ANGLICAN EPISCOPAL HOUSE OF STUDIES Perspectives Duke D ivinity S chool 2010-11

INSIDE 2 Director’s Note 3 Never Lie 4 Going Back to Southern Sudan 5 Pursuit of Holiness 6 Imposition of Hands 7 Journey in the AMiA From the Director ANGLICAN EPISCOPAL HOUSE OF STUDIES Phone: 919.660.3588 Fax: 919.660.3473 Email: [email protected] Web: www.divinity.duke.edu/initiatives-centers/aehs Constant in Conflict

I t has become common recently— First, it shapes the expectations of Metaphorically, wilderness is the in the pulpit as in the press—to those who respond to God’s call. Each year place where we are stripped of our props, identify with conflict. I am amazed at the prospective students reminded of God’s abundance, and taught If Spooner unintentionally lent his name who come through my office contemplat- dependence: not on the distant horizon, to “spoonerisms” and Freud to certain ing seminary and/or within not on a supply of manna, not on our kinds of “slips,” then I fear the Anglican the Anglican-Episcopal world. Most are tribe—but on God’s promise of presence family coining a new phrase of sarcasm: at a stage in life that some might term alone. Handled with care, conflict may “As agreed as Anglicans.” “naïve,” yet they are eager to sign up bring us to that place of encounter and Painful as this association is, I have and serve. Not because they anticipate perspective. My ministry—my formation— come to see this set of circumstances as a bed of roses; rather, precisely because is not, in the end, about “me.” opportune for the formation of future their illusions have been shed. They seek Third, conflict forces us to be honest if church leaders. to be faithful to the gospel as they have we are to be engaged. It teaches us unity encountered it, whatever the cost. especially in the absence of uniformity. Others may be exploring confirmation [Duke Divinity School Professor] Stanley as they are drawn to Anglicanism. To Hauerwas has described a marriage that these students I ask, “What, at such a claims to be without argument as “where time as this?” I am sobered by the fre- one partner gave up long ago.” Is a church quent reply: “Yes, in spite, even because, without conflict a church where a por- of such a time as this.” That the church tion of the body has opted out? Continued institution bears within itself some of the engagement takes patience, perseverance, cost of following Jesus—for conservatives and generosity—far beyond that which we and liberals alike clinging on in the may think we have. We need help to grow Anglican Communion—adds, for some, such virtues: we need one another. to its authenticity. Conflict is nothing new in the Anglican Second, I have discovered how tradition, even though we have much circumstances of conflict may be to learn in disciplining its devices and opportune for spiritual formation, the desires. Is it God’s means for handling process by which our whole person— our pride, for humbling us? As a peculiarly body, mind, and spirit—is shaped ever Anglican hallmark of holiness then I’d more fully into the image of God accord- dare to propose: “As constant in conflict ing to our calling, gifts, and graces. as Anglicans.” Scripture suggests that the wilderness is the circumstance for God’s most Jo Bailey Wells, associate professor of the thorough work of formation—for the practice of Christian Ministry and Bible at new people of Israel in Exodus, for the Duke Divinity School and priest of the Church re-formation of Israel in exile, and for of England, is the director of the Anglican Christ in preparation for his ministry. Episcopal House of Studies.

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2 Anglican Episcopal House of Studies Stanley Hauerwas Reflections NEVER LIE BY DAVID CRABTREE

