On Lambeth 1.10

This was a resolution of Lambeth 1998, at the last minute with considerable parliamentary leeway,as I have understood the process. Lambeth resolutions have always been seen as advisory and pastoral, not legislative. But now we have: "Lambeth 1.10. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God."

Is Lambeth 1.10 now to be part of the creeds of the church, the baptismal covenant, the vows at ordination? (Does any one remember any thing else done at Lambeth 1998?? Quick quiz: What is Lambeth 1.07 and how important is it to your life and ministry?)

There is no authority of the bishops to legislatively impose such a thing as Lambeth 1.10 on the church. Lambeth is not an ecumenical council of the church. Lambeth is not a council of the church with lay and other clergy taking part. Lambeth is not a governing/legislative body of the Anglican Communion. It is one of the "instruments of unity" (so-called, but not affirmed by the church as a whole, but so named by the Primates, the ABC and a "report.") The Lambeth conference is not Nicaea or Chalcedon or any ecumenical council of the church, or the Great Commission. It is a group of bishops giving their opinion. (Bishop do you prefer lemon or sugar with your tea?)

Lambeth 1.10 is the opinion of a group of bishops gathered in 1998. In the past there were also Lambeth resolutions on birth control and a variety of other topics etc which have now been conveniently dismissed or forgotten as not pertinent to the life of the church.

Lambeth does not deliver doctrine but rather the opinion of bishops. It is not a council of the church gathered to deliver the doctrine of the church at the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Lambeth 1.10 did not come from Sinai or our Lord's commission to his followers or from council of the church gathered. (BTW, neither did the Windsor Report. It is a report, not doctrine or a confession of the faith.)

Can we now get on with the work of the Great Commission? Can we now really live into the Great Commandments of our Lord to love one another?

Article written by the Rev. Lee Shaw, rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, West Valley City, UT and clergy delegate to General Convention from the Diocese of Utah.
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