Why I'm Anglican IX

Because We're International

Bishop Eric Menees

So far, I've said that I am Anglican because we are: Biblical, Liturgical, Sacramental, Evangelical, Rational, Episcopal, and Ecumenical.

In May of 2012, I was blessed to addend a FCA (Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans) meeting in London, where the international flavor of Anglicanism - which had always been theoretical to me - became real. How powerful it was for me to have dinner with the Archbishop of Chile, the Bishop of Iran, and a Bishop from Uganda. We shared a meal together, prayed together, and spoke of our faith in Christ. As we did, it became clear that while we came from very different cultures and backgrounds, we shared the same Christian Culture - based on a common understanding of Christ, the Church, and our Mission in the world.

We have the evangelical spirit of the English Reformers to thank for our international flavor and expression - for a truly catholic (universal) church. In short, where the English Navy and economic traders went, the Church of England went also. This missionary zeal took extra focus with the formation of the Church Mission Society in the eighteenth century, under the leadership of many evangelicals, not least of whom was William Wilberforce. In a short time, the CMS began to focus on Africa and India. They then focused on the South Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand. Today, millions of men and women have come to Christ through the efforts of those original missionaries and their successors.

However, the focus was not only calling individuals to conversion, but also engaging the culture, with the intention of transforming all of society. This engagement of the culture is meant to Christianize the culture by injecting moral values which we want to see present, whether or not everyone is Christian. William Wilberforce's leading of the church to engage the sin of forced slavery is an example that affected people in England, Africa, and the entire world.

In short, Anglican missionaries struggled and sacrificed to humanize and affect the culture through Christian morality in the education, health care, and legal systems. Unfortunately, this heritage is currently being challenged from within, by liberal Anglicans who argue that influencing culture with Christian morals, education, etc., etc., is oppressive. I say "hooey" to that line of thought, and point to the amazing ministry, at great personal cost, that is being carried out day in and day out around the world by modern Anglican missionaries.

I love being a part of a church that speaks as many languages as exist on the earth. A church that expresses her love for Christ in hundreds of different cultures, but all with a similar church-culture and style of worship based on the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. Last Sunday, while I celebrated Holy Eucharist in Porterville, a similar and familiar worship was offered in Lima, Toronto, Nairobi, Sydney, Calcutta, Vientiane, and Singapore.

Reflections On The Funeral Of A Senior Saint: RIP Bill Hughes

Fr. Dale Matson

Bill Hughes (December 8, 1931-August 29, 2013) was a member of our congregation (St. James) for fifty years. During that time he served in almost every capacity available to a lay person. He would have celebrated his fifty ninth wedding anniversary later this month. He and his wife Joyce had a son and daughter and two grandsons. He was a Korean War Veteran and worked for the same company (New England Sheet Metal) for over 50 years until his illness necessitated leaving. He was also in leadership positions in professional organizations in the sheet metal industry. As they say, “The cream always rises to the top.” Bill was diagnosed with cancer last August and had been under treatment. He lost his battle and passed on within hours of being admitted to hospice care.

Of course this is more about his life than his death. Bill is another example of a life lived for Christ and a race well run. His life was a living Epistle as St. Paul would say. Our church air conditioner could not “catch up” on a hot Fresno day and we ran out of bulletins. These were also a testament to his many friends and family. Bill’s last assignment at our church was head usher. This is a tight fellowship and they were all in attendance. Bill had recruited, trained and supervised all of them.

Bill wore a surgical mask for the last months of his life because of a compromised immune system brought on by his cancer treatment. I thought about it every time I offered him Christ’s Body during the Eucharist. He was taking a risk but the importance of the Eucharist for his spiritual life superseded his life in the flesh as he fought his battle with cancer.

As each year passes, there are less people like Bill. He and his generation is the end of an era. We are losing so many like him now. How many people make a career of one job? How many people remain in one marriage for nearly sixty years? How many people remain in one congregation for fifty years? There is a Godly quality listed in the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), that emerges. It is faithfulness. Faithfulness is the hallmark of the true Christian life.  Faithfulness also means fidelity, as in marriage. Bill demonstrated a lifelong commitment to those things God had provided. He loved his family, his church and his vocation.

We will miss you my brother but as we say in our prayers of the people, (Rite I, page 330) And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear especially Bill Hughes, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love

and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Amen

   

A Time For Prayer

Fr. Dale Matson

“This evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: Violence and war are never the way to peace!" Pope Francis

“Syria’s faithful Christians have suffered for many months.  We are reminded in Hebrews 13, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” I am calling the Anglican Church in North America to pray for protection for the Syrian Church, relief for those who are suffering and wisdom for the international community as they consider how to respond.” Archbishop Duncan, Anglican Church North America

I humbly cry to You O Lord, restrain those in positions of power. Give them ears to hear the voices of those who seek peace. Let the cries of Your people be heard who are weary of war, violence, persecution and suffering. Give those involved in conflict hearts to negotiate. Protect the innocent and keep them from harm. Instill leaders with humility and patience. Give Your people hearts to pray and fast. Restrain the use of power and force in a futile attempt to punish others. Lord, find a home for those who are displaced; who have no place. Silence those who call for war, for bombs, for death. Give all Your people hearts of compassion and mercy. Let Your people see the good in others and embrace their right to live in peace and prosper. Lord, Let justice clothe herself in patience and wisdom gird herself with mercy. Amen

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)  

Why I'm Anglican VIII

Because We're Ecumenical

Bishop Eric Menees

So far, I've said that I am Anglican because we are: Biblical, Liturgical, Sacramental, Evangelical, Rational, Episcopal, and Ecumenical.

