Lambeth Palace on the formation of The Anglican Mission in England

Posted on July 6, 2011 
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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

Science and Genesis 3:1-24

Posted on July 5, 2011 
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Barry Newman is continuing to write stimulating notes as he reads through the early chapters of Genesis. He’s posted his latest complete series of explorations, “Science and Genesis 3:1-24” – as a PDF file – at his blog.

The Great Creeds

Posted on July 4, 2011 
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“The earliest function of the creeds was baptismal, that is for instruction beforehand and interrogation of the candidate at the baptism itself. Between their embryonic beginnings and ultimate finalization of the creed in the forms we have them further elements were added.

This was because the era between the New Testament and the finalization of the Creeds in the fourth century was chaotic, with the intrusion of serious doctrinal errors threatening the survival of apostolic truth and the unity of the church. …”

– Bishop Paul Barnett is continuing to post some of his writings online.

Related: J.I. Packer: More Catechesis, Please.

When the bishops don’t want you to ask

Posted on July 2, 2011 
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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

A Fresh Look at Mission conference audio

Posted on July 1, 2011 
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The “Sydney and Anglican: A Fresh Look at Mission” conference was held in Sydney two weeks ago. (SydneyAnglicans.net reported on the day here.)

A quote from Michael Jensen:

“My conviction is that not only is being evangelical the most authentic way of being Anglican – we’ve been saying that for years – but also that being Anglican is the best way to be evangelical in Australia in the 21st century. Our Anglican identity is, by grace, a precious gift which teaches us to stay true to the central convictions of the Christian faith without losing our missionary zeal.”

The audio files and handouts are now available on their new website.

Ten Elements of Historic Anglicanism

Posted on June 30, 2011 
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“It is important to begin with two comments:

1) This paper was inspired by something J.I. Packer wrote in 1995, ‘Speculating in Anglican Futures’. I have added to it, but Dr Packer must not be blamed for my additions, or the final form this brief paper has taken.

2) I need to define ‘Anglicanism’. You will notice that I qualify it as ‘historic’ Anglicanism. What do I mean? I mean the Anglican way – the way of the Church of England as defined by the three historic documents: the Book of Common Prayer (1662); the Ordinal (for Bishops, Priests and Deacons); the 39 Articles of Religion. We find the doctrines, beliefs and ethos of historic Anglicanism in these documents.

Let me now turn to these ten elements.

First and foremost this Anglicanism locates its final authority in matters pertaining to salvation in the Holy Scriptures.

Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article  of the faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation  (Article 6).

This places final authority for faith and salvation in “Holy Scripture”. By contrast the church is the “witness and keeper of holy writ”, but not the source of “Holy Writ”. The articles recognise that various “rites” need to be authorised and adjudication given in matters of “controversy” and the church has “power…and authority” in such things  (Article 20). Nonetheless, churches may err and have erred within history; they are not infallible.

So, to begin, Holy Scripture is the basis and touchstone of faith.

Thus the church must defer to the Bible in all matters relating to salvation and, indeed, in the ultimate in all matters relating to rites, ceremonies and controversies. Thus the Anglican Church is biblical as to the basis of its authority.

At ordination the minister is given a Bible as the instrument of ministry. The Bishop’s charge in the Ordinal, along with the questions and answers, make it abundantly clear that Christian ministry has the Bible as the basis and means of ministry.…”

– Read the full paper at Bishop Paul Barnett’s blog.

Simplicity and Integrity: the KJV in the church and the world

Posted on June 30, 2011 
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A Conference to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible.

Thursday July 7th 2011, 9.30am – 4:00pm at Moore College in Newtown.

Details here.

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

Posted on June 29, 2011 
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“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.

Why did Jesus have to die?

Posted on June 29, 2011 
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In a new 5 minute video from The Gospel Coalition, David Short is asked, “Why did Jesus have to die? and What actually takes place on the Cross?”.

Also see his discussion of the question, “If homosexuality is simply another sin, why is it treated differently in churches?”.

(Worth reading in conjunction with the first video are these excerpts from an interview with John Piper.)

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

Posted on June 28, 2011 
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“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’

Posted on June 27, 2011 
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“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

Posted on June 24, 2011 
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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.

New Anglican Mission Society announced

Posted on June 23, 2011 
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“The Anglican Mission in England (AMIE) held its inaugural event on Wednesday June 22 during an evangelical ministers’ conference in central London.

AMIE has been established as a society within the Church of England dedicated to the conversion of England and biblical church planting. …

The AMIE has been encouraged in this development by the Primates’ Council of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) who said in a communiqué from Nairobi in May 2011: ‘We remain convinced that from within the Provinces which we represent there are creative ways by which we can support those who have been alienated so that they can remain within the Anglican family.’ …”

– Read the full news release on the GAFCON website. More background here.

New Principal for Queensland Theological College

Posted on June 23, 2011 
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The Queensland Theological College has announced a new Principal — from Ireland!

“Irish eyes smiling on Queensland Theological College

The Queensland Theological College (QTC) will appoint the Rev Dr. Gary Millar as its new principal from 2012.  Read more

St. John’s in transition

Posted on June 22, 2011 
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From the St John’s Vancouver website:

“Over the next two weeks we will be having two town hall meetings to discuss the transition. This will be an opportunity to pray, support and listen to one another,  ask questions, give suggestions, and voice concerns.”

– Please keep in your prayers the members of St. John’s (Shaughnessy) and the other three Vancouver churches having to vacate their properties.

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