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Handle with prayer!
News – ANiC and AEN
Conference and synod agenda posted
A preliminary agenda for synod has been posted to our website. Speakers will be announced soon. Conference/synod registration material will be available on September 14. However, if you plan to come – and we would encourage everyone to attend – you should book your hotel room ASAP before the rooms that ANiC has reserved at a special reduced rate are gone. Optional activities will be available for non-delegates who prefer not to attend business sessions on Thursday afternoon. The conference theme, His power in our weakness, comes from 2Corinthians 12:9-10.
St Luke’s (Pembroke, ON) closes deal on a new building
On July 31, St Luke’s purchased a new building and volunteers are already hard at work cleaning and renovating the facility. The building is being transformed from a catering hall, seating 500 people, into a church by partitioning it into a “church proper” and a church hall with side rooms turned into offices and Sunday school rooms. The final price of $315,000 included a fully equipped kitchen, 400 chairs, 80 tables and 95 parking spaces.
The congregation aims to have a “grand opening” on Saturday, October 17 with an open house from 2-4pm followed by a worship service and dedication ceremonies from 4-5pm. The Pembroke community and the ANiC family are invited to join the congregation and Bishop Don Harvey for the celebration of thanksgiving. Regular Sunday services will begin in the building on October 18 – St Luke’s Day! The Rev Tim Parent says, “We have been amazed at God' s provision all along as many supplies are being provided at minimal or no cost – such as an altar and 16 pews from a Roman Catholic church, desks and other things given by parishioners, and an organ and piano being donated. God is good! We want to thank all the ANiC family for your prayers and support.”
Church of the Ascension (Langley, BC) launches weekly services in new location
When the recreation centre in which they had been meeting each month was not available for weekly services, Church of the Ascension selected another recreation centre as their new home. Beginning September 13, and with weekly Sunday services starting September 27, Church of the Ascension will worship at 11am in the George Preston Recreation Centre, 20699 42 Avenue, Langley. The new facility offers more room for growth, excellent parking and economical rates.
Toronto centre project moves to bi-weekly services
ANiC Toronto Centre project is growing with new people swelling the ranks each time they meet. A leadership team has been appointed to guide the group in the next steps. Meetings are now every second Wednesday at 7:30pm. The next meeting is September 9. Whether you’re just curious or interested in becoming involved, you are most welcome. For information contact Claus Lenk by email or by calling 416-445-0880 ext. 102 – or see the poster on the ANiC website.
Can you help us fly a delegate to synod?
Our ANiC Air Miles™ account has collected almost 1/3 of the points needed to fly a delegate to synod. We currently have over 800 Air Miles™. Thank you to all who are helping. With a few more people contributing we’ll make our goal. If you want to help us, please go to our website for information on how you can painlessly help.
Unexpectedly, several ANiC members have volunteered to use Air Miles™ or Aeroplan™ points from their personal accounts to fly a delegate. If you have unused Air Miles™ or Aeroplan™ points you’d like to use for this worthwhile purpose, please contact Jude in the ANiC office by email or by calling 1-866-351-2642 extension 4015. As few as 1250 - 2,850 Air Miles™ or 15,000 - 25,000 Aeroplan™ points, are all you need to help fly an ANiC delegate to Synod in November.
Please pray for evangelism meetings at Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver)
The guest speakers, Mr and Mrs Fang from China have been denied Canadian visas despite two applications. Please pray that the third application will succeed.
Calendar of events – for your interest and prayer support
Sept 9 – Toronto Centre project regular bi-weekly meeting
Sept 12 – vision party for ACNA church plant in Victoria called The Table
Sept 27 – Church of the Ascension (Langley) begins weekly services
Sept 19-20 – Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) Cantonese evangelistic rally
Sept 19 – Ignite the Light Conference (Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.) – Richmond Hill, ON
Oct 3 – Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver) celebrates 120th anniversary
Oct 14 – Victoria, BC – Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection event
Oct 17 – St Luke’s (Pembroke) open house to celebrate and dedicate new building
Note to parishes and projects: Please send your news and newsletter announcements to Marilyn.
ANiC in the news
Abbotsford News – August 7 2009 – Waiting for judgment
News shorts – Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
Victoria church plant set to launch
The Table – an Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) cooperative inter-dioceses church plant in Victoria BC – plans to hold its first “vision party” on September 12 and ask prayer that God will send those He has chosen to join this venture.
