The Revs. Mark Harris and Scott Gunn have written blog posts recently about the Anglican Church in North America. In general I think it is a mistake for the Episcopal Church to pay too much attention to these folks because it distracts us from our own issues, with which they have little to do. Yet it is useful to have vigilant folks like Mark and Scott keeping an eye on a church that means us no good–even if that church is decreasingly able to do us harm.
Scott studied ACNA’s annual report. He writes:
When I saw that ACNA had issued reports, I expected to see some impressive numbers. After all, at first glance they seem to have a clearer identity and mission. In many cases, they are free of the shackles of buildings ill-suited to 21st century church. But they have not shown much real growth or vitality. Perhaps that’s they’re still filled with too much anger and a fragile sense of self-confidence. If they are going to grow, they need to lose the anger and the persistent schism, and develop a Gospel-based message that is about hope, not fear and division.
Mark surveys the situation more broadly and says:
So, where is ACNA three years in?
It is a church, much like the church from which it sprang, only with more purple.
It is not our friend.
It is strategic in identifying itself as Anglican
It is patient.