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April 25-27 national conference, “Compelled by Christ’s Love”
For our April conference, which is in the Vancouver area, the Network board has chosen the theme Compelled by Christ’s Love, taken from 2 Corinthians 5. The conference will be a time to celebrate God’s provision and leading, a time for rich Bible ministry, and a time to refocus on the mission Christ gave His Church. Please plan to join us – and Archbishop Greg Venables! The conference details, accommodation options and schedule will be available soon.
Dates: April 25-27 (Friday – Sunday)
Location: South Delta Baptist Church, 1988 - 56th Street, Delta (Tsawwassen), BC
For Christ's love compels us, because… He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Bishop Don welcomes two more clergy and a congregation
Bishop Don has issued licences to:
The Reverend William G. Campbell in Toronto, Ontario
The Reverend Lawrence H. Winslow, in Sandy Lake, Manitoba
Having relinquished any previously held licences, both of these godly, retired priests are now instated as priests of the Anglican Network in Canada and, as such, come under the episcopal authority of Bishop Don and the Primatial oversight of the Most Reverend Gregory Venables of the Province of the Southern Cone. Therefore, their licences and orders are effective throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion although the Anglican Church of Canada has made it clear they will not recognize these orders.
A church plant in Brandon, Manitoba has also been welcomed by Bishop Don. The group now meets as a home Bible study, but will begin regular Sunday services on Palm Sunday, March 16.
Church planting seminar, February 14-16
Last chance to register for the Church planting seminar in Vancouver led by the Rev Tom Herrick.
Smorgasbord of events in the Vancouver area
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Clergy retreat, Feb 26-28. Send in your registrations ASAP. The Rev Canon Terry Wong will speak on 2 Corinthians. |
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Training in understanding and handling the Word of God, Mar 1, St John’s Shaughnessy
A one-day workshop (9am - 3pm), led by The Rev Sean Love, for clergy and lay leaders offers practical help in sermon and bible study preparation. Cost is $25. Email Jan Hobbis. |
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Pacific Coast Anglican Awakening: First Steps service sponsored by the Common Cause Partnership, Mar 2 at 7pm, with Bishop Bill Murdoch. To RSVP email Zenia Cheng. |
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Common Cause Partnership clergy gathering, March 3, Monday, 10am - 3pm, with Bishop Bill Murdoch. To RSVP, email Zenia Cheng. |
News shorts - Canada
Bishop Michael Bird of the Diocese of Niagara has issued a letter with instructions that it be read at all services on Sunday, February 10. The letter says, “…word reaches us that at least one parish in our diocese has called a meeting to consider leaving our diocesan family and the Anglican Church of Canada… As your Bishop, I would require notification of any such meeting and I expect to be invited to send a personal representative… I would also like to reaffirm my strong commitment and willingness to uphold the best interest of our diocesan family in the wake of any action a parish may decide to take in this matter.”
Bishop James Cowan, Diocese of BC, has written diocesan clergy saying he is hearing rumors that some parishes are considering separating from the diocese and the Anglican Church of Canada and warns that this action would be “ultra vires” (or illegal). He goes on to threaten immediate termination of any clergy found plotting such departure.
A Diocese of New Westminster editorial uses the Season of Lent to declare the diocese has no intention of repenting. In fact, it will pursue in court any parish that seeks alternative episcopal oversight as a result of the diocese’s unrepentant straying from the Path of Righteousness. Bishop Michael Ingham has also conveyed the same threat in writing to the clergy and trustees of four parishes which are considering votes to receive episcopal oversight through the Anglican Network in Canada.
News shorts – USA and North America
Jim Oakes, of CANA, explains why the legal fight in Virginia between the 11 CANA parishes and TEC is so critical, saying these churches are “…at the vanguard of the battle for the soul of modern Christianity…”
The Rt Rev John Rodgers, interim Dean and President of Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, in an interview with David Virtue, explains why he is pessimistic about the future of the Communion. He says, “We have assumed we are part of a global Anglicanism that is true and good and turned a blind eye to its actual condition. We have been idolatrous about the Anglican Communion. The truth is that for us to be faithful Anglicans, we can no longer be simply identified with the present Anglican Communion. It must be reformed or divided.” But, on a more positive note, he said, “I believe we are on the cusp of an Anglican Evangelical awakening. Many people are looking for roots, not the latest thing, nor the mega church thing. People are looking for that which has stood the test of time. Liturgy is one expression of that historic rootage.”
Draft Covenant
A second draft of the Covenant was published this week with a commentary, framework for resolving disputes, and cover letter. Archbishop Drexel Gomez, head of the Covenant design group, still believes that the Covenant can hold the Communion together and is urging bishops to attend Lambeth. The Covenant is intended to be a common doctrinal statement that would unite and define Anglicans.
