A Pastoral Word To Christians Within The Episcopal Church
From Virtue Online
by The Rt. Rev. Dr. Mark S. Camp, Th.D.
CANA – Convocation of Anglicans in North America
I write with a sense of urgency to those of you who consider yourselves to be Christians and who are still attending The Episcopal Church. First off, I want you to know that this is not a ploy to get you to come to Church of the Trinity. This is written out of a true concern for your spiritual welfare. I am going to be very blunt and to the point in this because quite frankly, someone has to be. So here goes.
The Episcopal Church is no longer a Christian Church. In fact, it is now a laughingstock among Christian Churches around the world. Here’s why. First, I am writing this on July 17, 2009. The General Convention of The Episcopal Church has just concluded its meeting in Anaheim, California.
Just a few days ago, in her opening remarks to the Convention, Presiding Bishop Schori stated that to believe that an individual person could pray a prayer of repentance and be saved was heresy and idolatry. I am dead serious my brothers and sisters. The leader of your church denied that an individual could pray, ask for forgiveness from God, and be saved from his or her sins. This is exactly the opposite of what the Word of God teaches. You know this and I know this. For her to say what she said is rank heresy. It is to deny the teaching of the Holy Apostles and the Church Fathers. It is to deny the teaching of Christianity for over 2000 years.
Today, in spite of all the warnings from around the Anglican Communion not to do so, your church has decided that gays, lesbians, bi-sexual, and transgendered people can be ordained to the ministry, even as bishops. Now we know they are already doing this, but now it is officially the teaching of your church. Even the Archbishop of Canterbury asked them not to do this. Homosexuality is very clearly taught as a sin in the Bible. My brothers and sisters what is next? Can a man or woman who has sex with young children or animals be permitted to be clergy in your church? After all, who can now call sin a sin in your church? There is no limit whatsoever as to what constitutes a “loving sexual relationship.” Nothing is off limits now within The Episcopal Church. Bishop Gene Robinson, the gay bishop of New Hampshire, has just recently announced in the media that the Episcopal Church is the gay church.
You have bishops and priests in your church who do not believe in the miracles that Jesus performed. Many do not believe in the Virgin Birth. Many bishops, including the Presiding Bishop believe that there are many ways that a person can be saved. Jesus just happens to be one of many ways. Many do not believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead. Many do not believe that Jesus is coming again. My dear Brothers and Sisters, you know in your heart that all of this is contrary to what the Bible teaches.
By following these false prophets and false teachers you are being led on a path to Hell and destruction. You are willingly submitting yourself to spiritual starvation.
My question to you is, “Why? Why don’t you leave heresy and apostasy and find a place where the Word of God is believed and taught and where Jesus Christ is honored as the ONLY Lord and Sovereign King? Why don’t you go where you can grow spiritually instead of having to hear the latest social gospel or some commentary on Millennial Development Goals. Why not be where the Bible is actually explained so that you can understand it instead of being where some gay activist who calls himself or herself a priest rants for 15 minutes about equal rights for gay people instead of actually preaching a Biblically based sermon? Why not go somewhere where you are taught that you can actually have love for homosexuals without having to condone their sins?
Contrary to what your bishops and clergy tell you, TEC is losing members at an alarming rate. Many dioceses are now in severe financial hardships. Many cathedrals are having to close. I promise you that your bishops and priests are hiding much of the truth from you. They tell you that TEC is an “inclusive” church but IT IS NOT. You cannot be an orthodox and conservative priest and bishop and last long in TEC if you are vocal about what you believe.
Now in all fairness and charity, let me say that within the Episcopal Church there are a few remaining orthodox bishops and a few remaining orthodox dioceses and parishes. They are trying to fight the valiant fight for the faith once delivered to the saints. But unfortunately, they are organizationally compromised by being under the authority of the governance of the national church. Imagine how hard it must be for them to try and share the Gospel and evangelize when society views TEC as a church with no Gospel to proclaim and as a church where anything goes. Imagine the heartache they must be going through, especially after this past week. My heart goes out to the brothers and sisters of these parishes. We must pray diligently for them without ceasing.
If you consider yourself a true Christian who has made Jesus Christ the Lord and King of your life and you are still in The Episcopal Church, I urge you to run as fast as possible to the nearest exit, shake the dust off your feet and flee the wrath of God to come. God will not be mocked.
As I said earlier, this is not a ploy to get you to come to Church of the Trinity. There are many fine, conservative, orthodox Anglican churches here in the Atlanta area that will welcome you. If you are not close to one find a church of another denomination or a non-denominational church to attend. My friend, that is much better than being unequally yoked with heretics in TEC. You cannot keep your head in the sand any longer and think that you are no longer affected.
I plead with you, as a brother in Christ, who cares for your spiritual welfare, flee the burning house while you still have time.
Your servant by the Grace and Mercy of God,
Mark+
Tags: Christian Life, Christianity, Church Life