Lambeth Conference

Lambeth Conference, the gathering of all Anglican bishops every 10 years, has concluded. This conference was watched by so many in the Anglican world as tensions across our global communion have been high. The issues surrounded human sexuality, the interpretation of the Bible, and really, in my opinion, the mission of the church. Of course, there are many other issues, deeply related and highly complex. Not all of the bishops chose to attend Lambeth Conference. Another conference, GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) was held in Jerusalem a month earlier. This has been seen my many as an alternative, more conservative "Lambeth." I, like many Episcopalians - especially clergy, have been following news and developments associated not only with Lambeth but all developments in the rising tensions and disagreements. My practice has been to read a conservative blog and a liberal blog hoping that the accurate picture might be somewhere in the middle. Sadly, the blogs ceased to be sources of news and insight and became sources of anger, hate, and venom. One blog has since shut down. As a blogger, I recognize that this might be part of our problem. We feel a need to respond quickly and put our opinions and thoughts right into the world of cyberspace. Many times this is done before reflection and prayer. I wonder if having "Blogging Bishops" at Lambeth was a good thing. I read their entries, and some were cold and cynical and some were optimistic. Perhaps it would have been better to reflect on the whole of the Conference instead of a play by play. I say this in full recognition that I am not a bishop and I do not have the very solemn task and burden they have.

Lambeth Conference did not pass any resolutions and solve any problems, and I think that is a good thing. I'm not sure that we are ready. And I recognize again, that my comments may not come before reflection and prayer. When couples preparing for marriage or couples that are already married and are having difficult times dealing with conflict come for counsel, I advise a time of cooling down. Think before we speak. Reflect before we react. Give things some time. When we live in an Anglican world where those who differ view each other as "unchristian" or "bigots," and caricatures are drawn of the disagreements from each - I'm not sure we're ready. When we hunger for winners and losers, I'm not sure we've prayed enough.

I think the Archbishop of Canterbury feels the same way. By having Lambeth this year to consist of conversations and indabas and not resolutions and votes - he forced differing bishops to sit face to face and listen. And to pray. And maybe, just maybe, enough time, space, and faith has been shown that those on the right and left can come together.

I downloaded the 44 page final reflection paper and I have skimmed it. Over the next few days I hope to have some time to read every word. But one thing that caught my attention was one of the suggestions for the way forward. The suggestion said Gamaliel's response. Gamaliel was a teacher of the law - a Pharisee - and he spoke up for Peter and the apostles in the face of a movement to kill them. This is his response (Acts 5:35-39):

Then he said to them, ‘Fellow-Israelites,* consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’
They were convinced by him,

In other words - if it is from God - it will last. If it is not - it will fail.

How do we know if it is from God? Time, prayer, patience, humility, love. We'll know.

I applaud the Archbishop for being biblical. Jesus gives us great guidance in dealing with conflict (Matthew 18:15-17). Instead of dealing with each other and our issues over the internet or through open letters - let's sit down face to face and talk, pray, and listen.

What will happen with the Anglican Communion? That's way above my pay grade! But let us not be so impatient. God is here. All will be well. And what is well and from God will always last - and it is my firm belief that the Anglican Communion is both.