ACL message of support for Vancouver churches

“The Anglican Church League commends the leadership of the Anglican Network in Canada on its godly response to the  decision of the B.C. Supreme Court.

We remain committed to supporting the  faithful men and women of the four congregations (St John’s Shaughnessy, St Matthew’s Abbotsford, St Matthias & St Luke West 49th Vancouver, and Good Shepherd Church East 19th Vancouver) who have suffered over the past months and now face a measure of uncertainty about the future.

Throughout this ordeal it has been apparent to those who have been watching around the world that these four congregations are facing persecution for their steadfast resolve to remain true to the word of God. In this they have shown themselves to be faithful disciples of Christ and true heirs of the Anglican heritage of Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley and others. We have been encouraged by their graciousness amidst extraordinary provocation and by their refusal to surrender biblical principles for the sake of an illusory peace. With or without their buildings they are the blessed people of God who by their example are blessing others.

The ACL Council encourages all its members to continue in prayer for these four congregations, and in particular those who serve them in leadership, at this difficult time.

Mark D Thompson
ACL President.”

Related: Nov 25, 2009 letter from St. John’s Shaughnessy Leadership.

In such a tongue as the people understandeth

“One of the great principles of Reformation was the use of vernacular languages. Though faith, as the Reformers described it, was not merely giving assent to propositions, but trust, it was trust in the Word of God. And for that the Word of God was something that needed to be heard and understood by the people.

It is no surprise that so much energy was given to Bible translation – the great William Tyndale’s vision was that the ploughboy could read it and understand it for himself. This was a cause for which he was to give his life. …”

– Michael Jensen has continued his series on The Thirty Nine Articles at Thirty Nine – and is now up to Article XXIV: “Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth”.