So called "Communion Partners"

Concerning the so-called "Communion Partners:"

Sometimes leaving is the wisest thing to do. It can demonstrate rare integrity. In contrast, one will find with a little research that words that appear to be wise are proven by context and source to be merely clever. One need only to either (http://covenant-communion.com/?p=756) or search ENS archives for June 3, 2008, to find that the so-called "Communion Partners" is neither new nor wise. It comes to light quickly that this is largely the same old group of dissidents that have for years been denigrating the Presiding Bishop, the Church's democratically established polity, especially recognizing women among those called to Holy Orders, and its progress toward ending the Church's official bigotry and discrimination based around sexual identity and orientation.

One finds that that the 'Partners' are guided largely by several of those Five Guys with a Web site, the infamous "Anglican Communion Institute." It seems that the same fellows who implied their affiliation with an Institution that existed nowhere but in their own narrow minds are now trying to create the illusion of a growing partnership that has similar illusory existence. Here we see cleverness, not wisdom. Phil Turner, Chris Seitz, Ephraim Radner are still busy, still trying to claim relevance in the community of a Church whose reality they openly despise and whose polities they encourage people to violate. Here in the Diocese of Texas, along with being irritated by his foolishness, I am also personally embarrassed for fellow diocesan member Phil Turner to see him continue this effort. I pray that the Church will finally stake out its official polity on the matters that are continue to disturb him and the rest of these folks so that he and all of them can have a clear choice, then go find that Christian fellowship that will nurture them, but I pray will somehow, miraculously, not simultaneously nurture their bigotries.


In the meantime, a little truth behind the story seems warranted. The story in CT identifies the Rev. Russell Levenson as having "joined with other conservatives in the Communion Partners Plan." The fact is that Levenson is not 'conservative,' he simply labels himself as such, much the way the self-proclaimed 'orthodox' self-identify. Second, Levenson is not just joining an effort. He is the self-proclaimed "Rector of Communion Partners." It should be helpful, I think, to recall that this is the same Russell Levenson who last year published under "St. Martin's Episcopal Church Publishing" imprimatur a lengthy screed on the decline and decay of the Episcopal Church. This is the publication that either was quoted virtually word for word by others of the 'like-minded' in their own contexts, or, as is more likely, is itself based upon a common 'Q' source, perhaps something drafted by an alumnus of the ACI.

These "Communion Partners" are a familiar lot. Although the original Communion Partners document was published without authorship, the properties of the PDF document show that it was authored by James M. Stanton. Any surprises here? And although the properties of the Communion Partners Rectors document show that it was composed by 'Bob,' (perhaps The Rev. Dr. Robert T. Browne, "Special Associate to the Rector" at St. Martin's, Houston?), the published author is the feisty Russell Levenson. The list of 'Partners' as identified on the Partners web site" reads like one we've seen too many times too frequently, too recently: Communion Partner Bishops (William H. Love, Albany; John W. Howe, Central Florida; James M. Stanton, Dallas; Russell E. Jacobus, Fond Du Lac; Michael G. Smith, North Dakota; Edward S. Little, Northern Indiana; Geralyn Wolf, Rhode Island; Mark J. Lawrence, South Carolina; John C. Bauerschmidt, Tennessee; Don A. Wimberly, Texas; Gary E. Lillibridge, West Texas; James M. Adams, Western Kansas; D. Bruce MacPherson, Western Louisiana); Communion Partner Primates (initially Tanzania, West Indies, and Burundi); Clergy and congregations who share Communion Partner commitments; Other interested Bishops of The Episcopal Church. Again, any surprises? This list, along with scores of postings and articles on the site, help indicate both who and what lies behind this new public-relations effort of the self-proclaimed 'conservatives.'

It is clear that these folks find it painfully difficult to keep the vows they've taken to this Church (that's TO, not 'before', not 'with,' that's why they signed a document upon their ordination; d'uh). So, I pray and wish that they would go find a spiritual community with whom they can continue to worship God without the added burden of their self-appointed martyrdom. They need to feel relieved of the burden of us willful apostates and leave us to the consequences of our own choices. They'll still be Christians (and so will we, though they may disagree with this assertion), and so we'll all stand much better chance of getting along in cooperative efforts of mission and ministry because we'll have a little healthy distance between us.

Cleverly, not wisely, the 'Partners' present themselves as the new prophets Daniel and the Episcopal Church as the new Babylon. Cleverly, perhaps, certainly not wisely, they continue to stay. So, to all you Partners: Go in peace, already! And if peace is a blessing you're unwilling to accept from us heretics, then just go. You'll stop embarrassing yourselves, you'll have a better chance of finding more like-minded bigots-in-the-name-of-Jesus out there, and you'll have a better chance of finally creating that Church in your own image that you're clearly eager to initiate.

As for the rest of us, we already have a partnership of Communion. We're Christians and so are partners with every other child of God through our Savior Jesus Christ, though some of those, like you, reject us as their partners. We're Episcopalians and so are partners with the entirety of the Anglican Communion, though some, like you, reject us as partners. And we already have a Church. It's not the Church of the Windsor Report; not the Church of the Anglican Covenant; and certainly not the Church of this newest manifestation of exclusivity and bigotry, "Communion Partners." Our Church is the Episcopal Church in the United States. It's a home for many and differing peoples. It's our spiritual home. If you cannot call it yours, then for God's sake and for your own, give up trying to be clever and be wise, instead. Leave the political rhetorical battleground and find a spiritual home.. And, please, take your 'Partners' with you.

Jim +