“ Never lie.” Two simple words, yet so complicated and profound. They were solemnly spo- ken by Dr. Stanley Hauerwas near the end of a compelling 90-minute public conversation sponsored by the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies last October. Dr. Jo Bailey Wells [director of AEHS] explained the objectives when she invited me to lead the conversation on “Being a Christian in Today’s World.” Talk with this world-renowned theolo- gian regarding his four-decade career. Weave a tapestry of his personal and professional life. Then “hang” the tapestry in the hallowed hallways of The Rev. David Crabtree (right) leads a conversation with Professor Stanley Hauerwas, who was named “America’s Best Theologian” by Time magazine in 2001. Duke Divinity School so that a wider audience can watch and respond. and thus possibly can for the rest of us. the eyes. His countenance was pleasant As usual with Professor Hauerwas, First, be what God has created you to but stern. His voice soft yet solid. His the evening took a few unexpected be. Don’t fight where you are and why message direct and piercing: “David, if turns. For example, I had framed a you are there. Listen for God to give you really want to live as a Christian in subtle question about the place of guidance. Pay attention to the signs and today’s world … never lie … never lie.” marriage in society to which he replied, don’t question when you know that you After that, I don’t remember what “Oh, David, can’t I just talk about sex?” know. Be open to God’s call and accept it was spoken by either of us in the He has the ability to nail the issue. for what it is, and what it is not. When I closing comments of the conversation. We also talked of his recently com- asked, “With all this knowledge and your Those two words kept reverberating. pleted memoir, Hannah’s Child: A obvious love of God and the risen Christ, Why? We’re taught that lesson as early Theologian’s Memoir, which contains why did you not seek ordination?” as we can begin to process right from almost 300 pages of spiritual insight, Quickly and with his trademark acerbic wrong. But my ears heard it differently theological challenge, and accounts of wit, Hauerwas responded, “No church this time. “Never lie.” Those two his personal pain. Hauerwas, the Gilbert would have me.” After the audience’s words touched me deeply in a way T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics laughter died down, he looked at me I never expected. at the Divinity School, said he wrote and said, “God doesn’t need me in that Stanley Hauerwas has become a such a vivid and intimate account of capacity; I need to be doing what I do.” dear and trusted friend. We have talked his public and private story “in an The second major theme of his numerous times since then of the chal- attempt to understand myself, some- conversation was the importance of lenge of those two words. “You know thing that would have been impossible friendship—the sharing, giving, and David, sometimes to avoid lying, you just without my friends.” receiving from others. Friendships have to be quiet,” he says. “It’s amazing The conversation then cascaded with sustain, renew, and push us forward, what you can hear in the quietness.” brilliance and sensitivity on how one lives he explained. They fulfill the need for a Christian life in today’s world. While community as Christ taught community. The Rev. David Crabtree is a continuing stud- this sage was quick to point out that the Then the hammer fell. As I sat, ies student at Duke Divinity School, a odyssey of discernment never ends, his spellbound and favored to be directing in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, discourse distilled and then crystallized the queries for the evening, this astute and news anchor for WRAL television station in the answers that have worked for him, servant of God looked me squarely in Raleigh, N.C.

Perspectives 2010-11 3 Student Reflections KHARTOUM Sudan RENK

‘When Are You Going Back?’ JUBA Former classmate Heather Bixler interviews recent graduate Rev. Joseph Lasuba on helping rebuild the church in Southern Sudan