First new ACNA bishop consecrated
Bishop William Ilgenfritz was consecrated August 22 in Pennsylvania. He will lead a new ACNA diocese, the Missionary Diocese of All Saints, which is currently comprised of 13 Forward in Faith (traditional Anglo-Catholic) congregations across the US. Bishop Don and Bishop-elect Charlie Masters represented ANiC at this historic consecration – the first since ACNA was constituted.
ACNA under the microscope
Warren Tanghe discusses the history of the ACNA and the practical and theological divisions that it must now work to overcome. He says that, while the divisions within ACNA are real, the key to cohesion will be mutual support and cooperation between dioceses at the local level in the work of the Gospel. He concludes, “…what is remarkable about ACNA is the degree to which, despite their fractious history, the Lord's hand resolved issues that once stood between the disparate elements of which it is composed.”
News shorts – Canada
“Being Evangelical in a Complex World”
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (with which ANiC is affiliated) is offering one-day seminars for Christian leaders which link societal trends, faith in God's purposes, and engaging our secular culture. Seminars are offered in the following locations:
October 14 - Victoria, BC
October 16 - Langley, BC
November 10 - Halifax, NS
November 12 - Moncton, NB
December 1 - Ancaster, ON |
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January - Toronto, ON
January 20 - Edmonton, AB
January 21 - Calgary, AB
February 16 - Kingston, ON
February 17 - Montreal, QC
February - Ottawa, ON |
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March 24 - Winnipeg, MB
March 26 - Caronport, SK
April - Cambridge, ON
April - Windsor, ON |
Conference explores presenting the Gospel in post-Christian Canada
The Bill Graham Evangelistic Association is presenting an Ignite the Light conference in Richmond Hill, Ontario on September 19. A wide variety of speakers will address how to explain the gospel in an environment that lacks a Christian frame of reference and belief in absolute truth.
Essentials Nova Scotia meeting – September 12
Essentials Nova Scotia meets September 12, 10am – 12noon, at Trinity Church, Halifax (321 Main Ave), to hear a presentation on the “Agape Project” – an initiative promoted by Anglican Essentials Federation which is designed to both communicate the Gospel as well as explore authentic Anglican Christianity in ways that reach younger Anglicans.
Declining membership of Anglican Church of Canada
The AEC blog discusses Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) statistics. This is not an easy task given the lack of up-to-date official ACoC information. The most recent membership and attendance numbers provided by the ACoC are from 2001. However, the bloggers and commenters have pieced together some interesting information drawing from a 1999 book by Marney Patterson (“Suicide: The decline and fall of the Anglican Church of Canada) and the McKerracher report to the ACoC House of Bishops in 2005. The current Anglican Journal contains an article which discusses the “precipitous: drop in membership and says the ACoC needs to rethink how it does church. “We need to get back to how to reach people, to understand them and to connect with them. We can’t just assume that they will come to us,” says The Rev Gary Nicolosi, congregational development officer for the diocese of British Columbia.
Federation prepares to take a stand at ACoC General Synod 2010
The Anglican Essentials Federation has posted several new articles to their website. Below are some excerpts:
TEC’s crash and it’s implications for the Anglican Church of Canada
“…The Covenant process is the best tool at the disposal of those who want the Anglican Communion to work collegially on its pressing issues, and I’m quite sure the Federation will be pressing for its full acceptance within the Anglican Church of Canada. Equally important, the Covenant process is the best way we have of ensuring that we continue to be “a communion”, that is a spiritually united reflection of the Body of Christ, rather than a mere loose federation of churches. The Covenant process also represents the expressed willingness on the part of the Western (and mainly white) churches to welcome their Global South sisters and brothers as equals in decision-making which we have often until now, made unilaterally…”
Hope for an erring Church
“…[T]here are many of us who do not wish to further the continued fragmentation of the Body of Christ. We trust God to restore truth to his church. We will not further divide it. No Christian ‘fragment’ of the Church can claim unsullied theological and moral truth… The orthodox in the ACC, is a people in Exile. We wait on God alone to come to our aid. In the meantime, we are hunkering down, working for the good of the whole church, seeking to evangelize and build godly and biblical parishes, praying in repentance and sorrow, and yet, in unflagging hope, waiting for God to cleanse and renew his people, including us!”
