Bishop's Forum

Greetings Friends!

It is my desire to communicate with you throughout the diocese on a regular basis as your bishop and friend. To that end we have redesigned and formatted our diocesan website to contain an easy to find location for what we'll call the Bishop's Forum.

This section of our site will be a place where I will be able to make available thoughts, devotionals, letters, information that I feel is beneficial to our life and ministry, and maybe even some humor interjected now and then!

Please select from any of the following topics that may be of interest to you; and check back often for new postings!

Faithfully Yours,

+John C. Bauerschmidt

Sermons

Proper 16, Year C [BCP], August 22, 2010, St. James’ the Less Madison

“The one who trusts will not panic” (Is. 28:16). “Panic”: everyone knows what this means. The clammy palms, the quickness of breath, the tidal wave of anxiety; in sum... more

Proper 15, Year C, August 15, 2010, St. Paul’s Church Murfreesboro

“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:1-2). Yesterday the seventh Annual Tomato Art Festival... more

Proper 14, Year C, August 8, 2010, Church of the Holy Cross Murfreesboro

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Everyone knows what faith is, but it’s a word with nuance, different levels of... more

Proper 9, Year C, July 4, 2010, St. Mary Magdalene’s Church Fayetteville

“After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go” (Lk. 10:1). Christianity is a... more

Proper 8, Year C, June 27, 2010, St. Ann’s Church Nashville

“When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk. 9:51). The Gospel of Luke is organized around a journey, the final journey that Jesus... more

Proper 7, Year C [BCP], June 20, 2010, Grace Church Spring Hill

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23). Some people will do anything for attention. If you’re in... more

Celebration of Parish Ministry and Final Service, June 16, 2010, St. Bernard’s Gruetli-Laager

“We preach Christ crucified…” (1 Cor. 1:23). There’s an old custom in church of placing a crucifix near the pulpit, to put a visible reminder of the nature of Christian... more

Proper 6, Year C [BCP], June 13, 2010, St. Luke’s Springfield & Grace Chapel Rossview

“One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him…” (Lk 7:36). South Louisiana is the only place I’ve ever lived where you’ll be eating lunch and people will start... more

Proper 5, Year C [BCP], June 6, 2010, St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

“When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her…” (Lk 7:13). “Compassion:” it literally means “suffer with,” though by extension it’s come to... more

Trinity Sunday, Year C, May 30, 2010, Trinity Church Clarksville

“God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Rom. 5:5). A recent magazine article (David Owen, The New Yorker, May 17th , 2010) tells... more

The Day of Pentecost, Year C, May 23, 2010, St. John’s Church Ashwood

“You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; * and so you renew the face of the earth” (Ps. 104:31). Probably the best thing about the film Avatar, released not long ago, is... more

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 16, 2010, St. George’s Church Nashville

“And for their sakes I consecrate myself, so that they also may be consecrated in truth” (Jo. 17:19). In J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit Frodo is... more

The Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C, May 9, 2010, St. Philip’s Church Nashville

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city” (Rev... more

Commemoration of St. Catherine of Siena, April 28, 2010, St. Augustine’s Chapel Nashville

"Strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Lk. 12:31). Let’s start in the eighteenth century, with the poet Christopher Smart. A Cambridge... more

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 25, 2010, Church of the Good Shepherd Brentwood

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish” (Jo. 10:28). The early Christians loved the image of the Good Shepherd, often depicted as a beardless youth in wall... more

The Third Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 18, 2010, St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

“Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (Jo. 21:4). I hope you’re refreshed after Spring Break. Someone told me that... more

The Second Sunday in Easter, Year C, April 11, 2010, Church of the Resurrection Franklin

“When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (Jo. 20:22). “As I live and breathe” or “Till my last... more

The Great Vigil of Easter, April 3, 2010, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“He is not here, but has risen” (Lk 24:5). Do you know about the “six-word memoir?” A few years ago the editors of Smith magazine challenged its readers to condense their... more

Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows & Consecration of Chrism, April 1, 2010, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me…” (Is. 61:1). Here’s Cyril of Jerusalem, at the end of Lent in the year 347 or 348, instructing... more

The Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 14, 2010, St. James’ Church Sewanee & Christ Church Tracy City

“Let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again” (Lk. 15:23-24). There are two movements in our Gospel reading today, two steps along the way of the... more

The Third Sunday in Lent, March 7, 2010, Otey Parish Sewanee

“So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt” (Ex. 3:10). “You got to move/You got to move/You got to move, child/You got to move/But... more

