A Long Awaited Future
Posted on October 17, 2025
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Dr. Mark Thompson shares his gratitude for the faithfulness of the Gafcon Primates.
Take the time to read in full –
The recent announcement from the Gafcon Primates, The Future has Arrived (16 October 2025), begins a new era in the long history of the Anglican churches.
In 2008 Anglican bishops from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem to support each other in the mission of reaching the world for Christ and growing churches where Christ is honoured as the teaching of Scripture is cherished and obeyed. The Gafcon movement was born out of a desire to stand together under the authority of Scripture, to repent of our own failure to do so, and to call to repentance those Anglicans, and particularly those in leadership, who have departed from the explicit teaching of Scripture in their belief, teaching, or practice. Gafcon’s preoccupations have always been biblical faithfulness and missional urgency.
Since that very first meeting there has been no repentance at the highest levels in the Church of England. Successive archbishops have continued to pursue a revisionist agenda, turning aside from the teaching of the Bible, not merely on matters of human sexuality and marriage, but also with regard to gender, the sanctity of human life from the womb to the grave, the universality of sin, the centrality of Jesus’ atoning death and physical resurrection, the nature and authority of Scripture itself, and the exercise of Christian ministry. Sometimes this has been done by remaining silent in the face of programs of doctrinal revision promoted by others. At other times this has involved their own outright denial of what the Bible teaches. At still other times they have redefined the Bible’s teaching in ways entirely inconsistent with its explicit wording, in an attempt to legitimate their own decision to permit things the Bible prohibits or to forbid things the Bible calls on us to do in response to God’s grace.
The program of theological revision and missional decline that had begun long before the first GAFCON has continued unabated and has indeed accelerated in recent years. The recent appointment of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury, has merely confirmed that trajectory. In many ways the irrelevance of the Church of England hierarchy to the rest of the Anglican Communion is even more apparent. Gafcon has made repeated calls for repentance and a change of direction. There have been innumerable meetings seeking to bring about the most needed changes. Though its statements have been strong, the movement has shown admirable restraint in inviting those opposed to them to return to the Scriptures and rejoin with them in genuinely Christian fellowship. However, there has been no repentance and no return. The Gafcon leaders have now judged that time is up. Enough is enough.
I am so grateful for the faithfulness and courage of the Gafcon Primates. This latest statement is bold and clear, and it will be an encouragement to those who have been watching and waiting to see when the words will be translated into action. The primacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Anglican Communion is at an end. The so-called instruments of unity, which have in reality proven to be instruments of doctrinal deviation and division, are no longer recognised. The Communion is now reset (not replaced but reset) as the Global Anglican Communion and we are looking forward to a new era of evangelism, mission, growing mature and Christ-like churches, and a clear, unambiguous message to the world. Let the Canterbury Communion continue to wither on the vine and let the Global Anglican Communion push forward from this new beginning, continue, and on the last day finish, as a faithful expression of Christian discipleship and mission.
Mark D Thompson is the Principal of Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. He serves in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and is the Chair of its Diocesan Doctrine Commission, which recently produced a report on Authentic Anglicanism.
First published at The Australian Church Record.
Enough’s Enough! — A Bible-Centred Reordering of Global Anglicanism — with Laurent Mbanda
Posted on October 17, 2025
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This afternoon, for The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele spoke with Chair of the Gafcon Primates Council, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda –
“We are now the Global Anglican Communion,” declares Archbishop Laurent Mbanda — the Chair of Gafcon, Primate of Rwanda, and leader of Global Anglicans.
Bible-believing Anglicans around the world are praising God today.
The Anglican Communion is being reordered — reset — with the Bible once again at its foundation.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the revisionists, and the so-called Canterbury Communion are out — they’ve repeatedly abandoned Cranmerian Anglicanism, and ultimately, Jesus himself.
This reordering seeks to restore the Communion’s original structure — a fellowship of autonomous provinces bound together by the Formularies of the Reformation. There will be no communion with those who have abandoned the authority of Scripture.
A new Council of Primates will be formed, electing a chairman to preside as primus inter pares — first among equals.
Archbishop Mbanda is here in Sydney this week with a group of Primates and the founding fathers of Gafcon. Their informal consultations culminated in a clear and momentous statement — so significant that an online Global Primates Meeting was held at 11 p.m. Sydney time last night to ratify the decisions made.
Many of those leaders are now on planes heading home. But Archbishop Mbanda, joins us in our Pastor’s Heart studio.”
– Watch here.
The Future Has Arrived — Gafcon Communique
Posted on October 17, 2025
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A most significant announcement from Gafcon …
“As has been the case from the very beginning, we have not left the Anglican Communion; we are the Anglican Communion.”
Full Communique follows:
“To our dear Anglican brothers and sisters in Christ.
Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ, on the Commemoration of the martyrdom of Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley.