Preparing for General Synod 2010
“…I don’t need to tell you how critical it is that the Federation make its presence and witness felt at General Synod. As the debacle of TEC has just shown, the issues before us as an Anglican Communion are ‘life-threatening’… Please start to pray for the Federation initiative at General Synod 2010. Volunteer if you are able…”
Diocese of New Westminster conference
The Diocese of New Westminster’s website advertises an October 17 event entitled “Spiritual, but not religious!” The description of a keynote speaker’s talk ends by asking participants to ponder this question: “What might Creation, the Spirit of Gaia, our Living Dew-Hearted Mother Earth spinning in the Infinite Cosmic Mystery, be asking of the church today?”
In the news – Canada
Niagara Falls Review – August 12 2009 – There’s just nothing right about the Niagara Rite
This remarkable editorial in a secular newspaper concludes: “…the church should be helping to reduce sin in the lives of its members, not institutionalizing it and blessing it.”
Anglican Journal – Sept 1 2009 – ‘God is calling us to move in this direction’ [Re Diocese of Niagara offering same-sex blessing effective Sept 1]
News shorts – United States
Orthodox Episcopalians wrestle with decisions about their future
South Carolina – Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina has called on the diocese to distance itself from the governing bodies of the Episcopal Church (TEC) while remaining within TEC. He also calls for his diocese to work with the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the GAFCon/Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans movement globally. The Living Church reports that Bishop Lawrence will call a special convention on October 24 to vote on the following proposals:
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Reading a letter aloud at every ordination service that specifies what it means to be loyal to the “doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them.” |
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Withdrawing as a diocese from “all bodies of governance of TEC that have assented to actions contrary to Holy Scripture… the resolutions of Lambeth… and the Constitution & Canons of TEC… until such bodies show a willingness to repent of such actions.” |
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Affirm the current draft of the Anglican Covenant |
Some see Bishop Lawrence’s proposals as ground-breaking. Bishop Graham Kings comments “Bishop Mark Lawrence has given a thoughtful, measured, astute, invigorating and wise clarion call to remain and fight for biblical orthodoxy which is recognisably Anglican. His address is likely to resound around the Anglican Communion.” Others, reports David Virtue, are confused by the bishop’s proposals to remain within TEC but not participating in the life of TEC, while possibly assisting parishes that wish to realign out of TEC. The discussion on the Anglican Curmudgeon blog suggests that the actions proposed by Bishop Lawrence are largely symbolic and will be ineffectual unless – as is hoped – the diocese is in the vanguard of a coordinated strategy by all the theologically orthodox Communion Partner bishops still within the Episcopal Church.
Louisiana – Blogger “Cotton Country Anglican” writes his bishop – Bishop MacPherson – posing some hard questions. He asks “What future is there for the orthodox within TEC”? and “What long term future is there for orthodox Anglicans in a world wide Communion of Churches that is willing to tolerate and accommodate and placate member Churches who deny as true the things that we orthodox believe to be foundational and core Christianity?” He concludes by asking his bishop where do we go from here and what is your vision for getting us there?
Another mainline denomination is roiled by same-sex debate
The US-based Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted at its national assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota to both approve same-sex blessings and ordain as clergy those in same-sex relationships. Lutheran CORE, which stands for orthodoxy within the ELCA, responded, “Lutheran CORE leaders are calling on faithful Lutherans to meet in Indianapolis in September to begin an expanded ministry that draws faithful ELCA congregations and members together. They are also encouraging ELCA members and congregations to direct finances away from the ELCA church-wide organization to faithful ministries within and outside of the ELCA. ‘Lutheran CORE is continuing in the Christian faith as it has been passed down to us by generations of Christians. The ELCA is the one that has departed from the teaching of the Bible as understood by Christians for 2,000 years,” said the Rev. Paull Spring of State College, Pa., chair of Lutheran CORE.”
Commenting on this development, Dr Albert Mohler says:
“The inevitability of the votes to allow the affirmation of homosexual unions and the calling of homosexual ministers is rooted in decisions made prior to those crucial votes. The actions in Minneapolis would be inconceivable but for the fact that the denomination has for decades allowed increasing theological pluralism to mark its membership and its leadership. But plainly, this pluralism allows for radically different theologies to reside within one denomination and for fundamentally divergent understandings of Scripture and biblical authority to coexist….
“The tragedy of all this is accentuated by the fact that Martin Luther, the great Reformer who gave birth to the Lutheran tradition, staked his life and the Gospel he preached upon the principle of Sola Scriptura – the final and exclusive authority of the Scripture within the church. Luther also affirmed the essential clarity of Scripture, affirming that its clarity is a function of its divine authorship. "Let miserable men, therefore, cease to impute, with blasphemous perverseness, the darkness and the obscurity of their own hearts to the brilliantly clear Scriptures of God," insisted Luther...
