[Diocese of Alabama] A ‘trying decade’: Alabama’s new bishop looks to future of Episcopal Chur

from Stand Firm by Sarah

[Hat tip: T19]

Let's see -- in this interview with the Anniston Star, you've got the now-standard TEC-bishop-dissembling regarding growth:

Q: The Episcopal Church in Alabama has quietly experienced growth over the past decade. What makes the Episcopal Church attractive to new members?

A: I think part of the Episcopal Church’s growth is that we openly and honestly address the issues of the day and that also creates part of our challenges. . . .

Just to do a fact check from Statmann:

For 2002 through 2009, the Dio of Alabama did NOT grow as Members declined by about 10 percent, ASA declined by about 15 percent and Plate & Pledge adjusted for inflation declined about 3 percent. And yet this experience was better than most TEC dioceses. (I ranked them at 22 of 95 dioceses considered.) As for Size and Money, the diocese was in good shape in 2009 with 48 of its 90 churches with ASA above 66 and with 40 having Plate & Pledge of more than $150K. But for the longer tem, Infant Baptisms declined by 31 percent and Marriages by 41 percent. I continue to find it hard to believe that TEC churches in the South will continue to abide with the TEC homosexual agenda.

Do reporters ever do even the most basic research when they interview TEC bishops?

And then you've got the obvious incoherence regarding what constitutes the meaning of the words "defend" and "define" [hint: those words are always restrictive and narrowing.]

I’m so thankful to be part of a church that encourages people to ask the question, “Does this make sense to you … not because the church has had it written down for centuries, but does it make sense to you? Is it true for you?” Not that we make up our own dogma or doctrine. We are a denomination with checks and balances. Bishops are here to defend the faith and define the teaching, but not in a restrictive, narrowing way.

And then you've got the desperate waffling, wringing of hands, rhetorical squirming, and complete lack of honesty and clarity, replete with attempts to blur and distract, about The Issue:

Q: What are your thoughts on gay clergy and same-sex marriages, as the issue continues to rage within other denominations?

A: That’s one of the real challenges of our time. The church is not … we don’t know. We have not made a decision about that. It’s something we’re still praying about, and that’s frustrating for some people. There are people who are frustrated that we are talking about this at all; they wish it would go away. There are others who wish we would get moving, that it’s something we shouldn’t be dragging our feet about. It’s a difficult, thorny issue.

We do have a diversity of theological positions in the church, which is the nature of our faith – that people have different ideas that are not lightly held. When they disagree … what do you do?

What a magnificent start for another new TEC bishop!