Ed Note

Ed note: After making the hurdles all the way just prior to public announcement, one of the finalists in the Diocese of Tennessee episcopal showdown slated for March 2006, suddenly withdrew his candidacy. In the interest of the electorate and of the Diocese as a whole, COVENANT asked Why. This is the answer, anonymously adapted where necessary, of course.

Thank you for your request with obvious concern and commitment for your Diocese. Thanks to those who recommended me, I entered the Episcopal process in Tennessee. I quickly learned that Tom Hotchkiss and the Committee were an able, faithful and organized group. 

While in some apparent conflict, the Diocese seemed to be a place seeking a moderating and unifying person with specific vision and skill to joyfully lead the Diocese in mission and ministry. I felt honored and affirmed to consider this ministry in such a fine place. When my wife and I learned that the committee wanted me to be a final candidate, we were glad to come to Nashville to provide a "final word" on our acceptance. The hospitality could not have been better. Tom and others were superior in their care and help. It was during the visit, however, that my wife and I (independently of each other) began to feel that this wasn't a call for us. 

It boils down to this: we don't feel that the Diocese truly needs and desires what I (we) have to offer. I envision a ministry where people can learn to put aside secondary differences and joyfully move ahead together in important mission and ministry. Quite frankly, we missed the unity and the joy. Not that ministry is not sometimes challenging, especially when we all have been through post-General Convention, but life together can be and should be Promise-filled and hopeful. 

In addition, we didn't feel any operative energy or passion when we probed the question: What would you want the bishop to be and do in your midst? Even as the expectation of new church-plants was named, we didn't sense any focused rallying mission. This may have been a misread on our part, but we didn't experience deep joy about the journey ahead. Melancholy about the national scene seemed to dominate. 

Anyway, we have no regrets of being in the process. We have been given the outstanding privilege of meeting some very fine and faithful people. And, of course, we hope to retain close ties with others we knew well before these months began.

I hope this reflection helps. I wish the Diocese nothing but the best. It was an honor to be part of the process. Have a holy and blessed Christmas.

[COVENANT, Number 22, January 2006]