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

Epiphany 4, Year B, January 29, 2012, Holy Trinity Church Nashville

“But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!” (Mk 1:25). They say that Adolf Hitler was a spell-binding orator, who could wrap his audience around his... more

The Celebration of a New Ministry , January 28, 2012, St. Joseph of Arimathea Hendersonville

“I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…” (Jo. 15:16). This afternoon we’re gathered for a happy duty, to celebrate the call of the Rev. Jody Howard as... more

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, January 22, 2012, Church of the Epiphany Lebanon

“As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets” (Mk 1:18). This is a story of call, from the early days of... more

St. Fabian of Rome, January 20, 2012, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School

“I die every day” (1 Cor. 15:31). Norman Maclean tells the epic story of the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire in his book, Young Men and Fire. Mann Gulch was a huge disaster in Montana in which... more

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, January 15, 2012, Grace Church Spring Hill

“Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (Jo. 1:51). Christmas may have come and gone, but it’s... more

The First Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, January 8, 2012, The Church of the Epiphany, Sherwood

“When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them” (Acts 19:6). It’s the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, the First Sunday after the Epiphany, beginning a... more

The Holy Name of Jesus, January 1, 2012, Church of St. Joseph of Arimathea Hendersonville

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:7-8). New Year’s Day hasn’t always... more

Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk. 2:11). The land had languished long under an evil spell. The kingdom had been defeated by a... more

Advent 4, Year A, December 18, 2011, St. David’s Church Nashville

“Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but is now... more

Commemoration of St. Lucy of Syracuse, December 13, 2011, Tennessee Laymen, Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville

“And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb’” (Rev. 19:9a). The Episcopal Church cannot decide about St... more

Monday in the Third Week of Advent, December 12, 2011, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School

“John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know…” (Jo. 1:26). There’s a central question in our Gospel today, “Who are... more

The Third Sunday of Advent, Year B, December 11, 2011, St. Barnabas' Church, Tullahoma

“For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the... more

The First Sunday of Advent, Year B, November 27, 2011, Church of the Advent Nashville

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:3). Grace is where we begin today, at the very beginning of the Church Year: Advent Sunday, which... more

Proper 28, Year A, November 13, 2011, St. Andrew’s Church New Johnsonville

“So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6). The early Christians expected Jesus to return quickly, to wrap things up and to begin... more

The Sunday after All Saints’ Day, November 6, 2011, All Saints’ Church Smyrna

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). Several weeks ago I went through the International Concourse at the Atlanta airport; I was coming... more

Proper 26, Year A, October 30, 2011, Calvary Church Cumberland Furnace & St. James’ Church Dickson

“But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father — the one in heaven. Nor are you to... more

Proper 25, Year A, October 23, 2011, Trinity Church Winchester & St. Agnes’ Church Cowan

“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8... more

Proper 24, Year A, October 16, 2011, St. Mark’s Church Antioch

“For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you…” (1 Thess. 1:4). Christians are “chosen People”: not in the sense that they’re... more

Proper 23, Year A, October 9, 2011, Church of the Messiah Pulaski

“The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy” (Matt. 22:8). Caroline and I are going to a wedding next weekend, and so I suppose Jesus is telling this story for our... more

Proper 22, Year A, October 2, 2011, St. Augustine’s Chapel Nashville

“I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 3:8). My theme today (borrowed from the Apostle) is “knowledge,” and if... more

Proper 21, Year A, September 25, 2011, St. Michael’s Church Cookville

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself…” (Phil. 2:7-8). “Star quality:” that unique something, that charisma, that raises some people above the... more

Proper 19, Year A, September 11, 2011, Church of the Holy Cross Murfreesboro

“So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart” (Matt. 19:35). Roger Kahn tells a story about major league... more

Saturday in the Week of Proper 18, Year I, September 10, 2011, ECW Annual Meeting, Holy Trinity Church

“It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45). There’s a direct relationship between “what we say” and “what we do,” and... more

Proper 18, Year A, September 4, 2011, St. Anselm’s Church Nashville

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 13:14). “Puttin’ on the Ritz”: it’s a slang expression from the 1920s for getting dressed up in your best clothes and going... more

Proper 17, Year A, August 28, 2011, The Church of the Redeemer Shelbyville

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Denial is our Gospel theme today, and my purpose is to ring the... more

Proper 16, Year A, August 21, 2011, Grace Chapel Rossview & St. Luke’s Church Springfield

“I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment” (Rom. 12:3). I was glad to hear the other day some... more

Jeremy Taylor, Bishop of Down, Connor & Dromore, August 13, 2011, Laymen’s Conference, Dubose Conference Center Monteagle

“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. (Rom. 14:8). Folks here from Nashville may know that our... more

Proper 14, Year A, August 7, 2011, The Church of the Holy Spirit Nashville

“How are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?” (Rom. 10:14). The Apostle Paul asks a “trick question” today in our second reading: a question that we think we know... more

Proper 9, Year A, July 3, 2011, St. Ann’s Church Nashville

“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants” (Matt. 11:25... more

Trinity Sunday, June 19, 2011, Trinity Church Clarksville

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded... more

Trinity Sunday, June 19, 2011, Trinity Church Clarksville

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded... more

The Feast of Pentecost, June 12, 2011, St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

“You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; * and so you renew the face of the earth” (Ps. 104:31). Go ahead and take a deep breath. Today’s sermon is about three meanings... more

