The Big Issues

Yesterday evening at Christ Church the candidates had the opportunity to present their views on a wide-range of issues. Some questions were more personal, while others were specific to local concerns or addressed wider questions facing the larger Church. Below is a synopsis of responses given to several important questions:

On the topic of same-sex blessings all the candidates affirmed their support for the full inclusion of all persons in the life of the Church, including those who are identify as gay or lesbian. Cathy Deats, Susan Burns, and Al Keeney support blessings for same-sex couples without reservation as long as the canons and regulations governing marriage are observed. Jeff Paul cited the lack of venue for same-sex blessings in the Book of Common Prayer as a barrier to performing ceremonies to bless same-sex relationships and believes that the Church should engage in a "season of fasting" while the issue is studied more completely. Both Dan Edwards and Eric Funston support some rite of blessing for committed same-sex couples but pointed out that since the Marriage Rite has already pretty well defined "marriage" as blessing the union between a man and a woman that an alternative rite needs to be approved.

Diversity was another issue that arose, and all candidates pledged their support of programs that increased diversity of all kinds. While not all the candidates are currently serving in parishes where there was racial diversity, almost all were able to point to instances where issues of class and wealth, disability, and age were present and how they continued to work for justice and inclusion in there situations.

On the local/diocesan front, matters such as divisions between the northern and southern parts of the state arose as well as a discussion of the fact that most diocesan clergy were not seminary trained. All the candidates were aware of these issues but were not able to speak to the north-south problem at length since they are unfamiliar with the history and ongoing tensions, but all agreed that any division between persons and congregations interfered with the mission of the Church to bring the Good News into the world and that steps would need to be taken to, in the words of Dan Edwards, "repair the covenant." All the candidates are aware that most diocesan clergy are locally trained and agreed that it would be imperative for the bishop to immediately review the history, resources, policies, and issues facing locally trained candidates so that all former "Canon 9" priests received the best training possible in order to serve the wider Church.

And finally, ministry to youth was a hot topic. Various questions such as "what programs do you support?," and "how do we get more youth in our churches?" were among the youth-related questions asked of the candidates. While all the candidates have active youth ministries in their own parishes and use a variety of programs and methods in their ministry settings, there were some specific answers. Cathy Deats cited the difference between just having youth programs and the full inclusion of youth in the life of the parish. Youth who are fully included in all aspects of parish life (liturgy, outreach and service, etc.) tend to relate to the church community on a more full and equal basis. Susan Burns also advocates for full inclusion of youth so that they may be more fully informed (and therefore more invested) in what is going on in the local and larger Church. Jeff Paul talked about bringing youth into the core of parish life, and reminded his listeners that there will be some sacrifice in money, time, and attitudes in order to accomplish this. Al Keeney believes that youth ministry is related to congregational growth when churches focus on youth and young adults the unchurched adults invariably follow them. Eric Funston believes that the bishop must be personally involved with youth and their concerns, and cited the importance of good diocesan programming such as camps, and noted that programs for youth have to be contextual and workable models for different congregations. Dan Edwards stated that there is nothing more important than imparting the faith to our young people and that the bishop must be fully involved in that process.

There you have it, friends. There was much more but no time to write it all. More to follow today as we begin our second days of visits to the Las Vegas area.


Blessings,
RR+