Saying Yes to Change and the Church

Yesterday, July 10, 2012, a united House of Deputies voted for historic change in The Episcopal Church.  The final vote was loud and thunderous and applause—not typically part of the decorum of the house—was euphoric with a standing ovation and cheers.  Elections, however, are not usually the same.  I anxiously waited for the appointed time for votes for 7 lay-person seats for Executive Council, the governing body of our church between General Conventions.  I won, but on the third ballot, not unlike my run for deputy at our convention in January 2011, where I also won by two votes on the last ballot.  It was tense.  I love this church and I want to serve it.  I ran for Executive Council for the same reasons I ran for Deputy, I want our church to be “relevant” to the community and world around us now and the future church.

I campaigned hard.  It was a lot of networking and introducing myself to folks in the elevator or wherever I had a captive audience of deputies.  But a win…is a win.  And I am honored to have won a spot on a very important body of our polity.  There is a lot of work ahead.

I am taken aback by the level of positive energy and interest in asking the question, “What could The Episcopal Church look like, if we dared to dream.”   I am excited and emboldened  that so much of this energy seems to be coming from dioceses around the country and more importantly the throng of young adults in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s who are here asking The Episcopal Church for an invitation for a seat at the table saying they want to “help lead not leave” the Church.

In my opinion, this is great news and my message to my fellow Deputies and Bishops is simple, “Pay Attention.”

John  B. Johnson, IV


John Johnson is a Convention Deputy and member of St. Thomas' Parish, Dupont Circle