The unhappy fate of Optional Evangelicalism – how Fulcrum strengthens the case for the AMIE

“In 1997, Roman Catholic theologian Richard Neuhaus wrote a celebrated essay entitled ‘The Unhappy Fate of Optional Orthodoxy’ in which he set out ‘Neuhaus’ law’, namely ‘Where orthodoxy is optional, orthodoxy will sooner or later be proscribed’.

His logic is arresting and really quite simple. In a denomination where orthodoxy is tolerated as an option rather than being normative, the orthodox are accepted only as long as they behave as if their convictions were matters of personal preference and interpretation. If they do not keep this rule, they will be ejected.…”

– Charles Raven takes a careful look at the direction of the ‘open evangelical’ group Fulcrum in his latest post at SPREAD.

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.)

We rejoice in the emergence of the AMIE — Richard Coekin

“England is increasingly secularised and hostile to Christian faith and ethics and is consequently suffering immense social damage. It needs to be re-evangelised with the spectacular saving grace and transforming hope of the gospel of Christ crucified, risen and returning in glory. This is the cause to which the Anglican Mission in England (A.M.I.E.) is clearly committed…”

– Richard Coekin, Director of Co-Mission, explains why the emergence of the Anglican Mission in England is a cause for rejoicing.
(h/t Anglican Mainstream.)

‘Could the Church of England be dead in 20 years?’

“Historic reformers, whether Martin Luther, Calvin, or even Wesley, were seldom successful in their attempts to reform the church from within. If the experiences of past reformations have taught us anything, it is that reformers will only succeed by creating an alternative structure. Luther’s deep desire to remain in the Medieval Church and reform it from within failed miserably—a valuable lesson here. …”

– Dr. Michael Youssef argues for an alternative to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

No change to American ban, ACC says

“The Archbishop of Canterbury’s ban on American participation in the Anglican Communion’s international ecumenical dialogues remains in place, a spokesman for the Anglican Consultative Council reports. …

Since Dr. Rowan Williams issued his May 28, 2010 Pentecost letter to the Anglican Communion, there has been controversy over how faithfully its terms have been implemented by the London-based staff of the ACC. …

The reappointment of one of the dismissed Americans to the ALIC, with the same role in the dialogue as before but with the new title of “consultant” further diminished the credibility and integrity of the ACC staff, one Global South leader told CEN.”

– Report from George Conger for the Church of England Newspaper. (Photo taken at the November 2008 JSC meeting: ACNS Rosenthal.)

Vancouver church says farewell to old site

“The crowd of about 500 walked silently through the streets of an Abbotsford neighbourhood Sunday afternoon, following religious leaders in flowing robes. A cross and the Holy Bible were carried at the front of the line.

Most of the neighbours glanced at the solemn crowd and then returned to their lawn-mowing and garden-tending, likely not realizing the significance of the procession…”

– BC Local News reports on St. Matthew’s Abbotsford – one of ‘the Vancouver four’.

Pastoral Letter issued as the Republic of South Sudan becomes independent

Archbishop Daniel Deng and the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, have issued a Pastoral Letter as North and South Sudan become independent republics today.

From their website –

“At midnight of 8th July, the huge country of Sudan is divided, north and south. This momentous change will cause all manner of upheaval for many people, particularly for those who had fled to the north to escape fighting and for those who live in the border areas and on disputed land.”

Read the Pastoral Letter here (PDF).

New website for AMIE

The Anglican Mission in England now has its own website. The ‘About AMIE’ page will answer some questions.

“For four and a half years representations have been made to the senior leadership of the Church of England and discussions have been held with bishops appointed for the purpose by the Evangelical Bishops Meeting and by the Archbishop of Canterbury to find a way of providing alternative oversight for those who are in ‘temporarily impaired communion’ with their diocesan bishop. Most recently a strong representation was made by a range of concerned people for there to be a conservative evangelical ‘PEV’. No proposal or response has been received.

Taking the serious step of setting up AMIE is needed now in order to provide some way for people with such a calling for ministry to remain with the Anglican Communion and Church of England.”

– Read it all here.

Church, Women Bishops and Provision

The Latimer Trust has released a draft version of a forthcoming book, “Church, Women Bishops and Provision” – for the information of members of the Church of England General Synod.

Roger Beckwith, Sarah Finch, Michael Ovey, Charles Raven, Vinay Samuel, Chris Sugden and Anthony Thiselton are the contributors.

