The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
January 2007
Bishop's Reflections
On the evening before our Diocesan Convention I generally gather with
the clergy for a time of theological reflection on some topic of current
interest in the church. As much as anything, it is a time for us to
deepen our individual relationships and grow as a community of leaders
over the great geographical reaches of the state of Utah.
Last October,
our topic was "The Emerging Church." This phrase names
a more or less spontaneous renewal movement within the American Episcopal
Church and also the Church of England. It began just a few years ago,
and is very ‘local'—and therefore difficult to describe
in general terms.
Notable features of the ‘emerging' church
(es) however, are its willingness to adapt traditional patterns of
worship, community formation, education and mission outreach—emerging
as religious communities within a broad liberalto- conservative spectrum.
The leader or leadership team shapes a vision and draws people to it,
quite independently of larger bodies such as a diocese or other judicatory
structures. The life of some such communities draws more on the gifts
of the people present than on tradition.
As an adult convert to the
Episcopal Church, and with deep appreciation of its defining features,
I tend to be leery of ‘designer churches,' and even (I
own) of local community churches, though of course they are better
than no churches at all. I love the continuity provided by deep roots
and strong wings—which characterizes so much of Anglican culture.
At
the same time we must recognize that many traditional churches are
shrinking; that few are drawn to us these days; that many current members
are bored with the patterns we follow, and weary of the conflicts that
persist. Even our hopes of honest and open fellowship are not lived
out consistently; we salute that in theory, but in general we do not
consider ourselves actually responsible for authentic evangelism. This
is not simply failure on our part; in many ways it is just the reality
of our restless times, and not in any case, the whole picture.
I also
want to say, at the beginning of this new year, that I feel excitement
and delight in many of the ‘emerging' features of our church.
Nationally we are now led by two extraordinary women who are ‘move
on' people. They are not about to sacrifice hope to discouragement,
faithfulness to other measures of success, or relationships to issues.
Within
the Diocese I observe new energies ‘emerging' as well:
- Our strong and clear response to working with other faith bodies
to meet the challenges of climate change;
- Our embrace of the new
southwest regional mission opportunities in the fastest growing part
of our state;
- The progress, both in building and in funding of
the new Episcopal Church Center— which will surely make us
a permanent and visible part of the re-building of downtown Salt
Lake City, and a committed part of religious life throughout the
state;
- The active and creative
Communications Committee over-flowing with ideas about how we present
the Episcopal Church to others. The 140th celebration of our presence
in Utah came from and is being activated by this group;
- Other signs
of 'emerging' renewal
are also apparent in the desire to rebuild strong diocesan outreach
(e.g., to the homeless shelter); in the linkages between some of
our congregations (most recently, the two St. Paul's churches
in Vernal and Salt Lake), in the numbers of people seeking discernment
for ordained ministries, and in the active support of our ministry
with our Native American and Latino people.
We still have much to learn
from the creative spirit in "Emerging
Churches" as such, but I am encouraged to think we will do well
to build wisely and imaginatively and on the strong foundations of
the Episcopal Church. As each of our congregations embraces the cornerstones
of our "Living Boldly" plan, we will see ourselves grow "from
strength to strength."
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner
Irish
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