“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” —Mark Twain

I kept thinking about that quote when I was composing my response to the recent meeting of the archbishops at Canterbury. I was hesitant; I knew it would be read by people from all over the Anglican Communion.

I wanted to write because I had a responsibility to do so, and I hope you have read it.

Relationships really matter. If we allow a coldness to come in, then we are not following our calling. We know in part—we all have pieces of what God wants to do.

As one of a small group of bishops in The Episcopal Church who are committed to biblical orthodoxy (most of us known as Communion Partner Bishops), we are watched nationally, and our voices are heeded. Most in The Episcopal Church do not agree with us, but they want to know what we think.

Just before Christmas, three of us bishops spoke with Archbishop Justin Welby and his assistant for Anglican Communion Affairs, the Rev. Canon Precious Omuku of Nigeria. One week later, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, flew into Orlando on holiday. Church of the Ascension, Orlando, was kind enough to host the archbishop on Christmas Eve, even yielding the pulpit where Idowu-Fearon preached twice that night. Thank you, Father Jim, for your outstanding hospitality!

I tell you these things to describe what I believe is the pivotal role orthodox bishops are playing in the wider Communion. Communion Partner Bishops are still given a very warm welcome.

This is a time for the diocese to be more involved, not less.

That is why I am going to the New Wineskins for Global Missions conference April 7-10, the largest missions conference of its kind within Anglicanism in the United States.

And that is why our deputation from the Diocese of Central Florida was so deeply involved in the General Convention of The Episcopal Church this past June. Our team served us well: speaking clearly, compassionately, building relationships and friendships across theological aisles. I chaired the Evangelism and Communications Committee with representatives from around the church, including Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. As a result of the work of that committee, more than $2 million was committed to evangelism—a historic record.

We biblically orthodox Episcopalians take our rightful place as full members—not marginalized, cranky, isolationist, or fearful; but prayerful, winsome, and deeply involved. It was because of the witness of these dioceses that a resolution supporting those who could not support same-sex-marriage rites was passed by large margins in both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies.

I deeply support our obeying the new canon calling for each diocese to give 15 percent by 2019. While I have made a vow to obey the canons (and that is reason alone to obey it), I also support it because of this pivotal moment God has given us in the life of Anglicanism. Canterbury and others respect us precisely because we are fully committed to full engagement with the wider Episcopal Church. We have not walked away.

In many ways, one of the points of our strategic plan, which is to “take our place in the councils of the church,” has been more deeply realized than ever before.

We also made commitments to reach out to our neighbors. I see it happening around the diocese: Winter Haven’s Boy Scout troop is bringing in new members; St. Gabriel’s is committed to feeding hundreds of families a week; St. Edward’s is supporting a chaplain for the school; an on-the-side surfer’s Mass sponsored by St. Peter the Fisherman, New Smyrna Beach. I could go on. More and more, our congregations are seeing themselves as missionary stations called by God to bring the gospel in word and deed to the communities where God has planted them.

David Bosch, in his exceptional book Transforming Mission (Orbis Books, 2011), says, “It is not the church, which undertakes mission; it is the [mission of God] which constitutes the church.” The key question for each of us is this: What is God’s mission for you?

It is to that end that our diocesan staff serves you, our congregations. Whether it is Earl Pickett’s fine work in finance, health care, and building inspection; Kristi Alday’s work as archdeacon extraordinaire and the fine work of the Institute for Christian Studies; Canon Tim Nunez’s diligent work with vestries and search processes; Canon Justin Holcomb’s recruiting and raising up of new leaders; or our excellent support staff who make sure you find the right person or get the right information, we are committed to serving you in the calling God has given you.

This past year, I ordained 12 people to the diaconate and 10 to the priesthood. We presently have 42 in our ICS program and 12 studying for the priesthood. Many of these people come from other church traditions. The diocese gave out promissory notes for theological education totaling $28,500.

God has a future for The Episcopal Church in Central Florida, and I am delighted to be a part of it.

Over this past year, at youth events around the diocese, our young people were asked to describe what is important to them about church. What they said can help us to think about what kind of churches we need to build for this new generation.

Sarah, of St. James, Ormond Beach, spoke of the church as being her “safe place.” Can our common commitment to Christ bind us together so deeply that people are free to reveal their true selves and receive healing from their deepest wounds through the love of Christ?

Brandon, of Nativity, Port St. Lucie, spoke of how he feels welcomed and loved when he enters the church. Most of our churches excel at caring for one another. The testimony of many is that they have come into our congregations and felt welcomed and loved.

Shah, of Nativity, Port St. Lucie, spoke of how much the scriptures mean to him. We have a priceless treasure in the scriptures. They are God-breathed. They are the reliable promises that offer us assurance of mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life. However, very few of us own Bibles that (to quote the Book of Common Prayer) we “read, mark and inwardly digest,” and we are the poorer for it.

Grace, of St. Paul’s, Winter Haven, feels comfort in prayers. There is a rhythm of public prayer that carries us. It brings us to the throne of grace. It is no idle exercise.

Growing churches teach people how to pray and have a relationship with God.

Ben, of St. Paul’s, Winter Haven, says his appearance has changed because of the love of God in him. What does this wonderful combination of family relationships, formative worship and sacraments, biblical teaching and life-upholding prayer produce? It produces changed lives that other people notice.

And finally, Zach from Good Shepherd, Lake Wales, shared that his church is invaluable to their community.

God is actively at work in the Diocese of Central Florida. God is using us to have an impact on the wider church. God is using our congregations to touch our communities. New people are being raised up into ministry. And a new generation is receiving what we have been so blessed to receive. People’s lives are being changed by the power of the gospel. Why would you want to be anywhere else?

We’re a family with a future that God has planned for us. We know, because of God’s mercy, there are divine appointments ahead of us yet to be revealed. I, for one, do not want to miss out on what God is doing. I bet most of you want to be there too. Will you open yourselves up to God’s future? Will you say yes to the adventure?

Let us continue to do this together. Thank you for the privilege!