When to stay and Fight

Recently I joined the Anglican church. I had numerous seminary friends ask questions and express concerns over some of the widespread liberalism that has taken root in the episcopal (american anglican) church. I wholeheartedly echo those concerns. Orthodox anglicanism is a beautiful expression of distinct christianity with a high view of scripture being the inerrant authoritative word of God, a proper view on the person and work of Christ and a dedication to missions. Right now the episcopalian church (in some dioceses) has moved away from that. The press will tell you homosexuality is at the root of the controversy. It isn't. What lies at the heart of the issue is the authority and inerrancy of the bible. If the bible is authoritative, then we can't ordain homosexuals. But I'm not here to argue the authority of scripture right now. There are conservative, orthodox episcopalians. We are in the minority, but we do exist. The question for us right now is do I stay? The priest in charge of the church I'm going to had a long discussion with me about this before I ever took the job. He is a flaming conservative who loves dts and the reformers. What he said made me rethink my role in the situation. He said if all the conservatives leave, then who will fight for the Gospel in the church? That made me think about some of the stupid things we are willing to go to war for in the church. (Carpet, video screens, coffee, music, I could go on) if we are willing to go to war for all of this ansilary crap, why am I scared to stand up and fight for the thing that matters most? It could eventually cost me a job, but I'd rather lose that than my witness. This is one anglican who is not going to run from the fight. We have to get our view of scripture right as a denomination. We have to repent of our pride and humbly return to where we started, following in the steps of the disciple chasing Jesus Christ. I'm not leaving till they kick me out. I'm going to humbly cling to the truth of the Gospel and authority of the bible, while praying that my life makes a difference in the big picture of the direction of the church. I hope I'm not the only one.