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For the Episcopal Church Failure is Not an Option

For the Episcopal Church Failure is Not an Option

By Ladson F. Mills III
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
October 1, 2014

As in the exciting story of Apollo 13, which popularized the phrase, "Failure is not an Option" following the crippling explosion which radically changed its mission from moon voyage to crew rescue, the Episcopal Church finds itself in crisis. However, unlike the Apollo story where an entire NASA team worked in concert for the successful completion of the mission, this crisis is designed to mask failure. It is not an option because to admit failure is to accept responsibility and this might lead to accountability.

Only a failed and disconnected leadership in the House of Bishops would have the audacity to travel half way around the world to hold a meeting and then issue the same warmed over, used up themes. It is not that capital punishment is unimportant, but given the current world crisis, one might question if there are issues more critical.

Christian children are currently being kidnapped, raped, and butchered in record numbers, yet amazingly, this was mentioned almost as an afterthought at the meeting's conclusion on September 23rd. No wonder there has been a collective sigh of relief at the presiding bishop's announcement that she will not seek a second term, although one could not be sure if she was serious or simply trying to annoy her critics. In spite of the obligatory "well done", bishops responsible for still sustainable dioceses understand that if the finances and people continue to decline, there may be no one left to fund the Episcopal Travel Club.

The current PB is not responsible for the mess that the Episcopal Church finds itself, but she is the poster child for the inadequacy of the neo-liberal philosophy that it has embraced; a philosophy which relies on peer pressure or, when necessary, raw coercive power. In reality, we no longer live in a world where people care what we think. The current administration in Washington seems mystified that Russian leader Vladimir Putin, a former KGD Colonel, is more concerned with the power of "realpolitik" than worldwide popularity. The hapless mayor of New York, Bill de Blassio may have derived satisfaction from carrying a sign during an anti-terrorist protest that boldly proclaimed, "real men don't kidnap women", but those for whom the message was intended seem amazingly unfazed.

This attitude, which has so permeated the Episcopal Church, appeared during the recent trial between the national church and the Diocese of South Carolina. It was fascinating to watch the mounting frustration of those supporting the national church at being powerless to compel compliance from a female Jewish judge whose only concern was upholding the law. They were genuinely mystified and unnerved to find themselves standing before one over whom they held no power and who was unfazed by their opinions. It would have seemed humorous had it not been so tragic.

This is the world in which the church is now called to minister and to which our leadership has proven to be woefully unprepared. It is hard to determine whether our bishops are really so clueless or are simply overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task they now face. No matter how one looks at it, the fiasco of the meeting in Taiwan reveals much about what lies beneath the surface of those who now find themselves leading the Episcopal Church. This decision was beyond disgraceful and warrants not just an apology, but full financial reimbursement from those who attended.

It is difficult, at this time, to describe the talents needed for the next Presiding Bishop. After Edmund Browning's retirement, I was sure we could not do worse, but we did not do any better. The current PB began her tenure as a ray of hope with many encouraged by her managerial style and a seeming willingness to be inclusive and collegial. Sadly, she was quickly revealed as an agenda driven ideologue who would use coercive power against anyone daring to stand against the party line.

If statements intended to convey the prophetic are issued, they must be grounded in faith and supported by behavior. Adolescent prognostication of peer disapproval is now as defunct as Hannibal's legions and what little power the church once held is gone. Our once touted openness and inclusiveness is now believed only by the most self-deceived.

Whoever is chosen as the next Presiding Bishop might take a lesson from renowned economist John Maynard Keynes who in responding to a critic stated, "Whenever my information changes, I alter my conclusion. What do you do...?"

For the Episcopal Church, failure is no longer an option; it has, however become an all too familiar reality.

Ladson F. Mills III is a retired priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to "Virtueonline."

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