There are several striking things about this moment.<\/p>\n
First, the name. The 2008 Conference was a totally new initiative. It looked forward \u2013 it is a Future Conference. The Communion of old had changed irrevocably with events in North America which denied both the clear teaching of the word of God and also the value of Christian unity and fellowship. The Future Conference did not abandon the Communion: it looked to the future and saw what the Communion would have to become if it is to survive.<\/p>\n
Second, the location. It was no accident that we were summoned to Jerusalem. Here was the scene of the Saviour\u2019s death and resurrection. In Jerusalem, the Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and the Gospel was first preached. If we were looking and hoping for renewal and courage, symbolically there could be no better place than this. It took us back to our true roots.<\/p>\n
Third, the participants. The key thing here is that not only bishops were invited, but clergy and laity, men and women, young and old. To have a future conference of bishops only would be a vote for the past. This was a new thing, a new day.<\/p>\n