The On-Going Soap Opera of The Diocese of Virginia

Well, it seems as if there is a mass exodus of churches that are leaving the diocese. When all is said and done, a tenth of the diocese will be gone. 815(Episcopal Church, USA, Home Office) will be fighting tooth and nail to keep the big churches(Truro and Falls Church)due to their historic significance and the money that they bring in. If 815 denies this, they are lying. There are certain things about the human condition that are obvious, and that is money. TEC needs that money, and they will bring in the lawyers to keep it.
In my opinion, the churches had no choice but to do what they did. They had to do something in order to keep the true doctrine of the faith, and the teaching of the scriptures pure. I applaud them, and wish them well, and send them my prayers.

Erik

Serving Others this Christmas...

My wife and I brought groceries and Christmas gifts to needy families in the surrounding area this year, and we were astounded by the conditions that people live in. It made me all the more humble and wanting to serve those people who do not have as much. All too often we forget those who don't have as much as we do. I want to challenge people to serve others this year; perhaps a homeless shelter, or maybe even serving them food at Thanksgiving or even as small as perhaps giving them food at the street corner. That little gift can go a long way. Remember you could be entertaining angels unaware...

Erik

Falls Church and Truro Respond to Bp. Lee

Kudos to: CTSix

http://www.ctsix.org/index.cfm/2006/12/8/Truro-and-Falls-Church-respond-to-Bp-Lee

I must admit that the letter was very well worded. This only shows that the fallout from both GC's('03 and '06) as well as the investiture of a female Presiding Bishop whom doesn't believe in the Virgin Birth has had ramifications. A person must read the letter to get a full understanding of where both vestries are at this very crucial time.

Erik

Hooker and the Three "Legs" of Anglicanism

All right; the first Theological Question for the blog. Thomas Hooker had a three-pronged approach to Anglicanism which I think is VERY good. It is stated as such below:

1) Scripture- The most important. This part should never be abandoned.

2) Tradition- Traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. Also very important.

3) Reason- As I see it, the second most important.

The reason I mention this is that TEC has essentially abandoned all three. Scripture has been abandoned. Read Lev. 18:22, for instance. TEC has gone as far as to ordain a non-celibate homosexual bishop. Technically, homosexuals should not even be in leadership positions in churches. People in TEC now are saying, "God is doing a new thing," Well, from what I know of scripture, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. HE NEVER CHANGES. His Word never changes, so doing a new thing in this case would be against His nature.
Tradition has been abandoned. After hearing that there was no confession of sin at the GC '06 Eucharist, that goes to show that Tradition has been abandoned. Man has a fallen nature; he needs to confess his sin to keep his relationship with the Creator. TEC shows that they don't need to confess their sins, and that they are higher than God. At least at GC '06.
Reason has definitely been abandoned. Anybody that has the Spirit of God within them would not commit the heresies that are being committed by TEC. The PR nightmare that the PB has right now is beyond reason. Had the people who voted her in known that she was going to say what she said, that might have voted for someone else. Her theology is not Episcopal or Anglican; an individual can tell what her theology is just from reading her interviews.

All in all, it is easy to see the three legs of Anglicanism have been abandoned. Any opinions?

Erik

The new ++PB, and her views on Church Growth

I had read an article from somewhere(don't have the link right now), that ++Katharine didn't think church growth was all that important. What she thinks is important is the "Millenium Goals" that include eradicating hunger, education for all youngsters(believe me, these are all noble and good), etc., etc. What we are not seeing is that if the leader of a denomination is not concerned about church growth, then how is the church to flourish?

Erik

Welcome!

Welcome, all! My name is Erik Cowand, and I am new at this blogging business. I have been a lurker on other blogs, and have felt that I needed a voice of my own, and for other orthodox Anglicans/Episcopalians(I don't like that name Episcopalians anymore; TEC does not represent my views, and it is difficult to see having a Presiding Bishop that does not believe in Orthodox doctrine.). Anyway, I digress! Let me tell you about myself. I am a Bacculaureate Theology student at the University of St. Thomas here in Houston, TX. My wife and I live in Spring, TX, which is about 15 or 20 miles north of Houston. We have a canine child named Eddie, whom is a spoiled brat!!! :-) I will be bringing up current issues of the church, theology questions, prayer requests, and other general questions and comments. Anyway, enjoy, and let's keep it nice!

Erik