The Rector’s Report and Address
October 24, 2004
When five years ago I was called to be the Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd we matched each other wonderfully. I was a young conservative priest looking for a traditionally oriented parish, and Good Shepherd was a Rite I parish searching for a young conservative Rector. The match we made bore fruit, as weekly attendance more than doubled and membership figures rose dramatically in a very short period of time.
We restored a long dormant youth ministry, breathed new life into an anemic Sunday School program, gave our property a face lift, initiated regular adult education classes, began doing serious outreach to the community, and started worshipping on special occasions and Holy Days, even when such did not fall on Sundays. In sum, we became a vibrant parish in short order, the envy of our neighbors and the pride of Green Ridge. I prayed that this recipe for success could sustain similar growth for years to come, so that the financial difficulties long familiar to Good Shepherd would quickly become a thing of the past.
However, events beyond our immediate control have impacted the life of our parish in unpredictable ways. The theological direction of the Diocese of Bethlehem and the Episcopal church nationally have made Good Shepherd appear to be more than an anomaly within our denomination. As currently constituted our parish is an anachronism, striving to retain vestiges of a faith abandoned by the institution of which we are a part. This reality became strikingly clear in the wake of General Convention 2003, when a divorced and unchaste man was confirmed to serve as the bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Our diocesan delegation, along with our bishop, supported this innovation, placing our parish squarely in the minority both locally and nationally. In addition, the Lambeth Commission through the Windsor Report recommended only minor penalties for the Episcopal Church’s breach of Anglican norms, and the leadership of ECUSA has shown little inclination to repent and reverse their actions.
Thus, this past year’s events have confronted us with a choice, whether to attempt to remain as we have always been or to follow in the direction the majority of our brother and sister Episcopalians have made clear they intend to take this church. To stand firm in the Gospel will be costly, requiring of our parish sacrifices that some among us are unwilling to suffer. But to go along to get along will cost us as well, as the consciences of many of our members are afflicted with the knowledge that their continued presence makes them complicit in the propagation of propositions they do not believe, ministers in a church they do not recognize as the one into which they were baptized and confirmed.
I find myself in the latter position. My conscience is offended for three reasons. First, in its divisions the Episcopal Church offers the world a divided witness. With regard to issues such as the nature of salvation, the power of Christ to transform lives, and male/female complementarity, doctrine I am required to teach as a priest, the Episcopal Church no longer has my back. Dissenters can appeal to authorities within the Episcopal Church that contradict my assertions, and our ministry to the world is thus undermined. Second, Catholic polity requires that we as a parish monetarily support the ministry of our bishop. As what Bishop Paul Marshall teaches on particular issues differs so greatly from what I believe and teach I cannot in good conscience offer this support without being complicit in what I am convinced is the dissemination of falsehood. Nor can I reasonably be expected to request such support from you. Third, as a minority whose beliefs are not supported by our fellow Episcopalians the most we can hope for within this denomination is to preserve what we have. I have no desire to build and preserve a fortress, but I have a strong desire to evangelize those who do not know Jesus. As long as we are concentrated upon preservation, the Gospel imperative is compromised, for we have assumed the defensive posture of the enemies of the Church. Only a consistent offense can win converts to Christ, and confusion on the part of teachers and hearers serves simply to inhibit our mission.
As I am unwilling to compromise in these matters of faith and morals, because I believe to do so would imperil my soul and the souls of those in my cure, I am uncertain of my ability to continue to serve as a priest in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Such uncertainty does not lend itself very well to the devotion and commitment that being a rector of a parish family requires. Thus, I intend to tender my resignation as Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd effective December 31st of this year. This will allow those who have reservations about further supporting this ministry to withdraw their pledges and those who have withheld their support because of my presence here to renew their commitment to their church.
Prior to concluding my ministry here I shall begin the process of seeking secular employment, a course of action approved of last week by Bishop Marshall. He has agreed to assist me in this endeavor, and I welcome the aid of anyone inclined to help me secure employment whereby I will be able to support my family. While employed in a secular profession I shall undertake a period of intentional discernment to ascertain how God is calling me to continue serving Him in the work of evangelizing those who do not yet know the joy of life in Jesus Christ. I encourage those whose consciences are similarly afflicted to enter into this process of discernment with me.
I understand that this announcement of my intention will likely come as a surprise to many of the faithful of Good Shepherd. For this reason I have informed you of my plans at the earliest possible date, that together we can discuss more fully the reasons for my impending resignation. Moreover, I make this presentation today so that you understand clearly that it is motivated by circumstances beyond Good Shepherd, that elements outside the politics of parish life compelled me to follow this path.
My love for you and my pride in the work we have shared are both undimmed. All of you have been a great blessing to my family and me, and remaining as your rector would at this juncture fail to requite the love you have offered us. Even as I resign please know that you are not abandoned, and I pray that God will bless us as together we discern our call to service in Jesus Christ.
The Reverend Eric L. Bergman
Rector, The Church of the Good Shepherd
1780 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pa.
570-343-4910