It seems that everywhere we turn, the economic news is grim: record prices for gasoline, a real estate market that has lost 30% in Arizona, increasing work layoffs, talk of world-wide market collapse.

This economic downturn is bound to have an effect on our churches as well. Some of you have already shared with me stories of parishioners who can no longer afford a long commute on Sunday morning, or programs that have had to be eliminated because of loss of funds. Perhaps more important, all of us sense a certain emotional malaise. The official “consumer confidence” index is at an all-time low, while the general anxiety level of most of our parishioners seems at an all-time high.

There is no doubt that these recessionary times will demand creative pastoral, programmatic, and financial solutions from those of you who are in parish leadership. The years ahead will see us struggling to proclaim the Good News in Hard Times.

Yet there are many things we can do now to lessen the impact on our congregations, and to even seize on some positive opportunities the economic climate presents.

My hope is that those of us on the Diocesan staff can help. To this end, I have added an additional “pre-convention” gathering scheduled for 9-11 a.m. the first day of our Diocesan Convention in Phoenix on October 17^th. In a letter that will go out this week to all clergy and senior wardens, I am asking that every congregation of our Diocese has at least one representative in attendance at that meeting. In that meeting I hope to hear from all of you about the impact the recession is having on your congregation. A “Good News in Hard Times” online bulletin board will be soon be available on our website (www.azdiocese.org) for you to share stories and best practices that might be helpful to other congregations. The Diocesan staff will also make a brief presentation regarding some immediate positive steps you might consider in your program and financial planning.

In addition, at our Ministry Fair on March 7, 2009, we will tackle these problems in more depth at a special four-part presentation. We are inviting two scholars from ASU—an economist and a sociologist/urban planner—to be with us then, as well experts in personal energy conservation and personal financial planning.

We have, of course, a faithful foundation for hard times in the words of our Lord, who reminds us to “be not afraid” for he has “overcome the world.” When trouble comes our way, we ground ourselves in prayer, but we also take action in ways that fearlessly face the future.

 

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A Final Thought

 

The rhetoric from the recent GAFCON conference of ultra-conservative Anglicans in Jerusalem was about what was to be expected. Although the group did not go so far as to formally separate themselves from the rest of the Anglican Communion, they vowed to make life miserable for those who don't agree with them by continuing to interfere in the internal affairs of other provinces.

You can read their statements, and well as the response of the Archbishop of Canterbury at www.Episcopalcafe.com. The statement from our own Presiding Bishop sums up the situation succinctly:

Much of the Anglican world must be lamenting the latest emission from GAFCON. Anglicanism has always been broader than some find comfortable. This statement does not represent the end of Anglicanism, merely another chapter in a centuries-old struggle for dominance by those who consider themselves the only true believers. Anglicans will continue to worship God in their churches, serve the hungry and needy in their communities, and build missional relationships with others across the globe, despite the desire of a few leaders to narrow the influence of the gospel. We look forward to the opportunities of the Lambeth Conference for constructive conversation, inspired prayer, and relational encounters.

It remains to be seen how these latest actions will affect the gathering at Lambeth. My guess is, not much, since most of the participants have already announced that they are boycotting that gathering. How sad it is that when Africa is imploding under the stress of poverty, hunger, political corruption and HIV/Aids, so many of its bishops can find nothing better to do than to attack the doctrinal purity of the relatively tiny American and Canadian Episcopal Churches.

+Kirk