Speed Bump, by Dave Coverly
July, 2008:
CBA Meeting in August
I will attending the Seventy-First International Meeting of the Catholic Biblical Associate of America at Fordham in two weeks. Anyone else going? It would be great to meet some more bloggers/blogreaders in person.
I will be presenting a working discussion on the rabbinic Interpretation of Lamentations as part of “The Bible in its Traditions” project. Stay tuned for some posts relating to that here as well.
My personality
My wife persuaded me to take a new Facebook app personality test called “Personality Patterns.” It turns out it is very similar to the “Strength Finder 2.0” tool that we used with our staff. The results are similar too. Anyone who knows me think this is unexpected or out of whack?
Friendly
You would rather hang out with others than spend time alone, and you’d far rather be doing something with your friends than just sitting around. You’re happy in a crowded room, club, stadium, or auditorium.
You’re not a private person who is ill at ease in a group; you don’t view excessive socializing as a waste of time.
Assertive
You behave in a confident and forceful manner, take charge of the situation, raise your hand in class, stand up for what you think is right, and lead others.
You are not interested in fading into the woodwork, leaving everything to fate, taking more time than necessary to accomplish a task, or avoiding confrontation.
Among those who have a high score on the “assertive” trait, many have jobs in which they are valued for their organizational skills as well as their talent for supervising others.
Poised
You tend to feel at home wherever you find yourself, even in unfamiliar settings, with new people. It takes a lot to rattle you, and when rattled you recover quickly and gracefully.
You are usually not self-conscious or nervous when you’re in an unfamiliar environment or with people you don’t know.
Astute
You are a quick study. You generally don’t need to have things explained to you more than once. When presented with a problem, you will often have an instant understanding of where to look for the solution.
You do not take your sweet time when presented with a new task to complete or problem to solve. You don’t avoid assignments that require you to learn new skills.
Intellectual
You are thoughtful, rational, and comfortable in the world of ideas. People find you interesting to talk to. You’re the living embodiment of the saying “You learn something new every day.”
You do not avoid abstract conversation, experimenting with new ideas, or studying new things. It bores you to stick to the straight and narrow of what you already know.
In general, those with a high score on the “intellectual” trait are employed in such fields as teaching and research, and are enthusiastic about reading, foreign films, and classical music.
Outspoken
You like to talk. Luckily, you always have something to say, you tell a good story, and people generally enjoy listening to you. It’s no wonder that you’re often the center of attention.
You don’t tend to keep your thoughts to yourself, and you don’t feel you’re imposing on others when you share your thoughts and opinions with them.
Warm
You have a genuine interest in other people. You’re a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you’re usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort.
You don’t always say exactly what you’re thinking; you don’t like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.
Scoring high on the “warm” trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
Understanding
You are willing to take the time to find out what’s going on with other people, especially if they’re in distress. You’re a good listener, you don’t criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it’s requested.
You don’t feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.
With a high score on the “understanding” trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
Conscientious
You feel it’s important to work according to a plan and finish every task, to do things correctly and thoroughly.
You are not the kind of person who abandons a project before finishing it, or slacks off when you’ve lost interest.
Organized
You like to think a task through before you embark on it. If it’s the slightest bit complicated, you make a list (even if it’s only in your mind) and methodically work your way through it. When you have a goal in mind, you’re not satisfied until you reach it.
You are not one of those people who ignore the details, and you don’t understand how anyone can get anything accomplished without thoughtful planning ahead of time.
What is the calling of an Anglican Bishop?
I am trying to be very open about the proceedings and musings coming out of Lambeth, but I can’t help but snipe (at all sides). The following is from Larry Benfield, the bishop of Arkansas. He reflects upon the opening Eucharist.
Another highlight was the sermon given by the Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera, the bishop of Colombo (Sri Lanka). He reminded all of us bishops that we do not come to the Lambeth Conference as independent agents; we can only come with our people. He said that we are being called to do three things as Anglican bishops. First, we are to exercise self scrutiny, always to be cognizant of the truth that it is too easy to look for the tiniest of flaws in our brothers and sisters while ignoring grave ones in ourselves. Second, we are called to be people who live with unity in diversity. He said that there is room in the church for all, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Third, he said that Anglicans are called to be prophetic. In particular, we are to be the voice for the voiceless and call the institutions of the world to task.
I don’t keep a scorecard so I don’t know Benfield or his views (his blog is fairly light) so my comments are not directed at him or perhaps even de Chickera. What this summary of the sermon (which I read this morning here and in which, in fairness to de Chickera, he does not list these three points as “things to which Anglican bishops are called”) brings to my mind is the question of calling and purpose.
Each of us will have our own specific calling to anything. A group of us get together at SBL and we may all be professors of Hebrew Bible, but we all teach in different settings, different institutions, to different audiences, and so on. But we have a common purpose, to teach the Hebrew Bible. With those in ordained ministry there is still a great amount of breadth yet there is also a very clear baseline, that of the ordination and consecration service itself. The examination of a candidate clearly presents what it is to which they were called, at a minimum. In the case of a bishop in the Episcopal church it is this:
A bishop in God’s holy Church is called to be one with the apostles in proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and interpreting the Gospel, and to testify to Christ’s sovereignty as Lord of lords and King of kings.
You are called to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church; to celebrate and to provide or the administration of the sacraments of the New Covenant; to ordain priests and deacons and to join in ordaining bishops; and to be in all things a faithful pastor and wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.
With your fellow bishops you will share in the leadership of the Church throughout the world. Your heritage is the faith of patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and those of every generation who have looked to God in hope. Your joy will be to follow him who came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The examination continues from there with a series of questions but you get the sense of it. “To guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church” is foremost in this intitial statement. I have little doubt that many if not all the bishops currently present at Lambeth believe they are seeking to do that, but are they? Do they seek to preserve unity while alowing the faith to be compromised? Do they defend the faith at the risk of losing unity? And is there ever any discipline? I just don’t know.
