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Resurrection Anglican Church
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The legislature (General Convention) of the Episcopal Church, a small denomination in the United States, voted in August of 2003 approve an openly "gay" bishop, and to recognize same-sex blessings. This action changed 3500 years of Judeo-Christian teaching on the nature and purpose of human sexuality. We believe this is an innovation that is divisive while it hopes to be inclusive, and it has thrown the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion of which it is a part, and the wider Christian church worldwide, into significant turmoil. The 2006 General Convention simply made matters worse. It rejected the Anglican Communion's Windsor Report, which called on the Episcopal Church to correct its decisions and teachings, and it elected a new Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts-Schori, who favors gay clergy and same-sex blessings. We can't agree. We believe that by these actions, the Episcopal Church has chosen to "walk apart" from the wider Anglican Communion, and we cannot walk with it. Resurrection loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation. We desire to be faithful to our Lord and to scripture, but also to do so without being smug, condescending, mean or bitter - without self-righteousness - but with genuine humility in seeking to live lives obedient to Him. We recall this Kenyan prayer: From the cowardice that dares not face new truth, Thus we will strive to teach the faith "once delivered to the saints" as clearly, fully and fairly as we are able - allowing inquiry, silencing no sincere voices, but always seeking to be true to the foundations of the faith. We do not believe that the Episcopal Church has discovered a "new truth" about sexuality that was somehow beyond the grasp of the authors of the Bible, or the Holy Spirit who inspired them. We believe that it has modified the faith by mixing it with current cultural values. We also believe that we are called to teach the essentials of the faith with humility and clarity, with caring toward those who are advocates of this "new truth," but also without compromise. To be honest, it is easier and even more thrilling to be self-righteous about all of this, to be sarcastic and biting toward those who support the other side. But they are not the enemy. They (like all of us) are the target of the Enemy, and we only serve the Enemy's cause if we drive anyone away from the faith by our self-righteousness. Good Lord, deliver us from self-righteousness as you keep our eyes open and our hearts soft. Our doors are open to you and to all - to come for safety, healing, refuge, strengthening, and to share the Good News, which is Jesus Christ, and clear teaching of the faith once delivered to the saints. For a fuller statement, read Sex Overtakes the Church (Where Resurrection stands: a careful look at Gay bishops, sexual variety, scripture and related controversy. Long and thorough, with links.)
If you live in the Chicago area you are invited to join us. Our current worship schedule is here. To understand more of what the church is facing, please consult these resources: Anglican Crisis - source documents and links on the challenge before the church. A Crude Lifesaving Station (what the church is supposed to be!) Please spend time visiting the many resources and parts of Resurrection's web site: www.resurrection.org. How can we help? Got any questions? You may write our Pastor (George Koch) at pastor@resurrection.org, or call the church office at 630-231-1775. May the Lord bless you richly this day. |
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This Web site is (and always has been) owned, paid for and operated as a courtesy to the people of Resurrection, by the webmaster, and may be withdrawn or redirected at any time at his sole discretion.
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Love
God, neighbor and enemy. 