Allow me to unpack what I mean by Ecumenical. A quick dictionary search tells us that the term Ecumenical comes from the Greek οἰκουμένη "oikoumene," which means "the whole inhabited world." When I think of “Ecumenical,” I think of the Ecumenical Councils which took place between the fourth and eighth centuries, and which brought the church worldwide together to make decisions regarding faith, doctrine, and polity.

Unfortunately, with the split of the Western and Eastern Church, and then the many splits since, when we refer to "ecumenical," we are referring to denominations coming together to work in unity with a common mission for the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe that is essential, both for the spread of the gospel and for the goal of the reunification of the church, so that we can truly be a catholic (universal) church!

 

We work ecumenically with other like minded Christians for the kingdom and, in doing so, fulfill Jesus' words from the gospel of Matthew: "And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:11-14 ESV)

I should clarify here that Ecumenical and Interfaith are NOT synonymous - though many mainline denominations seem to think so. We can work cooperatively with men and woman of good will who are not Christian, to be sure. However, this does not mean that we change our standards or make accommodations to work with other faiths. Interfaith dialogue on issues of faith are important to gain an accurate assessment of their thoughts and beliefs, but those discussions should be followed up with a clear invitation to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

As members of the Anglican Church in North America, we have been so blessed to receive succor and support from so many Christian brothers and sisters from other denominations. When I first left the Episcopal Church, it was the kindness of Pastor Mike Law and Community Christian Church in San Marcos, CA, who offered us a place to meet, which allowed a new church to be birthed. In the Diocese of San Joaquin, we've benefited from the Baptists, Lutherans (Missouri Synod), Assembly of God, and many other denominations, who have reached out to us in love and concern.

 

Ultimately, as Anglicans, we embrace Ecumenism because we desire to be reunited on the common belief that Jesus Christ is Lord!

"Under God" In The Pledge Of Allegiance

“The state Supreme Judicial Court will begin hearing arguments this week in an atheist Acton couple’s quest to strike the words “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance their children say in the Acton-Boxboro Regional School District. The couple’s suit, filed anonymously on behalf of their three children, goes to the SJC tomorrow, with a pair of Washington, D.C., activist organizations taking part in the proceedings.” http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/09/sjc_to_weigh_wording_of_pledge.

The pledge was written by a Baptist Minister Francis Bellamy and did not include “Under God” until the final of several revisions.

I was a fourth grade student when “Under God” was added to the pledge of allegiance. There were 48 stars in our flag at the time. A history of the pledge is here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance

I do remember including it, being a bit awkward initially.

President Eisenhower signed the bill to add “Under God” into law in 1954 and stated "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our people to the Almighty.... In this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most powerful resource, in peace or in war."

We began every school day with the pledge at U.S. Grant Elementary School. The school has since been torn down and is now an empty lot. We also began every school assembly in the gym with the pledge and the Lord’s Prayer. I don't remember any students who remained sitting during the pledge but there may have been some who did not recite it. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the early 1940’s that Students were not required to recite the pledge or even stand for it since it was a “compulsory unification of opinion” and ran counter to the first amendment. This was the result of Jehovah Witnesses who initiated the court case believing that loyalty to the flag (which symbolizes our country) is a form of idolatry. In a sense, they are right.

I can remember some of my teachers actually crying when they would say the pledge with us. I also remember seeing a copy of the Ten Commandments on the wall of my Government Class in High School. In the local theaters we said the pledge before the movie began. I supposed it will only be a matter of time before “In God We Trust” is removed from our currency.

The phrase “Under God” came from the transcribed version of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that this government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from this earth.

Something happened along the way, although I have no issue with the courts insuring that no one is forced to participate in a ceremony that may offend them but something has been lost. However, not participating is no longer enough of an individual protection. It is simply easier to make an activity illegal.  A culture swept free of religion is one that is also swept free of meaning, purpose and vision. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18)

I am part of the last generation of those raised in a Christian culture. I pray for the children and grandchildren. They will be living in a culture that is both pagan and hostile to those of the Christian faith.

             

My Favorite Fresno County CA Mountain Hikes

The Cover Photograph is Kearsarge Pass Looking West

Fr. Dale Matson

Often my civilian and clerical lives merge. As a cleric there is a kind of prophetic mindset. By this I don’t mean future telling as much as stating what is obvious but hidden. I don’t mean this in a critical sense either because it is all too easy to distort the prophetic role into that of a critic or simply a grumbler. The older we become, the easier it is to do this. At my age one has to be intentionally positive.

