Meeting the Most Rev. Sean Rowe

Last week, along with 850 other clergy and laity, I attended the Episcopal Parish Network (EPN) conference in Charlotte, NC. It was my first EPN conference, and I found it to be very enriching. My favorite meeting was a talk led by our new presiding bishop, with only rectors and cathedral deans in the room. While I didn’t meet him personally, it was wonderful to be in a small setting of 150 church leaders where all could speak freely.

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe was just installed last year, and this was my first opportunity to hear him speak live. I want you to know that I found him to be a clear-thinking realist. One who, I believe, has the courage to make hard decisions that will benefit our church. He also has a dry sense of humor and can be a very flip! Overall, I have great confidence in him and expect good things for our church during his nine-year tenure.

Later, we all attended a keynote conversation between the presiding bishop and author Jonathan Rauch. It was there that our presiding bishop now famously said that talk of the decline of the church is “a lie straight from the pit of Hell.” He continued, “I believe that this is an opportunity for us to recalibrate, to rethink, to step back for a moment, to think about how we can strategically then step forward and make an impact on the world.”

Someone at the conference pointed out that no one wants to buy tickets for the Titanic. But I’m all on board with our new presiding bishop. My sense is that his years will “move the needle” of health and vitality for our church, and this fills me with optimism.

Blessings,

Mother Nina+