Episcopal bishops in states that have legalized same-sex marriage are asking the Church’s General Convention to “permit the adaptation of the Pastoral Offices for The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage and The Blessing of a Civil Marriage for use with all couples who seek the church’s support and God’s blessing in their marriages.”
If the 50-year trend continues, projected membership of SBC churches would be 8.7 million in 2050, down from 16.2 million last year. Using U.S. Census projected population figures, SBC membership could fall from a peak of 6 percent of the American population in the late 1980s to 2 percent in 2050.
“Technological and cultural changes sweep our planet at an ever-increasing pace. Never before has it been easier to spread our message. Never before has it been more critical for our message to be shared. As a member of the Episcopal Church, this is your chance to shape how we carry out our mission.” — From the introduction to the survey
The deadline to complete the survey is July 28. Resolutions will be presented to General Convention that will address the work of a Strategic Planning Committee. A draft plan will be submitted to Executive Council by year’s end.
“We are to love the people of the world no matter what they believe; we are to not love the value system of the world. And the problem today is lot of Christians are getting that reversed. They love the value system and hate the people.” – Rick Warren
I regret that you have been somewhat misinformed about the work of the House of Bishops Theology Committee. My understanding is that they have asked several theologians to write a paper or papers, as consultants to the Theology Committee.
… the vast majority are “not hurting for God,” according to project director Lee Rainie. Most are Sunday school teachers planning lessons, ministers writing sermons and church shoppers. You can Google God in your pajamas…
On June 27, 2009, when the Rt. Rev. Jerry Lamb asks God to “make her a priest in your Church,” it will be the first time these words have been spoken in the Diocese of San Joaquin.
[W]hat about those 100,000 members that ACNA claims? Shortly after it launched, the group actually lowered that number to 81,311 people in the pews every Sunday. In June, ACNA lowered that number again to 69,197.
In the last decade, he said, 50 people were killed and 30 wounded in 35 church shootings. In 2007, there were six church shootings. In 2008, there were 18. Is arming congregation members the answer?