The Second Sunday in Lent, February 28, 2010, St. Peter’s Church Columbia

“Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work” (Lk. 13:32). What’s your life’s work? What’s the... more

The First Sunday in Lent, February 21, 2010, The Church of the Redeemer Shelbyville

“For he shall give his angels charge over you, * to keep you in all your ways” (Ps. 91:11). There are four different words for “lion” in biblical Hebrew, a bit like the... more

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany, February 14, 2010, Christ Church Alto & Church of the Holy Comforter Monteagle

“And all of us… seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another…” (2 Cor... more

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 7, 2010, St. Matthew’s Church McMinnville

“Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch” (Lk. 5:4). I have a daredevil son, who when he was five years old decided that he could jump into his... more

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, January 31, 2010, Holy Trinity Church Nashville

“Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum” (Lk. 4:23). “Charity begins at home:” these words are not found in any of the four... more

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, January 24, 2010, Church of Our Saviour Gallatin

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). Over the past few years, members of the Church of Our Saviour have had a crash course in what it means... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Bishop’s Convention Address, Diocese of Tennessee, January 22, 2010, St. George's Church Nashville

Introduction. My fellow clergy, esteemed delegates, honored guests, I bid you welcome to the 178th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee. We are assembled here to “take... more

Vincent of Saragossa, January 22, 2010, Diocesan Convention, St. George’s Church Nashville

“Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14... more

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany , January 17, 2010, St. Bede’s Church Manchester

“Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him” (Jo. 2:11). In J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga about the... more

The First Sunday after the Epiphany, January 10, 2010., St.Joseph of Arimathea Church Hendersonville

“I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit and fire*” (Lk... more

The Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 2010, Church of St. Joseph of Arimathea Hendersonville

“Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Is. 60:3). “A cold coming we had of it, /just the worst time of the year /for a journey, and such... more

Christmas 2, Year C, January 3, 2010, Church of the Epiphany Lebanon

“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage” (Matt. 2:2). The wise men came a long way, guided by... more

Archives - Sermons 2009

Bishop Bauerschmidt's Sermons from 2009 are archived. more

Archives - Sermons 2008

Bishop Bauerschmidt's Sermons from 2008 are archived. more

Archive - Sermons 2007

Bishop Bauerschmidt's Sermons from 2007 are archived. more

Theological Essays

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Book Review

The Fate of Communion: The Agony of Anglicanism and the Future of a Global Church (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2006), xiii + 306 pp. Ephraim Radner & Philip Turner, authors. The... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Remarks at Wycliffe College, Toronto

Agreeing Together: Reflections on Ecclesiology and Theological Method “What are parties given for in London but that enemies may meet?” says the Duchess in Henry James’ novel... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Commencement Address, May 11, 2007, The School of Theology, The University of the South Sewanee

It’s a pleasure and honor to be here, to receive this degree and to preach at this Eucharist. It is unusual, in my experience, to be preaching to a congregation with such a high proportion... more

Other

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: Letter to Bishop Bauerschmidt and the People of Tennessee

To the Bishop and People of Tennessee: My thoughts and prayers are with you in the aftermath of the destructive flooding that struck last weekend. I am asking Episcopalians across this Church to... more

Bishop’s Statement on the Flood & Recovery, May 6th

The Middle Tennessee Flood of 2010 has heavily impacted our area of mission and ministry, affecting churches and other institutions of the Diocese of Tennessee, as well as our clergy, parishioners... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Wednesday Update

Update: St. Philip’s Church Donelson and the Church of our Saviour Gallatin both report some flooding in church buildings as a result of the rainstorms over the weekend. Parishioners at... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Tuesday Afternoon Update

Update: The Church of the Advent, Nashville, has experienced some basement flooding and other minor storm damage. Power has not yet been restored, and there is no phone service at either... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Tuesday Morning Update

Update: Fr. Leigh Spruill, St. George's Church Nashville, confirms that Bill and Frankie Rutledge lost their lives in flashflood waters on Sunday morning. May their souls, and the souls of all... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Statement on May Flooding in Nashville and Middle Tennessee

Our thoughts and prayers are with our fellow parishioners and neighbors in Tennessee as we deal with the effects of the rainstorms experienced in the state over this past weekend. We are mindful... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Late Afternoon Update on Flooding

Update: I’m very concerned to report that Bill and Frankie Rutledge of St. George’s Church Nashville, are missing, since leaving their home for church early on Sunday morning. ... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Letter Regarding St. Andrew's Nashville

Dear Colleagues, On October 30th, the Bishop and the Diocese of Tennessee will bring a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment in Chancery Court in Davidson County against the... more

