CP: Can you briefly describe what the identity of this new province would be?
Minns: I think I would say the labels we’d use are orthodox, Anglican, mission-minded, biblically-centred … I would say it’s basically a fairly traditional Anglicanism with a passion for mission.
CP: This month, the draft constitution is being released for the new structure. So when will be the official establishment of the new province?
Minns: Depending on how it’s received, I’m not sure how it’s going to be, but my guess would be some time in the middle of next year we’d have a constitutional convention where we’d actually launch. This essentially is just getting the framework set up but then we’ll actually have the celebration in the middle of the new year.
CP: And how many would be a part of that new province?
Minns: I think 700 to 800 churches would be a part of that and we estimated somewhere around 100,000 people are presently within the various Common Cause Partners.
CP: The Episcopal presiding bishop recently inhibited the Bishop of Fort Worth after that diocese voted to split. But the Fort Worth Bishop rejected the inhibition and said the presiding bishop has no authority to do so. I thought that these conservative bishops wanted out of The Episcopal Church so why does it matter to them if they’re inhibited if they don’t want to be part of that national church?
Minns: Part of the problem is some of the language that’s used. It’s not a matter of saying “sorry, you’ve left.” At that point, people would be okay. But what they’re saying is “we will remove you from the ministry of the church.” Essentially The Episcopal Church is part of the whole church so somehow the language they use in suggestion that you’re no longer even validly ordained – I think that’s where they get criticised.
This interview is adapted from the original, which first appeared on The Christian Post on 3 December 2008, www.christianpost.com Printed with permission.
