G26 — Day Three: A big announcement – new leadership for the Global Anglican Communion
Posted on March 6, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on G26 — Day Three: A big announcement – new leadership for the Global Anglican Communion
From The Pastor’s Heart at G26 in Abuja, Nigeria –
“In his first interview after being elected chair of the new Global Anglican Council, Archbishop of Rwanda Laurent Mbanda has outlined how leadership will work in the emerging Global Anglican Communion
The GAFCON Primates have dissolved the GAFCON Primates Council — the body that has guided the movement since 2008 — and in its place established a new Global Anglican Council to help lead what is the emerging Global Anglican Communion.
The Primates have chosen to broaden authority. The new council will include primates alongside bishops, clergy, and lay leaders, all with full voting privileges.
The structure signals a shift toward a more conciliar model of leadership, reflecting the conviction that the existing Instruments of Communion no longer adequately serve the majority of Anglicans worldwide.
Rwandan Primate, Archbishop Laurent Mbunda has been elected to chair the Council, until the Athens Conference in 2028.
In this Pastor’s Heart special from Abuja, Dominic Steele speaks with:
* The newly elected chairman of the Global Anglican Council, Rwanda’s Archbishop Laurent Mbanda,
* Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel,
* Former Archbishop of North America and Former Chair of Gafcon, Bishop Foley Beach,
* John Dunnett from the Church of England Evangelical Council.
Mbunda, Raffel and Beach discuss the reasoning behind the new structures, what they mean for Anglican leadership globally, and how this moment emerged from nearly two decades of GAFCON’s development.
We expore why the Primates have chosen to share authority more widely, how the new council will function, and what the leaders involved hope it will mean for the future of Anglican mission, doctrine, and fellowship across the world.
Plus The launch of the New Global Anglican Communion Fund with Anglican AID CEO Tim Swan.”
– Watch here.
A Council to Lead the Communion
Posted on March 6, 2026
Filed under Announcement, GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on A Council to Lead the Communion
Historic announcement from Gafcon, late last night, Australian time –
“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we develop new structures for the Global Anglican Communion, the Gafcon Primates have dissolved the Gafcon Primates Council, which has faithfully led and served the Gafcon movement since 2008.
In a world where most organizations and individuals are concerned about keeping power and authority, the Gafcon Primates Council has made an unprecedented decision to share its stewardship of the Global Anglican Communion by creating the Global Anglican Council which includes primates, advisors, and guarantors, which will include bishops, clergy, and lay members each with full voting privileges.
This expanded Council reflects the willingness of the Primates to share their authority with a wider group of global Anglican leaders, both lay and clergy. While the Chairman of the Council will be a Primate, he will not be primus inter pares (first amongst equals).
Believing that the current Instruments of Communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the Global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure. The Global Anglican Council has discerned that if we are to move past old structures, we must leave behind old titles as well.
I am also pleased to announce that Archbishop Laurent Mbanda was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Global Anglican Council, likewise Archbishop Miguel Uchoa was unanimously elected as Vice- Chairman and myself, Bishop Paul Donison, as General Secretary. Our terms will conclude at the end of GAFCON V in Athens in 2028.
Furthermore, the Council determined that Primates who retire from their Provincial office between GAFCON Assemblies may remain on the Council until the conclusion of the next GAFCON Assembly.
Today is a historic day for the Global Anglican Communion.
Indeed, the future has arrived!
Yours in Christ,
The Rt Revd Paul Donison
Gafcon General Secretary
Thursday, March 5, 2026.”
Lower image: Bishop Paul Denison announces the formation of the Global Anglican Council, 5th March 2026. Courtesy of Advent Cable Network Nigeria.
“We do not need a church unsure of its message”
Posted on March 5, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on “We do not need a church unsure of its message”
Russell Powell reports on the significance of the G26 meeting currently under way in Abuja –
“The Anglican Church globally is re-ordering, leaving behind colonial structures for fellowships which honour biblical truth, GAFCON 26 in Nigeria has been told. …
The G26 Mini-Conference is being hosted by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in the capital Abuja. Hundreds of bishops and global Anglican leaders are attending in a mid-term meeting between larger GAFCON gatherings. …”
– Read it at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Image: Bishop Paul Denison announces the formation of the Global Anglican Council, 5th March 2026. Advent Cable Network Nigeria.
G26 — Richard Condie: What GAFCON Could Mean for the Australian Church
Posted on March 5, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on G26 — Richard Condie: What GAFCON Could Mean for the Australian Church
From The Pastor’s Heart at G26 –
“You don’t call a conference and 350 bishops from around the world come together unless they really want to see something happen.”
“Tasmanian bishop Richard Condie reflects on the implications of GAFCON 2026 for Anglicans in Australia.
Speaking with Dominic Steele in Abuja, Condie says the mood among global Anglican leaders is that the current structures of the communion are no longer working. He discusses:
• Why many leaders believe this is a moment for change
• The challenge of Australia’s constitutional ties to the Church of England
• The importance of defining fellowship around shared belief rather than structures Condie also previews his conference Bible talk from 1 John, urging Anglicans everywhere to ‘remain in Jesus’.”
