Episcopalians Meet To Study Windsor Report

More than 100 Episcopalians met at Church of the Ascension in Dallas, Texas, April 30, 2005 to study the Windsor Report under the guidance of The Rev. Dr. Michael Battle, Vice President, Associate Dean of Academic Studies and Associate Professor of Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary. The meeting was sponsored by Via Media Dallas.

Dr. Battle spoke, first, about the importance of communion, and drew attention to the fact that the Windsor Report, issued by the Lambeth Commission on Communion (the “Eames Commission”), was designed to be a stimulus for maintaining and encouraging communion within the Anglican Communion in the midst of our divisions. To be useful, however, he warned that the document must be considered in its entirety, not simply by choosing particular paragraphs that reflect personal views. He described being “in communion” as having a concern for all persons, not just those who share a particular viewpoint, culture or lifestyle. The “primary purpose of communion,” he said, “was to invite us into the presence of Christ—the oneness of Christ.” “Increased diversity of cultures creates more communion,” he continued. “If you’re happy to stay in your own method or way of church, you won’t understand the benefits of communion.”

Dr. Battle led the participants through the major sections of the Windsor Report, noting, in particular, the grounds for the comments made by other provinces in the Anglican Communion, and the various types of consequences that the actions taken by the Episcopal Church in the United States have had in the world. As Dr. Battle noted, “If the world for us is [only] the United States, there will be no communion.”

Participants broke into small groups to consider two questions posed by Dr. Battle: (1) How is today’s Anglican struggle different from the Church’s past struggles (for example, including gentiles in the early Church, the battle over slavery, and women’s role in ordained leadership). (2) What are your recommendations about ‘our oneness in Christ’ in the midst of division.

Battle urged participants to find and propose ways to stay in communion by sharing the sacraments, and creating public forums so that honest opinions could be shared. He concluded by challenging all participants—both clergy and lay—to find a way in the spirit of the Anglican Church to a new path forward toward communion, distinct from those advocated by the extremes within the Church.