Statement from Archbishop Peter Jensen on the Lambeth and Jerusalem conferences
Statement from Archbishop Peter Jensen
6th June 2008
It is not long now before I leave for the Jerusalem Conference. I am immensely grateful for the support and prayers of so many of you. I’m looking forward to meeting with the leaders representing 35 million Anglicans across 27 different countries and it is my hope that God will give us wisdom during our time together. As we look to the future of this great communion of churches, I am praying that we will maintain the highest level of unity possible.
I have just written to the Archbishop of Canterbury to assure him of my prayers for him and for the success of the Lambeth Conference. We have different views on how best to see the future of the Anglican Communion at this time.
But we are at one in seeking its good health and doing what can be done to make sure that the turmoil created by those who have set aside fundamental Christian teaching does not destroy it. On the contrary, our aim should be to see it united as never before in the service of Christ in this world. I am praying that both the Lambeth Conference and the Jerusalem Conference will help achieve that goal. Will you join me in your intercessions?
The Death and Doctrine of Nicholas Ridley
Bishop Nicholas Ridley is one of the martyrs of the English Reformation – dying with Bishop Hugh Latimer in Oxford on October 16th 1555. But what was it all about?
In this helpful talk, Dr. Garry Williams of Oak Hill Theological College, London, puts the death and doctrine of Nicholas Ridley into their historical and theological context.
Dr. Williams’ 54 minute talk is available as an mp3 file at The Theologian.
Kent Hughes on Life and Preaching
Kent Hughes, Pastor Emeritus at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, is one of the speakers at the coming 2008 Ministry Intensive at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
Mark Dever recently spoke with Kent about Life and Preaching for the 9Marks Audio Interviews. Who does he count as influences in his ministry?
You can hear or download the audio via this page.
Manchester Cathedral ‘unambiguous message of inclusion’ for LGBT people
“Manchester Cathedral is to host a special service of welcome aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at 7.30pm on 12 June.
The event, which will be a Christian service recognizing and open to all faiths, is the result of partnership working over the last five years between the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, The Bishop of Manchester and his Advisory Group on Sexuality.
The Bishop of Manchester has said many times that he is committed to having a broad church which honours everyone irrespective of faith, race, gender or sexuality. The Bishop of Manchester will preach and the Dean of the Cathedral will be present at the event which will be complemented by having both the Cathedral Choir present and Manchester’s Lesbian and Gay Chorus. Paul Martin, from LGF and Transgender Campaigner, Christine Burns will also take part. …
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, said: ‘This service is one of a number of initiatives that have been running in the Diocese of Manchester creating, what we hope, will be seen as an unambiguous message of welcome, affirmation and inclusion for LGBT people. Rejection is not good for health; nor is a church that rejects people a healthy Church.’ …”
– From the Diocese of Manchester website. Emphasis added. (Thanks to Anglican Mainstream.)
‘Death knell’ for the Anglican communion not really about homosexuality
As the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, prepares to leave for the conference that will decide the fate of the worldwide Anglican church, fresh trouble in North America suggests the 450-year old communion has little hope of holding together. …
But Archbishop Jensen argues: “This dispute is not really about homosexuality. It’s really about authority and who runs the church. And fairly clearly, to most of the rest of us, God runs the church through the Bible.” …
– Full report in The Sydney Morning Herald.
Related: In an article on GAFCON and Lambeth, The New Vision (Uganda) interviewed Archbishop of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi –
The Church in Uganda was not shutting out gays, but believes that they can change, the archbishop explained. “We believe in the transforming power of Jesus and that homosexuals can change.”
Besides, there were other issues dividing the Church, Orombi stated, citing the assertion that Jesus was not the only way to God and His birth was not of a virgin nature.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…