Title IV Investigation of +Mark Lawrence: A new low for TEC ...

News of an investigation of Title IV charges against +Mark Lawrence of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina draws me back into a quagmire that I have intentionally avoided for many months now (preferring to lift my eye's to the hills and to keep my focus on heavenly things and Lord's mission for His Church - - making disciples) and I am loathe to again enter this place.  However, as much as I may find it distasteful, because I have long admired +Lawrence and found in his leadership (along with that of my own bishop) a reason to have hope for a future in The Episcopal Church, I step back into the foul and polluted mud pit that is national Episcopal Church politics to express my confidence in, and support of, a good and godly man and bishop of Christ's one holy and apostolic church.  I join Dr. Ephram Radner of the Anglican Communion Institute (see his full response to the reports of the charges here: http://www.anglicancommunioninstitute.com/2011/10/a-response-to-the-reported-title-ivdisciplinary-process-begun-against-bishop-mark-lawrence/) and adopt his words in saying:

"I personally stand beside Bishop Lawrence and the people of South Carolina. If he has abandoned TEC, then it must mean that I have as well. Will you drive all of us out, Bishop Jefferts Schori? I say as clearly as I can: Presiding Bishop, you have bankrupted your apostolic office, broken your vows, and sullied this church, of which I and others are still members despite your folly, and of which I am still proud to be a member precisely because of bishops like Mark Lawrence whose witness proves that God, in his mercy, has at least not abandoned us."

Bishop Lawrence, please continue to stand tall and walk upright and with your head held high.  I offer the words of Psalm 62:7 as a source of comfort and strength for you and for all Episcopalians who, like you, are proud to call themselves Episcopalians, but who are ever committed and bound to the historic and ancient faith handed down from Christ himself to the apostles and to which The Episcopal Church has heretofore always been committed:

"My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge."

God's peace. <><