I hear all the time that Mainstream Christians aren't doing enough to counter the fundies. We're invisible, I'm told. Irrelevant. Worse, I'm told that because I am a practicing Christian that I am an idiot. Part of "the problem" even. Some of the less charitable among atheists here would make "Santa Claus" references. Uncharitable, indeed.
I stumbled upon a little tract from my denomination, the Episcopal Church, a while ago at Common Ground, a fair here in the great state of Maine.
Follow me over the waft of incense that is the divider doodle for a bit more...
So what I stumbled upon was a little tract called "Engage God's Mission: Policy for Action". It delineates the social justice policies of the Episcopal Church. It's a very interesting document, and one that I'll bet few of my fellow Episcopalians have read.
Our Primate, ++Katherine Jefforts Schori, has this to say:
Our baptismal covenant reminds us that we are engaged in ministry in every moment of our lives, if we're conscious about it. We promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons and to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. We promise to strive for justice and peace among all people. Each of these commitments, when acted out in our daily living, is a step toward the Reign of God or Shalom. ...
For more than three decades, the Episcopal Church has supported an Office of Government Relations in Washington, DC., not only to bring our collective voice to the halls of Congress and the White House, but to support the advocacy ministry of the individual Episcopalians throughout the Church...This ministry of citizens and residents of the 16 nations in which the Episcopal Church has members will vary by local context, but these policies should guide our shared and multi-national work of advocacy.
Our task as Christians in the coming decades will be more challenging than ever, and the task is going to need all of our varied and unique gifts. The voices of people of faith must be a prophetic impetus for lasting change, toward healing the body of God. We can look and not see, listen and not hear, or we can act in witness and solidarity with our sisters and brothers as part of the body of God.
Amen, sister Jefferts Schori.
The fact of the matter is that "mainstream" Christians are doing a lot. It's just not sexy, because it doesn't concern itself with oppressing people, hating gays and lesbians, and trying to restrict the rights of women, so it doesn't get much press. For those non-Anglicans out there: when was the last time you thought of the Episcopal Church, outside of seeing a sign that says "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You"?
Here is a clue for the born-agains: Our National Cathedral in Washington is Anglican. We have a voice, too. We're using it. I know I am.
Pax/Shalom,
commonmass
Want to get involved? Go to www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn