Serial:

AC04-R08-01

PEP Argument Briefing Paper

Title:	Revival Resolution Innocuous
Applicable to:	Resolution 8: Prayer & Work for Revival in North America
Author:	Lionel E. Deimel
Date:	10/25/2004

Summary

Examination of the list of proposers of this resolution makes it clear that it is a “conservative” measure whose motivation is unlikely to be shared by moderate and liberal deputies. Nonetheless, no rational motivation is advanced in the resolution—the resolution is something of an extended non sequitur—so there is really little to object to here, as repentance and faith in Christ are generally considered desirable by all.

Argument

·         Probably the less said about this resolution the better. There is no strong reason to oppose it because it makes neither obnoxious assertions nor obnoxious demands. It is, I think, pretty much unenforceable.

·         Passage of the resolution with little or no opposition might create a modicum of good will.

·         Notice that the logic seems to be that we have not had a revival in a long time, so one is overdue. This is not a compelling argument. The implication is that North America is populated by infidels and religious liberals, but the resolution does not actually say so.

Supporting Information

From page C9 of the materials provided to deputies to the 2004 Annual Convention:

PROPOSED RESOLUTION #8

Prayer and work for Revival in North America

Whereas, the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is a member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion, and

Whereas, Anglican history and heritage includes such great revivals as the Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening, the Prayer Revival of 1858-59, and the East African Revival that brought many souls to faith in Christ,

Be it resolved that the 139th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh declares afresh that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life and that a revival of true repentance and faith in Christ is needed in North America; and further be it

Resolved, that congregations and communicants of the diocese pray and work toward such revival.

Proposes

The Rev. Joseph Martin, Church of Our Saviour, Glenshaw

The Rev. Michael Wurschmidt, Shepherd’s Heart, Pittsburgh

The Rev. Patrick Dominguez, St. Stephen’s, Sewickley

The Rev. Gary D. Miller, Holy Innocents, Leechburg

The Rev. Dal Femeyhough, St. Luke’s, Georgetown

The Rev. Canon John A. Macdonald, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Leslie P. Fairfield, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, St. Stephen’s, McKeesport

The Rev. John Heidengren, Prince of Peace, Hop ewell

The Rev. Ruth Correll, Ed.D, St. Francis, Potomac MD

The Rev. Vicente Santiago, St. James, Penn Hills

David Sadd, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

The Revs. Larry and Barbara Knotts, Christ Church, Greensburg

Torn Hendrickson, Christ the King, Beaver Falls

The Rev. Paul Henry, All Saints’, Brighton Heights

The Rev. Jack Gabig, Kings College, Oxford UK

The Rev. David Wilson, St. Paul’s, Kittanning

The Rev. Dan Crawford, St. Thomas in the Field, Gibsonia

The Rev. James Bauer, St. Mary on the Mount, Red Bank

Carol Bauer, Lay Deputy, St. Mary on the Mount, Red Bank

Kathy Walzer, Lay Deputy, Church of Our Saviour, Glenshaw

Doris Neiger, Lay Deputy, Church of Our Saviour, Glenshaw

Jeff Acquafondata, Vestry, Church of Our Saviour, Glenshaw

Ann Tefft, Fox Chapel Church, Fox Chapel

The Rev. Paul Sutcliffe, Church of the Atonement, Carnegie

The Rev. Gordon Green, Church of the Resurrection, Cranberry