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August 25, 2006

The Personal Side Of The Episcopalian Split

Its easy for us to watch the train wreck that is the split up of the Episcopalian Church from afar. But the reality is that this is effecting communities around the nation.

As a moderate Episcopalian in the conservative Diocese of Dallas, Dixie Hutchinson doesn't find her strength in numbers.

Soon, she may find herself even more isolated.

Dallas Bishop James M. Stanton is among the leaders of seven Episcopal dioceses who have rejected the authority of the denomination's incoming national leader, Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, as the debate over the Bible and gay relationships tears at the church.

But its not all Southern fire and brimstone groupthink going on in Dallas. It seems very apparent that there is a lot of anxiety about the upcoming split - especially because so many people will be asked to leave a church that they have worshipped in for years.

And even though the Diocese of Dallas is overwhelmingly conservative, anxiety about what's ahead is apparent throughout its 77 churches.

Via Media Dallas, which represents liberals and moderates including Hutchinson who want to remain part of the denomination, issued a statement from 15 local priests who say they will not participate in any "disassociation" from the actions and leadership of the church.

Splitting from the national leaders would create spiritual orphans throughout the region — moderates and liberals who may have to leave the churches where they worshipped for years.

This isn't the first time that a denomination has split up. The Lutherans have done it, the Baptists have done it, right on down the line.

And it will continue to happen as "church leaders" fight over the "one true word of God", and the power that leading that church brings.

Best of luck to those that are caught in the middle.

Posted by Alan at August 25, 2006 06:10 AM