C of E General Synod report 4 July 2008
The Church of England’s General Synod has begin its meeting at York University.
David Phillips, General Secretary of Church Society, is posting a daily summary of business. Read the summary for Friday 4th July on the Church Society website.
‘Treat GAFCON with respect’ – Church Times
GAFCON was a good thing. Other complexions have, of course, been put on it, but the conference in Jerusalem transformed disaffection from the Anglican Communion into a renewed commitment to its core, which is the love of Christ. Against the expectations of many, the week was not spent fulminating against gays. Bishop Robinson’s name was not heard. …
… the breach in communion, which is no wider than it was before GAFCON, will not widen further if only other Anglicans engage with the Jerusalem Declaration, demonstrate the legitimate, biblical grounds for their differing views and actions, refuse to allow their brothers and sisters to walk apart …
– Comment from Church Times. There is other GAFCON coverage in this edition.
(Archbishops Henry Orombi, Uganda and Peter Akinola, Nigeria, at the GAFCON closing session. Photo: Joy Gwaltney.)
Florida ‘outpouring’ heads for Britain
Todd Bentley, the revivalist behind the Florida Outpouring, is to send some of his Fresh Fire Ministries team over to the UK for a London Outpouring from 10 to 12 July. It will take place at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster, in association with Premier Christian Radio. …
St Andrew’s, Chorleywood, the Charismatic Anglican church from which New Wine and Soul Survivor emerged, has wholeheartedly embraced the Outpourings after its Vicar, the Revd Dr Mark Stibbe, and others visited the Lakeland Outpouring in May.
– Report from Church Times.
See also our earlier story on the ‘outpouring’ for a link to very helpful comments by Justin Peters. And also see this disturbing video clip. (Photo: Fresh Fire.)
The battle for hearts and souls
Peter Jensen describes the past two weeks as among the most spiritually invigorating of his life. The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney is the talk of Anglicans worldwide… Not everyone is a fan. …
– Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.
See also “Archbishop ‘deluded’, says local bishop” in Melbourne’s The Age –
“[Philip Huggins, Assistant Bishop in Melbourne] told The Age that Dr Jensen had breached protocol by publishing an opinion piece in another diocese without talking to his colleagues there…”.
(Note: That opinion piece was published in The Sydney Morning Herald. As commonly happens, it was also picked up by The Age.) GAFCON photo: Joy Gwaltney.
William Tyndale: A life transformed by God’s Word
At the recent New Attitude Conference, John Piper gave an overview of the life and impact of Bible translator William Tyndale.
Learn why we can thank God for Tyndale and his legacy.
The 62 minute / 14.5MB mp3 file of John’s talk is available here (direct link), courtesy of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
Bishop Don Harvey reflects on GAFCON
“By standing apart from the Anglican Church of Canada, we have endeared ourselves a ‘great cloud of witnesses’ who are with us step by step along the way. It is wonderful to be part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and know that we are doing our part to keep it faithful to the Rock from which it was hewn. …”
– from Anglican Essential Canada.
(Photo: Bishop Don Harvey of the Anglican Network in Canada at St Mary of the Incarnation, Metchosin.)
CofE campaigns to recruit ministers
At this weekend’s Church of England General Synod, a campaign is being launched to encourage young people to consider training for Christian ministry —
“The Call Waiting magazine contains a selection of all of this information and will be handed out via stalls, seminars and workshops at events such as the Greenbelt Christian Festival this summer in Cheltenham. …”
– from a Church of England press release.
Tom Wright attacks GAFCON
“The Bishop of Durham has attacked the Anglican traditionalists behind a new movement against what they consider liberal views on homosexuality.
Dr Tom Wright, a traditionalist himself, said Gafcon’s plans to let parishes break from liberal bishops were ridiculous and ‘deeply offensive’. …”
– From BBC News. However, see the final GAFCON press conference – and Matt Kennedy has some comments at Stand Firm.
See also this report on the All Souls meeting from Religious Intelligence –
Archbishop Venables: “Just to make it absolutely clear: Gafcon is not a breaking-away from the Anglican Communion. It is not the formation of an alternative group.”
