Praying for The General Convention

This week (beginning on Thursday) our denomination meets in its 'once every three year' legislative gathering, called The General Convention. Each diocese is represented by lay and clergy members in a House of Deputies, and the Bishops assemble in their own House, a bi-cameral legislative body roughly based on the US Constitution model (the founders of both had some overlap). 

Bishop Dan Martins of Springfield, Illinois, writes recently "that we are infested with a morass of systemic complexity and bureaucracy that is choking out our institutional life. We could adopt astonishing cutbacks of program, staff, and infrastructure, and come out healthier, more vital, and with more human and financial resources to devote to mission and ministry". It most likely won't happen this cycle. 

As I mention to the parish every three years 1) No, I am not going to General Convention - I wouldn't be elected by the diocese, wouldn't want to go as a visitor anyway, 2) you will hear only the most sensational, scandalous things in the media (secular and church media) and 3) whatever you read/hear/see about General Convention, next Sunday the Gospel will continue to be preached at St. John's Church Detroit as it has been since 1859.

Today is a good day to start praying for The Church, and please continue praying throughout the 10 days of General Assembly beginning June 25.

Almighty and everlasting God, who by thy Holy Spirit didst preside in the Council of the blessed Apostles, and hast promised, through thy Son Jesus Christ, to be with thy Church to the end of the world; We beseech thee to be with the Council of thy Church assembled in thy Name and Presence. Save us from all error, ignorance, pride, and prejudice; and of thy great mercy vouchsafe, we beseech thee, so to direct, sanctify, and govern us in our work, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, that the comfortable Gospel of Christ may be truly preached, truly received, and truly followed, in all places, to the breaking down the kingdom of sin, Satan, and death; till at length the whole of thy dispersed sheep, being gathered into one fold, shall become partakers of everlasting life; through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 

---- A Prayer to be used at the meetings of Convention (1928 Book of Common Prayer)