Difficulties many and Problems galore - give up? No!

(October 24)

Dr Tarsitano & Dr Toon have proposed that the vocation of faithful Anglicans & Episcopalians in the USA (whether they are inside or outside of the ECUSA - and there are as many outside as inside)following the message of the Primates on October 16th is this. Together to rebuild the Anglican Household in order to become together by God's good ordering a new province in the Anglican Communion with the special help of the Primates in a year's time.

Many have sent messages of encouragement but others have rehearsed all the difficulties and problems that this Vocation contains. (In comparison, the AAC congress of October 7 from which a majority of faithful Anglicans were excluded, was relatively easy to pull off; but what it achieved was in many ways an avoidance of the Problem for it dealt only with one of the presenting problems of ECUSA by majoring on the homosexual issue.) We are aware of a multitude of things that make this Vocation difficult, even impossible. Never before have the representatives of ALL the "faithful Anglicans" of the USA even attempted to meet for prayer and dialogue with a view to serving the Lord together. The dynamics of the American supermarket of religions are such that centrifugal forces usually triumph over centripetal ones. But the Lord prays for the unity of his people.

We think that what people of good and ill will are missing in making negative comments on this Vocation is that in the sort of real world presented in the Scriptures, and seen in Christian history and experience, one does not know the outcome of an event or activity until God gives it conclusion. Recall David, who fasts before the death of his first child by Bathsheba, but once God renders his judgment in this world, David goes on to other business, admittedly in sorrow.

If God should tell Anglicans "no," in terms of their becoming one comprehensive province on a sure doctrinal basis, then we will live with that "no" and seek his further will. But until we have together asked him, and at least met together for prayer and dialogue, it is arrogance and presumption to answer for him, no matter how tender our feelings, hurts, aspirations, and experiences.

In order to facilitate the first meeting of ALL the representatives or delegates who believe that they are faithful Anglicans, the Lord must provide through his people the means to accomplish it. Neither Toon nor Tarsitano has money & have only very limited, voluntary secretarial help - we merely have prayers, thoughts, computers and e mail!

Let us pray for eyes to see the provision of the Lord for this Vocation.

Tarsitano & Toon