Do not be Afraid

Tom Ehrich writes an open letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Indystar.com:

"Now that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has slapped my church's wrists for refusing to marginalize gays and has threatened to have us become second-class citizens in the Anglican Communion," Mr. Ehrich has this to say to Archbishop Williams:

"You have become a weapon in a siege war being waged by a minority who has been resisting change in the Episcopal Church for 50 years.

The first votes were close, but the anti-change position has steadily lost ground. Not because the church came under an evil spell, but because people's minds and hearts shifted and their understandings of God and mission changed. That happens.

The anti-change minority fights on, however, for by now their fretful arguments against changing "Thou" to "You" and "he" to "he or she" have advanced to holy war against gays.

The battle isn't about God. It's about fear, control and property.The anti-change minority wants to reclaim a world that no longer exists."

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Later in the piece, he continues, noting the timidity and institutionalism of us who haven't left The Episcopal Church:

"Fear abounds. Fear of offending longtime members and deep-pocket givers. Fear of speaking freely and dreaming grandly. Fear of trying hard and maybe failing. Fear of preaching a Gospel more radical than anything we've said. But many are determined to get beyond fear -- by taking one brave step at a time, learning to be nimble and to listen, learning from our failures, taking risks."

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Mr. Ehrich concludes:

"And so, Archbishop, rather than try to stir even more fear in a church struggling with fear, I suggest you join Jesus in the commandment he actually did give: "Do not be afraid."

And all the people said: Amen.

The entire article is here. Hat tip to Episcopalcafe.com