As likely anyone who would be reading my blog knows by now, a diocese (that means a number of churches with a senior church leader called a bishop) has decided to split from the mother church in New York.

The bad news for the segmenting group: it likely will have to start over, financially.  It's property is owned by the mother church. 

The good news: it doesn't have to do much else different except not ordain or marry gays.  It's leadership structure is in place.  It's liturgy is in place. 

Just about everything the San Joaquin Valley Episcopal Diocese, oops, Church, will go forward as it has for the last 200 years but without gay people.

And this raises the question: is it the responsibility of a governing body to be ahead of its "congregation" showing what could be and/or is?  Or, is it the responsibility of a governing body to reflect its constituents' own level of awareness and learning?

I don't really know which of these situations San Joaquin reflects.  Either way, splits are painful experiences for the splitters and the splitees.  Let's hope that those who govern understand what they do.