– Watch here.
See also:
Day2: GAFCON 2026 – How to Reorder a Communion? Bible First, Structures Second
“The future shape of the Global Anglican Communion is being debated this week in Abuja, Nigeria.
At the GAFCON conference, more than 400 bishops and global leaders are working through the logic of the proposal that could lead to a new Global Anglican Communion — a fellowship grounded in the authority of Scripture and historic Anglican doctrine.
On Day 2 of the conference, Dominic Steele speaks with key leaders including Vaughan Roberts (Oxford), Julian Dobbs (ACNA), and Richard Condie (Tasmania), along with presenters from Uganda, Brazil and Nigeria.
They discuss:
• The implications of the Church of England’s current trajectory
• The logic behind a reordered global communion
• The mission opportunity for global Anglicans
• What this could mean for churches in the UK, North America and Australia
This episode is part of The Pastor’s Heart special coverage of GAFCON 2026 in Abuja.”
– Watch here.
G26 — Julian Dobbs: Implementing the future for Global Anglicans
Posted on March 5, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on G26 — Julian Dobbs: Implementing the future for Global Anglicans
From Dominic Steele and The Pastor’s Heart at G26 in Abuja, Nigeria –
“Bishop Julian Dobbs, Acting Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, says GAFCON 2026 may mark a turning point for the global Anglican movement.
Speaking with Dominic Steele in Abuja, Dobbs describes the moment as one of renewed clarity around the gospel and the future structure of a global Anglican communion.
He discusses:
• Why the church must not add to or subtract from the gospel
• The potential formation of a new global Anglican structure
• The mission opportunity to reach unreached nations
• The current challenges within the Anglican Church in North America.
Dobbs says the ultimate goal is simple: faithful proclamation of Christ to the world.”
– Watch here.
G26 Day 1 — Do not be yoked together with unbelievers — Glenn Davies, Michael Stead, Andy Lines and Mwita Akiri
Posted on March 5, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on G26 Day 1 — Do not be yoked together with unbelievers — Glenn Davies, Michael Stead, Andy Lines and Mwita Akiri
Latest update from The Pastor’s Heart at G26 in Abuja, Nigeria –
“The atmosphere was electric in the cathedral in Abuja, Nigeria as the the Word of God from 2 Corinthians rang out with unmistakable clarity: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers… Come out from them and be separate… Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates.”
The preacher was the Archbishop of Nigeria, Henry Ndukuba, and his message landed with force. Many of the Primates, Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy and Laity from across the Anglican world would have preached on that passage in the past, but the Holy Spirit pressed it home in a remarkable way.
In this episode of The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele speaks with Glenn Davies — former Archbishop of Sydney and now Bishop of the GAFCON Authorised Diocese of the Southern Cross.
Together they reflect on the emotional and spiritual tone of the conference as it begins, the shift since the sober mood of GAFCON 2023 in Kigali, and the key questions now facing global Anglican leaders — including the future structure of the communion, the role of the Global South, and the difficult realities for churches seeking faithfulness while still legally tied to Canterbury.
• Bishop of South Sydney Michael Stead outlines the way the conference statement will be formed from the ground up.
• Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Network in Europe Andy Lines speaks on how the Church of England has failed to repent, despite the clarion call of the Gafcon23 conference.
• Mwita Akiri is former Bishop of Tarmi in Tanzania and co-ordinator of Gafcon for Tanzania.”
– Watch here.
Anglican Heroes: Hugh Latimer — Church Society podcast
Posted on March 5, 2026
Filed under Church of England, History Comments Off on Anglican Heroes: Hugh Latimer — Church Society podcast
From Church Society –
“James Cary talks about the life and faith of Anglican reformer Hugh Latimer, to Ros Clarke.”
Also at the Church Society link –
James Cary’s documentary on Latimer.
(Image from the documentary, which is worth watching and sharing. 48 minutes..)
G26 — A failure to demonstrate true repentance — Bishop Andy Lines
Posted on March 4, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on G26 — A failure to demonstrate true repentance — Bishop Andy Lines
From Dominic Steele and The Pastor’s Heart at G26 in Abuja, Nigers –
“The Church of England has failed to demonstrate true repentance again and again even after Gafcon and the Global South’s clarion call.
Bishop Andy Lines is Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church of Europe.”
– Watch here.
More to come shortly – check here for the latest coverage from The Pastor’s Heart.
As Gafcon meets in Nigeria, the other Anglican communion reverses plans so Archbishop of Canterbury’s role is preserved
Posted on March 4, 2026
Filed under Church of England Comments Off on As Gafcon meets in Nigeria, the other Anglican communion reverses plans so Archbishop of Canterbury’s role is preserved
“As hundreds of Anglican bishops gather in Abuja, Nigeria to discuss the future shape of the Anglican Communion led by the vision of Gafcon, as the Global Anglican Communion, there’s been a change of plan from the rival establishment led from London. …”
– John Sandeman reports on the latest from what used to be known as the Anglican Communion.