He continued: “It is not a seizing of power, it is the exercise of legitimate authority for the sake of the Anglican Communion. We are not taking power over anybody, we are just bringing things together.”
(Photo: Diocese of London.)
All Souls Rector complains about press coverage
From the Rector of All Souls, Langham Place, to the Editor of The Independent newspaper –
Dear Sir
You published an article today under the headline “Anglican rebels punched gay rights activists”.
As the alleged incident took place at the church of which I am Rector I have spent some time today trying to track down details concerning the alleged incident. The following seem to me to be relevant…
– Full letter at Anglican Mainstream. (Photo: All Souls.)
GAFCON final press conference video online
Anglican TV’s Kevin Kallsen has now posted online the full video of the last GAFCON press conference.
Not only are the answers helpful, but the video gives an insight into how journalists seek to report on something like GAFCON. Russell Powell is heard as he facilitates the briefing.
In the light of near-hysteria about GAFCON in some circles, this is well worth watching. It runs for 36 minutes and can be seen here.
(Incidentally, Kevin Kallsen, who has provided this very helpful resource, is looking for financial support so he can report from Lambeth.)
CANA Bp. David Bena writes about GAFCON
David Bena, Bishop in CANA (Convocation of Anglicans in North America) writes to his clergy about GAFCON and the Jerusalem Declaration –
“It… spells out what you and I have always believed but was yanked away from us by radical professors and church leaders: Primacy of Scripture; Jesus as Incarnate and the only way to salvation; the Creeds said without crossing our fingers at certain phrases…”
– Read the full message via Transfigurations. (Photo: CANA.)
Confessional fellowship will ‘reassert Bible’s authority’
Three archbishops who participated in the recent Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem addressed hundreds of Church of England clergy July 1 about a newly formed network they assert will bring needed authority to the Anglican Communion.
“There are moments in the church where authority has to be taken, and this is one of those moments where the most senior people available have decided to come together to take their authority to do certain things which they have the capacity to do,” said Archbishop Peter Jensen of Sydney in remarks reported by the London Telegraph. …
Archbishop Jensen dismissed as mythological the idea that the Archbishop of Canterbury exercised legal or juridical power over the Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s power is largely moral, he said, adding “that the last five years have seen a diminution of the moral authority that he is able to bring to this role.” The loss of moral authority was not Archbishop Williams’ fault, Archbishop Jensen said, and probably would have happened to “whoever had been the archbishop.”
– Report from The Living Church. (Photo: GAFCON media team.)
New President for NSW Council of Churches
The first woman President of the NSW Council of Churches has been elected. Deaconess Margaret Rodgers was unanimously elected President of the Council at the Annual General Meeting last month.
Well-known to Sydney Anglicans, Margaret was the Media Officer for Archbishop Peter Jensen until her retirement at the end of 2007. She served as Principal of Deaconess House, 1976–85, and was CEO of Sydney’s Anglican Media Council 1994–2003.
The NSW Council of Churches represents seven Christian denominations – The Anglican Church (Diocese of Sydney), The Baptist Union of NSW, The Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (NSW), The Churches of Christ in NSW, The Fellowship of Congregational Churches (NSW), The Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW) and The Salvation Army (Eastern Territory).
For more about the NSW Council of Churches, see their website.
Canadian Primate claims all is well
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has challenged the statement issued by a global group of conservative Anglicans accusing the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church in the United States of proclaiming a “false gospel that has paralyzed” the Anglican Communion. …
– Story from the Anglican Journal (of the Anglican Church of Canada).
See, however, Archbishop Hitlz’s full statement, with interspersed commentary from Anglican Essentials Canada.
Gay bishop gets warm welcome at Sacramento’s Holy Trinity Cathedral
Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, stepped before the altar at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Sacramento on Tuesday afternoon and let the applause wash over him. …
He said it’s only a matter of time until gays and lesbians have the same rights as heterosexuals in the church.
“We know how it’s going to end,” said Robinson. “We’re only arguing over timing. I believe that with my whole heart.”
– Report from The Sacramento Bee. (See also Dr J I Packer’s ‘Lessons to be learned’.)
Image: Trinity Cathedral newsletter.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…