John Maxwell on "Come out from among them"

From the Maxwell Leadership Bible, a comment on II Corinthians 6:14-18 that is full of relevant thoughts for Anglicans/Episcopalians.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“ I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

Therefore

“ Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
“ I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty."

Maxwell's comment

Partnerships: They Make or Break the Leader

Healthy leaders often partner with others to reach their goals. In fact, we live in an age of partnerships, both in the corporate world and in the church. Paul reminds us that there is nothing more dangerous to a leader than an unhealthy or destructive partnership. Note several signs of a bad partnership:

1. The parties don't share the same values.
2. The parties don't agree on the goal.
3. One or both parties must compromise their convictions.
4. One party selfishly demands that the other surrender.
5. One party benefits and the other loses.

Good partnerships do not foster codependence or independence, but interdependence. Every party feels secure, is stretched and enjoys synergy. The partnership multiplies the productivity of both parties.

A rushed reflection from yours truly: The Bible passage and Maxwell's leadership thoughts are full of reasons why a gracious separation of Biblically faithful Anglicans from "new thing" Episcopalians is the best way forward. Unless of course the Episcopalians are addicted to the melodrama, litigation and other sick entanglements by which they define themselves as "victims."

And verse 18 of the Bible text is certainly a warning to those of us who, however Biblically traditional, continue to wade in the TEC swamp: God can best be our Father if we are out of the toxic glop.

Gotta run...