What will happen to the Anglican Communion?

Increasing numbers of people are asking me, both with increasing frequency and increasing concern, “what will happen to the Anglican Communion?” You have no doubt observed that I very seldom address these questions, and when I do, I usually say something like, “well, these things move slowly, it is too soon to tell, and I am not impressed that any of the overly confident, self-proclaimed pundits and pontificators really know what they’re talking about.”

Although some important developments have occurred over these past few months, and especially this week, I still have to tell you that these things still move slowly, that it is still too soon to tell, and I still am not impressed by pundits and pontificators.

Nonetheless, many of you have asked about the meeting of the House of Bishops this week. Many of you read an account of the Presiding Bishop’s news conference or have read the resolutions of the House of Bishops and other commentary online,

What seems most clear to me are these:

First, none of the predictions of those on the extreme left nor those on the extreme right have yet to come true. The respective spin doctors seem always to overstate their cases, and so far, seem always to be wrong about their pronouncements.

Second, the Episcopal Church is vigorously restating its strong desire to remain part of the Anglican Communion.

Third, the issues are far more complex than most commentators admit. Those on the extreme left and those on the extreme right both overly simplify their positions, and appear unwilling or unable to listen to one another – or even to the center.

Fourth, the Episcopal Church is asking for a 3-day special meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury and others. This is crucial, especially to those of us in the center, and I am doubtful that little more can be learned prior to such a meeting.

Fifth, some Episcopalians will leave the Episcopal Church (and some parishes will experience ugly divisions) no matter what happens, while other parishes will not.

Sixth, it appears that the Episcopal Church will continue in its uniquely American form, no matter what else happens.

Finally, there is one other thing that seems clear to me, and I believe this to be more important than anything else. The essence of church is this: The life of God – in Christ—lived out in community. That is, no matter what statements are made or papers signed in London, New York, Dar es Salaam, Navasota or Baltimore, the life of God, in Christ, continues to be lived out in community, parishes, and people. The Greek Archbishops and the Bishop of Rome knew they had excommunicated one another in 1054, but individual parishes were largely unaware, and continued their lives of worship and mission without skipping a beat. The Church of England parishes in Colonial America were the same the day after the Declaration of Independence as they were the day before – except for members who left to take up arms on the battlefields. A century later, Episcopal Churches were the same after the Anglican Communion was being forged, as they were prior to its formation. And tomorrow, we will continue on much the same, regardless of the shape and constituency of the Anglican Communion.

My own experience of the life of God – in Christ—lived out in community has to do with my life of prayer, worship, and mission, in community with you – just as yours does with one another. Frankly, if it has anything to do with the Bishops of New Hampshire or Pittsburgh or the Archbishops of Nigeria or Canterbury, I am at a total loss as to what that might be. I can’t tell anything different in me that happens as a result of their choices. Our life together, our life of prayer, worship, and mission in this community, will continue on the same tomorrow as it was yesterday, regardless of what any of them say, sign, or do.

Don’t misunderstand me: I’m not saying that what they do is unimportant, nor irrelevant, nor that we should be uncaring nor oblivious. But I do wish to remind us all that there are other things that are even more important. I am saying that what we do here, in community, will transform us, and will transform the world around us, while what they do will have little effect on us, our community, or the world around us – unless we become reactionary ourselves.

Remember that in every age, some congregations have experienced ugly divisions, while others did not, over every imaginable (and sometimes unimaginable!) issue. How we respond is entirely our own choice. It is neither forced upon us, nor determined by Councils, Conventions, nor Conferences. Let us continue to experience and demonstrate the life of God – in Christ—lived out in community, just as we have been doing, no matter what the newspapers may report tomorrow.

May the Peace of the Lord continue to be with you!