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American Anglican Council
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Compound Sin
In grammar when two or more words are used to express a single thought they are referred to as compound words. Examples are six-pack and redhead. When that compound is used as an adjective it is called a compound modifier Examples of that are law-abiding citizen and radically new idea. One of my favorite examples, also illustrating a use of the hyphen, is one describing a seller of antique chairs: old-furniture dealer (meaning one who sells old furniture) vs. old furniture dealer (meaning an old seller of furniture).
But what’s at stake here is more than a hyphen. In the current Anglican Communion debate, the term openly gay priest is often used. The compound modifier in that case is the phrase “openly gay”. One hears it currently in describing two of the candidates for bishop of California.
Grammatically, there is nothing wrong with the modifier. Theologically, it reeks.
Because if the issue were only that implied by the modifier, that the candidate is “openly” gay, I would have no problem with either the issue or the candidate. There is nothing grossly sinful about being homosexually oriented. If a person knows his sexual urges to be toward the same sex, those urges are no more sinful than a heterosexual’s urges toward members of the opposite sex. But it’s not the urges that count. If it were, none of us would be allowed in Holy Orders.
It’s the behavior that counts. The actions that follow from the urges do matter. Whether it is a homosexual acting out his urges or a heterosexual acting out her urges outside of marriage doesn’t matter. The record shows that our Lord thinks the behavior matters.
Since I have read nothing which says they are celibate, a better term to describe the two candidates in California would be “actively gay”. Again, the issue is not what they think themselves to be, the issue is what they do.
Why does anyone use the term “openly gay”, then? I am sure the lobby which gave us the Bishop of New Hampshire chose that modifier carefully. By using that modifier, and by getting the press to use it repeatedly, the lobby did two things: one, it got the public’s mind away from what Robinson and his partner actually do; and, two, it implied that his only sin was being “open”, being honest, being transparent, about his sexuality. And what mean-spirited person could fault that? It was a brilliant tactic on the part of the Robinson lobby.
What continues to amaze me is when those committed to Biblical morality also use that modifier. Conversely, how many times in the recent comments on the two California candidates have you seen the term “actively gay”? I therefore call upon all those committed to Biblical morality to use the modifier “actively gay” when discussing the pending election and in other sexuality debates. Please don’t get taken in by the lobby: use the correct word for the behavior.
On the other hand, if I learn that the bishop-elect of California is openly gay and not actively gay, I’ll cast my vote at General Convention to confirm him.
The Rev. Canon D. Lorne Coyle is Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Vero Beach, FL
http://www.trinityvero.org/
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Dear CFLAAC members and friends,
I really believe it is very important to help people now get focused on specific and practical tasks and goals in the next 6-12 months. For so long we've had various "milestones" ahead of us: The Windsor Report, the Primates' meeting, the ACC meeting... and now the next OBVIOUS "milestone" is a full year away: General Convention. That feels like an eternity and I worry that so many folks are already restless and impatient.
These words are from Karen Boyle, a sister in Christ who shares my concern for the direction of Episcopal Church USA in relation to the worldwide Anglican Communion
With a desire to give “specific and practical tasks and goals for the next 6-12 months,” please consider the following
1) We must pray, now more than ever, for our Church. This moves beyond simply personal prayer or the prayers of the people on Sunday: identify key events in the future and organize prayer vigils in your parish or mission. A vigil provides an opportunity to inform people about our crisis and take advantage of “massed prayer power”
2) Who are the members of your vestry, who are your delegates to our Diocesan Convention, and if applicable, who are the members of your search committee for a new rector? These groups in your congregation - vestry, delegates, search committee – are vitally important to the future of your parish or mission and our diocese as well. Every parish and every diocese is only a priest or bishop away from a slip from historical Christian faith and practice. Pay attention to those elections and appointments.
