Disciplinary process against nine bishops

Two different complaints have initiated a disciplinary process against nine bishops in the Episcopal Church. I had just watched “The Fellowship of the Ring” movie before reading about the disciplinary actions. Nine members of the Fellowship–Nine bishops. It reminded me of something I wrote years ago. So I found and rewrote it.–JW

There is a memorable scene in the movie “The Fellowship of the Ring.” The nine members of the Fellowship are fleeing Balrog, the fire demon, across a narrow stone bridge spanning a vast chasm in the Mines of Moria. There is a gap in the bridge, and they take it in turn to jump the gap. Orcs are shooting arrows. The approach of the monstrous Balrog is shaking the bridge, and it is rapidly disintegrating. Seven members of the Fellowship find themselves on the far side of the bridge, and two on the near side . . .
The realignment of the Anglican Communion is not unlike the disintegration of the Bridge of Khazad-Dum. Our ecclesiastical structures are crumbling. Folks of one heart and one mind are finding themselves on different sides of the gap. Enemies hurl barbs, and demons torment.
It is easy for us to focus on the ecclesiastical struggle with natural eyes and miss the movement of God’s Spirit. Remember the words that the Lord sent to Zerubbabel, the temple-builder:

Not by might nor by power but by my spirit.

Father,
We do not despise this day of small beginnings. We do not forget that the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Our hope is in You. You are our hearts’ desire.
Help Your faithful servants within the Episcopal Church, and especially these nine bishops, to be pure in heart. Help them live in obedience to Your truth.
Create in them clean hearts so that they may see Jesus in the rubble of the broken Communion. Jesus is the chosen and precious cornerstone in every dimension and every realm, in every circumstance and every time. He is their sure foundation.
These bishops have devoted their lives to building up the Body of Christ. Bestow upon them Your Holy Spirit in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
May they prevail not by might, nor by power, but by Your Spirit. Amen.
Zechariah 4:6-10, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Matthew 5:8, Psalm 51:7-17