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: St. Ann's 150th Anniversary, St. Ann's Church Nashville

I was struck by reading the words of Bishop Quintard here 135 years ago, challenging the people of this parish to think boldly and build bigger so they could serve a larger community. He urged them to... more

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: On the Mission of the Church, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

Shortly after I took office, somebody at the Church Center mentioned a wild and crazy idea about sending 50 young adults to prowl around New York City as urban missioners – people who might... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Statement on the Consent Process in the Episcopal Election in the Diocese of Northern Michigan

The process of consent to an episcopal election does not always generate a great deal of interest in the Episcopal Church, but it has done so in the case of the Rev’d Kevin Thew Forrester... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Rutherford County Tornado, Good Friday

The thoughts and prayers of the Diocese of Tennessee are with the people of Murfreesboro and of Rutherford County in the wake of the tornado that struck the area on Good Friday. We mourn the loss of... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Bishop’s Convention Address, Diocese of Tennessee, January 24, 2009, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

Delegates to this 177th Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee, honored guests, and worthy participants in this annual gathering of our Diocesan Church: I give thanks to God for all of you, and for... more

A Statement Regarding the Formation of a new Anglican Church

A Statement Regarding the Formation of a new Anglican Church December 12, 2008 Many of you will have read in the newspapers of the formation of a new “Anglican Church in North... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Third Letter from Lambeth

Letter from Lambeth, August 3rd The Lambeth Conference concluded on Sunday, with a final plenary session and a third presidential address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and worship in Canterbury... more

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori: concluding address to the Lambeth Conference

Many bishops came to this gathering in fear and trembling, expecting either a distasteful encounter between those of vastly different opinions, or the cold shoulder from those who disagree. The... more

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams: concluding presidential address to the Lambeth Conference

I began the second of these plenary addresses with a reminder of the question, 'What is Lambeth '08 going to say?' And I suggested that we also needed to ask 'Where are we going to speak from?' I hope... more

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams: second presidential address to the Lambeth Conference

'What is Lambeth '08 going to say?' is the question looming larger all the time as this final week unfolds. But before trying out any thoughts on that, I want to touch on the prior question, a... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Second Letter from Lambeth

Letter from Lambeth, July 26th Following our time of retreat and the opening of the Conference with worship in Canterbury Cathedral and an initial Plenary session, the daily schedule at the... more

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams: Presidential Address to the Lambeth Conference

As we begin our work together, we're bound to be very much aware of people's eyes upon us. There are expectations among our own people -- both hopes and fears. There are expectations among the... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Letter From Lambeth

Letter from Lambeth, July 19th Greetings to members of the Diocese of Tennessee from the Lambeth Conference, held in Canterbury from mid-July until early August. This gathering of bishops... more

Ordination of John Bender to the Diaconate, February 23, 2008 , St. Philip’s Church Nashville

"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." (Lk. 22:27) “Service” is the... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Bishop’s Convention Address, Diocese of Tennessee, January 26, 2008, St Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

It seems difficult for me to believe that a year has passed since January, 2007, and the great events of the Convention Weekend and the Consecration service. The past year has been a quick race for me... more

The Rev. Dr. George Sumner: Sermon for Holy Eucharist During Annual Convention, January 26, 2008, St Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

My daughter was 13 and we were walking down University Avenue at the heart of our home city of Toronto. The sun was shining and I was quite happy, maybe humming to myself.. until I noticed that she... more

The Rev. Dr. George Sumner: Convention Address, Diocese of Tennessee, January 26, 2008, St Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

It is a delight to be with you for your diocesan convention, and I as the principal bring you greetings from Wycliffe College, a theologically traditional Anglican seminary, Canada’s largest... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Statement on Resignation of The Rev. F.J. Richardson and The Rev. William Midgett

On Monday, January 7th, I received letters of resignation from the Rev’d Frederick Richardson, Jr as Vicar of Holy Cross Church, Murfreesboro, and from the Rev’d William Midgett, as Rector... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Summary of House of Bishops Meeting, September 2007, New Orleans

I am grateful to the clergy and people of the Diocese of Tennessee for your prayers and other support during the recent meeting of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. I have... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Reflections on Communion Matters, September 1, 2007

Process In the Spring of this year, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church published a study document, Communion Matters, to guide Episcopalians across the country in considering and... more

The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt: Funeral Service for Laurie Hamner, March 20, 2007, St Martin’s in the Fields Church Atlanta

My sermon today is less like a sermon and more like a series of unresolved points. So here it is: First, here’s what I remember. I remember meeting Laurie Roberts Hamner on a... more