should be sent to fund the goals."
Ackerman furthermore called for The Episcopal Church to "cancel all meetings that require face to face and conduct nothing but video conferencing." He said that the American wing of the Anglican Communion should "donate its money to churches that would be positively affected."
Though leaders of The Episcopal Church have stated their commitment to the MDGs and made their biggest stand yet in London on Thursday, Ackerman has doubts that The Episcopal Church has yet made a true commitment.
"If the church is absolutely, totally committed to these goals, there are three things it needs to do," Ackerman said.
"First, place the goals in the context of the Gospel itself.
"Second, leaders must make the necessary changes in their own personal lifestyle so that they can make their own commitment to model what God wants done.
"Third, the church must corporately find a way to fund this."
In response to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's invitation to African bishops to join her for drinks at a Canterbury reception (despite the Sudanese bishops' abstinence from alcohol), Ackerman offered a specific MDG funding proposal. "Do not invite the Sudanese to a reception. Cancel the reception and give the money to the Sudanese church."
Comment: An interesting idea. I am not perfectly clear about the motive behind the proposal. There are all sorts of reasons that GC is necessary, but I have often wondered about the real impact of GC. The administration of TEC is important and worthy of significant attention. It is work that must be done. This is true on all levels of the Church. However, I wonder about the stewardship of our time and resources.
Can the administration of TEC be carried out more effectively and efficiently. My question arises not out of a sense of scarcity, but from a desire to be an effective Kingdom partner for God. Is all that we do directed to further the Gospel?
As I work, I try my best to keep mission and ministry my ultimate priority. Consideration is given not only to what I do, but how. It is not always easy, but necessary.
From Hans Zeiger in Canterbury for Virtue Online:
A leading orthodox bishop of The Episcopal Church has proposed canceling the 2009 Episcopal Church General Convention in order to fund the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Following the Thursday march on London by over 600 Anglican bishops and their spouses in support of the MDGs, the Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy, said that "there should be no General Convention this year, and all the money for the convention should be sent to fund the goals."
Ackerman furthermore called for The Episcopal Church to "cancel all meetings that require face to face and conduct nothing but video conferencing." He said that the American wing of the Anglican Communion should "donate its money to churches that would be positively affected."
Though leaders of The Episcopal Church have stated their commitment to the MDGs and made their biggest stand yet in London on Thursday, Ackerman has doubts that The Episcopal Church has yet made a true commitment.
"If the church is absolutely, totally committed to these goals, there are three things it needs to do," Ackerman said.
"First, place the goals in the context of the Gospel itself.
"Second, leaders must make the necessary changes in their own personal lifestyle so that they can make their own commitment to model what God wants done.
"Third, the church must corporately find a way to fund this."
In response to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's invitation to African bishops to join her for drinks at a Canterbury reception (despite the Sudanese bishops' abstinence from alcohol), Ackerman offered a specific MDG funding proposal. "Do not invite the Sudanese to a reception. Cancel the reception and give the money to the Sudanese church."
Comment: An interesting idea. I am not perfectly clear about the motive behind the proposal. There are all sorts of reasons that GC is necessary, but I have often wondered about the real impact of GC. The administration of TEC is important and worthy of significant attention. It is work that must be done. This is true on all levels of the Church. However, I wonder about the stewardship of our time and resources.
Can the administration of TEC be carried out more effectively and efficiently. My question arises not out of a sense of scarcity, but from a desire to be an effective Kingdom partner for God. Is all that we do directed to further the Gospel?
As I work, I try my best to keep mission and ministry my ultimate priority. Consideration is given not only to what I do, but how. It is not always easy, but necessary.
2 comments:
I am a bit troubled by +Ackerman's proposals only because I doubt his sincerity. On the other hand, there is a germ of truth in them. GC is has become a gargantuan, presumptuous time guzzler. It's the HumVee of meetings. As a two time deputy I see no reason why the business of the church could not be accomplished in half the days. I cannot speak for the bishops' meetings, but suspect they also could be streamlined a bit. Diocesan conventions that stretch over long weekends are another target for improvement.
Having said that, there is no better way to resolve sticky issues and build community and fellowship than face-to-face gatherings. Phone calls and video conferencing are expedient for routine matters but no substitute when it comes to weightier matters.
As for the MDGs, my parish has been committed to them and generous in financial giving for several years, as has the diocese itself. I can only assume that the same holds true for all of the parishes in +Ackerman's diocese. No doubt he leads by example.
CP
Well, of course...
Glad to hear from you.
C+
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