Revolution is in the air, says Dean Ian Markham

Writing in his daily VTS Dean's Commentary from General Convention in Indianapolis, Dean Markham says "revolution is in the air."  While I am increasingly uninterested in the goings-on at General Convention, I will be interested in seeing what transpires in some of these changes in the church's governance system.

Read Dean Markham's commentary for today below:

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

7/10/2012

Revolution is in the air.  This General Convention is open to possibility.  It is interesting hearing from deputies and Bishops about some of the ideas for the future.  So the House of Deputies has already passed a resolution instructing the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church to sell the Episcopal Church Headquarters (fondly known as 815).  Talk of the next Presiding Bishop (due to be elected in 2015) being free to retain her or his Diocesan position is being taken seriously. Restructuring the church so that it can become much more nimble is a major theme.

Some credit this revolutionary conversation to the growing number of younger Bishops in the House.  Others feel that it is being forced on the Church by the pressures on the budget.  Others think it is due to the fact that this Convention is not obsessed with issues around human sexuality and therefore starting to look ahead.  Whatever the actual reason (and probably all three are factors), it is a good conversation.

I suspect there are more surprises to emerge from this General Convention.  The Seminary has been present since the start and will be present until the end.  We will use this week of Commentaries to keep you all posted.

The Very Rev Ian Markham
Dean and President