“The claim that these two contradictory understandings of the Bible's teachings on human sexuality can coexist and be recognized as being equally faithful to the Scriptures is nonsense. Those pressing for the normalization of homosexuality must put the Scriptures through hoop after hoop of theological acrobatics. The claim that a church can both condemn and bless homosexual relationships with equal faithfulness falls false on its face. Worst of all, it sows a disastrously deadly confusion about the nature of sin -- a confusion that subverts the Gospel and brings eternal consequences. Should homosexuals repent of their sin, or come to the church for the blessing of their homosexual unions? There can be no multiple-choice answer to that question. The actions in Minneapolis will reverberate far into the future. Woe unto those who cloak such decisions with the disguise of faithfulness.”
The Associated Press has compiled a summary of where various large US denominations stand on the issue of ordaining as clergy those who participate in homosexual behaviour.
Embattled Pennsylvania parish supports California parish in legal disputes
Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, Pennsylvania has filed an “amicus brief” (or friend of the court filing) in support of another embattled parish seeking to retain its property in a court case on the other side of the US. Like St James Anglican Church in Newport Beach, California, Church of the Good Shepherd is defending its property in the courts in Pennsylvania. The one difference is that Church of the Good Shepherd has not left the Episcopal Church while St James is in the Anglican Church in North America.
The Presbyterian Lay Committee has also filed an “amicus curiae” brief in support of St James which is appealing an earlier court decision. The Presbyterian Lay Committee argument is that “…in awarding St. James Parish property to the Episcopal Church (USA), the California Supreme Court violated the First Amendment’s Establishment and Free Exercise clauses by exempting a hierarchical church government from fundamental property laws that all other persons and organizations are required to honor.” They argue that the courts should determine church property disputes based on “neutral principles of law” – the same criteria used in all other property disputes – with no special treatment for religious organizations. They also argue that most church structures no longer fit neatly into the categories of hierarchical or congregational.
An orthodox leader explains why he is staying in the Episcopal Church
The Rev Dr Phillip Turner, of the Anglican Communion Institute, gives six reasons behind his decision to remain in the Episcopal Church:
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“I am now an old man of 74… It’s simply too late to make a change… |
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“Not only do I believe that the calling of Christians is to remain and contend with their erring brothers and sisters, I believe also that the dream of a purer place to be a Christian is just that–a dream… Leaving also tends to create a habit of mind that makes us restless with those around us, even in the place to which we have fled for succor… |
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“If I were to leave I would in effect be placing myself outside the judgment God has rendered against my church… |
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“I believe that the way to confront error is to speak the truth in love and live in a different manner… |
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“The vast majority of the people with whom I have been contending are in fact Christians… They are, however, Christians who have fallen into serious error… As I understand it, my role as a Presbyter is to protect the church from strange doctrine rather than go to another place whenever it rears its ugly head… |
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“Until our Lord comes again, the church will never exist in circumstances where it is not threatened by enemies from within and without…” |
What US Presbyterians can learn from the Anglican crisis
The Jackson Presbyterian Examiner carries a three-part analysis of the crisis of faith within North American Anglicanism.
1. Signs of the crisis
2. The audacity of narrow-minded revisionists & The orthodox response to the crisis
3. What Presbyterians can learn from the Anglican crisis
In the news - US
Washington Post – August 6 2009 – Battle over homosexuality in Episcopal Church is over (by Bishop John Shelby Spong)
VirtueOnline – August 12 2009 – The heresies of… Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori
Church of England Newspaper – August 7 2009 – Few agree that US moratorium holds
Church of England Newspaper – August 7 2009 – Gays in line for bishop elections
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – July 26 2009 – Churches attempt to heal after split
Living Church – August 27 2009 – Presiding Bishop defends ‘heresy’ address
News shorts – International
Dioceses of Egypt and Singapore deepen partnership
The “companion dioceses” of Singapore and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding that will strengthen their growing missional partnership in such areas as medical work, theological development, co-mission projects, inter-faith initiatives, youth work and leadership exchange.