The first Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) gathered in 2008 in Jerusalem to prayerfully respond to the abandonment of the Scriptures by some of the most senior leaders of the Anglican Communion, and to seek their repentance.
In the absence of such repentance, we have been prayerfully advancing towards a future for faithful Anglicans, where the Bible is restored to the heart of the Communion.
Today, that future has arrived.
Our Gafcon Primates gathered this hour to fulfil our mandate to reform the Anglican Communion, as expressed in the Jerusalem Statement of 2008.
We resolved to reorder the Anglican Communion as follows:
1. We declare that the Anglican Communion will be reordered, with only one foundation of communion, namely the Holy Bible, “translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense, respectful of the church’s historic and consensual reading” (Jerusalem Declaration, Article II), which reflects Article VI of the 39 Articles of Religion.
2. We reject the so-called Instruments of Communion, namely the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), and the Primates Meeting, which have failed to uphold the doctrine and discipline of the Anglican Communion.
3. We cannot continue to have communion with those who advocate the revisionist agenda, which has abandoned the inerrant word of God as the final authority and overturned Resolution I.10, of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.
4. Therefore, Gafcon has re-ordered the Anglican Communion by restoring its original structure as a fellowship of autonomous provinces bound together by the Formularies of the Reformation, as reflected at the first Lambeth Conference in 1867, and we are now the Global Anglican Communion.
5. Provinces of the Global Anglican Communion shall not participate in meetings called by the Archbishop of Canterbury, including the ACC, and shall not make any monetary contribution to the ACC, nor receive any monetary contribution from the ACC or its networks.
6. Provinces, which have yet to do so, are encouraged to amend their constitution to remove any reference to being in communion with the See of Canterbury and the Church of England.
7. To be a member of the Global Anglican Communion, a province or a diocese must assent to the Jerusalem Declaration of 2008, the contemporary standard for Anglican identity.
8. We shall form a Council of Primates of all member provinces to elect a Chairman, as primus inter pares (‘first amongst equals’), to preside over the Council as it continues “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
As I declared in my statement two weeks ago,“the reset of our beloved Communion is now uniquely in the hands of Gafcon, and we are ready to take the lead.”
Today, Gafcon is leading the Global Anglican Communion.
As has been the case from the very beginning, we have not left the Anglican Communion; we are the Anglican Communion.
At our upcoming G26 Bishops Conference in Abuja, Nigeria from 3 to 6 March 2026, we will confer and celebrate the Global Anglican Communion.
Please pray that we will lead our Communion in prayerful submission to the Holy Spirit as we hear the voice of Jesus in his wondrous Scriptures, to the glory of God.
Yours in Christ,
The Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda
Chairman, Gafcon Primates’ Council
Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Rwanda
Thursday 16th October, 2025.”
– via Gafcon.
“No repentance, but the Lawyers told us we can’t do it – yet”
Posted on October 17, 2025
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“The Church of England has halted its plans to introduce ‘wedding’ services for same-sex couples after the bishops finally accepted long-resisted legal advice that it is not possible to do so without the approval of two-thirds of General Synod.
Plans to allow clergy to enter a same-sex civil marriage have also been scrapped owing to the legal complications, ongoing divisions on the issue and the confusion that bringing in the reform by itself would sow. …
The upshot is that the Church of England will continue, for the time being at least, officially to hold to traditional biblical teaching on marriage – while liberals will continue quietly to flout it and make use of the ‘blessings’ fudge they got in under Welby.”
– This Daily Sceptic article has news and commentary.
(Our headline is a very rough summary. Image: The Church of England’s General Synod in February 2023)
China arrested 30 Christians. Some fear it’s the start of a bigger crackdown
Posted on October 17, 2025
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“Last Friday Grace Jin Drexel received a text from her father in China, the prominent pastor Jin Mingri, telling her to pray for another pastor who had gone missing.
The text said that the other pastor had been detained while visiting the southern city of Shenzhen.
‘Shortly after that, I got a call from my mum. She said she couldn’t contact my dad,’ Ms Jin Drexel, who lives in the US, told the BBC.
Within hours her family realised that Mr Jin had also been caught up in what has been described by activists as China’s largest arrest of Christians in decades. …”
Related:
Open Doors International Day of Prayer, 2nd November 2025.
Illustration: Autograph book entry, probably by a student studying at SMBC.
Growth in AMiE
Posted on October 17, 2025
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Prayer update from Gafcon:
“Today we give thanks to God for the ongoing growth of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE), a Gafcon-established diocese committed to guarding and growing the gospel in England.
New church plants have begun in Hackbridge (South London), Denton (Manchester) and Bracknell (near Reading). Pray for the leaders and members stepping out in faith to proclaim Christ.
We praise God that some AMiE churches are now holding two services on Sundays, a sign of gospel growth and gathering. Pray for the Lord to raise up more leaders and resources for this new season.
