My Thoughts On Anglican Church of North America

This is from Drell's Descants. Brad Drell is an Episcopalian and lawyer in Louisiana:

by Brad Drell

Published December 8, 2008 Uncategorized

My thoughts on this topic are fairly simple. May their number, influence, and territory increase. I will be most interested to see what Bible believing Anglicans in North America can accomplish now that they are freed from the bonds of TEC. I also think the Anglican Communion should recognize them as a Province under the Gamaliel principle. ACNA has ostensibly brought together most of the continuing Anglican churches under one roof.

Of course, this development will mean GC2009 will pull out all the stops. Unfortunately, ACNA’s recognition by the Anglican Communion will not be dependent on its faithfulness to Anglicanism, but money. ACNA will need to find a way to replace the funds lost from TEC as it walks apart.

I hate to be the one with the mercenary attitude in the Anglican blogosphere. However, this is the reality of the situation, as sad as it is.

I would hope after GC2009 Western Louisiana would wake up and realize we need to leave TEC, together, as a family. Reforming TEC is a futile effort at best. I’ve been to General Convention as a deputy, and I know what I am talking about. I am going one more time, to press for the Anglican Covenant, knowing that it will fail, and I will be a witness to this failure and the effort put into attempting to obtain its passage. I will share this with the Diocese upon my return, and they can make the collective decision on what they will do.

But, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. At the end of 2009, my terms as deputy and member of the standing committee will both be up. That means I will not stay in a TEC that rejects the Anglican covenant as they proudly deride other Christians and claim enlightenment from their own knowledge rather than from the Lord. I will not stay in a TEC whose leadership spouts old heresies and claims this is some new thing. I pray that Western Louisiana will wake up; realize what is going on, and take action.

I am hopeful, but not certain, that Western Louisiana will ultimately do the right thing. This uncertainty mostly stems from the financial bondage under which our clergy are held. I do not judge them; for I know not these chains of my retirement, my insurance, my chances of future gainful employment, being dependent on TEC. I don’t know what I would do if I were to face poverty or bankruptcy as a clergyperson due to my faith. One thing is for certain - I call on all my readers, particularly in Western Louisiana, to pray for our clergy in the coming months.

Some of my readers had emailed asking why I hadn’t posted on the new province as of yet; well, here it is, and I’m betting this post will provoke some interesting comments on the new Anglican Church of North America and Western Louisiana’s future.