June 30, 2001 I was ordained as the third Bishop of West Tennessee. Now that I am beginning my twelfth year with you, it seemed important this morning to take time to reflect on the vows and promises I made on the day of my ordination and consecration.
To this end, I turned to The Book of Common Prayer and reviewed the liturgy that we celebrated together.
In the course of looking back, I received a glimpse of the future. The vows and promises I made will be at the heart of the work I will be doing along with our diocesan deputation and all those who will join us next week at the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church. As the saying goes, it is all of a piece.
What did I find in looking back eleven years that sheds light on the work we will all be called to do at Convention and that I as your Bishop will be called to do in particular?
I invite you to consider the entire liturgy from our Prayer Book for a more complete answer to this question (BCP, pages 510-523.) However, I will focus for now on the particular set of questions I was asked by the examining bishops who served as the chief consecrators on the day of my ordination (BCP, page 518.) Against the backdrop of these questions, I invite you to consider the work this Church is called to do together next week at Convention. (Actually, this is the work we are called to do every day as the Church in our respective dioceses, but I would say that next week is no exception.
Among the questions that seemed to jump out at me this morning as I reviewed my commitment to God, to the Episcopal Church and to you, I note particularly the following:
Question: “Will you boldly proclaim and interpret the Gospel of Christ, enlightening the minds and stirring up the conscience of your people?” And I replied: “I will, in the power of the Spirit.”
Question: “As a chief priest and pastor, will you encourage and support all baptized people in their gifts and ministries, nourish them from the riches of God’s grace, pray for them without ceasing, and celebrate with them the sacraments of our redemption?” And I replied: “I will, in the name of Christ, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.”
Question: “Will you guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church?” And I replied: “I will, for the love of God.”
Question: “Will you share with your fellow bishops in the government of the whole Church; will you sustain your fellow presbyters and take counsel with them; will you guide and strengthen the deacons and all others who minister in the Church?” And I replied: “I will, by the grace given me.”
Question: “Will you be merciful to all, show compassion to the poor and strangers, and defend those who have no helper?” And I replied: “I will, for the sake of Christ Jesus.”
Two other questions prefaced the ones I just listed. They are the foundational questions and the other replies grow out of them. To complete the list, I add these for your consideration:
Question: “Will you accept this call and fulfill this trust in obedience to Christ?” And I replied: “I will obey Christ, and will serve in his name.”
Question: “Will you be faithful in prayer, and in the study of Holy Scripture, that you may have the mind of Christ?” And I replied: “I will, for he is my help.”
A particular word in the first set of questions challenges me each and every day. It is the word “all” as in “all baptized people”, “all others who minister in the Church”, and “be merciful to all.” It is this radical inclusiveness that calls me to prayerfully consider what it means to be a Christian, an Episcopalian and a Bishop in this Church in very practical terms. At General Convention, these questions and the reasons I said I would seek to uphold them come directly into play.
Finally, all these questions are put in the context of the same promise I made on the day of my ordination as every deacon, priest and bishop makes on their ordination day. It is worth revisiting, and it is a promise I make to you again with the understanding that I have grown to accept as true. That understanding is that Holy Scripture does “contain all things necessary to salvation.” However, I also believe that not all things in Scripture are necessary to salvation. Much is for our edification, our guidance, exhortation and consideration. What does not change and what is necessary for salvation is the understanding Holy Scripture gives about the mission of God in Jesus to save the world from itself. Scripture promise that there will be a new creation because of and in Christ. This act of God was and is “necessary to salvation.”
So what was the promise that I made for the third time as I knelt before a bishop of the Church and replied: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I, Don Edward Johnson, chosen Deacon, Priest and Bishop of the Church … solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of The Episcopal Church.”
This was my solemn vow then, and it is my solemn vow now. On this day as I recall the anniversary of my ordination and consecration as your Bishop, I look not only to the past but to the future. With God’s help, I will continue to do this Holy work faithfully. Thank you for the trust you have place in me. It is a joy. +Don
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