Diocese of Auckland Synod debate: love ethic and listening vs biblical authority

“The Auckland Diocesan Synod has decided that people in same-sex relationships should not be excluded from ordination. …

Bishop Ross Bay deliberately allowed time and opportunity for a variety of views. These included a plea… that the motion was about justice and a love ethic; those opposing the motion cited biblical authority.”

The full text of the motion is:

“That this Synod

[1] Holds that sexual orientation should not be an impediment to the discernment, ordination, and licensing of gay and lesbian members to any lay and ordained offices of the Church; and further

[2] persons in committed same-sex relationships likewise should not be excluded from being considered for discernment, ordination, and licensing to any lay and ordained offices of the Church.

[3] commits to an intentional process of listening to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, organized by the Archdeacons in consultation with the gay and lesbian community.

[4] commits to an ongoing discussion with the ministry units, asks the Archdeacons to facilitate this, and invites responses to those discussions to be submitted to Diocesan Council by 31st March 2012; and

[5] commits to support the process and work of the Commission to be appointed by General Synod Standing Committee, as resolved at its meeting in July 2011.

– This story from Anglican Taonga. (h/t American Anglican Council. Photo: Dio. Auckland.)

Anglican Communion Office seeks Communications Officer in Africa

The Anglican Communion Office is advertising for a Communications Officer, to be based in Nairobi, but responsible to Secretary General of the Anglican Communion in London.

Interestingly, the pilot project is funded by a grant from The Episcopal Church’s Trinity Wall Street in New York.

Will somebody stand up?

Fr Dave Doveton, Vice Provost at St. Mary’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, Anglican Church of Southern Africa, warns of an impending visit to his country –

“There can be no compromise with clear manifestations of heresy. The scripture commands us not to invite false teachers into our home. …”

– Take the time to read his full letter at Anglican Mainstream South Africa.
(Photo: Jim DeLa, ENS.)

‘Remember your leaders’ — J I Packer on John Stott

Dr Packer preached from Hebrews 13 at the memorial service for John Stott in Vancouver on Friday evening.

The video is in three parts: part 1, part 2, part 3. (Total, 33 minutes.) Very encouraging.

‘America dons the victim’s mantle’

“The murders, beatings and state-sanctioned violence suffered by Anglicans in Harare under the Mugabe regime are akin to the discomforts faced by Episcopalians loyal to the national Church who reside in dioceses that have departed for the Anglican Church in North America.

This summary of the situation in Harare from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori came in an August 2 report released by the Episcopal News Service…”

– George Conger writes for The Church of England Newspaper.
(h/t Anglican Mainstream. Photo: Episcopal News Service. ENS story is here.)

Archbishop Peter Jensen and All Souls’ Rectors give thanks for John Stott

In Sydney, Archbishop Peter Jensen has reflected on John Stott’s contribution both worldwide and in Australia.

“There are a few, a very few, who deserve to be called a Prince amongst the people of God. John Stott was one such …”

Read the Archbishop’s full tribute at SydneyAnglicans.net.

And the three most recent Rectors of All Soul’s Langham Place – Michael Baughen, Richard Bewes and Hugh Palmer – have also given thanks – at the All Souls website. Well worth reading. (Photo: All Soul’s.)

ACC report on Canadian Lutherans

“More than 500 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) gathered in Saskatoon, Sask., July 14 to 17, for its 13th biennial National Convention. Meeting under the theme ‘Covenant People: In Mission for Others,’ delegates passed a variety of motions, including several relating to human sexuality and structural renewal.

The Anglican Church of Canada, full communion partner of the ELCIC, supported the meeting. The Primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, addressed convention and presided at closing worship. …

Delegates … passed three motions … an Affirmation Concerning the Unity of the Church; a policy statement allowing ministers to preside at or bless legal marriages, including those between same-sex couples, according to the laws of the province; and a policy paving the way for the ordination and installation of gay and lesbian pastors.”

–  The Anglican Church in Canada reports on the National Convention of partner denomination, ELCIC. (Photo: Trina Gallop / ELCIC Communications.)

The Sydney Lambeth Decision Briefing

Dean Phillip JensenAudio and PDF files of Friday’s Lambeth Decision Briefing called by Dean Phillip Jensen, and held in the Chapter House of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, are now available, courtesy of SydneyAnglicans.net.

All very helpful in understanding the crisis facing the Anglican Communion.

The topic of the briefing was – ‘The Lambeth Decision: Refining or Redefining Anglicanism?’

The mp3 audio and PDF files will open in a new window.

Phillip Jensen – Are there limits to fellowship? (70 min / 24MB) – PDF file.
Mark Thompson – The Anglican Debacle. (30 min / 11MB) – PDF file.
Robert Tong – Doing the Lambeth Walk. (21 min / 7 MB) – PDF file.
Russell Powell – What is GAFCON all about? (7 min / 2.4MB) – PDF file.

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