I'm wondering if, instead of being asked to affirm the recommendations of The Windsor Report and work towards the development of an Anglican Covenant, what if. . . .The Archbishop of Canterbury sent out a letter to all bishops who intended to be at Lambeth and asked them to bring documented evidence of the following things:
1. Have you preached and proclaimed the gospel? What evidence do you have of the efficacy of your work?
2. How are the gospel imperatives being acted out in your diocese/province? Are the hungry being fed? The sick visited? The naked being clothed? Those in dark prison being brought the Light of the gospel? The poor being brought the Hope of Christ? Have you defended those who have no helper, been merciful to all, and shown compassion to the poor?
3. How have you guarded the 'faith, unity and discipline' of the Church?
4. Have you been faithful in prayer and in the study of scripture? How so?
5. Have you stirred up the conscious of the people in your diocese/province? Please elaborate.
6. How have you encouraged and supported all baptized people in their gifts and ministries?
7. Of all that you do, what is it that makes your heart sing with joy for this impossible vocation to which you have been called?
Just seven little questions that begin to hold everyone accountable for the vows they have made. Take one question per day and have the bishops and primates talk with each other about their responses.
You know, the more I think about it, THAT might make one hell of a Lambeth Conference.
I know. I know. Still, a girl can dream can't she?
And, we know what they do with dreamers (* Genesis 37:19)
Well, at least under your plan they could waste time telling each other how great they are instead of trying to convince the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a contrarian that if for some reason I was a clergyperson and such a survey came across my desk from the ABC, I'd send it back with the legend "None of your accursed bizzness" written on it in red permanent marker.
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