Prominent Oxford Diocese Evangelicals call for the resignation of the Bishop
“This morning not one but two prominent evangelical ministers in the Diocese of Oxford appeared on BBC radio to call for the resignation of Bishop Alan Wilson…”
– David Ould has the details.
GAFCON: A moment and a movement — report on Belfast meeting
“A meeting of church leaders from across Ireland has been challenged to remain biblically faithful but to ‘dare to do new things’ in the face of a ‘new spiritual darkness’ in the west.
The General Secretary of the Global Anglican Future Conference, Dr Peter Jensen, who addressed the event at Belfast’s Willowfield Church, told the story of GAFCON’s beginnings in the landmark conference of Bishops, clergy and lay leaders in Jerusalem in 2008, through to the Nairobi meeting in 2013 and the movement’s unifying work today across the Anglican world…”
Update:
Here’s a report from The Belfast News Letter.
and a correction to that report, from Philip Robinson GAFCON Operations Manager.
Evangelicals call for the Church of England to uphold the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Here’s a Joint Press Release from Reform and Oxford Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship:
“This week began with Katherine Jefferts Schori, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (TEC) of the USA, preaching in Westminster Abbey; it will end, we are told with Canon Michael Smith of York Minster blessing the York Gay Pride March. In between we have seen the Bishop of Buckingham describe doctrine that he swore to teach and pass on as ‘lousy’.
Nowhere in any of this has there been the clear message of the Gospel that despite our rejection of his ways we are all loved by God and can find forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not surprising, then, that the majority of the world’s Anglicans now look to the Primates of Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) for Leadership – the only question is whether after weeks like this one, those in the Church of England who wish to proclaim this Gospel will be forced to follow the same path…”
– Read the whole thing here (PDF). via Anglican Mainstream.
Related:
Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori preaches at Westminister Abbey. – Abbey website.
York Minster Joins in with Gay Pride – Minster FM.
‘Archbishop Welby joins faith leaders calling for action on climate change’
“The Archbishop of Canterbury has joined faith leaders in Britain pledging to fast and pray for the success of key international negotiations over climate change, in a new declaration warning of the ‘huge challenge’ facing the world over global warming…
In the Lambeth Declaration, which will be launched tomorrow, signatories call on faith communities to recognise the pressing need to make the transition to a low carbon economy.”
– When you have a theological vacuum, something will fill it. Photo: Lambeth Palace.
Related:
- Evangelicals call for the Church of England to uphold the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11-21.
- Albert Mohler responds to Pope Francis’ ‘Laudato Si’ –
“My guess is that the secular press will make much of the Pope’s statements on climate change and very little of his affirmation of historic Catholic teachings that run contrary to the modern secular worldview.”
The Pulse June–July 2015
The latest issue of The Pulse, the magazine of the Presbyterian Church in NSW, is up on their website. (PDF file.)
It includes a profile of Kevin Murray, incoming state Moderator and Moore College graduate. (h/t Gary Ware.)
GAFCON: A Moment and a Movement
This event, coming up on Friday June 19th, will be of interest for readers within travelling distance of Belfast.
It’s being organised by the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (UK & Ireland), and is a discussion on the future of global Anglicanism – with:
The Rt Rev Dr Peter Jensen – General Secretary, GAFCON
The Rev Canon Andy Lines – General Secretary, Anglican Mission in England
Mr Philip Robinson – Operations Director, GAFCON and the Global FCA.
Bishop Iker and Diocese win All Saints Fort Worth case
“News has just been received that Bishop Iker and his Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth are the victors in the separately-tried lawsuit to determine the ownership of the grounds and property of All Saints, Fort Worth…”
– A S Haley has some good news on the Diocese of Fort Worth. Photo: Bishop Leo Iker.
(This is referring to the real Diocese of Fort Worth, not the new one created by TEC – from the latter comes this news –
Bishop Rayford B. High, Jr. , said, “…I am disappointed in the decision but I know this will be appealed…”)
The Anglican Future Conference — A Report
A report by Rev Caitlin Hurley, ACL councillor.
In late March, 460 Anglicans gathered in Melbourne for the inaugural Anglican Future Conference.
The conference was a joint initiative of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans Australia (FCA-A) and the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion (EFAC). Read more
Anglican Future Conference videos
Videos of talks from the Anglican Future Conference in Melbourne in March 2015 (programme) are now available, thanks to the Peter Corney Training Centre.
They are terrific resources – check them out and consider how you might use.
Church and religious leaders send letter on Same-Sex Marriage to Prime Minister Abbott
“Archbishop Glenn Davies has joined other church and religious leaders in signing an open letter to the Prime Minister against same-sex marriage.
Parliament could take steps to redefine marriage as early as August.
The letter, signed by Dr Davies and the Catholic Archbishop Anthony Fisher as well as 36 other religious leaders including the heads of Pentecostal and orthodox churches as well as senior rabbis from the Jewish community and leaders from both the Sunni and Shia Islamic communities, expresses ‘grave concerns’ regarding ‘Bills that have or will be introduced into the Federal Parliament to change the definition of marriage in Australian law’.…
It ends with a request for a meeting with the Prime Minister and MP’s to further discuss the issue.”
– read the full report at SydneyAnglicans.net – and please be encouraged to pray about this matter.
and a Media Release from Catholic Communications.
Focus on Evangelism: Church of North India
“The Church needs to focus on evangelism and be united to take up challenging issues together, participants of a mission consultation held in New Delhi have concluded. …
Through his death on the cross and commission to ‘make disciples of all nations’, Jesus had entrusted the Church and individual Christians with a ‘significant responsibility’ to proclaim, witness to and transmit the Gospel to all people, [Provincial Secretary Alwan] Masih said…”
– an encouraging report from The Anglican Communion News Service.
CMS-UK calls for prayer and fasting for ‘creation care’
“On Sunday 7 June, members of the Church Mission Society are switching off their gadgets to write, pray and act for climate justice.
The CMS community invites people to join them for this day of action on creation care – the Anglican Communion fifth Mark of Mission – as they disconnect their electronic devices and contemplate lifestyle changes that can be made for the environment…”
– Report from the Anglican Communion News Service.
Related:
Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 1:20-25.
Call for coalition to vote as one on marriage
Here’s a media release from the Australian Christian Lobby –
“The Australian Christian Lobby today renewed its call on the Liberal party to stand by its principled policy on marriage by continuing to vote as one on the issue…” – Read it all on their website.
What is ECUSA Spending on Lawsuits? (Updated for General Convention 2015)
“When one adds in the estimated additional amounts spent by individual dioceses on such litigation, the total amount exceeds Sixty Million Dollars…”
– Anglican lawyer and blogger A S Haley updates his annual list.
Churches defend traditional meaning of marriage — NSW Council of Churches
“Changing the meaning of marriage would be a vast, risky social experiment. Children have the right to know and be cared for by their natural parents. The law should reflect and promote best practice.
Amid the emotion and hype, principled arguments in favour of retaining the current definition of marriage in Australian law deserve the consideration of every federal politician…”
– Dr Ross Clifford, President of the NSW Council of Churches in a media release.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…