Bp Bookhart of Montana told a reporter:
<< "It's not that everybody believes the same things morally or theologically for that matter — it's that we all agree on our same form of worship," he added. >>
A friend comments -
Does "same form of worship" mean using the '79 Book of Prayer? If so, the statement is not quite true, as there are so many forms in that Book. As Dr. Peter Toon has often noted, calling it an "Alternative Book of Services" would have been much more appropriate.
The more significant question raised by the above: if worshippers don't believe the same things morally or theologically, who (or what) are they worshipping?
+++++
<< While the course of events has unfolded more on a national level, The Right Rev. C. Franklin Brookhart, Episcopal Bishop of Montana, said the state diocese and local Episcopal churches are feeling a ripple effect as attendance drops and local parishioners look to their clergy for help in sorting through the controversy.>>
How sad - some people never quite get it!! Lord have mercy....
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2004/01/29/helena_top/a01012904_03.txt
A church dividing?
By LAURA TODE - IR Staff Writer - 01/29/04
The ordination of an openly gay Episcopal bishop forced a wedge in the Episcopal Church as more conservative members denounced the decision and moved to create what they call a church within a church.
While the course of events has unfolded more on a national level, The Right Rev. C. Franklin Brookhart, Episcopal Bishop of Montana, said the state diocese and local Episcopal churches are feeling a ripple effect as attendance drops and local parishioners look to their clergy for help in sorting through the controversy.
According to Brookhart, the group behind a new "church within a church" movement, which would essentially split the Episcopal Church in the United States, is the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes.
The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the international Anglican Communion, and the Network emerged from the longtime conservative American Anglican Council, a once-informational group within the Episcopal Church that emerged about 15 years ago to counterbalance an emerging liberal movement in the church.
The orthodox Network was formed after the ordination of the bishop of New Hampshire, V. Gene Robinson, who is openly gay. Since then, the Network has grown to include bishops, clergy and parishioners from 12 of the church's 106 dioceses.
The group, which has since drafted a charter and theological statement of belief, makes up less than 10 percent of the Episcopal Church, Brookhart said.
The Network's attempt to form a church within a church is in response to a legal issue that would prohibit secession by any Episcopal churches from the nationally organized church. If any church decides to break away from the Episcopal denomination, it would be forced to forfeit all church property, including buildings, foundations and investments; clergy would also lose their salary and pensions.
In Montana, Brookhart said two churches have expressed interest in the Network, with one priest taking up the cause and several parishioners joining the new church within a church movement.
While Brookhart said he is not in favor of Robinson's ordination, he said he views the actions of the Network and the American Anglican Council as schismatic — forcing a wedge into the Episcopal Church, which has always been open to opposing viewpoints.
Brookhart describes the Episcopal Church as a "broad church" in terms of the range of viewpoints held among church leaders and parishioners. Still, Brookhart said, the church has remained strong in its sense of community.
"It's not that everybody believes the same things morally or theologically for that matter — it's that we all agree on our same form of worship," he added.
Montana is no exception. According to Brookhart, the state's Episcopal priests are not aligned in their stand on Robinson's ordination, and don't always agree on the interpretation of scriptures that some believe condemn the gay lifestyle. But Brookhart said, as far as he's concerned, those differences in opinion are OK.
Brookhart said the way he reads the scriptures, the Bible condemns the gay lifestyle.
"But I'm not interested in tolerating in any way abuse, prejudice or injustice toward gay people," Brookhart added. "The Episcopal church welcomes gay people."
Brookhart and Robinson are friends; close enough that Brookhart said he has had the chance to discuss the issue with Robinson and tell him that he disagrees with the church's decision to ordain him as a bishop.
"I can support him as a fellow Christian and as a fellow believer, but there is this aspect of his behavior — and I emphasize behavior, not being — that causes me concern," Brookhart said.
Over the coming weeks, Brookhart has planned a series of meetings across the state to explain his position on the issue, and to discuss with clergy and parishioners the ongoing national discussion surrounding the controversy.
The Episcopal Church has always been progressive in addressing current issues, and does so openly in a public forum, Brookhart explained.
"It looks messy, but the truth is we are discussing what we believe the will of God to be," he said.
With Episcopalians confused and concerned, Brookhart said he hopes that tradition of openness continues with the Montana meetings. Attendance and offerings have dropped at churches across the state, Brookhart said.
Still, Brookhart believes the Episcopal Church will continue, despite the controversy, but sorting out differences could take years.
"We are going to come through this together, basically together and basically okay, but it's going to be a while," Brookhart said.
Until then, Brookhart has encouraged his clergy and church members to concentrate on love and unity, the virtues central to the New Testament.
"Whatever we do we need to do it together in love," he said.
Reporter Laura Tode can be reached at 447-4081 or by e-mail at laura.tode@helenair.com.
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