Twenty-two new Deacons ordained in Sydney
“Archbishop Kanishka Raffel described the day as a ‘truly wonderful occasion of solemn joy of celebration and dedication, as we set aside these dear men and women, brothers and sisters who have been well prepared for service of the Lord Jesus and his church.’…”
– Read the full report by Tara Sing on the ordination at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on Saturday 18th February 2023 at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Click on the photo (courtesy Anglican Media Sydney) for a full res version.
Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia responds to Church of England General Synod
THE PROVINCE OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
18th February 2023
PASTORAL LETTER
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
The General Synod of the Church of England recently passed a motion permitting their priests to conduct blessings for same-sex civil unions. Understandably, many members of our Province are troubled by this development and wish to seek clarification regarding its implications for us.
We are deeply disappointed by the Church of England’s decision and unequivocally state that the blessing of same-sex unions has no biblical ground whatsoever, since Scripture teaches unambiguously that marriage is between one man and one woman. The Church of England has said that their doctrine of marriage remains unchanged. Be that as it may, in the Anglican understanding the words used in a church service, whether they are part of the liturgy or are prayers for persons, must be faithful to Scripture. The provision of a form of words for such blessings violates this key theological principle.
Although we cannot condone the decision made by the Church of England, we affirm that God loves persons of all sexual orientations, and we resolve to do likewise. We cannot approve of relationship choices that Scripture clearly forbids, but we will care for and journey with such persons, praying that the Lord will enable them to live in obedience to His Word.
Since Anglican provinces are autonomous and do not come under the authority of the Church of England, the latter’s decision will not change our position and practice. As a Province, we will remain faithful to the teaching of Scripture. We also reaffirm our commitment to the Anglican Formularies the Thirty-nine Articles, the Ordinal, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Books of Homilies – while noting that they do not grant any concession for the blessing of same-sex unions.
Despite our grave reservations regarding the Church of England’s decision, we believe that the unity of the Anglican communion should not be lightly abandoned. Hence, we will remain in communion with the Church of England while praying fervently for her and speaking boldly for God’s truth. May His purpose prevail.
With every blessing In Christ,
The Most Reverend Datuk Melter Jiki Tais
(Primate of the Anglican Church In South East Asia, Bishop of Sabah)
The Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute
(Bishop of Kuching)
The Right Reverend Dr Titus Chung Khiam Boon
(Bishop of Singapore)
The Right Reverend Dr Steven Abbarow
(Bishop of West Malaysia)
Text via Anglican Mainstream. Photo: St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore.
30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim world
Each year, Operation Mobilisation publishes Australian editions of their World Prayer Guides, and for the month of Ramadan, they produce resources for prayer for Muslim people.
Praying for others is a mark of genuine love – so be encouraged.
“Learn about and pray for the Muslim world during Ramadan, March 22 – April 20, 2023. Each day you’ll learn about Muslims from a different region and be given specific prayer points to help guide your prayers.”
– See their website to order a copy.
Emergency GSFA Primates Meeting — Statement coming on Monday
From The Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches:
“Emergency GSFA Primates Meeting following CofE General Synod decision (Feb 2023)
The GSFA Primates met virtually on the 13th of February 2023 to reflect on the Church of England’s recent decision to bless couples in same sex union and make the appropriate response towards this innovation. After discussing the matter, the Primates agreed that the Church of England has departed from the historic faith of the Church.
The GSFA will issue a Statement on Mon 20th February of what was decided at the said meeting.”
Photo: GSFA Press Conference during the Lambeth Conference, July 2022.
Put not your trust in Clause (g): A North American Perspective
“I have been reading postings from respected theologians in the Church of England arguing that the addition of ‘clause (g)’ to the General Synod Resolution last week was a victory of sorts for those who hold a biblical view of marriage and sexuality. …
I would that Ian Paul and Martin Davie were right, but the lesson I take from the Episcopal Church USA two decades ago is that the addition of clause (g) will not snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Let me explain. …”
– At Stephen’s Witness, Dr, Stephen Noll cautions against too much optimism about the amendment included at General Synod. Bishops (and others) who choose to disregard the word of God might not be too constrained by amendments.
Photo: GAFCON.
Evangelicals love the Church of England
The Church of England Evangelical Council has published this 17 minute video.
Do watch it and share widely to provoke prayers for our brothers and sisters in the Church of England.
New start at Cobar — Commissioning Saturday morning 11:00am
James Daymond will be commissioned to minister in Cobar on Saturday 18th February 2023 at 11:00am.
It’s been more than 20 years since there was a resident Anglican minister in Cobar. (According to the diocesan Facebook page, James’ great uncle was once the minister there.)
Please pray for James and Brittany Daymond and for the church in Cobar, that this will be for the eternal good of many people, and for the glory of Christ.
Here James and Brittany are pictured with Dr Warwick Baines, business manager and registrar of the Diocese of Bathurst.
You can watch the livestream here.
Anglican Network in Europe
The Anglican Network in Europe has written to clarify how they can serve churches and clergy in the Church of England in light of the General Synod vote and moves by the House of Bishops.
