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Day 2 – 14 November 2008
The second day of synod was just as full as the first. Highlights included:
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Worship |
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Sermon by George Sinclair, “A Bible to teach” |
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Presentations from ANiC parishes |
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A vision for ministry to Canada’s growing immigrant population |
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Presentation:
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from the Theological Commission |
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on discerning the call to ministry |
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from Artizo, ANiC’s ministry internship program |
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from the Canons Committee |
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from the Finance Committee |
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from the Legal Committee |
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Testimonials to:
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God’s power in transforming lives through the ministry of Living Waters |
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God’s power move His people to give generously |
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Motions were passed receiving the financial statements and auditors’ report, as well as the budget for the year ending 30 June 2009. |
Visit our Synod webpage for more detailed information. Also, you can follow as David Jenkins live blogs from the floor of synod.
Following over an hour devoted to worship and the preaching of God’s Word, synod heard from the Rev Stephen Leung who challenged ANiC to intentionally develop ministries to recent immigrants and ethnic groups, with the goal of having the demographics of ANiC reflects the demographics of Canada.
Then the morning agenda launched into parish presentations. Yesterday, we heard from eight parishes and a “project”; today we heard from the remaining 15 parishes – included the most recent addition in Pembroke, Ontario. These presentations have been a highlight. Each church is eager to tell their story of faithfulness and serving God in their community and everyone else is equally eager to become better acquainted with the many congregations and ministries in our Church. These presentations are now posted to our website.
The Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) recounted their recent experience of raising funds to purchase the church building they have leased for the last five years. Their story of sacrificial giving by their leadership and parishioners moved synod delegates to give a standing ovation, expressing gratitude to God.
The Rev David Short made a presentation from the Theological Commission outlining the six areas of theological work to be undertaken, to ensure our practice will truly reflect our theology. These are: Church, Ministry, Discipline, Liturgy, Marriage & Family and the Mission of the Church. The Theological Commission hopes to “develop six memoranda of understanding to be affirmed by the next synod as positive statements of how we wish to order our lives, in agreement with Anglican doctrine, in submission to the Scriptures to be most effective and faithful for the future of the gospel in Canada.” [See attached paper]
The Rev Dr Trevor Walters presented the ordination process for those sensing a call to ministry. [See attached] This process is a minimum of two years and involves:
• a parish discernment process
• a meeting with the regional examining chaplain
• a meeting with the moderator or regional bishop
• meeting with the regional discernment committee
The Canons Committee presented the 12 Principles guiding their work in developing canons:
1. The Canons will be biblical – we want the Bible to inform and direct the canons.
2. We will have as few Canons as possible.
3. We will learn from the best Anglican practices from around the world.
4. We will be respectful of and attentive to the best of Anglican traditions.
5. The Canons will encourage Gospel mission work.
6. The Canons will encourage godly initiative.
7. The Canons will be national.
8. The Canons will encourage godly churches, clergy and Bishops.
9. The Canons will foster co-operative and prayerful relationships between laity/priest/parish/Bishop/Synod.
10. The Canons will strive for wise balances of authority and responsibility between laity/priest/parish/Bishop/Synod.
11. The Canons will be open to ongoing reformation by God’s word written and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
12. We desire to be servants who do all things to the Hallowing of God’s name and the furtherance of His Kingly rule.
A first draft of the canons will be ready by March to go to ANiC leadership. From there they will go to parishes for comment. Revised canons will then be presented to synod delegates at least eight weeks in advance of the 2009 synod.
Synod delegates were presented with a draft interim constitution to govern synod. This was discussed and delegates provided comments which will be incorporated in the revised constitution to be voted upon by delegates tomorrow. This constitution is in place until December 2010, unless replaced earlier by synod. The constitution was developed by researching “best practices” in Anglican jurisdictions around the world and in Canada.
In her presentation on the legal situation, Cheryl Chang, ANiC Chancellor, gave a brief update on legal matters in the Niagara diocese where the litigation is being pursued aggressively and in New Westminster where the litigation commenced in September. While we continue to make offers for alternative dispute resolution, the dioceses refuse to negotiate, mediate or arbitrate.
She explained that the court decisions to date are only relevant to the issue of who will get to use the church properties between now and a trial on the ultimate issue of who the properties are held “in trust for”. The courts will need to determine whether the properties are held “in trust” for the congregations or the dioceses and the Anglican Church of Canada. The basis of ANiC’s case was articulated in Judge Ramsay’s Endorsement in the first hearing in Niagara. [See paragraphs 8-10 of his Endorsement.]
The legal situation was presented in the context of Phil 1:12-14, where Paul, writing to the Philippians says:
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
The actions in Niagara and BC are not impeding the ministry and the parishes that have been forced out of their church on Sundays or all week have actually found blessing in increased giving and attendance over the summer months. In addition, their bold stand has encouraged others as demonstrated by the recent votes to join ANiC in Kinosota, Windsor, Ottawa and Hamilton despite the risks to their properties.
Cheryl explained that she sees the legal actions as an opportunity for evangelism – to explain to the secular courts and to all Canadians watching these court cases in the media, that we will not deny the scripture, we are prepared to make a defence for what we believe and that ours is a faith worth risking property for. In addition to evangelism, it is an issue of stewardship - the price of the litigation is a “pittance” when compared to the value of the church properties at stake - and these buildings are needed to carry out valuable preaching, teaching, ministry and mission in their communities. They were built and established to be used for exactly those purposes and ANiC hopes they will continue to be used for those same purposes.
In the end, if God wants us to have the properties or leave the properties, He will do it. Our job is to remain faithful along the journey and in all things hope that God will be glorified.
The financial statements for the Nov 07 – June 08 were presented and discussed and received by synod, as was a budget for July 08 – June 09 of just over $700,000.
Manya Egerton presented testimonials of changed lives as a result of the Living Waters ministry at St John’s Shaughnessy. Many people have experienced healing from hurts, abuse, addictions and relational and sexual problems.
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