The American Anglican Council and
Christ Episcopal Church

by Chuck Collins

At its December 13, 2003 meeting, our vestry voted overwhelmingly for Christ Church to become an affiliate member of the American Anglican Council (AAC). This was done after the Executive Committee met with Bishop Folts over this matter, after the vestry studied the AAC for three months, and after much prayer and discussion. The decision was made with full knowledge of the history of the AAC and its doctrinal statement “A Place to Stand,” with the belief that the AAC will be a key driving force for reformation and renewal in the Episcopal Church.

After the General Convention this past summer, I routinely encouraged you through our parish publications to consult the AAC website for information. I distributed their literature in my Sunday school class over a four-week period, and I took our clergy staff and some other parishioners to the AAC Conference in Plano/Dallas. I have known the AAC for many years to be a reasoned and balanced voice for the traditional, biblical and catholic faith, but there are certain misunderstandings that I want to hopefully clear up.

I’ve heard some say that the AAC intends to lead churches like Christ Church out of the Episcopal Church. This is absolutely false. The AAC has always had a firm commitment to stay in the Episcopal Church and reform it from within. There is much talk in the AAC about realignment and providing for alternate episcopal (bishop) oversight for churches and individuals, but they are not in the least interested in leaving the Episcopal Church or departing from the canons that define us as Episcopalian. Our affiliation with the AAC connects us with like-minded churches around the country to be a single, strong voice calling for reform, but it doesn’t mean that we’re leaving. And it doesn’t conflict with our commitment to the Diocese of West Texas.

I’ve heard others say that the AAC represents a radical, ultra-conservative wing of the church. Such a generalization misstates the fact that over its history the AAC has stood for mainstream Episcopalianism, not the radical fringes on either side. One of the hallmarks of our Anglican heritage is breadth and comprehensiveness, but within the broad parameters that define us, until recent times, has been a common agreement about certain essentials. Anglican essentials are what the AAC stands for. For example, the Bible is our primary authority and the creeds, Prayer Book and Thirty-nine Articles provide our doctrinal base. These are the very matters that are being threatened in our church today.

I invite you to learn about the American Anglican Council for yourself (www.americananglican.org). Not everyone will agree with all the statements in total, but I think you will see how the AAC represents a positive, traditional and biblical Episcopal Church that most of us are comfortable with. As I’ve said, the church that stands for nothing will fall for anything! I am proud of our wardens and vestry for their courage to stand with the American Anglican Council for the things that matter to us.