June 30, 2006
Covenant
In these more recent times and in the way after our Anglican fashion, we’ve spent untold hours and money, prayer, deliberation, and pontifical (aka the bridge-building kind) energy to produce what we proudly call the Windsor Report. One might say that it is a kind of mission statement in itself, albeit a not very manageable one. But it has, indeed, become rather a litmus test, to say the least, for the commitment and sincerity of a body of Christians.
One of the WR’s proudest treasures is the idea of a covenant for Anglicans including even a proposed working draft for such a document as one of the its appendices. This so-called covenant is clearly a thoughtful piece that includes the usual careful Anglican phrasing, pacing, and, of course, length to avoid stepping on pontifical (aka the puffery kind) toes.
Like the firehouse dalmatian when the bell goes off, when I see the word “covenant,” I immediately think not so much Old or New, God forgive me and as stately as they are, but Baptismal, as refreshingly biblical and current as it is. And I wonder if not there is a covenant with which any Christian should have little brief.
In the tradition of less is more and perhaps also to refresh our memories, the Baptismal Covenant asks quite simply for a community life that involves apostolic teaching and fellowship, Eucharist and prayers. It calls for resistance to evil and a desire for those with lower resistance to repent and return to the Lord. There must be, of course, a life of witness to the Good News by both word and example. There must be a life of service, seeking and serving Christ in all persons. And there must be commitment to work for justice and peace among all people, and respect for the dignity of every person.
Such a covenant is generally agreed to be a relationship one might hope is initiated by God, to which a body of people could respond, as some already do, in faith. It might possibly [maybe with some internationally and globally ecclesiastical tweaking, but not a lot] stand rather majestically as something all Anglicans could embrace as a kind of peaceful and just offering, perhaps even gaining some momentum as an ecumenical movement first among our provincial selves and then, having seen our example, among others.
Just a thought, though of course it must have a proper resolution number and be placed into the process hopper, perhaps even for the General Convention in 2009?