Abuja 2026: A Turning Point for Global Anglicanism — The Pastors Heart
Posted on March 3, 2026
Filed under for your prayers, GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on Abuja 2026: A Turning Point for Global Anglicanism — The Pastors Heart
Here’s the first of Dominic Steele’s reports from Abuja in Nigeria –
“Dominic Steele reports from Abuja, Nigeria, as nearly 500 Anglican leaders gather for GAFCON 2026 in what many believe could prove a decisive moment in the reshaping of the Anglican Communion. Delegates have arrived from across Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australasia, despite significant travel disruption caused by the US–Iran conflict and Middle Eastern airspace closures. For many Australians, flights were cancelled only hours before departure.
This preview episode of The Pastor’s Heart sets out what is expected in the coming days: proposals for the structure and operation of a new Global Anglican Communion, distinct from Canterbury.
The story stretches back through the Jerusalem Declaration of 2008 and the strong Kigali statement of 2023, in which leaders representing the majority of the Communion expressed no confidence in the existing Instruments of Communion. This week, foundations for a renewed and confessionally orthodox global fellowship are anticipated to be agreed.Steele outlines the program for the week, including plenary sessions, presentations and votes on doctrine, fellowship and leadership structures. Particular attention will be given to the biblical basis of communion, the failures of current Canterbury-centred mechanisms and how future alignment will be defined. Questions around governance, canonical relationships and financial partnerships are also expected to be addressed.
Over the next five days, The Pastor’s Heart will release daily 30-minute reports with interviews from primates and key leaders, alongside full-length conversations on YouTube. Coverage is brought in partnership with Anglican Aid. This episode provides essential background to what may become a defining chapter in modern Anglican history.”
Please do uphold this key gathering in your prayers.
Some are still travelling, affected by global travel disruptions due to events surrounding Iran. Please pray for safety in travel.
Understanding Evangelism
Posted on March 3, 2026
Filed under Evangelism, Resources, Theology Comments Off on Understanding Evangelism
From Phillip Jensen –
“We do appreciate comments and feedback, and even questions from our many subscribers.
Sadly, we haven’t got the time or resources to be able to answer each question, however two of the comments that came in to us on the Acts 17 passage we thought would be very helpful to air in this episode of Two Ways News, before we look at the two wisdoms contrasted in 1 Corinthians chapter 2.”
They begin by clarifying some things about anti-semitism and then go on to speak about the vital topic of evangelism.
Preaching When Opportunity Knocks
Posted on March 2, 2026
Filed under Encouragement, Resources Comments Off on Preaching When Opportunity Knocks
“Some years ago now, John Chapman, Sydney Diocesan Evangelist, came to Melbourne to lead a workshop for preachers. As you would expect, it was absolutely loaded with good advice conveyed with machine-gun-like speed and precision. …
Of all the standouts from that day, one thing still comes to my mind each year as Christmas and Easter approach. …”
– Bob Thomas, retired Presbyterian minister, shares brief encouragement at The Expository Preaching Trust.
Also new at their website:
“The wisdom books of the Bible are Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Songs and there is a wisdom category of the Psalms, Psalm 119 being an example of a Wisdom Psalm.
The preacher of these books will never be accused of being anything but contemporary, down to earth and practical. …”
– David Cook shares opportunities to develop skills in preaching these books.
Bishop of Bathurst’s Newsletter for Lent 2026
Posted on March 2, 2026
Filed under Bathurst Diocese Comments Off on Bishop of Bathurst’s Newsletter for Lent 2026
The latest Bishop’s Newsletter from the Diocese of Bathurst – for Lent 2026 – is now available.
Please be encouraged to download and read – to inform your prayers!
Reading the Bible In Church
Posted on March 2, 2026
Filed under Resources Comments Off on Reading the Bible In Church
“Looking for people who can read the Bible out loud in church? Trying to fill the Bible reading roster? Building a team of Bible readers? Then let me ask you, what qualifies someone to be able to read the Bible? Do they need to have a background in performing arts? Or perhaps have been a newsreader in a previous life?
Should they audition for the task? Or complete a training course for reading in front of others? Is volunteering enough or is vetting needed?
What makes a good Bible reader? …”
– Dave McDonald writes at The Gospel Coalition Australia.
The Opportunity of a New Reformation
Posted on March 1, 2026
Filed under GAFCON, Global Anglican Communion Comments Off on The Opportunity of a New Reformation
“Right now, an opportunity for a new mission-shaped reformation lies before us if we can rise to the challenge. While it is true that many Anglican church leaders in the West have turned from Scripture to follow the spirit of this age, the majority of the world’s Anglican leaders trust the gospel the missionaries first brought as the only true gospel, and want to continue in it. They know that this gospel, upon which our church was founded, is the only gospel that saves.
From these leaders the Gafcon movement has arisen …”
– Anglican Aid’s Canon Tim Swan writes about the challenges and opportunities of a Global Anglican Communion, with a focus on this month’s Abuja G26 conference. At SydneyAnglicans.net.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…