Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 2, 1991 TAG: 9102020152
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Frances Stebbins
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A man who knows the region as well as anyone, Bishop Frank H. Vest of Norfolk, spoke of the uses of clout as keynoter at the recent annual convention of the diocese in Blacksburg.
Born and reared in the Roanoke Valley and influential in a half dozen regional parishes in the 29 years since his ordination, Vest now is one of two active bishops in the diocese that covers most of Southern Virginia.
With their reputation for prominence, members of the church - it's George Bush's - often attract controversy. Since World War II especially, the church has stood for involvement in social issues. That's often called "a prophetic voice." Media attention follows.
Every three years the denomination takes stands and makes its laws; the General Convention comes up in July 1991.
As a member of the House of Bishops, along with Southwestern Virginia Bishop A. Heath Light, Vest will vote on many divisive questions. But any action taken by the bishops must also be approved by clergy and lay voters who make up the House of Deputies.
Vest was candid in his views on many controversial issues the church will debate at its national meeting in Phoenix, Ariz., next summer.
On sexuality - This will raise the most controversy, and of its many facets, the way the church treats homosexuals "is the hardest to deal with because how are we to know the mind of Christ?"
Vest said he believes homosexuality is born, not acquired, and that if the figure of 10 percent of the population is accepted, it is a personal concern for many of the estimated 300 present.
He said he has no answer to the question: "If you are born homosexual, does the church say the only way for you to live is to be alone" and celibate?
On inclusive language - "No one is trying to take the male out of God," although the Bible contains a reference to God as a hen protecting her chickens. One day "mankind" may become as offensive as some familiar racial slurs are today.
On division in the denomination - Like Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning, Vest said he values the church's great diversity and can "tolerate it if only we agree on the lordship of Christ. I really believe schism is the greatest sin."
On racism - It is an assumption that racism is conquered, especially in the church. But morning worship time is the most segregated of the week, search committees from white churches rarely even consider a non-white candidate, and the legal rather than the religious profession usually opens country clubs to blacks.
On speaking of faith - Telling the good news of what God means to you is not just persuading people to join your church. Only this year are most Episcopalians learning how to be effective evangelists.
On war - "I don't think [the United States] had reached the last resort before going to war. I support President Bush, but I think we made a mistake in going to war when we did."
On abortion - "I think only God and Jesse Helms really know when life begins. We take abortion seriously; it must never be done for convenience, only for the most serious reasons and in consultation with a priest. I do not believe abortion is murder."
The 1988 General Convention asked diocesan leaders to get members talking about what they believe about the whole area of sexuality as well as an appropriate way to witness for Christ. At the Blacksburg meeting, workshops to do this were demonstrated for a total of about 100 adults.
Sexuality discussion for adults is based on the view that parents cannot teach their children responsible moral attitudes if they haven't thought about the connection of personal faith and sex. Nor can they win others to Christ if they can't say why they feel the way they do about beliefs and church-going.
A committee headed by the Rev. Christine Payden-Travers of Callaway developed its own five-session workshop on sexuality. Committee members used a portion of their material for 45-minute discussion sessions in Blacksburg.
The sessions are designed for sharing in groups of three to six with the leader guiding discussion rather than lecturing. Currently the material is attracting about 20 each Sunday morning at St. Paul's Church in Salem and also has been used at St. Elizabeth's of Roanoke.
The Rev. James Drinard Smith of Roanoke said the evangelism training workshop he and another committee developed has been used three times in recent months, and he, too, anticipates taking it to other churches. More than 35 tried recalling significant times in their spiritual lives at the Blacksburg workshop.
by CNB