The second Global Anglican Future Conference, which concludes this weekend in Nairobi, resolved to expand its leadership role in supporting and recognising Anglicans in places where Biblical faith has been compromised.
A meeting of bishops within the conference this week voted without dissent to affirm the Primates Council in recognizing and overseeing theologically isolated Anglicans. This includes the expansion of the Anglican Mission in England and similar bodies around the Communion.
Read it all (and take the time to watch the related press conference).
I look forward to reading the details of the final communique.
Wow: Bold statement in the Draft Communique –
[em]We are conscious that we have become an important and effective instrument of Communion during a period in which the other instruments of Communion have failed both to uphold gospel priorities in the Church, and to heal local divisions among us.[/em]
Strong words. But very true.
More snippets which really resonate with and/or strike me:
[i]The character and boundaries of our fellowship are not determined by institutions but by the word of God. The church is a place where truth matters … our adherence to the Jerusalem Declaration expresses both our willingness to submit to the written word of God and our unwillingness to have fellowship with those who will not…. [/i]
I wonder if such BOLD STRONG language (“unwillingness to have fellowship” will survive to the final version?!
I LOVE the emphasis on transformation, both for individual believers and for churches. This statement is strong in the confidence in the Gospel and the power of God to revive, renew & restore:
[i]Just as individual lives can be transformed, so can the life of churches. We therefore call on our brothers and sisters throughout the Communion to join in rediscovering the power of the gospel and seeking boldness from the Holy Spirit to proclaim it with renewed vigor.[/i]
AMEN! Hallelujah! Preach it 🙂
I am encouraged, and in fact I am heartened by the [i]fact[/i] that they have recognized the Anglican Church in North America and our orders, and that our archbishop is a member of the council. What more is needed? Canterbury? [i]WHY?[/i]
It is sound teaching, and good to read.
As the communique itself states, the impact of this will not come from media attention, or even from blog attention(!) In terms of drawing lines in the sand or making strong pronouncements, that has already been done – mainly at Jerusalem in 2008.
This meeting may actually have far more impact than Jerusalem 08, but it will derive from the effect of those who return from it to their home provinces, if indeed they are imbued with a particular spirit as they claim. For those from the West, there is a great deal of work to be done in (a) strengthening ACNA and (b) carrying on the embryo formation of AMiE. They are each at different stages.