I am Gandalf the white and now I return to you at the turn of the tide
When Gandalf spoke these words victory in the battle for middle earth seemed far from secure. The battle at Helms deep and Gondor had yet to come. Nonetheless there was an undeniable shift that occurred upon his return from the dead. I think that Lambeth already represents a positive shift in the communion.
I will start with the best news first. Conservatives have won the battle for the soul of Anglicanism. It is difficult for us in America to understand that the world does not revolve around our issues. The American Church is lost. Whether something emerges from Common Cause is yet to be seen. There is no doubt among the media or anyone paying attention that the overwhelming majority of the communion is Orthodox. It is becoming increasingly vocal. The statement of the Episcopal Church of Sudan represents the views of most Anglicans worldwide. Despite all the machinations of those in power at Lambeth the spin is not working. The majority of Anglicans worldwide oppose what TEC is doing. There is no way these bishops will be coerced into agreeing to disagree. They, like GAFCON, are not threatening to leave. For the foreseeable future any attempt to impose sub-biblical principles on the communion will not gain the consent of the majority. The only way the conservatives can lose is if they leave. One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience. In the long term Anglicanism will reflect the values of its majority. The final “reflection” that will emerge from Lambeth 2008 does not matter. What matters most is that the American church and its theology has been exposed as a vocal, well financed minority. It will remain that way throughout our lifetime. We cannot see into the future. There will be many ups and downs for the conservatives. Do we honestly believe there will be a communion in which Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, West Africa, Tanzania, the West Indies, SE Asia, the Southern Cone, and Kenya assent to the theology of TEC? How much longer will the prideful TEC submit itself to this consistent scrutiny. We all know what is going to happen in GC 2009 or 2012. Will TEC even pretend to repent in the future? No, they will eventually exclude themselves. Between now and Lambeth 2018 there will be three (or four?) general conventions of TEC. Is it possible that TEC will behave itself? Is it possible that whoever the ABC is will be able to spin the craziness that will come out of these gatherings? We may not win today but the fruit of heresy will become clearer and clearer as time goes on
In the age of international media coverage and bloggers is it still possible for the west to control communication and perception? When the Lambeth press conference organizers refused to allow Archbishop Deng to speak he simply went around them. This will become more and more common. TEC overplayed its hand and has awakened the communion. The global south is no longer a plaything that allows upper-middle class Episcopalians the opportunity to feel good about its outreach and its connection to a diverse church. It is the voice of the communion.





