The problem of evil is instead an opportunity to explore my enmeshment in systems bigger than myself, to investigate the ways I am complicit in others’ pain and suffering even when I think I’m innocent, and to lament with God the pain that causes God, them, and me. Evil is cosmic, social, and personal in that order.
The House accepted an amendment making it clear that the use of the word “delegation” (in Clause 2 of the draft Measure) relates to the legal authority which a male bishop acting under a diocesan scheme would have and was distinct from the authority to exercise the functions of the office of bishop that that person derived from his ordination.
The story of the Rev. Mote Magomba’s change of heart on LGBT issues was among the highlight of the gathering of African Anglicans and Episcopalians that the Chicago Consultation and the Ujamaa Centre hosted in Duban, South Africa last fall. Here, you can hear him speak about it at greater length.
To begin with, we might re-conceptualize such conventions as convocations of missionaries who gather first and foremost to cast vision, share best practices and build one another up in ministry. In such a model, prayer, Bible study and theological reflection would take center stage as the main event, with legislation relegated to the sidelines.
It seems to be a lesson of history that we create much tragedy and violence when we try to enforce the privileges we presume are ours to claim from God. It seems to me that we are more likely to be following the track of God’s intention when we hold our sense of privilege lightly and when we expect to discover God’s blessing and presence in the unexpected.
“What is to prevent me from being baptized?” Philip’s answer should be ours–Nothing! And an immediate invitation to join us at the font. If we want to practice radical inclusion, that’s where we should begin.