What was it like growing up in Sudan? In the West, we often associate suffering LASUBA: I was born in Southern Sudan, with God’s abandonment. As someone PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE although I have lived most of my life who has experienced and witnessed much EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SUDAN in Northern Sudan. I went there as a suffering, what would you say to us? The Anglican Episcopal House of displaced student, a “Lost Boy” at 17. LASUBA: When you read the Bible, it Studies has a deep and longstand- ing partnership with the Episcopal I knew that if I stayed in Southern tells this truth: 50 percent of Scripture Church of Sudan that includes: Sudan, I would face death. I was smug- is made up of suffering and the other • Sponsoring the Renk Visiting gled into Northern Sudan in a cargo 50 percent is about the glory that Teachers Program at Renk plane. I settled right in the enemy’s follows. Do you see this? Unless, of Theological College in Southern course, you are reading a different camp, like an Israelite in Babylon. My Sudan twice a year Bible! We all know suffering—Sudanese aunt was living in Khartoum, and I stayed • Duke professors Ellen Davis and Jo there with her almost 23 years of my life. and Americans alike. But the American Bailey Wells serving as consultants context helps protect people from suf- on the Commission for Theological Have you ever returned home to fering and convinces them they are in Education of the ECS Southern Sudan? control. However, we need to let things • Divinity School faculty leading LASUBA: My first time to return to go. We are not in control; only God is. an annual leadership seminar Southern Sudan was in 1999, to the for continuing education of ECS As a Sudanese Episcopal priest, can you capital of Juba where I was born. Upon clergy in Juba arriving, my heart just broke open. The speak more about the church in Sudan? • Summer field education place- city looked like a ghost town. I couldn’t LASUBA: The church in Sudan has experi- ments in Juba for AEHS students even hear birds singing. One evening we enced centuries of suffering. But despite starting in 2011 did a workshop in Juba, and pastors came all the attempts to destroy it, the church • Developing holistic interdisciplin- with torn clothes and dirty collars. They has grown. Before the war, there were ary models to integrate , looked terrible. That picture stayed with once only a few hundred Anglicans in public health, and agriculture. me. I knew that the time was coming Sudan. Now, there are over four mil- when I would return home to be with lion. Whenever a church building was these people who were suffering. destroyed, at least three or four would LASUBA: The archbishop of Sudan has rise up in its place. With each building a dream to upgrade one of our Bible destroyed, more would be built. schools in Juba to the university level, but this will not be possible unless we How did you become a student at Duke can train some of our ministers to be Divinity School? faculty. Through my studies at Duke, the archbishop saw a great opportunity Divinity School faculty and staff applaud the to train new leadership for the church. Rev. Joseph Lasuba on graduation day in May. He told me, “Joseph, prepare your- Lasuba, who earned a Master of Theology degree, was among the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” self. We are sending you to America. one of the more than 27,000 boys from Someone is coming next month to bring Southern Sudan displaced and/or orphaned during the second civil war from 1983 to 2005. some forms for you to fill out. Then

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4 Anglican Episcopal House of Studies Spiritual Formation

you will go.” I was just doing my job What is that next phase? What will you do Do you have any advice for your fellow [as priest at All Saints’ Cathedral in when you return to Sudan? students at Duke? Khartoum], and he says this to me! LASUBA: I have decided to move from LASUBA: To me, the one danger I have Northern Sudan back to Southern Sudan. seen here is too much emphasis on What has your year at Duke been like? Coming to America is preparation for “mental discipleship,” a type of disci- LASUBA: Many people look to Africa and this, and my own experience in Northern pleship that doesn’t involve the whole want to offer solutions. They say, “This Sudan gave me courage and confidence. person, only thoughts and ideas. We learn is what Africa needs.” It has been good Now I believe it is time for me to return from Jesus that discipleship involves for me to realize the professors here do home. Once, a little boy I knew from my everything, not just your mind, but your not think this way. In one course, the former home parish came up to me after body, heart, and soul. So often in the professor told me, “When I teach this I had returned from seminary in Beirut West, Christians focus only on having the class next time, I will be sure to bring and said, “When are you going back? All right doctrines. We must focus less on in your perspective.” At Duke, I have the ones who left [Southern] Sudan have doctrinal differences and more on what often been given the opportunity to never come back.” This boy had seen we have in common. We all follow Christ. provide my African perspective and to many leave. His words struck me like an Come, let us worship him together. broaden my thinking. Duke has helped arrow. I told him, “Even if no one else me love Sudan better and prepared me The Rev. Joseph Taban Lasuba, Th.M. ’10, will come, I will come back for you.” for the next phase in my life. serves on the faculty of New Bishop Gwynne God spoke to me sacramentally through College in Juba in Southern Sudan. Heather this small child. Bixler, M.Div.’11, is a member of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies.

