Resolution to Join Network of Confessing Dioceses and Congregations

Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee
Holiday Inn and St. John Episcopal Church, Johnson City
February 6-7, 2004

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Resolution No. 3
Action: rejected

PROPOSED BY: Thomas M. Hale, delegate, Ascension, Knoxville
DATE: January 6, 2004

RESOLVED, That the Diocese of East Tennessee seek to foster a developing relationship with other Episcopalians in America and the Anglicans worldwide who hold to the historic beliefs of this Church on the issues of sexuality and marriage and to the centrality and authority of Holy Scripture; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Diocese of East Tennessee affirms the ministry of the bishops, clergy, and laity in ECUSA who have as a matter of principal and adherence to the historic teaching of the Church, opposed the actions taken at general convention; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Diocese of East Tennessee announce its pledge of prayers and support and its intention to join the emerging Network of Confessing Dioceses and Congregations, now called the "Network of Anglican Communion Diocese and Parishes" which shall be formed and shall operate in good faith within the constitution of ECUSA.

EXPLANATION OF RESOLUTION: The proposer recognizes that he is but one member within the Episcopal Church of the United States of America ("ECUSA") and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Further, the proposer sincerely believes that he, as well as the people of all parishes within ECUSA, the Anglican Communion and all other faithful Christians in the world, regardless of church affiliation, are all a part of Christ's body through which He acts in the world.

While it is recognized that all of us are sinful and fallen, we the proposer believes that to be a faithful part of said body, our church, on all questions of the Doctrine and Discipline governing the conduct of said Body in the world, must first and foremost seek to discern the teachings of Christ as expressed through the Scriptures. We profess to hold fundamental beliefs and values in common with all members of the Anglican Communion, especially those beliefs and values spiritual in nature, and therefore we must be obedient to mutually acceptable governance structures through which to prayerfully discern those commonly held beliefs and values.

The proposer believes in good conscience that the acts of ECUSA in approving the election of a bishop who is engaged in an active homosexual relationship and in approving the blessing of same sex unions, is promoting a lifestyle contrary to the Church's teachings as evidenced by both the statements of the Primates of the Anglican Communion following their meeting in October, 2003, and the traditional teachings of the Anglican Communion, as well as the commonly held beliefs and values upon which the Anglican Communion and ECUSA were founded. He further believes that said acts were taken not only in violation of those commonly held beliefs and values, but without the benefit of an intellectually honest examination and explanation of the scripture and theological basis for the contradiction in values, or any attempt to teach the basis for the change in values. As such, the acts of ECUSA are believed to be contrary to the best interest of this Church and its people. The proposer also notes strongly that the Bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee voted in opposition to the election of said openly gay bishop, and also has indicated his position that in this Diocese same sex unions may not be blessed.

It is the desire of the proposer that the Diocese of East Tennessee in good faith within the constitution of ECUSA. However, the proposer respectfully believes that the Annual Convention should consider whether the Diocese of East Tennessee should join the emerging Network of Confessing Dioceses and Congregations known as the "Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes," all in keeping with the preamble to the constitution of ECUSA, and as such to be faithful in upholding and propagating the historic faith and order.