NEVADA: Breakaway church forms in south Reno

Via VirtueOnline:

By Geralda Miller
http://www.rgj.com/article/20090322/NEIGHBORHOODS08/903220306/1247/neighborhoods
March 22, 2009

Dissatisfied with the direction of the Episcopal Church, a small group in Reno has formed the Sierra Anglican Church.

"Theologically, from the standpoint of faith, I believe that the Episcopal Church has departed from the traditional faith of the church," said the Rev. Ronald Longero, pastor. "So, I chose out of conscience to go to the Anglican Church."

About 15 people have been gathering at 10:30 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month at Mountain View Montessori School in south Reno. Beginning April 5, the congregation will begin to meet at 10:30 every Sunday morning. The church is affiliated with the recently formed Anglican Church in North America.

The Anglican Church in North America began after disagreement with the Episcopal Church on views about homosexuality and interpretation of the Bible. The apex happened in 2003 when an openly gay man was consecrated as a bishop. "The Episcopal Church, from my viewpoint, has simply strayed away from seeing the Bible as the word of God," Longero said. "They choose to interpret scripture by their cultural biases. The Episcopal Church is moving way away from Christ."

Bishop Dan Edwards, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, disagrees. As part of the Anglican Communion, Edwards said the doctrine of the Episcopal Church is the Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed. Anglicans believe in the Trinity, the humanity and divinity of Christ, the virginity of Mary, salvation through Christ and everlasting heaven and hell. "No, we're still Christians," he said.

"The Episcopal Church is absolutely committed to the Christian tradition contained in the Holy Scriptures and ancient creed."

Longero said he also believes the Episcopal Church is accepting other belief systems as a means to salvation, which goes against biblical teaching. He quoted John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." "I think in that case as a tradition, that's the way it is," said Longero, who also is a long-term substitute teacher at Carson High School.

"There's really a difference. This is how you're going to get to heaven." The Episcopal Church has been engaged in interfaith dialogue and will continue that discourse, Edwards said. "We are not afraid to have an honest conversation with other faiths where we can grow and learn together," he said.

"We are committed to being an inclusive, loving church with no exception." There even is room for the more restrictive beliefs of Sierra Anglican Church, he said.

"It is a legitimate voice to be spoken in the whole church," Edwards said. "They love Jesus, and we love Jesus. And we express our love of Jesus in acts of mercy to people in need and I'm sure they feel the same way. So there should be plenty of opportunities for us to work together." Edwards said membership in the Episcopal Church has grown "significantly" in his 11/2 years in Nevada. In 2007, the diocesan membership was 5,720, according to their parochial reports.

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