Wayne+ Thank you. A long time friend from Texas passed from this life last year. During his long ministry, he started 18 churches. Some of them have become quite large. He also assisted in supporting overseas missionaries. He studied enough during his life time to realize the UPC was not where he and his friends should be. After leaving the UPC he became a defacto bishop for the churches he established having earned respect and love for his pastoral care. Like many others, as you indicate in your letter, he was searching, but never found his way to the church catholic. At this time his sons who are influential in these independent churches, are considering linking with an Anglican diocese. They see the need you expressed. Whether they do link up depends on two factors: one is their willingness to accept direction and the second is whether they feel welcome. In your closing paragraph you urge that we pray for these brothers. I suggest we not only pray, but watch and pray. Watch for signs that people are searching and pray that we have the right attitude and loving approach to be of assistance. A song with a particularly annoying sound by Johnny Cash has a line we would do well to remember: "I keep the ends out for the tie that binds." From what I've seen in the Midwest, AMIA and CANA leaders are making some attempt to "keep the ends out for the tie that binds." Are we? Would a person, a leader from a Pentecostal Church background feel welcome in our churches? Would a Pentecostal Preacher have any hope that he could be accepted into a study program and be seriously considered for ordination? Over the course of the last 40+ years I have met many people from Holiness and other Fundamentailist backgrounds. Some of these were from "poor" families, who eventually established businesses or worked their way to relative affluence. Churches that were in storefronts are now in million dollar properties. In spite of the change in economic status, and the passing of older generations, there remains a sense that their baptisms, their entrance into Christ is not good enough for them to be accepted by liturgical churches. Though these are second and third generation city dwellers, the children still have an attitude well expressed in the 1940's by country-music artist, Roy Acuff who wrote "Great Speckled Bird." Though they listen to different music today, the cultural divide is still there. GREAT SPECKLED BIRD LYRICS 1.What a beautiful thought I am thinking Concerning a great speckled bird Remember her name is recorded On the pages of God's Holy Word. 2. All the other birds are flocking 'round her And she is despised by the squad But the great speckled bird in the Bible Is one with the great church of God. 3. All the other churches are against her They envy her glory and fame They hate her because she is chosen And has not denied Jesus' name. 4. Desiring to lower her standard They watch every move that she makes They long to find fault with her teachings But really they find no mistake. 5. She is spreading her wings for a journey She's going to leave by and by When the trumpet shall sound in the morning She'll rise and go up in the sky. "------------------------------------ I don't like country music, but the lyrics help us to see ourselves as others see us. Here are other lines from Johnny Cash's song: I keep a close watch on this heart of mine I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds Let brotherly love continue. Charles+ > I urge us to pray for these our brethren. I believe > the strong Anglican Church we are laboring so hard to reform and establish in North America is > absolutely the best receptacle to receive them as > they grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. > > > I remain sincerely yours in Christ, > > > > Wayne+ > > > > > > > > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: > faithandlife-unsubscribe@... > >