I have always been a dreamer.  As a child, I thought about how things could be as opposed to how things are.  The earliest bishops were prophets in that they saw new possibilities through God’s action in the community.  The problem with being a dreamer is that there is often a disconnect between the dream and making that dream a reality.  I have a dream but I lack the skills, knowledge, and finances to make this dream a reality.  Maybe someone with these can read my dream and make it a reality.  Who wants to dream with me?

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What is my dream?  In short, a “Vatican” for the Independent Sacramental Movement.  I must qualify that statement as the ISM “Vatican” that I dream is vastly different from the Roman Catholic Vatican.  This ISM “Vatican” would not undermine the authority of any ISM jurisdiction or have any relationship with any ISM jurisdiction.  It would be a ministry of service for all ISM communities.

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What does the ISM “Vatican” look like?  It would contain a complex of several buildings.  The first would be a church structure available to ISM communities for events like ordinations and liturgies.  It could be a place where people of many ISM jurisdictions come together for prayer.  As part of this ideal, I would love to see a retreat house open for ISM jurisdictions to come together for days of prayer, workshops, retreats, and convocations. 

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The ISM “Vatican” would have an extensive library made available to ISM jurisdictions and scholars to continue their research.  Until recently, the ISM movement lacked scholars interested in the movement.  This scholarly neglect has distorted the perception of the movement by the wider public.  The early Christians had educated scholars who reconciled science, philosophy, and their Christian faith.  The ISM movement needs scholars who can provide a foundation for our beliefs for both people within the movement as well as people outside the movement.  I would love for there to be funds available each year for a member of the ISM clergy and laity to further their education and contribute to scholarship.

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Moreover, the ISM “Vatican” would be a place of assistance for ISM jurisdictions.  This “Vatican” would be of service finding ways to bring people together and help communities obtain resources that they lack.  The earliest Christian writings of Paul focus on the collection he was making for the saints in Jerusalem.  Many ISM communities are in need and this “Vatican” will help bring people together to meet these needs.  Additionally, this ISM “Vatican” would assist newly ordained ISM clergy in need by providing vestments, liturgical books, oil stocks, a chalice and everything needed for a basic ministry.

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This dream of an ISM “Vatican” is an organization that supports ISM jurisdictions but has no control over these jurisdictions.  It would have the motto of “how can we help?” as it exists as a ministry of support.  This dream seems impossible for so many reasons but I hope one day this dream can become a reality.