P.B. in West Texas: ‘Media Doesn’t Cover Good Things We Do’

May 1, 2009

Excerpt: "When asked how she envisions growing The Episcopal Church, Bishop Jefferts Schori pointed out that [with the exception of the Diocese of South Carolina] none of the church’s 100 domestic dioceses have grown in the past 10 years.

“Even in Texas, we are beginning to live in a post-Christian society,” she said. “I think it is a challenge for us to minister to those who don’t speak English, who don’t look like ‘proper Episcopalians’.” She added that we are a “graying” church – 19,000 more Episcopalians die than are born and baptized every year. When asked how she would change that trajectory, she responded that “it has to do with context. We need to change how we do worship. Not many 20-somethings enjoy Baroque music. Martin Luther wrote hymns to bar tunes. We need to look at the fields that are ripe for harvest outside our doors.”

When there is disagreement, she said, “The church is called to model a different way. Since 2003, it has been who is on which side; love and care for our neighbors have been overshadowed.

“As Anglicans we are supposed to be able to live in tension,” she said, but added, “We’re not good at it. It’s a hard place to live, but it’s a life-giving place to live. Dealing with the conflict in the midst of it in a gracious way, I think, is the way to go through it.”

Are the core doctrines of the faith up for grabs, she was asked? “No,” she responded. “I am astounded at some of the things attributed to me. In places I go, I preach the message of Christ crucified and Christ with us. If we disagree about atonement, it’s an opportunity to have a conversation.”

“None of us has the fullness of the truth of God,” she added. “That’s why we have a body.” the rest