Conservatives prepare to fight for ‘soul of nation’
A “New Reformation” was talked of at the official launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) on Monday. Speakers none the less reiterated their desire to remain part of the Church of Eng land and the Anglican Communion while upholding “orthodox, biblical Anglicanism”. …
– Church Times reports on the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans launch last Monday. (See previous: the text of Peter Jensen’s address.)
Coverage of the TEC General Convention
The American Anglican Council is keeping an eye on the TEC’s 2009 General Convention in California.
Their reports will appear in the GC section of their website. (Photo: Jim DeLa, ENS.)
Introduction to TEC General Convention 2009
It’s all about Ubuntu – as explained by Katherine Jefferts Schori and others – at the TEC website. (h/t Stand Firm)
Peter Jensen: The Jerusalem Declaration – why it matters
An address to the FCA UK launch by Archbishop Peter Jensen, Archbishop of Sydney.
“Many are still angry that the Jerusalem GAFCON was held. Some of the most angry are those who agree with the theology of the GAFCON movement but cannot accept that a moment for decisive action had arrived. To such persons I say, I admire you and honour you as brothers and sisters in the Lord. But it seems to me that every day that has passed since the GAFCON has only vindicated the decision to hold it.”
Jim Packer is one of the giants of the real world-Anglicanism. Amongst the wise of this world he is disdained, but his praises are sung in all the churches. Astonishingly, in the eyes of his institutional church he is no longer one of us. He has chosen to separate himself from what he has called the sanctification of sin.Is he still an Anglican?
When we can seriously ask that question, something is deeply wrong. We are at a watershed, at a parting of the ways. Decisions have to be made. Read more
Britain in battle for its soul, says Sydney Archbishop Peter Jensen
“Britain is facing a ‘battle for the soul of the nation’, an archbishop warned yesterday at the inaugural meeting of a group that threatens to split the Church of England. …”
– Ruth Gledhill writes in The Times.
Be Faithful! event begins tonight Australian time
The Be Faithful! event in London to launch the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans begins this evening (Monday July 6 2009), Sydney time. Anglican TV will stream it live.
The main programme begins at 10:30am UK time, which is 7:30pm AEST. We’re told that Archbishop Peter Jensen will be bringing greetings to the assembly at around 9:20pm AEST, though that time may vary a little.
Please pray that Christ will be glorified as men and women stand for him in this gathering and in the days ahead.
This from Canon Chris Sugden (UK times referenced) … Read more
‘Change and repent’, says bishop
“The Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, has defended traditional biblical teachings on homosexuality and said the Church should not be ‘rolled over by culture’. …
‘We welcome homosexuals, we don’t want to exclude people, but we want them to repent and be changed.’ The bishop added that it is not just homosexuals who need to repent, but all who have strayed from the Bible’s teaching. …”
– The thought of repentance is foreign to many today. See this story from The (London) Telegraph.
Related: Damian Thompson comments – “My colleague Jonathan Wynne-Jones does a grand job of explaining what’s going on, but my basic reaction is: this is so over. The Anglican Communion does not have the structures, the consensus, the money or the guts to police the boundaries of doctrinal diversity. Soon, it will become – at best- a federation of independent Churches. …”
Gay minister inducted at service
“The gay minister whose appointment sparked a furious debate in the Church of Scotland has been formally inducted in Aberdeen.
The Reverend Scott Rennie was introduced to his congregation at a service at Queen’s Cross Church. …”
– BBC report.
9Marks eJournal on missions
The latest 9Marks eJournal has been released – the theme for this issue is Missions.
Grab your PDF copy (direct link) from 9Marks.
Video: UK couple quizzed by police
“The 2005 story of Joe and Helen Roberts – an elderly Christian couple from Lancashire who were interrogated by police because they criticised a ‘gay rights’ project being run by their local council.
In this new video, Helen speaks about how intimidating it was to be questioned by police officers for over an hour. The officers told them they were near to committing a hate crime which carries a seven year prison sentence. …”
– Video from The Christian Institute – report from Anglican Mainstream.)
Al Stewart to head Evangelism Ministries
A media release from the Diocese of Sydney –
Archbishop Dr Peter Jensen has announced the appointment of Bishop Alan Stewart to spearhead a major diocesan church planting initiative.
Dr Jensen says “Connect09 has challenged us to move from maintenance to mission. The fact that I have released Bishop Stewart from his valuable ministry in Wollongong is an indication of how high church planting is on our mission agenda.” Read more
ACNA Assembly latest
The inaugural Assembly of the Anglican Church of North America continues. You can read the latest from the ACNA website.
See also George Conger’s report at Religious Intelligence.
Archbishop of Canterbury to speak at TEC GC forum
“Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will make a presentation addressing the world’s economic crisis during a panel discussion webcast live July 8 from the Episcopal Church’s 76th General Convention, scheduled to take place July 8-17 in Anaheim, California.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson will host the event, to be called ‘Christian Faithfulness in the Global Economic Crisis’ at the Anaheim Hilton …”
– From the Episcopal News Service. (Photo: Lambeth Palace.)
Diocese of Brisbane 2009 Synod
The Diocese of Brisbane held its Synod last Saturday –
“The Archbishop of Brisbane, Dr Phillip Aspinall, has used his Presidential Address at Synod to speak of his hope for the future after a successful Connect to Church Sunday and a growing commitment to continue the effort. Dr Aspinall described as wonderful and fantastic a move by Bishops from 21 Dioceses from around the country to support a Back to Church Sunday event in September, mirroring a similar event in the Brisbane Diocese in February.…”
See the Brisbane Diocese website for a report
Archbishop-elect Duncan to the ACNA Provincial Assembly
“There is no one here who would go back. I hear it over and over. ‘There has been suffering and loss, some of it very wounding indeed, but we are so much better off than we were before!’
I hear it over and over. ‘God has been so good. God has been so faithful. So many miracles of provision! So many kindnesses and graces!’ …”
– Archbishop-elect Bob Duncan gives the opening address to the Provincial Assembly of the Anglican Church of North America.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…