How We Do Things

Once upon a time, not long ago, I was sitting in a class on Episcopal Church History with a visiting scholar who happened to be a Bishop from an Anglican Church in a province of Africa. Indeed that fall he was elected Archbishop of his Province and then appointed to serve on an important Anglican body by the Archbishop of Canterbury. This educated, curious, delightful and deeply spiritual man was feeling the heat from some of his peers about even being in the United States, about even talking to people from the 'radical' Episcopal Church. But he was a man accustomed to swim in the deep, tricky, sometimes dangerous and often refreshing waters of grace.

During our class he and I had a great "Aha" moment. In the Episcopal Church, the people and clergy elect our bishops. Aha. In most of the rest of the world Bishops like Judges are appointed by the powers that be. Decisions that should be guided by skill, merit, intellect, character are often affected by politics. Schmoozing those in power, seeking advancement, can be a slippery slope to compromise and caution. But selections, choices, do need to be made.

In our church Bishops must be chosen by the majority of delegates eligible to elect: a majority of delegates from each congregation; a majority of the priests and deacons of the Diocese. A new Bishop must begin with the affirmation of those she or he is to serve. And a new Bishop must begin with the consent of the wider church. We require that a majority of Dioceses represented by their Standing Committees and a majority of Diocesan Bishops consent to the choice of a new Bishop by a Diocese. When an election is close in time to a General Convention where the whole church gathers every 3 years, that body - its Bishops, priests and deacons, and its people are each asked to consent.

Aha. The voice of all the people is heard in the way we choose our bishops. Aha. Not everyone in our Anglican family understands this. Aha. A bishop, any bishop, begins with the support of a majority and often a substantial majority, of the whole church. We make decisions together.

We are a church in which the wisdom of the community is treasured. We are a church that depends on careful, respectful, curious, loving listening to each others' voices. We are a church in which presence is necessary. Our bodies need to be present to each other. It matters that we show up on Sunday to pray together. It matters that we sort yard sale treasures, bake pies, encourage children at the breakfast. It matters not just to our own connection to God; it matters to the life and health of the community we call Trinity. Our minds need to be open to each other. We need to be able to hear each others voices and see each others faces.

In this high tech world, we are a community of Folk who cultivate the art of presence. We are a community of Folk made in the image of the God of Presence. Come join the conversation.