THE PURSUIT OF HOLINESS BY JOSHUA CALER A few weeks ago, I was having lunch Professor Stanley Hauerwas once wrote: This realization with a friend who grew up in a reviv- “bad liturgy eventually leads to bad eth- has been central to alist Christian tradition and became ics. You begin by singing some sappy, how I have thought an Episcopalian in his twenties. When sentimental hymn, then you pray some about preparation I asked him what he found appeal- pointless prayer, and the next thing you for the priesthood ing about the Episcopal Church, he know you have murdered your best lately. Learning to responded, “I like it that the church is friend.” I thought to myself, “Worship is be a theologically—and morally seri- about worshipping—liturgy and Eucharist practicing how we should be in order to ous—priest is the reason I am at Duke. and everything—rather than concerned change who we are so that we know what Concern for wise teaching and beautiful with ‘behavior modification.’” to do. It’s all in the post-communion liturgy is central to my vocation. This dichotomy between the worship prayer. That sounds like an awfully radi- To that list, I now add: learning to dis- of God and right action set off warn- cal sort of behavior modification to me!” tinguish between my future responsibility ing bells in my head. The worship of the Yet as I reflected on my friend’s and that of the Spirit. It seems clear to Triune Lord is by no means “for” us or response later, I also realized that he me that it will not be my job to cultivate our moral formation, even if it is at the was pointing to something of deeper well-ordered moral lives, but to witness heart of being good. The act of worship- significance. Precisely because worship to God’s faithfulness through the gifts ping exposes at every turn that we are of the Triune God is a morally formative He has provided, trusting that the Holy not God and simultaneously cultivates activity, we can expect the Holy Spirit Spirit will inspire the pursuit of holiness. the habits of heart, mind, and body that to show up in the midst of it in ways make for a well-ordered moral life. that inspire the continuing pursuit of Joshua Caler, M.Div.’11, is a candidate for Instantly, I recalled something virtue for us all. priesthood in the Diocese of Virginia.

Perspectives 2010-11 5

Spiritual Formation

were still ringing in my ears. They were Shaded, Illuminated, ones of welcome. I knew that I wanted Welcomed: The to join other Christians walking this Imposition of Hands “Middle Way.” I wanted to become a member of a church whose eccle- BY ADRIENNE KOCH siastical polity made room for people to wrestle with “Welcome,” is a simpler way of saying, issues together through the “I feel well knowing that you have intersections of faith and come.” The sentiments of welcome are practice—for better or worse. common to our daily lives; we receive As a lesbian, I wanted to be a them through words and handshakes member of a family who would and smiling eyes. But on days when welcome even me. words are spoken at just the right time During the first centuries of the and the touch of a hand comes on just church, Tertullian wrote these words the right occasion, the sentiments of about confirmation in The Resurrection welcome illuminate not only our hearts, of the Dead (8:2-3): “The flesh is shaded IMAGE COURTESY OF ST. RICHARD OF CHICHESTER IN STERLING, MASS but our spirits. by the imposition of hands so that the “The flesh is shaded By my second year of study in the soul may be illuminated by the Spirit.” Master of Divinity degree program at The moment Bishop [William] Gregg by the imposition Duke, I became increasingly aware that placed his heavy hands upon my head all of the professors and students I was I understood some of what Tertullian of hands so that most drawn to were somehow connected may have meant. My scarred and sinful the soul may be to the worldwide Anglican Communion. flesh was shaded by the bishop and by In response to this realization, I my presenters, whose hands rested on illuminated by attended a luncheon sponsored by the my shoulders. In that moment, to para- the Spirit.” Anglican Episcopal House of Studies. phrase Galatians 3:28, “All of us were Dr. Jo Bailey Wells [the director of one in Christ Jesus.” This was truly a — Tertullian AEHS] led a casual discussion with great act of welcoming, and through it, students on the current climate of the I could feel my spirit being “illuminated Anglican world. At one point, she asked by the Spirit” of God. earlier. Her response revealed to me whether there was anyone present who “You’re an official Episcopalian now!” that understanding my confirmation as was not Anglican. Two of us raised our one of my presenters, a fellow student a gift was not something unique to my hands. She smiled and told us both that and member of AEHS, exclaimed to me own experience: “Welcome,” she said, becoming Anglican was like joining a after the liturgy. simply. “Welcome.” family through marriage—“for better “It feels like a gift,” I responded. or for worse.” “It feels like grace.” Adrienne Koch, M.Div.’11, is a member of The day I was confirmed about18 Her eyes sparkled, knowingly. She St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Durham, N.C., months later, Professor Wells’ words had been confirmed just two years where she was confirmed.

