Canon Martyn Minns: The Three R’s

Source: T19

Columbus Ahoy!

Thousands of Episcopalians will gather in Columbus, Ohio next week for the 75th General Convention. They will wrestle with hundreds of pieces of legislation, respond to requests for consent for several Episcopal elections and choose a new presiding bishop. Along with a team of Truro clergy and parishioners, Angela, Rachel and I will be present working alongside the bishops and deputies. Why? Why are we going and what do we hope to achieve?

Our primary reason for going is because we believe that we have been called by God to go. Spending almost two weeks in a convention center in Columbus, Ohio, in the summer time is not really our idea of bliss!

We are going to be witnesses to Jesus Christ and to the Way, the Truth and the Life that is His gift to the world. We are going to work hard with the legislative process to ensure that the actions taken are clear. We are going to pray hard because we know that we serve the living God who will be present and who can and will transform lives.

What do we hope and pray for? Last Sunday at the Rector’s Forum I tried to summarize our hopes in three words:

REPENTANCE – at GC2003 the General Convention made decisions that have torn the Church apart … ECUSA has been challenged to repent (change direction, turn around)… not merely express remorse for the consequences of their actions.

REAFFIRMATION – the teaching of the church on matters such as the uniqueness of Christ and the trustworthiness of Holy Scripture especially on matters of human sexuality was called into question at GC2003 – now is the time to reaffirm the truths of classical Christianity.

ROLL BACK – actions were taken at GC2003 regarding the election of Gene Robinson and the blessing of same sex unions that have had a devastating impact on our witness and the work of the wider church. They need to be rolled back and so that the damage can be undone.

What if these things don’t happen? We will answer that in due course but for now please join us in praying for a miracle …

–The Rev. Martyn Minns is rector, Truro Episcopal Church, Fairfax, Virginia