Archbishop of York defends Williams
Posted on July 6, 2008
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The Archbishop of York has told the Church of England’s governing body that a new Anglican traditionalist movement had been “ungracious” in its actions. Dr John Sentamu said he was “deeply grieved” at criticism of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, by the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. …
– from BBC News. Includes a 3 minute video clip. (Photo: Abp of Canterbury’s website.)
C of E General Synod report 4 July 2008
Posted on July 6, 2008
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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.
If I were a Patron
Posted on July 6, 2008
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What can be done to halt the Liberal drift of the Church of England identified at the post-GAFCON gathering at All Souls Langham place on the 1st July?
The answer is not “Sign a petition in support of the GAFCON principles,” although I suggest you do exactly that…
The problem with the Jerusalem Statement and Declaration, is that it declares what every minister working for the Church of England is required to declare on their appointment. …
– John Richardson reminds us of the influence of patrons and parish representatives in the appointment of a parish minister. At the Ugley Vicar.
‘Treat GAFCON with respect’ – Church Times
Posted on July 5, 2008
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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
Posted on July 5, 2008
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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
Posted on July 5, 2008
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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
Posted on July 5, 2008
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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
Posted on July 5, 2008
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“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
Posted on July 5, 2008
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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
Posted on July 4, 2008
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“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.)
‘Figure behind Anglican schism is a puritan who sees no room for compromise’
Posted on July 4, 2008
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Until a few weeks ago few people outside the city where he preaches would have been familiar with Peter Jensen. …
The 64-year-old cleric, one of the architects of the Global Anglican Future Conference, Gafcon, the new power bloc that rejects a liberal stance towards homosexual clergy and same-sex unions and which plans to “reassert the authority of the Bible”, has been a thorn in the side of Australian Anglicans for years. …
– Story by Barbara McMahon in Sydney for The Guardian.
(These excerpts give a feel for the story – “puritanism, power bloc, thorn in the side, limited parish experience, inner circle, said to rule the diocese with an iron hand, churns out hardline evangelicals, fundamentalism, narrow, almost worshipped, a threat, bullies, culture of fear”.) Photo: Joy Gwaltney.
All Souls Rector complains about press coverage
Posted on July 4, 2008
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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.)
Peter Jensen: We should not be naive
Posted on July 4, 2008
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The Sydney Morning Herald today publishes an op-ed by Archbishop Peter Jensen –
“We should not be naive about the slow and steady influence of revisionist teaching and why the seven men who lead some of the largest Anglican churches in the world have decided to stand up and be counted. …”
– Read it in The Sydney Morning Herald. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney.)
GAFCON final press conference video online
Posted on July 4, 2008
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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
Posted on July 4, 2008
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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.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…