3) Stay involved: our Central Florida American Anglican Council (CFLAAC) will host a gathering in late October, more details to follow; bring members of your parish who may not appreciate the significance of our current events. Many people don’t care because they simply don’t know. This gathering will have more information about our upcoming diocesan convention and General Convention
4) Support our Bishop: Bishop Howe faces enormous pressure from all sides…he is too conservative, he is too moderate, he is too liberal (well, maybe not too liberal)…and that is a lonely place. He needs our support, encouragement and loyalty now more than ever
5) I believe it will take several years (General Convention 06 thru Lambeth 08) for the full picture to unfold. I know we all prefer the microwave approach, but we must stay the course as the Lord unfolds a new future. Staying the course means staying focused on mission and ministry in your setting with an ear and eye to the big picture and most importantly, watching the Lord in the midst of the storm
I pray these thoughts are helpful
Strength and Honor,
Anthony P. Clark
Rector, Church of the Holy Spirit
Dean- Central Florida American Anglican Council
Apopka, FL 32703
(w) 407.886.1740
(f) 407.886.2035
(c) 407.496.5249
(e) pastor@holyspiritapopka.com
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Windsor Action Covenant
Source: ACN Press Release on April 21, 2005
Windsor Action Covenant
In order to stand firm in the faith of the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church…
Windsor Action CovenantLaity
I will learn and profess the historic faith
I will build solidarity with laypeople, bishops priests and deacons who profess and practice the Apostolic Faith
standing beside parish priests and leaders who are being pressured for adhering to the teaching of the Communion, and
standing with those who stand with me regardless of what they feel they must do in their situation
I will work with other parish and diocesan leaders to clarify our response to the Windsor report
I will challenge my vestry with the clear choice to become a Windsor parish
I will seek spiritual oversight and direction only from bishops who teach the historic faith
I will build a personal relationship with, and encourage the building of a parish relationship, with an overseas parish and diocese
I will commit myself to the disciplines of daily prayer, personal evangelism and discipleship
I will develop a missionary attitude and practice in my personal and pastoral life
I will remain committed to a life of personal holiness as embodied in my baptismal vows, and where applicable, my marriage vows, family commitments, and daily disciplines.
If General Convention chooses finally to walk apart, I will not follow, but will remain a faithful Anglican, God being my helper.
Windsor Action CovenantPriests, Deacons
I will teach and preach the historic faith, actively supporting only those seminaries that teach the historic faith
I will build solidarity with laypeople, bishops priests and deacons who profess and practice the Apostolic Faith
standing beside parish priests and leaders who are being pressured for adhering to the teaching of the Communion, and
standing with those who stand with me regardless of what they feel they must do in their situation
I will seek spiritual care and guidance only from those who teach and practice the Apostolic Faith,
I will work with other clergy and diocesan leaders to clarify our response to the Windsor report.
I will build a personal and parish relationship with an overseas parish and diocese
I will build a team with another priest and parish in a non-Windsor diocese
I will commit myself to pray the daily office, practice personal evangelism and discipleship
I will develop a missionary attitude and practice in my personal and pastoral life
I will remain committed to a life of personal holiness as embodied in my ordination vows, and where applicable, marriage vows, family commitments, and daily disciplines
If General Convention chooses finally to walk apart, I will not follow, but will remain a faithful Anglican, God being my helper.
Windsor Action CovenantBishops
I will teach and preach the historic faith, actively supporting only those seminaries that teach the historic faith
I will build solidarity with laypeople, bishops priests and deacons who profess and practice the Apostolic Faith
standing beside bishops, parish priests and leaders who are being pressured for adhering to the teaching of the Communion, and
standing with those who stand with me, regardless of what they feel they must do in their situation
I will work with other clergy and diocesan leaders to clarify our response to the Windsor report.
I will build a personal and diocesan relationship with an overseas diocese
I will commit myself to pray the daily office, practice personal evangelism and discipleship
I will develop a missionary attitude and practice in my personal and pastoral life
I will remain committed to a life of personal holiness as embodied in my ordination vows, and where applicable, marriage vows, family commitments, and daily disciplines
If General Convention chooses finally to walk apart, I will not follow, but will remain a faithful Anglican, God being my helper.
© 2004 Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes.
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"Mainstream Episcopalians Seeking Unity Through Orthodoxy"
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Welcome to the Internet home of the Central Florida Chapter of the AAC. We represent the leadership of 5 deaneries, 52 churches, over 70 active clergy and thousands of mainstream Central Florida Episcopalians who love and support their church. Please contact Susan Shannon at susanshannon@cfl.rr.com to register with us. She will then be able to notify you about our events, meetings and news.
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