'The Roomiest Church in Christendom'
By the Rt. Rev. David C. Jones, Bishop Suffragan
The General Convention of the Episcopal Church affords an opportunity once every three years to experience the width and breadth of our Church. I have attended 11 General Conventions and confess that I expect to be surprised again in Anaheim. I am always intrigued at the way General Convention weaves its way through the thorniest issues of our day seeking common ground and the broadest consensus possible.
We have been called the “roomiest Church in Christendom” and I understand why. Our way of “being Church” takes hold like barnacles on a boat dock at the parish level and in our dioceses. It allows an authentic expression of faith to emerge in a unique context.
The days before a General Convention often focus on the major issues facing the Church and the world. Various interest groups do their best to communicate their particular agendas. Deputies and bishops receive an abundance of mail and considerable advice. Then, the legislative process itself brings out opposing points of view in legislative hearings. When the hearings have been completed, the legislative committees seek a way forward that would actually advance the mission of the church. Most committee reports on legislation sail through the formal legislative process and are adopted. But in the case of the most controversial resolutions, specific rules of debate are adopted to ensure a full and proper hearing. Large crowds gather to hear the debate and in the end, Convention usually finds a way forward. And regardless of the outcome, interest groups express their approval or outrage.
The days following General Convention have always been difficult for the deputies and bishops returning home. More often than not, I have encountered anger that the Church in Convention did not mirror the Church at home. It is literally impossible to answer questions that begin “Why didn’t they? It is very difficult to communicate the profound cultural differences of our various dioceses and churches and the efforts taken to find a middle way.
At the same time, Convention affords opportunities to experience the strength and vitality of the Episcopal Church. Daily worship and Bible study bring people together in a common experience of worship. New friendships and alliances are invariably formed and the experience of deputies and bishops is broadened. Dividing issues are not ultimately divisive to a community that worships together.
While we will not be directly addressing the proposed Anglican Covenant at this convention, the issue of our relationship with the Anglican Communion will be present as we continue to sort out questions about human sexuality and, in particular, the role of gay and lesbian people in the life of the church. My sense is that convention will seek a way forward that represents the broadest consensus possible at a particular moment in time.
While a lot of the energy of is focused on issues of sexuality, I will be chairing a legislative committee on evangelism and will be focusing my own attention on energizing the Church to embrace the Great Commission “to teach all nations.”
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