Bishop Baxter at Lambeth - July 20

Editor's note:

We are sharing Bishop Baxter's Lambeth Journal for those who may be interested in reading it.

July 20, 2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today was the formal opening Eucharist of the Lambeth Conference. I can't express how magnificent it was to see approximately 670 bishop--conservatives, moderates and progressives, processing side by side into the Canterbury Cathedral, the ancient seat of St. Augustine and Anglicanism. Representatives from about 75 denominations were present and processed. The worship represented the great cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity of the Communion. The musical setting of the liturgy was Congolese mass performed by the men and boys choir of Canterbury Cathedral. The petitions of the Prayers of the People were in Hindi, Portuguese, Japanese and French with English subtext and responses. The Gospel procession lead by Melanesian dancers and singers bearing the Gospel on a ceremonial ark built like a canoe. The Archbishop Sursum Corda in Congolese and English.

Perhaps one of the most poignant moments of the liturgy was the sermon by the Bishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka. As the Archbishop had done earlier, he mentioned the sadness we all feel in the absence of the several protesting Provinces (about 200+ Bishops). Bp de Chickera shared that "we are a wounded community...a crisis that can't be resolved instantly." But he said that absence undermines unity. Then citing the Gospel (Matthew 13, "If we uproot the unrighteous, then none of us will remain....I suggest that we stay together and grow from our common heritage, regardless of our differences." Finally, he reminded progressives that self-examination and discipline for the sake of the communion is an obligation which must be taken more seriously.

This evening all the bishops were gathered to review the agenda for the conference. This included:

Daily small group discussion based on scripture but addressing the issues of division;

Indaba Groups 2-3 times weekly (this is the combining 7-8 small groups for a broader
conversation. It is a method used in Zulu villages when there is a crisis to insure that all are heard by a larger portion of the community. It is principally for listening, counsel and advice but not decision making.)

Optional learning sessions to better understand specific aspects of controversy either with scholars or invited guest who represent a particular view.

We were also advised that the Covenant Process and the Continuing Windsor
Report Process will be a major part of our work. However, it was emphasized that Conference is not a context for decision making or editing, rather a time for education, discussion and advising. Decisions will be made after individual provinces (e.g. The Episcopal Church)and their bishops have had a year of review and offer their opinions and views.

Well, it promises to be an intense but meaningful conference. My prayer is that we will come to a place to recognize the treasure we have as a communion is from God and that God's way forward for us may be beyond our wildest hopes or fear.

Peace in Christ,
+Nathan
a Lambeth Pilgrim