6 Anglican Episcopal House of Studies Spiritual Formation PHOTO ZAC BY KOONS JOURNEY IN THE AMIA BY ZAC KOONS

The last 500 years have seen the of a worldwide communion some 80 that AMiA’s beginnings seem question- Protestant tradition splintering million strong. Only later did I learn able at best—anti-Anglican at worst. perpetually into more and more of the brokenness, division, and confu- But then again, the grounds upon which acronyms: a schismatic epidemic sion that characterize that communion’s Henry VIII founded the Church of from which the Anglican Communion, current state; only later did I learn that England were similarly controversial. tragically, is not immune. my decision to join one Anglican church It seems to me there is no holy ground At January’s annual Winter meant my effective rejection of another. on which to stand. Conference, the Anglican Mission in At different points during January’s How are we to move forward, hold- the Americas (AMiA) celebrated its conference in Greensboro, N.C., the ing this marred legacy in tension with 10-year anniversary: 10 years since the AMiA’s “escape” from the Episcopal the importance we ascribe to tradition? archbishops of Rwanda and Southeast Church was compared to the escape of It seems appropriate to acknowledge Asia consecrated two “missionary baby Jesus from Herod’s sword, and to within our heritage the negative as well bishops” to the United States. That is, the escape of Daniel from the lion’s den. as the positive. That is, to allow the 10 years of church planting, working I know that some of my AMiA-affiliated sins as well as the successes of our past inter-continentally, and figuring out brothers and sisters have experienced to inform our direction in the present. how to fit drums and electric guitars soul-wrenching pain as a result of deci- This leads us to one place: namely, to into a liturgical worship service. And sions made by the Episcopal Church, acknowledge our utter neediness, and 10 years since rendering a break with and I don’t seek to diminish that. But, hence our utter dependence, on God. the Episcopal Church USA. I’m uncomfortable with these analogies. I wonder: if, in the acceptance of I’m new to the AMiA. I didn’t That’s just not my story. the negative tradition, a communion grow up Episcopalian. I was an Seeking to escape the tradition from wrought by divorce, strife, and schism evangelical refugee who found a liturgi- whence we came is a recent innovation can become a communion of forgive- cally-oriented, sacramentally-focused, in ecclesiastical history. Few post- ness, healing, and reconciliation? traditionally-rooted, happy home in Reformation denominations have taken an AMiA church as an undergraduate. the idea of traditional authority as seri- Zac Koons, M.Div.’12, is an aspiring candi- I quickly fell in love with the idea of ously as has Anglicanism—something date for priesthood in the AMiA. being Anglican—the idea of being part I particularly value. I admit, therefore,

the SOUNDof hope : Exploring How Music Informs and Shapes Our Imagination for the Way the World Could Be AEHS Clergy Study Day led by Jeremy Begbie Duke Divinity School Research Professor of Theology THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011

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Congratulations CLASS OF ‘10!

Members of the 2010 Anglican Episcopal House of Studies graduating class are: (from left, back row) Jordan Hylden, Parker Reeves, Jillaine Van Essen, and Colin Miller; (from left, front row) Bobby Hadzor, Elyse Gustafson, Joseph Lasuba, Director Dr. Jo Bailey Wells, Wren Blessing, and Melissa Mills. Not pictured are: Thomas Dixon, Stephen Hulme, and Travis Smith.

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ANGLICAN/EPISCOPAL FACULTY AT DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL ANGLICAN EPISCOPAL HOUSE OF STUDIES STAFF Dr. Raymond Barfield, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Christian Philosophy Rev. Dr. Jo Bailey Wells, Director Dr. Jeremy Begbie, Thomas A. Langford Research Professor of Theology David Steenburg, Staff Specialist Dr. Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, www.divinity.duke.edu/initiatives-centers/aehs Associate for Faculty Development Dr. Susan Eastman, Associate Professor of the Practice of Bible and Christian Formation Dr. Joel Marcus, Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins Dr. Jo Bailey Wells, Associate Professor of the Practice of Ministry and Bible Dr. Samuel Wells, Research Professor of Christian Ethics and Dean of Duke Chapel Dr. Lauren F . Winner, Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality