Many of us well-meaning Anglicans, in an attempt to dissuade those who might "jump ship" to another church in response to our theological Ringling bros. act, often use the phrase "the grass isn't greener on the other side." What we mean, of course, is that they are trading one set of problems in our church for another set of problems in a different church. While this is certainly true, it seems to me that the way we often use that phrase reveals an underlying premise:
All the problems that all churches face are all equally the same, so we may as well just stay and make the best of it wherever we are.
I have long subscribed to the "grass isn't greener" philosophy, but now I am beginning to rethink my position on this. I'm beginning to think that in my well-meaning attempt to keep folks genuinely Anglican (and not Roman, Eastern, Amia, or Continuum), I might just be messing with what the Spirit of God is doing in someone else's life.
Let's talk about green grass for minute. In places where the grass is green, it means that the climate is good for growth. There is plenty of sunlight and rain to nourish the grass. Where grass can't grow is in places where there is too much sun and dryness from lack of rain. Our beloved Episcopal Church, as a whole, is becoming (and in many places is already) a barren desert. There may be plenty of sun, due to the fact that most of our Bishops and our PB are constantly trying to tell us how great things are (commonly referred to as blowing sunshine up the ...). But the showers of God's Holy Spirit are being withheld for the most part. Without a doubt there are Oases throughout the land, but basically what we are dealing with here is a barren wasteland of a church.
What does all this mean? In my thinking, it means that the grass IS greener on many "other sides." It means that the Good Shepherd's presence is going to be more evident and palpable in many other "pastures." Shepherds watch their flocks in green pastures where the sheep can be well-fed, not in deserts where they have to wander endlessly to find a good meal. And as far as one-to-one comparisons of the problem-issues in other churches, I find that these comparisons don't hold up to the light of experience. Many don't mind exchanging a certain kind of liturgy for a place where they can grow in the Lord. Many don't mind trading spiritual barreness for an "extral-mural" Anglican body where the Spirit of God is working freely. Many just want a place where the sacraments are duly administered and the Word of God duly preached.
I must make something clear at this point. I am not advocating a massive exodus from the Episcopal Church (although that is already happening somewhat). I am not suggesting that the only option for those who are truly seeking the Lord is to leave for another body. I myself feel no need to go anywhere else (in part because I am blessed to be in a "green" diocese with a real shepherd). But I, for my part, am going to be a little less judgemental of those who are simply tired of wandering in the desert looking for something nourishing to eat and some living water to drink. It is an issue of vocation and judgement.
It's an issue of vocation where people are concerned. We have to honor what the Spirit of God is doing in the lives of those who simply cannot abide by what is happening in our church at the present time. God is calling people away from the desert so that they may enjoy the abundant life in a greener pasture. On the other hand, God is certainly calling many to stay for one reason or another. God's will is unscrutable at times, but we must be faithful to the calling he has placed on us as individuals.
It's an issue of judgment where the Episcopal Chruch is concerned. Just as God withheld rain from Israel in the time of Elijah, he is withholding the shower of His Spirit on our idolatrous Church at this time. God's judgement upon ECUSA, as David Virtue notes, is not going to be fire and brimstone or thunderbolts from the sky. The slow, grueling bleed-out we are experiencing is judgement enough. Our once proud and vibrant church is shrivelling fast. And people leaving for other churches is part of that judgement.
I'm not going anywhere. God has called me to "fish in this boat," in the words of John Stott. But I am going to be more cautious and prayerful in my advice to those who are contemplating leaving ECUSA. And I am certainly not going to argue that the "grass isn't greener" in every case. Because just maybe it really is.