We also rejoice that Bishop Tim Davies will be installed as diocesan bishop at a service of celebration and consecration on 22 November at Christ Church Central, Sheffield, 2 pm.”
– Source.
GSFA tribute to Archbishop Drexel Gomez
Posted on October 16, 2025
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From the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches:
“With deep sorrow, we receive the news of the passing of the Most Rev. Drexel Gomez, Archbishop and Primate of the Church in the Province of the West Indies, and one of the founding fathers of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches. Archbishop Gomez was a faithful shepherd, a wise counsellor, and a steadfast defender of the historic faith of the Church.
Throughout his ministry, he guided the Anglican Communion through defining moments with clarity, courage, and grace. His leadership in the development of the Anglican Covenant and his active participation in the meetings of the Global South were marks of his deep commitment to the unity and orthodoxy of the Anglican family.
We thank God for his life of service and his enduring witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His wisdom, gentleness, and strength will continue to inspire generations of Anglican leaders. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”
– Source.
See also:
Archbishop Drexel Gomez, first Caribbean Anglican bishop in Barbados, dies at 88 – Barbados Today.
Photo courtesy The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas & The Turks & Caicos Islands.
The Huguenots and The French Reformation
Posted on October 16, 2025
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From Moore College:
“Last Wednesday evening, the Moore College came alive with stories of courage, faith and endurance as Pamela Summers from the Huguenot Society of Australia delivered a fascinating and captivating talk on The Huguenots and the French Reformation.
The turnout exceeded expectations, prompting the event to move to Marcus Loane Hall to accommodate the larger audience, a clear sign of the interest in this remarkable chapter of church and world history. The presentation was particularly helpful for those to whom the French Reformation was unexplored. …”
The Anglican Communion – has the ship sailed?
Posted on October 15, 2025
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“It was telling that Madeleine Davies, Senior Writer at the Church Times, gave short shrift to the idea that the unity of the Anglican Communion was high on the priority list for those selecting the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
Her response on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme, was simple – ‘That ship has already sailed.’
It seems almost everyone involved would agree.
The Anglican Consultative Council certainly thought so – their decision to chose representatives of tiny, liberal provinces to be the voice of the ‘Anglican Communion’ on the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) gave no indication that they were looking for unity. …”
– From Anglican Futures.
Image: The Mary Celeste – a ship with no crew or passengers.
“Archbishop” — Church Society podcast
Posted on October 15, 2025
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From Church Society:
“In this extra-long episode of the Church Society podcast, Lee and Ros talk about the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the newly announced appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally as the 106th person to hold that office.”
– Listen here.
Holistic help for Christian addicts
Posted on October 15, 2025
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From The Pastor’s Heart –
“How can we help those trapped in addiction? What about when we ourselves are the ones struggling?
Addiction is often an elephant in the room for pastors — whether it’s alcohol, substances, pornography, or sex addiction. And Antony’s research is asking: “How does the gospel of Jesus Christ bring real hope into the deep brokenness of addiction?”
Antony Dandato is Principal of Harare Theological College in Zimbabwe — a college that’s supported by our friends at Anglican Aid. …”
Judgement in New Testament — Where justice and mercy meet
Posted on October 14, 2025
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From Phillip Jensen:
“One of the great themes of the early chapters of Genesis is the judgement of God.
In our discussions of the New Testament use of the themes of Genesis, we come today to talk of judgement in the New Testament. While it sounds, and is in fact, an unpleasant topic, we will see that it brings us into the heart of the wonderful topic of God’s mercy and love. So I hope you enjoy our discussion on judgement in the New Testament.”
– Hear Phillip and Peter Jensen at Two Ways News.
Continuing to Pray
Posted on October 14, 2025
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1 Timothy 2:1-4
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – ESV.
Finance industry leader to head Sydney Anglican Services
Posted on October 13, 2025
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From SydneyAnglicans.net –
“Andrew Macey, an experienced banking executive, has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Sydney Anglican Services (SAS), the key support organisation for the Sydney Diocese.
Mr Macey has held senior roles for Westpac for more than 20 years, including in specialist finance, human resources and, since 2024, as CEO of the Westpac subsidiary RAMS Financial Group. …”
– Read the full story by Russell Powell.
Thessalonica Archaeological and Historical Sites with photos
Posted on October 13, 2025
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From Moore College’s Dr Lionel Windsor:
“In September 2025, I visited the the Greek city of Thessaloniki with my wife Bron and daughter Ellie. We went to see archaeological and historical sites associated with the Apostle Paul.
Here are some photos of the sites and museum exhibits. They help to provide context for New Testament texts associated with Thessalonica (=Thessaloniki). Enjoy!”
– It’s always helpful to see where key historical events took place.
See also:
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…