Bishop Iker and Canon Harmon Speak

I've just come from diocesan convention this morning, where I served as lay reader at morning prayer (about 170 in the congregation, including 50+ priests and two bishops--I was a little nervous, but all went well). I also heard two excellent talks this morning, one by our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker, and another by the Rev. Dr. Canon Kendall Harmon of South Carolina. Both were inspiring. Canon Harmon examined the theological roots of the present crisis in the Anglican Communion, and I am sure he will put a version of his talk on his marvelous blog as soon as he can. Bishop Iker reviewed recent developments in our diocese before launching into a discussion of his recent mission trip to our sister diocese of Northern Malawi. Here at home he noted that while ECUSA nationally has had a net decrease in members of more than 30,000 since General Convention 2003, the diocese of Fort Worth has gained members in the last year. In fact, since August 2003 we have had an increase of 17% in confirmations and receptions in this diocese over the previous year! That says something about the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the flourishing of communities that remain faithful to the Truth! The bishop's report on Malawi was moving. They do so much with so little there. May God bless them. But surely the highlight of the bishop's address was his discussion of recent events in the Anglican Communion. Near the end of his remarks he pledged that he and the diocese of Fort Worth will remain a faithful part of the world-wide Anglican Communion no matter what happens with regard to national ECUSA. This drew an extended standing ovation from almost all present, a vivid testimonial to the near unanimity of the diocese behind Bishop Iker's steadfast defense of the true Faith. (I say ALMOST all stood and clapped. There was one table of delegates from a parish that shall remain nameless who sat Stoically and didn't move. But on the whole, it was an amazing show of support for our leader's courageous stand with the world-wide Communion against the heterodox innovations of ECUSA.)
Last night's opening Mass as wonderful. Beautiful music and a fine Evangelical sermon by Canon Harmon on the Rev. Charles Simeon's "cross-shaped life." May God bless the work of the business meeting of the diocese as they conclude their work today.