 It is obvious to me, that most of the world, including Fresno County California residents, is not aware of the beauty that lies hidden in the mountains and wilderness of Fresno County. Much of this beauty is found along the wilderness trails of eastern Fresno County. We have become a nation that drives to beautiful places. The places I am referring to are not accessible by automobile. John Muir understood the importance and the need for humans to spend time in the wilderness. There is a twofold effect of immersing oneself in the wilderness. We need to be freed from the distractive white noise of civilized living and once again attune to and reacquaint ourselves with the primitive sounds and smells of the wilderness. Once we have ‘acclimatized’, we have eyes to see and ears to hear once again. We are not blocking things out. We are taking things in.

I wrote this book to share what I have discovered in Fresno County California with those who are not familiar with her rugged beauty. It may seem odd to some that the combination of rock, trees and water can be so varied and wondrously beautiful. The primary purpose of this piece is to pass on beauty that is difficult to access and rarely shared in color in a digital format or black and white on the printed page. It would be too costly to produce a color version in paperback.

I am thankful that my health and fitness level allow me at the age of sixty nine, to continue to take on the effort required to find and experience the mountain passes that I am sharing. There is an emotional lift to reaching these high places where most will linger to chat with other mountain pilgrims. This work then is both educational and a sharing of the beauty that I have been able to capture in photographs. I hope others will be attracted by the beauty and see first-hand for themselves. I have offered suggested routes which are rough guidelines that are not intended to take the place of detailed maps. A wilderness permit from the agency that controls the entry point is required for all wilderness travel that requires an overnight stay.  For those of you who are unable to travel the trails, this is an opportunity to see the beauty from your chair. Someday it will be the same for me.

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” John Muir.

The book is available on Kindle now in color and will be available in paperback sometime this week.

++Justin Welby and Polling Data

Fr. Dale Matson

“The vast majority of people under 35 think that the Christian attitude to gay people is ‘wicked’ and ‘incomprehensible’, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.” “We have to be real about that, I haven’t got the answer and I‘m not going to jump one way or the other until my mind is clear about this," he said.“I’m not going to get into the trenches on it.” ‘“http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10271438/Archbishop-urges-Christians-to-repent-over-wicked-attitude-to-homosexuality.html

As ++Welby formulates an ‘evolved’ response to contemporary sexual issues (and I suspect he will) based on polling data rather than Scripture, society is in fact changing; for the worse. Miley Cyrus performed on the VMA awards recently in flesh colored underwear. Her twerking and provocative sexual gestures were only entertaining if one believes that obscene and outrageous behavior is a form of mainline entertainment. This kind of public display would have been blacked out on TV screens only 20 years ago. The moral line was moved a little further out. Does this behavior appeal to contemporary culture? The YouTube video version is already approaching 1.5 million hits.

   

Contemporary humans are doing what is right in their own mind. Civil conduct is in free fall. Polls are the new standard of what is acceptable. Morals have become what is customary. Unfortunately, what is customary is what is acceptable based on who is polled, who is asking the questions and how the questions are asked.

People no longer have a sense of shame about inappropriate sexual conduct. Anthony Wiener stepped down as a New York Congressman because of a sexting scandal only to run for mayor of New York City. Where was the repentance and signs of redemption? Somehow electing someone like Wiener probably appeals to lots of self-serving folks who want to lower the moral behavioral bar for themselves.

There is a story that in the 1960’s the engine blocks at the Pontiac Assembly Plant were having trouble meeting the minimum standards. The cylinder bore gauge failed too many engine blocks. The blocks had to be scraped. The solution was to stop using the gauge. Japan began producing higher quality cars and the rest is history. Whether the story is true or not, the point is that when standards are removed, problems arise.

As ++Welby offers up his social commentary, he is caught up in the fallacy of modern context and metrics. Polling is not robust research and subject to validity and reliability problems. Research is a search for truth not a way of validating a feeling or covering guilt. The gauge used by Anglicans for centuries is the primacy of Scripture, Tradition and Reason informed by God. For Anglicans human behavior is criterion referenced conduct, not norm referenced conduct. Evaluation of human conduct in a contemporary context is not even norm referenced in a longitudinal sense (over the last 2,000 years of recorded history.) Jesus the Christ is not just the living Word of God. He is the incarnation of all human standards of conduct. Why did ++ Welby not once mention the name of Christ. As a leader of His church it would seem appropriate.

If Anglicans need to repent and we all do need to repent, we should begin with the failure to love others. Loving others means telling the Truth. It means preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ who came to save sinners, of which I am one. In all of this, where is the sense for a need to repent and confess our sins? We are not OK. We were born broken and need the transforming love of Jesus Christ to change our hearts and minds. He does love, and accept us “As is” but loves us enough not to allow us to remain as is. A person without Christ is on a mission of self-destruction. Only through Him do we seek life and promote life in others.

Archbishop Welby, you may be leading Canterbury Anglicanism but things are changing in Anglicanism too.