Thread by @katierouquine

Today I was asked, "At what point do we stop hoping they will “do better”, and ruefully recognize that the PRT and the leadership of the Province as a whole simply cannot respond with humility or sensitive hearts...". #ACNAtoo @ArchbishopFoley @The_ACNA @frandrewgross

My answer was this: I have many thoughts around this question, as it is a crucial one for all of us to be aware of as we sift & sort information as it becomes available. I'll offer my take, but I'm not prescribing it as a universal...

I think we all have various roles to play in this hard situation. Some need to publicly confront. Some need to advocate behind the scenes. Some need to be networkers who get the right people in the right place.

Some people need to be gentle and soft places for people to simply grieve without a lecture or preaching accompanying it. I trust if we're sitting open before God that He is moving people into their needed roles.

That's the beauty of body – we don't all have to be the arm or the heart, but instead we all can be working towards the same aim: in this case, truth and justice and healing.

I've felt compelled to hold open the possibility for the ACNA and the PRT to do the right thing until it becomes abundantly clear they've deliberately decided not to. *BUT* I do that with a Reagan, "trust but verify" stance.

It would be foolish to blithely wander around with a fantasy lens over my eyes and ears, only exposing myself to information from one side or relying on merely my positive relationships and memories with some of the key people involved.

I see evidence mounting that points not only to "mishandling", but to intentional deceit born of pride and fear. I think we are reaching a crossroads moment when more will become clear.

A public choice is going to have to be made by the ACNA and the PRT to turn towards or turn away (from all the help, resources, best practices, etc, that they've been offered).

Until then, I can't help but hold open the option for these people in leadership to choose to pivot, to be convicted, and to put themselves in humility in the hands of our merciful God.

All I can do is be honest about what I (and many others) see, what alarms are beginning to sound, and offer the opportunity for THEM to offer their supposed respectable explanations or to say they made mistakes and want to change.

They can still do that, and I feel strongly about reminding them that is an option – they aren't "out of options" quite yet and they don't HAVE to continue down the path they're on.

That said, they may still actively choose not to walk in that direction – instead choosing to continue to hide and to deflect and hold onto control.

But I know in my lowest moments what moved me towards the light wasn't shame or impatience or exasperation, but a calling towards my better self. So I will continue to call them to "do better" until they own that they have no intention or interest in doing so.

If that, very grievously, ends up being the case, I have plenty of other things to say (!).

But while it's hanging in the balance, I want to implore them from a place of sincerity, rooting for real honesty and transformation and trust that our God is big enough to handle how they've mishandled it this far...

So I while I am preparing myself for the very real possible outcome of deep disappointment and injustice, I am offering them the dignity and agency to make that very choice. I have a morsel of hope they will choose Better.