I think it best to let the statement speak for it self concerning St Mathews Church.
April 6, 2010
A New Anglican Parish in Portland, Oregon
After a long process of discernment involving Bible study, discussion and prayer, a hundred adult members of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Portland, Oregon (including the Rector and every member of the Vestry) have decided to transfer their membership to a new parish: St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Portland, which will be part of the Anglican Church in North America. This decision has been taken after several years of deep concern regarding the Episcopal Church’s theology, Christology and interpretation of Scripture.
The church building and assets of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church will continue to belong to those in the parish who have decided to remain Episcopalians. St. Matthew’s is in discussion with the Diocese of Oregon concerning a mutually satisfactory and orderly transition. The Diocese and the parish share the objective that this process be respectful and cordial.
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church will begin Sunday morning worship services on May 2 at a new location. The church’s goal will be to know Christ and to make him known, through expository Bible teaching, liturgical worship and prayer, with a commitment to discipleship, evangelism, mission and fellowship.
Rev. David L. Humphrey, Rector
St. Matthew’s Church
Portland, Oregon
www.stmatthewportland.org
I will now speak for my self.
I will be joining those who will move with ST. Mathews. I need to say first hand this decision was not made willy-nilly. It started with discussion within the church two years ago; then a year of monthly informational meetings. Next, we went through a structured program of 40 day of bible study personal devotion and weekly small meetings followed by one week of prayer and fasting followed by a prayer vigil and finally the note. It was our goal is to truly seek God’s will for this church.
I must say I must commend the Godly wisdom of the vestry and our priest in their decision based on 1Cor 6:1-6 not to contest the Episcopal church over the ownership of the property in secular courts, unlike some other parishes and dioceses but to willing to make transition peacefully.
I will expect some in the Episcopal Church will say this is just about intolerance and homophobia (I.e. the consecration of (soon) two practicing homosexuals). This is farther from the truth. The recent elections of the two speak of a greater problem with the Episcopal Church. It is the Episcopal Church abandonment of Biblical based theology and the interpretation and authority of scripture. I need not to go the homosexual angle. One example I can give was the conduct of the Episcopal Priest assigned to my ship USS Reeves (CG-24 ) around 1984-85. Anther example in my observations of local Episcopal parishes I visited near where I live during the interim between the tiem I left the Baptist Church and Attending a Reformed Episcopal parish. In one example the priest, in his homily put the teachings of Buddha, and gland on par with those of Christ. The there was the events at the reading of the epistle during the Opening Eucharist I blogged about and on Virtue online.
Still that was not the enough to leave. I felt St Mathews should stay to be the only light of the Gospel for the Episcopal Church in Oregon. What caused me to change, with decrement form the Holy Sprit, is God want us to move and my own concern that the dioceses of Oregon will not leave alone or tolerate ST Mathew. My vote to go is a vote of lack of competence that elements in the Episcopal dioceses will not tolerate an orthodox parish. There is reason and evidence for my belief in the church and within the culture of the left
My only payer is the separations, transition goes smoothly, and there is a peace and civility of both sides.
Pray for ST Mathews Episcopal Church.
Pray for St Mathews Anglican Church.
