A date with disaster
Meeting in San Jose, California, the Presbyterian Church USA, the liberal branch of American Presbyterianism, moved to approve homosexual clergy on June 27, 2008 – a date that may well mark a final blow against biblical orthodoxy in that denomination.
The PCUSA has debated sexuality issues for decades now, with activists for homosexual ordination pressing their case until they finally got their way at the denomination’s General Assembly. In that historic meeting, the General Assembly actually approved several proposals.
Even before dealing directly with the question of ordination standards, the General Assembly approved a first step toward revising the denomination’s official translation of the historic Heidelberg Catechism. …
– Al Mohler points out what else the PCUSA had to change. (Photo of a John Calvin bobblehead at the PCUSA GC – by Joseph Williams and PCUSA.)
Anglican Bishops reclaiming Biblical position
Pledging to work against forces of “militant secularism and pluralism” within their Christian denomination, conservative Anglican leaders formed a new umbrella organization here at the weekend.
The Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) — representing more than half of the world’s practicing Anglicans — wrapped up a weeklong meeting in Jerusalem, where more than 1,100 lay and clergy, including nearly 300 bishops, declared their allegiance to traditional biblical and church teachings and vowed to combat liberal trends, including the acceptance of homosexual leadership. …
– Report from Crosswalk. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney.)
Journey to the Promised Land
“GAFCON is a movement, not just a conference.”
When the delegates starting arriving in Jerusalem, the words of the organisers rang true. They came from all over the world, not just because they were invited to a conference but because they felt now was the time to start something. …
– from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney.)
Tears and cheers as Declaration released
The Global Anglican Future Conference has overwhelmingly endorsed the Jerusalem Declaration and final communique, a document Archbishop Peter Jensen says will help bring order out of chaos. …
– Russell Powell reports for SydneyAnglicans.net.
GAFCON Statement here.
Also hear a 6 minute recording from Sunday afternoon’s press conference (Archbishops Henry Orombi, Peter Jensen and Emmanuel Kolini answer questions) – 4.2MB mp3 file (direct link), courtesy of SydneyAnglicans.net.
Dr J I Packer on lessons to be learned
The audio files of Dr James Packer’s talk and question time at Holy Trinity, Eastbourne, last Tuesday are available at the Holy Trinity website.
Dr Packer spoke on “Lessons to be learned from the Canadian church experience” – and stated that the issues which prompted GAFCON are the most serious since the Reformation. Very helpful talk.
The meeting was widely reported when – 3 minutes into the question time – Dr Packer was asked what he would say to the Archbishop of Canterbury given the opportunity.
Links to the mp3 files – talk (55 min / 9.5MB) – question time (32 min / 5.6MB).
(Photo: Ed Hird.)
GAFCON Final Statement released
The GAFCON Final Statement has now been released on the final day of the Pilgrimage in Jerusalem –
“GAFCON is not just a moment in time, but a movement in the Spirit, and we hereby:
• launch the GAFCON movement as a fellowship of confessing Anglicans
• publish the Jerusalem Declaration as the basis of the fellowship
• encourage GAFCON Primates to form a Council. …”
– read the full statement and the associated Jerusalem Declaration here (380kb PDF – direct link). It’s also available on our website in the Reference documents section.
A press conference is expected in a few hours at 9:00pm Sydney time (1100GMT) Sunday.
GAFCON Slideshow Day 7
Here’s a slideshow of photos taken at GAFCON on Day 7 – Saturday.
You can also see our slideshows of Day 6, Day 4, Day 3 – and Monday’s photos from the Mount of Olives.
We’re very grateful to the GAFCON media team, and particularly Russell Powell, for the images and stories we’ve been able to share with you.
Russell is seen here interviewing Bishop Al Stewart – with Tim Robinson filming – overlooking the Sea of Galilee yesterday. (Photo: Zac Veron.)
GAFCON Statement expected Sunday
We understand that the long-awaited Statement from GAFCON will be released shortly after 5:30pm Sydney time on Sunday (0730GMT) with a press conference around 9:00pm Sydney time (1100GMT). We’ll post details and any updates here as we receive them.
(Photo: Russell Powell.)
Where Jesus walked
On Saturday, the GAFCON pilgrims travelled to Galilee.
Russell Powell has this report at SydneyAnglicans.net.
Away from the conference venue – GAFCON pilgrims have had an emotional service on the water at Galilee in which six ferries were lashed together in the centre of the lake.
(Photo: David Sseppuuya)
PCUSA ‘plants seeds of self-destruction’
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted Friday to pave the way toward the ordination of practicing homosexual persons to the offices of deacon, elder, or minister. The series of votes begin to reverse the denomination’s position on sexual practices that it has held for its entire existence. …
– Report from Christian Newswire. (Photo: Danny Bolin and Presbyterian Church USA.)
Airport delay? – Share good news
Russell Powell hears how one Nigerian Bishop took the opportunity to share some wonderful news on his way to GAFCON.
See the 4 minute 20 second video file courtesy of SydneyAnglicans.net.
GAFCON Slideshow Day 6
Here’s a slideshow of photos taken at GAFCON on Day 6 – Friday.
You can also see our slideshows of Day 4, Day 3 – and Monday’s photos from the Mount of Olives.
‘A sleeping giant awakes’ says Peter Jensen
Sydney Archbishop Peter Jensen – chair of the GAFCON programme committee – speaking to a news briefing in Jerusalem – saying a sleeping giant has awoken in the church because of the actions of revisionist [i.e. liberal] leaders in North America. …
– from the GAFCON website.
930kb Mp3 audio clip here – courtesy GAFCON media team.
(Photo: Joy Gwaltney.)
Gafcon: a longer look
“Our story today follows up the press conference yesterday with Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya. He confirmed that Gafcon will today and on Sunday firm up plans for the new ‘church within a church’ …”
– by Ruth Gledhill in Times Online.
(Photo: Russell Powell.)
Court backs Virginia churches
A Virginia circuit judge has handed a crucial victory to a group of 11 former Episcopal churches that left the Diocese of Virginia 18 months ago over issues of theology and the 2003 consecration of the denomination’s first openly gay bishop. …
– Story from The Washington Times. (Truro Church is the largest of the churches involved.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…