Another Large Episcopal Church Leaves

This time it's Grace Church in Colorado Springs, one of Colorado's largest Episcopal congregations, that has chosen to sever ties with the Episcopal Church for moral reasons, The Gazette newspaper in Colorado Springs reported March 26.

The vestry of the church with 2,000 members and an average attendance of 800 voted for the church to join the conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America, which is a missionary diocese of the Church of Nigeria, led by Archbishop Peter Akinola.

The Colorado church is one of at least 45 in the United States that have parted ways with the Episcopal Church recently, mostly over the issue of homosexuality stemming from the 2003 ordination of an openly homosexual bishop. "We didn't leave our faith. The Episcopal Church left our faith," Teri LaTulippe, a member of Grace Church, told The Gazette. "We're not willing to give up the faith of our fathers."

In response to the vestry's decision, a spokesman for the Episcopal Church reiterated the church's openness to changing doctrines. "Human understanding is constantly increasing," Robert Williams told The Gazette. "What is known about medicine at the present moment is far greater than what physicians knew even 50 years ago. To think that understanding of the Bible and the human experience does not continue [to increase] is inconsistent with the constant unfolding of God's creation. [Emphasis added.]

Leaders of the worldwide Anglican Church have asked Episcopal bishops to reverse their stance on homosexuality, but the bishops have refused, leading some to predict a split between the two bodies. [BP]

[Editorial Comment: Carefully note the assumption reflected in the penultimate paragraph, especially the bold print sentence. Then compare that attitude with Revelation 22:18 “... If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” By endorsing the homosexual practice the Episcopal church has chosen to defy God. More embarrassment and troubles for them will undoubtedly come. Baptists should pray for them, especially the true Christians who are members of Episcopal churches. TCP]