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A, June 5, 2011, St. Philip’s Church Nashville

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up towards heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts... more

The Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A, May 22, 2011, St. Paul’s Church Franklin

“You know the way to the place where I am going” (Jo. 14:4). It’s curious that there’s no question mark at the end of this sentence. In my household, when it comes to... more

The Fourth Sunday in Easter, Year A, May 15, 2011, The Church of the Good Shepherd Brentwood

“The LORD is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want” (Ps. 23:1). Easter is a season that goes on for 50 days, sometimes called “The Great Fifty Days”, that begins with the... more

The Third Sunday in Easter, May 8, 2011, St. George’s Church, Nashville

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him…” (Lk. 24: 30-31). Our... more

Wednesday in Easter Week, April 27, 2011, St. James Church Sewanee

“But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk’” (Acts 3:6). Money is a unit of... more

Easter Day, Year A, April 24, 2011, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead” (Jo... more

Reaffirmation of Ordination Vows & Consecration of Chrism, April 21, 2011, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me…” (Is. 61:1). This is the homestretch of Lent and Holy Week, the straight bit that follows the last bend... more

The Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year A, April 10, 2011, Otey Parish Sewanee

“When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth!” (Jo. 11:43). Our Gospel covers some common human ground today, territory that most of us know at... more

For the Ministry (III), April 9, 2011, Lay Ministry Celebration, Christ Church Cathedral Nashville

“The whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:5-6). When I was a teenager and new to the Christian faith, my imagination was... more

Friday in the Fourth Week of Lent, April 8, 2011, Tri-Diocese ECW Annual Meeting, Otey Parish Sewanee

“When the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from” (Jo. 7:27). I’ve lived most of my life in gracious and hospitable Southern cities and towns, including the one I... more

The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year A, April 3, 2011, Church of the Resurrection Franklin

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (Jo. 9:5). If you go out tonight and look up into the sky you’ll see starlight that’s been travelling for... more

The Second Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 20, 2011, St. Paul’s Church Murfreesboro

“Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:3). “The Day of Reckoning”: when I was growing up “the Day of Reckoning” was a... more

The First Sunday in Lent, Year A, March 13, 2011, Christ Church Tracy City

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also... more

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, March 6, 2011, St. James the Less Madison

“On the seventh day God called to Moses out of the cloud” (Ex. 24:16). When God gave the Ten Commandments he wrote them down, on tablets of stone inscribed with his own finger. God... more

The Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, February 27, 2011, St. Matthew’s Church McMinnville

“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries” (1 Cor. 4:1). “You’ve got people”: H&R Block uses this tag line to sell its... more

The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, February 20, 2011, The Church of Our Saviour Gallatin

“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2). God speaks to Moses today in our first reading... more

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, February 13, 2011, Christ Church Alto & Church of the Holy Comforter Monteagle

“You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times… But I say to you…” (Matt 5: 21-22). Our Gospel today is part of the Sermon on the Mount, the bit that... more

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, February 6, 2011, St. Peter’s Church Columbia

“You are the light of the world” (Matt 5: 14). I don’t remember the sermon, but I do remember what my parishioner Russ Rudolph said at the church door after the liturgy was... more

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 30, 2011, Holy Trinity Church Nashville

“What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Gary Haugen is an attorney who founded the... more

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 23, 2011, Grace Church Spring Hill

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you…” (1 Cor. 1:10). We... more

St. Agnes of Rome, January 21, 2011, Diocesan Convention, St. Bartholomew’s Church, Nashville

“Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past…” (Sg of Sgs 2:10-11). There are times when the Lectionary conspires with the natural order itself in... more

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 16, 2011, Church of the Epiphany Sherwood & St Agnes’ Church Cowan

““The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me” (Is. 49:1). Christians believe that God calls people to his service; and though we... more

The First Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A, January 9, 2011, Church of the Epiphany Lebanon

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights” (Is. 42:1). “Freedom of choice”: we put a high value on it, on our freedom to choose the thing we... more

The Second Sunday after Christmas, Year A, January 2, 2011, Church of St Joseph of Arimathea Hendersonville

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour” (Lk. 2:52). The New Year makes us mindful of the progress of time, with a nod towards both past and future... more

Archives - Sermons 2010

Bishop Bauerschmidt's Sermons from 2010 are archived. 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 Bauerschmidt: “How do we know what we know?: Sources of Authority in the Church,” Province IV Bishops’ Meeting

“How do we know what we know?: Sources of Authority in the Church”: that’s our topic this afternoon, the subject of authority through the lens of epistemology, of the way we know... more

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

The Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt: Bishop’s Convention Address , Diocese of Tennessee, January 21, 2012, St. Andrew's-Sewanee School

Introduction. Welcome to the 180th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee, held for the first time in almost a quarter of a century in this important part of our diocese. Today we greet... more

The Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt: Bishop’s Convention Address , Diocese of Tennessee, January 21, 2011, St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville

Introduction. My well-beloved fellow clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese of Tennessee, and our honored and esteemed guests, I bid you welcome to the 179th Annual Convention of the Diocese of... more

Theological Reflection for the House of Bishops, September 2010

I’ve been asked by the Planning Committee of the House of Bishops and the Curriculum Committee of the College for Bishops to reflect this morning on what God is up to in our midst regarding same... 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

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