They also explain what they are unable to do –
“We recognise that this is a very trying time for you in the light of the direction that the House of Bishops is setting and you face many difficult decisions in the days and months ahead.
We do not envy you the dilemmas you face in remaining faithful to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor do we seek to take advantage of your discomfiture.
There will be many different strategies that you will consider adopting as you seek to do this. …”
– Read the full statement via Anglican Ink.
Bishop Alfred Olwa on what the Anglican Communion needs
From The American Anglican Council:
“During his trip to Uganda to be with the leaders of the Church of Uganda, Canon Phil [Ashey] got to sit down with Bishop Alfred Olwa about the work of Gospel ministry in Uganda, the Global Communion and the fighting against false teaching, and how to move forward in faith for the sake of the world.”
– The American Anglican Council’s Canon Phil Ashey speaks with Bishop Alfred Olwa.
He expresses hopes for closer fellowship between GAFCON and the Global South and is looking forward to GAFCON IV in Kigali. (Bishop Olwa is well-known by many in Sydney after his time at Moore Theological College.)
Image: Bishop Olwa speaking at GAFCON 2018 in Jerusalem.
Darrell Parker to be installed as Bishop of North West Australia — Wednesday 9.00pm AEDT
Darrell Parker will be installed as the Bishop of the Diocese of North West Australia at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Geraldton tonight, Wednesday 15th February, at 6:00pm AWST (9:00pm AEDT).
We understand the service will be live-streamed – available via the Geraldton Cathedral website or on the Cathedral Youtube channel.
Photo: Darrell and Elizabeth Parker.
What next for the Anglican Communion & Church of England – with Dr Peter Jensen
In this week’s The Pastor’s Heart, Dominic Steele speaks with Dr Peter Jensen, former General Secretary of the GAFCON movement and former Archbishop of Sydney.
There is deep sadness over what has happened.
“This has been, and is, the decisive moment,” he says.
Mentioned in the conversation is the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Acra, Ghana. Here are videos of
Welby proposes pulling Canterbury out of Anglican instruments of communion
“The Archbishop of Canterbury will surrender his authority as first among equals among the primates of the Anglican Communion in light of the General Synod of the Church of England’s adoption of gay blessings.
Speaking to the opening ceremony of the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Accra, Ghana on 12 February 2023, the Most Rev. Justin Welby stated ‘I will not cling to place or position as an Instrument of Communion.’
His concession comes the day before 12 of the primates affiliated with the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans meet to offer a united response to last week’s vote in General Synod. The decision to introduce same-sex blessings, without seeking a Scriptural or theological foundation for the decision, or respecting the church’s agreements with other Anglican provinces has prompted the largest provinces: Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya to break fellowship. …”
– Is the Archbishop of Canterbury offering to jump before he is pushed? George Conger has this report at Anglican.ink.
Photo credit: Jaqui J Sze, Archbishop of Canterbury’s office.
New start in West Wyalong
From the Diocese of Bathurst Facebook page – news from Saturday 11th February –
“A joy to see Steven and Caitlin Klouth warmly welcomed in West Wyalong as the Rev’d Steven Klouth was commissioned this morning as Priest-in-Charge.
This full time appointment would not be possible without the generous partnership of the Bush Church Aid Society.
NSW director of BCA, Paul Sampson joined us, as did CFO Greg Bridge and Chair of council, Fred Chilton and his wife Jill.”
– Food for your prayers.
George Carey, Former Archbishop of Canterbury, writes to The Times
The Right Rev Lord Carey of Clifton, Archbishop of Canterbury 1991-2002, writes to The Times –
“Sir, I have no doubt that General Synod’s decision to allow blessings to same-sex couples will delight many (report, Feb 9). It will concern others, including me, who believe that marriage can be a true sacramental rite only between a man and a woman in a lifelong union of love. It is obvious that the next step can only be the acceptance of same-sex marriages. …”
– via Anglican Ink.
On not snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory
“In the immediate aftermath of the Synod vote, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York declared that the vote meant that; ‘For the first time, the Church of England will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church’ …
The problem with this interpretation, however, is that it fails to do justice to the motion which Synod passed. When we look at this motion carefully, we find that what Synod actually voted for makes any general liturgical affirmation of same-sex relationships by the Church of England impossible. …”
– Martin Davie expands on the same point made earlier by Dr Ian Paul. That is, the addition to the Bishops’ proposed motion of an amendment – paragraph g – limits what the Bishops can do.
The paragraph reads –
“g) endorse the decision of the College and House of Bishops not to propose any change to the doctrine of marriage, and their intention that the final version of the Prayers of Love and Faith should not be contrary to or indicative of a departure from the doctrine of the Church of England.” (bold added)
He continues,
“… the addition of clause (g) to the Synod motion was a great victory. This is because when taken seriously it will mean that the Church of England continues to maintain an orthodox biblical position. However, in order to avoid ‘snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory’ traditionalist Anglicans need to do three things. …”
Image: Several members stand to seek the call during the debate in the Church if England’s General Synod.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…