Saturday, March 15, 1997

Progress and problems in the Episcopal Church

By MIKE McMANUS

There is both bad news and good news in The Episcopal Church.

The official name of the denomination ironically is "The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society." At last count, in 1993, there were only 19 Episcopalian missionaries, down from 62 in 1985.

One apparent reason for the sharp decline is that between 100 and 200 of the 950 trusts given to promote evangelism were misdirected into the church's General Fund by the infamous former treasurer, Ellen Cooke, who is now serving a five year prison term for embezzling $2.2 million from the trusts.

A group of bishops, lay leaders and attorneys have asked the New York State Attorney General to investigate the alleged diversion of funds, which they say was acknowledged to them by Stephen Duggan, the current Treasurer, in an Oct. 24, 1996 meeting.

"The national church didn't have $200 million of trust funds audited for seven years, and admitted that 10-20 percent of trust funds was misdirected during a portion of that time," says the Rev. Tim Smith, rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Mobile, Ala.

He discovered the diversion by comparing the 1984 audited trust funds with the 1993 unaudited report conducted to investigate the diversion of funds to Cooke's personal account. For example, a $55,675 bequest of J.H. Shoenberg designated "Income for foreign missions" in 1984 is changed in the 1993 report so as to allocate "Income for the Society." Its current value is$116,642.

James Crosby, an attorney representing people considering bequests to the church, asked church officials for an explanation.

For nine months, they pledged access to audits, but did not give it. He says, "I am determined to see that the money gets where it is supposed to go. If the stewardship of the church can not be trusted with our money, why should we trust it with our soul?"

During this time, national church income declined. New England dioceses sent $2.9 million to headquarters in 1994 but only $2.3 million in 1993. Allegedly to keep the national staff afloat, funds from foreign missions were diverted to pay salaries.

Church officials deny that. Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning told the House of Bishops he ordered audits of 70 of the 950 trusts. His critics are demanding a complete multiyear audit.

The good news in the church is that a new organization has been established of orthodox, biblically-based Episcopalians called the American Anglican Council, whose goal is to "enable people to stay in the church" says retired Bishop Alex Dickson, who is one of those asking New York's Attorney General to investigate the trusts.

He is also serving on the board of the AAC, because he is "greatly concerned about the decisions being made by bishops who are unilaterally ordaining people who are engaged in homosexual behavior" and by priests who are blessing same-sex unions. "This is contrary to Scripture and the teaching of the church," he says.

In reaction to this and other church controversies, a million people have left the church. However, Dickson believes the answer "is not to split off, which has not solved any problems. The Lord called us to be one, to reconcile and live in unity."

The American Anglican Council began in fasting and prayer by 20 Episcopalians who felt God leading them to "let go of trying to regain power, and turn our attention to fulfilling the church's mission of sharing God's truth with an unbelieving culture and make disciples of Jesus Christ," said Roger Boltz, AAC director.

"In this 2.4 million member church, there is nothing that a million new converts would not cure. We have not focused on making converts for Jesus Christ. If we did that, God would empower us.

The AAC has already raised $900,000 and the support of many bishops, parishes, and parachurch groups. It has been inspired by the growth of sister Anglican churches in Africa. Uganda exploded from 3 million to 6 million members since 1970. Why? It is committed to Biblical authority, church planting, racial harmony.

Bill Atwood, an ACC board member, spoke of a meeting hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at which 120 Anglican evangelists from around the world gave him a new vision for the U.S. church. The AAC will sponsor similar regional meetings to encourage its members.