Source:  Virtue Online

February 26, 2010

By David W. Virtue

The largest Episcopal parish in the Diocese of West Texas is weighing its options over whether it will continue to stay in The Episcopal Church.

In a letter to the parish and vestry, The Rev. Chuck C. Collins, rector of the 2,700-member Christ Church, San Antonio, wrote: "It is abundantly clear to me, and I believe to every member of Christ Church, that our church family is deeply divided, not over questions of theology, but over whether or not to stay in The Episcopal Church.

"This was plainly stated in the Vestry's January 12, 2010 letter to our members: "There are those of us who believe that there is no future in TEC and others who would like to work for change from within. Some of us are willing to give up our existing buildings if necessary and others would not leave under any circumstance.

"Anxieties over this have risen to a crescendo with the vestry elections, the February 7 parish meeting, and in emails and personal conversations I have had with many parishioners. It seems even clearer after last night's Vestry meeting how polarized we are and how difficult it is to really listen to one another. Well meaning and sincerely devoted Christians are on both sides of this discussion.

"Both sides love the Bible and our Anglican heritage, and both sides abhor the revisionist agenda of The Episcopal Church. "Both sides perceive our current Christ Church community to be a strong witness for Christ and desire to keep it unified. Nevertheless, as The Episcopal Church pushes forward with its agenda, the issue before us will not just go away. . . 

Read the entire article here. 

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