While the draft contains a new formula designed to allow Communion churches to hold each other accountable, most orthodox commentators see it as toothless and ineffective for disciplining errant Provinces such as TEC or ACoC. The Anglican Journal states “The covenant stops short of saying what the consequences might be for a church that refuses to adopt any request, stating only that it constitutes “a relinquishment by that church of the force and meaning of the Covenant’s purpose.””
This is the Church Times’ analysis of the redrafted Covenant. And this is the Telegraph’s analysis.
Lambeth and GAFCon
The Archbishop and bishops of Sydney (Australia) will not attend Lambeth. Archbishop Peter Jensen explains how the undisciplined actions of the ACoC and TEC have irrevocably altered the Communion. Michael Daley refutes the claim that GAFCon is an alternative to Lambeth.
A thoughtful letter to the Church of England newspaper argues persuasively that orthodox bishops ought not to attend Lambeth as a matter of integrity, Scriptural-faithfulness and loyalty to orthodox Anglicans forced to seek alternate episcopal oversight.
Dr Mark Thompson, in his paper on Authority in the Church, concludes: “The Anglican formularies take seriously the nature of the church as constituted and governed by the word of God... The confession at the heart of the Christian church’s existence is that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’. This is also why any such contingent and circumscribed authority within the churches must bear the stamp of Christ’s character. Coercion is entirely out of place. Insisting upon personal allegiance and loyalty is thoroughly inappropriate. For he who served us even to death provides the model for all leadership and authority amongst his people…”
Dr Williams gets into hot water with Sharia law
The Archbishop of Canterbury has created quite a furor in Britain, suggesting that aspects of Islamic Sharia law be incorporated into British law. This is what is posted on Dr William’s website.
The Bishop of Rochester, Dr Nazir-Ali responded by saying that “English law is rooted in Judaeo-Christian tradition… it would be simply impossible to introduce a tradition, like Shari’a into this Corpus without fundamentally affecting its integrity.”
The Archbishop of Jos (in Northern Nigeria where Sharia law is enforced) expressed his disbelief in a BBC interview, saying “Our people here are in shock that an Anglican Archbishop is calling for Sharia Law… now that will be used against us who are saying that we do not think Sharia law will help the cause of freedom and the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ in Northern Nigeria.”
The Independent reports that British Muslims may not support Dr Williams’ position. It reports, “Diana Nammi from the Iranian & Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation, which helps victims of forced marriages and those at risk of honour killings, said any suggestion of supplementary sharia courts would not be welcomed by Muslim women and said her group would fight for "one law for all" in Britain. Shahid Malik, the Labour MP for Dewsbury, an area with a large Muslim population, said: "I haven't experienced any clamour to have sharia law in this country. If there are people who prefer sharia law there are always countries where they could go and live."
Here is a good Canadian commentary providing a broader context.
News shorts - International
The Global South Primates have released an Anglican Catechism in Outline to the Communion for study and feedback by 30 April 2008. The comprehensive document was developed by the Global South Anglican Theological Formation and Education Task Force – headed by Dr Michael Poon.
Speculation has started about whether Dr Williams intends to resign. As people under authority, we must diligently uphold the Archbishop in prayer.
Dr. Barbara Pell wins Leading Women Award
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Barbara Pell, much loved Anglican Network in Canada member and wife of the Rev Dr Archie Pell, the first ANiC rector to be received under the Primatial oversight of Archbishop Greg Venables, will receive a 2008 Leading Women Award in the category of Education, Training and Development. Barbara is a Professor of English at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC. |
This award will be presented March 1 at the National Christian Leadership Conference for Women in Toronto. The awards celebrate women that have made an "extraordinary contribution to the success of the work and ministry in their area."
Prayer requests
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Edmonton – Pray for the election of a godly bishop for the Diocese of Edmonton on March 8. |
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Zimbabwe – Pray for Anglicans in this devastated country. Clashes continue in the church instigated by a deposed bishop loyal to dictator Mugabe. |
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Kenya – Progress is reported in negotiations to end the violence, but underlying religious and tribal factors remain. Pray for the Peace of God to sweep over this nation. |
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Rwanda – An earthquake this week killed at least 38 and destroyed many homes. Churches, diocesan buildings, schools and rectories were also badly damaged. Please pray. |
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Sri Lanka – The Bishop of Colombo is appealing to both the government and the Tamil rebels to spare civilians, especially the children, in the bloody, decades-old conflict. Please pray. |
Worth reading
Bishop Bob Duncan provides an insightful and eye-opening analysis of the recent history of the crisis in the communion.
Anglican Mainstream draws attention to a book called, My Genes Made Me Do It - a scientific look at sexual orientation, by Dr Neil and Briar Whitehead and Briar Whitehead. The book explodes the commonly accepted idea that sexual orientation is inborn, saying “… the scientific literature shows that sexual orientation is anything but fixed and unalterable…” Dr Robert Gagnon also provides excellent resources on the Bible and homosexuality
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