"Rest Assured that Our Church is Anglican Now" -- A Pastor's Statement of Heartbreak and Hope

The breakup of the US Episcopalian church is beginning:

Christ Church Episcopal in Plano, Texas -- drawing the largest weekly attendance of any Episcopal church -- announced its decision to leave the Episcopal Church USA [ECUSA] on June 24. The church's decision came just hours after the conclusion of the denomination's General Convention in Columbus, Ohio [see articles below].

As the Rev. Canon David H. Roseberry and the church's vestry explained, their decision came in light of the fact that the ECUSA General Convention refused to adopt the two measures demanded by the world-wide Anglican Communion -- an absolute moratorium on the election and consecration of openly-homosexual persons and bishops, and a statement of repentance for having elected and consecrated the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire.

From the statement released by Rev. Roseberry and the vestry:

The mission of Christ Church is to make disciples and teach them to obey the commands of Christ. The direction of the leadership of the Episcopal Church is different and we regret their departure from biblical truth and the historic faith of the Anglican Communion.

As the vestry of Christ Church, we declare our intention to disassociate from ECUSA as soon as possible. We are thankful for the shepherd role of the Right Rev. James Stanton and his standing in the Anglican Communion, and we regard him as our apostolic leader.

We assure the clergy, staff and congregation of Christ Church that throughout this process we will continue to worship, teach, pray and study as we have in the past with renewed and vibrant commitment to the mission of Christ Church. Read More.