News From the Front - Upper South Carolina

Sarah Hey, Jackie Bruschi and Stand Firm have two reports today from the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, one about  St. Christopher's - Spartanburg and the other about Trinity Episcopal Cathedral - Columbia .  While on one hand these reports are not news in the sense that they illustrate another small parish's membership leaving TEO in significant numbers, and a large cathedral having dire financial straits, the reports are nonetheless timely in light of Gene Robinson's appearance on The Today Show (link) and yet another factually-bereft pronouncement of "All Is Well."

In case the "Simple Country Bishop" (hereafter the "SCB") missed it while on his book-writing sabbatical or his subsequent book-signing tour, small TEO parishes have been biting the dust for a while now.   Some others may still be on the books and counted by the P.O. and the SCB as part of the number of parishes in TEO, but like St. Christopher's they are reduced to mission status and are a mere shadow of their former selves.  So, while SCB can go on national television and claim that only "100 out of 8,000" parishes have left TEO, we know (1) that number is false because TEO hasn't had that many parishes since early in the 20th century; (2) that number is false because it only counts parishes that have actually left to CANA, AMiA, or another Anglican affiliation, not those that are practically abandoned but being propped up by their Diocese or TEO, or are living on a shoestring; and (3) that number is meaningless without looking at actual TEO membership, with rolls purged, and ASA within those parishes that are nominally still in TEO. 

The "All Is Well" statement is also patently false, for if these "few" parishes leaving were so insignificant, why is the P.O. threatening Bishops and filing lawsuits right and left, spending millions of church dollars in the process?

The reality, SCB, is that parishioners are fleeing TEO as fast as they can fill the lifeboats.  Some are finding Anglican church homes, others are moving to other denominations or churches that are faithful to the Word of God, and still others are wandering in the spiritual wilderness awaiting God's guidance on where they should land.  More interviews and more TV appearances by SCB will only accelerate this outflow - wonder how many people took grief from friends or co-workers today?  "Say, aren't you an Episcopalian?  I thought so.  Saw your gay Bishop on Today this morning.  Where'd y'all find that guy?"

The financial picture at Trinity Cathedral likewise illustrates a real and serious part of the picture TEO would rather not discuss.  Over $100,000 of 2007 pledges have not been paid, and over 100 pledging units have failed or refused to pledge for 2008.  Anyone want to guess why?  If you said the lousy economy, you may be right in a few cases, but church giving is not typically that dramatically affected by economic hard times.  If people believe in the mission and philosophy of the institution, they will find a way to support it.  The parishioners at Trinity Cathedral are doing what church members often do when faced with an out-of-control hierarchy - they are voting with their feet, and with their checkbooks.

Again, join me in this prayer - "Dear Lord, open their eyes that they may see." 

The truth is right there in front of them.  I think perhaps the situation is somewhat like the time in my childhood when my Uncle Doug was teaching me to drive a team of mules.  I gently flipped the reins, got no reaction, and Doug laughed, "David, you've gotta hit 'em to get their attention."  Difference was, those mules eventually got it and understood what they needed to do.

Comments

[Jackie]

David - Excellent analysis. Isn't a shame that a children's story (The Emperor's New Clothes) more aptly describes our denomination than the Nicene Creed?
Jackie Bruchi

[Alice C. Linsley]

Today I drove by the Episcopal church were I once served as Rector. The church sign had been changed to one which displays the Episcopal Church Shield. The earlier, more elegant one, showed the cross of St. Andrew, the first called of the disciples. Some people in that church hated that sign. Replacing the cross with TEC's shield exemplifies what is wrong with that organization.

[Alice C. Linsley]

Today I drove by the Episcopal church were I once served as Rector. The church sign had been changed to one which displays the Episcopal Church Shield. The earlier, more elegant one, showed the cross of St. Andrew, the first called of the disciples. Some people in that church hated that sign. Replacing the cross with TEC's shield exemplifies what is wrong with that organization.