Bishop Love addresses the Albany Convention
The Rt Revd Bill Love, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, NY, one of our link dioceses, addressed the Albany Convention last weekend.
Bishop Love took the opportunity to present a slightly revised Diocesan Vision Statement, the fruit of a time of prayer and reflection by a strategic planning committee.
"It is my sense and that of the committee," said Bishop Love, "that the Lord has given us the following vision:
The Diocese of Albany is One Church fulfilling the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, moving from membership to discipleship; equipping, emboldening and sending disciples to make disciples.
"Included with the Vision Statement are ten specific Marks of Discipleship or Diocesan Values that we are to focus on. They include: Prayer and Worship, Scripture, the Catholic Structures of Anglicanism, Christian Education, Christian Fellowship, Spiritual Gifts and Healing, Christian Service, Generosity in answering God's call as Stewards of His Creation, Evangelism, and Mission at home and abroad."
The Bishop went on to emphasise that the Vision Statement was not to be regarded as just a 'catchy logo' but a vision that demanded to be lived intentionally through the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Love also expressed his deep grief at the growing division between the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion. He continued, "I had hoped and still do that the proposed Anglican Covenant could help bring healing into the Communion. As many of you know, the most recent version, the Ridley Cambridge Draft, has been put on hold, due to concerns raised by some members of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) over Section 4, which deals with the possible disciplinary actions. I remain hopeful that it will be worked out and that we will have an opportunity to vote on the Covenant."
Bishop Love said that he, "Remained greatly troubled by the biblical illiteracy that is so rampant and the resulting ongoing struggle amongst so many to recognize the Bible as the living Word of God - that continues to speak to us today and has authority over our lives, containing all things necessary to salvation. I cannot stress enough the importance of taking time each day to read and study God's word. Every parish in this diocese, regardless of how large or how small they are, should have an ongoing Bible study."
In a similar vein, Bishop Love expressed his frustration with some who had been called to leadership positions within the Church and yet either failed to recognize, or stand up and proclaim the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, God incarnate. He stated his own position thus:
"As your brother in Christ, as Bishop of this Diocese, and as a bishop in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, I am committed to doing everything I can through the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Truth and Good News of Jesus as Lord and Savior of the world. I invite each of you, my brothers and sisters, to join me in that same commitment. The broken and hurting world in which we live is in desperate need of hearing the Gospel, and experiencing the love, mercy, healing grace that can only be found in our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Bishop's address received a standing ovation from the Convention. To read the full text please click here.