Lambeth Conference originally included an Anglican Congress that would have drawn lay and ordained Anglicans [not just bishops] from across the world to meet and learn together. Those plans were changed but Lambeth still draws many people””some coming as volunteers, others as visitors. Integrity USA is delighted that Thinking Anglicans and Inclusive Church have joined forces to offer a program “Alongside Lambeth” for those who are not participating in the bishop’s conference.
Each morning at 11am there will be a brief devotional time near the Marketplace Café, followed by Bible studies in small groups. Many of the Bible studies will come from “Signs on the Way”””which focuses on St John’s Gospel and complements the Bible studies in which the bishops and their spouses will take part during the Lambeth Conference. This has been prepared by the Lambeth Planning Team as a way for Anglicans to be present in spirit with the bishops.
[blockquote] Unlike other [b] Fringe [/b] Events, no prior sign up is necessary [/blockquote]
Fringe is the correct word. Yes, they will get their attention from the media. It reminds me of the 1968 Democratic Party Convention.
“Each morning at 11am there will be a brief devotional time near the Marketplace Café, followed by Bible studies in small groups. Many of the Bible studies will come from “Signs on the Way”—which focuses on St John’s Gospel and complements the Bible studies in which the bishops and their spouses will take part during the Lambeth Conference. This has been prepared by the Lambeth Planning Team as a way for Anglicans to be present in spirit with the bishops.”
And this is a bad thing?! Scripture speaks truth and life in any setting. Perhaps they will come away with a deeper Christology? Who knows what the Spirit might do. God seems to have a penchant for people on the fringes anyway…at least in my Bible (Rahab…who would have guessed?)
Yes, it can be a very bad thing. The wagons are circled around the main group while another spin group operates outside. Why are they there? Is there anyone leading the Bible Studies who is doing it for the glory of God rather than just for his/her own agenda? Prove it to me. Are the bishops inside fairly and numerically representing the Anglican Communion? I think not! Are some bishops inside that are only there because they don’t want to be accused of abandoning the communion or hoping for a miracle? I think so. Are there other bishops who would be there if they though it would do any good, but realize that the forum was compromised from the outset? I also think so. Do many of those non-attending bishops actually represent the center of gravity of Biblically faithful Anglicism. Again, I think so.
“Integrity” may say they are walking “Alongside Lambeth” but they seem to be “Leading Lambeth†rather than walking alongside.
The Episcopal Priests (and maybe Bishops) who support and participate in the “Integrity” organization belong to a group that is clearly opposed to abiding by the Anglican Communion’s Windsor Report or any other requests of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.
“Integrity” seems to have formed it’s own church within a church and now it seems to exercise great influence on both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
http://www.integrityusa.org/InfoLetters/2008-06.pdf
http://www.integrityusa.org/CanterburyCampaign/index.htm