The draft book is available here – but please note: “This Draft is being released for the information of members of General Synod and will be removed from circulation as soon as the final printed version is available, which will also be made available for download. Any persons downloading this draft are kindly requested to refrain from circulating it and to delete it once the final version is available, as in all respects the latter will be the approved version.”

Lambeth Palace on the formation of The Anglican Mission in England

Yesterday, Lambeth Palace issued a statement on the formation of The Anglican Mission in England and AMiE has now responded.

Lambeth: “There needs to be some further discussion of this development between those involved and the diocesan bishops of the Church of England.”

AMIE: “AMIE … is grateful for the statement … Discussions on these issues have taken place with Lambeth Palace and its representatives over a period of four and half years. … We warmly welcome the invitation to meet to clarify the goals of AMIE which are to preach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Both statements in full below:  Read more

When the bishops don’t want you to ask

What questions should parish representatives in the Church of England ask of prospective clergy?

“parish reps are being discouraged or prevented from asking questions about sexuality… This is a clear instance where parish reps must obey the Lord whatever an Archdeacon or Bishop may say to them.”

David Phillips, General Secretary of Church Society, writes about the Church of England’s ‘Common Application Form’ and the situation in England. –

“Clergy applying for posts or laity acting as Parish Reps may well have encountered the Church of England’s Common Application Form. A revised version has been issued and there are a couple of notable omissions.

The first is that in early drafts a question was proposed for candidates to state that they comply with the Bishops guidelines “Issues in Human Sexuality”. What they were trying to avoid was some clergy being asked about their sexuality whilst others are not. This question has not been included but more importantly we know that parish reps are being discouraged or prevented from asking questions about sexuality. Given that clergy can now be in Civil Partnerships and some Bishops seem unwilling to ask clergy if they abide by the guidelines this is a serious problem. It is essential to be sure that clergy are modelling Biblical standards in their own lives, that is a requirement not only of Scripture but also of our Canons and Ordination services. This is a clear instance where parish reps must obey the Lord whatever an Archdeacon or Bishop may say to them.   Read more

Joint statement from St. John’s and the Diocese of New Westminster

“During the transition ministry and services will continue to be administered by St John’s Vancouver clergy and staff. While there are still some legal matters to resolve all parties present expressed the wish to avoid further litigation and find a mutually acceptable way forward which will glorify God and care for his people.”

– from a brief statement posted on the St. John’s website.

‘New York bishops praise state passage of same-gender marriage’

“At least one Episcopal Church bishop in the state of New York has said that clergy in his diocese may solemnize same-gender marriages as soon as the state’s recently passed Marriage Equality Act goes into effect.

‘Diocese of Western New York Bishop William Franklin said in a statement welcoming the law’s passage that he will be holding meetings soon ‘for members of our diocese to listen to how Episcopal churches in Western New York might integrate this decision into our life.’…

The New York State Senate voted 33-29 on June 24 to pass the bill making New York the largest state in the United States to allow same-gender couples to wed.”

– The Episcopal News Service reports. Bishop R William Franklin’s full statement here. (The Roman Catholic bishops take a different view. h/t Anglican Mainstream.)

‘Church followers find a new home’

“It was a historic moment in Ottawa as a subdued crowd of about 300 filed out of St. Alban’s Anglican Church on King Edward Avenue on Sunday, leaving behind a place where some have roots going back to Confederation. …”

– Story from The Ottawa Citizen. (Photo: The Rev. George Sinclair and the old St. Alban’s building.)

The Anglican Mission in England – Seeing the Church of England again for the first time

Charles Raven provides insights into the launch of the Anglican Mission in England –

“Revisionists will no doubt express various degrees of outrage at the emergence of the AMiE, but it is in fact a godly and gracious initiative which offers some hope that the Church of England may yet avoid the same fate as TEC.”

“Yesterday afternoon I was privileged to be present at the inaugural event of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) at St Peter’s Cornhill. Today the AMiE was introduced to a wider audience at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly meeting in St Helen’s Bishopsgate with fulsome support from The Revd Rod Thomas, Chairman of Reform. In these two churches, at the heart of the City of London, English church leaders launched a mission society unlike any others the Church of England has seen in its long history.

The AMiE is not only committed to adventurous church planting and the re-conversion of England, but is also prepared to provide alternative episcopal oversight in cases where it is clear that diocesan bishops are failing in their canonical duty to uphold sound teaching. The key institutional innovation is a panel of bishops formed by Bishops Michael Nazir Ali, John Ball, Colin Bazley, Wallace Benn and John Ellison which enjoys the support and encouragement of the GAFCON Primates’ Council…”

– This is a major development and Charles’ article is worth reading in full.

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