Canterbury’s views of afterlife
In a British TV show, Dr Rowan Williams, when asked about the afterlife said, “All we really know about the after-life is that God has promised to be there.” Asked about hell, he replied, “My concept of hell, I suppose, is being stuck with myself for ever and with no way out. Whether anybody ever gets to that point I have no idea. But that it’s possible to be stuck with my selfish little ego for all eternity, that’s what I would regard as hell." The Telegraph also reports that the Archbishop of Canterbury told the television interviewer that he was “…sometimes embarrassed by the time the Church of England takes to keep up with changes in society.”
Irish Clergy respond to Canterbury’s “reflection” on the future of the Communion
In a statement, the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy questioned the Archbishop of Canterbury’s proposed “two-track” Anglican Communion saying allowing those who are walking away from the Church Catholic to remain in the Communion even on a second “track” is not Scriptural, nor authentically Anglican, nor catholic. In addition, the statement addresses the persecution of faithful Anglicans in North America through courts of law and welcomes the creation of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
Canadian appointed to Anglican Communion Office post
Canon Dr Alyson Barnett-Cowan has been appointed to the Anglican Communion Office’s newly created post of director of Unity, Faith and Order. She is currently Director of Faith, Worship and Ministry of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Liberal “guerrilla warfare” in the Church of England
Writing in the Church of England Newspaper, Andrew Carey discusses recent statements by Bishop N T Wright and the Archbishop of Canterbury which angered Anglican “liberals” and provoked threats of militancy. He says there is no need to be concerned about a liberal revolt in the Church of England because their numbers are small, they are already comfortably ensconced in the church hierarchy, and they are losing membership within the church because they don’t stand for much.
World Congress of Families issues declaration
Meeting in Amsterdam, pro-family delegates from around the world issued the following declaration:
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We define the natural family to rest on the lifelong marriage of a man to a woman, for the purposes of welcoming and nurturing new human life, providing love, companionship and mutual support ... and strengthening the bonds of the generations." |
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"We affirm that the future of nations rests on families that are spiritually grounded. Religious organizations should be free to uphold their own moral teachings about marriage and the family in the public square." |
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We affirm that the natural family exists prior to the state. Public policies must respect this family autonomy." |
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We call for sound law and policies that will ... guard vulnerable human life, especially at the beginning and end of the life cycle." |
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We identify declining birthrates as the core demographic problem facing the 21st century."
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The suffering church around the world
Pakistan – At the end of July there were unprovoked attacks on Christian communities in Pakistan in which a number of Christians where shot and burned to death and dozens of homes and three churches were destroyed. Rather than arresting those responsible, Religious Intelligence reports that the police have now issued warrants for the arrest of 129 Pakistani Christians, including Anglican bishop of Faisalabad, the Rt Rev John Samuel, in retaliation for their complaints that the police stood by, failing to protect those being attacked. “We have again become the victims,” says Bishop Samuel adding that he receives threats daily. He urges us to pray for him and Pakistani Christians.
One of the tools used by extremists to incite violence against Pakistani Christians is Pakistan’s blasphemy legislation. You can read more here and sign an online petition asking for the repeal of this legislation and for the protection of Christians and others who are suffering from its abuse. The Barnabas Fund reports further on the discrimination endured by Christians in Pakistan.
Nigeria – Religious Intelligence reports the murders of 12 Christians and destruction of 20 churches in Muslim-dominated northern Nigeria by “Nigerian Taliban”
Iran – Bishop Nazir-Ali (Rochester) is appealing for the release of two young Christian women held in an Iranian prison simply for becoming Christians. They have refused to recant their faith despite interrogations, solitary confinement and a trial at which they were told to renounce their faith.
India – The Christian Post reports that a year after the violence against Christians in Orissa state at the hands of Hindu extremists, 4000 Christians are still in refugee camps, too afraid to return home due to the government’s failure to provide security. Last year, “at least 120 Christians were murdered, 250 churches destroyed and over 50,000 individuals displaced”, yet few of the perpetrators have been charged by authorities. There are an estimated 25 million Christians in India– about 2.3 per cent of population in this predominantly Hindu country.
Bishop Nazir-Ali steps down to work with persecuted Christians
The Times reports on Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali’s impending retirement as Bishop of Rochester and move into full-time work supporting Christians in Islamic countries. It says, “Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, who is about to retire as the Bishop of Rochester, is to set up a charity to work with persecuted Christians in the Islamic world…. [He] wants to help to train Christians in Islamic countries to be lay and ordained leaders. He said: “One reason I have decided to do this is to point by example to the wide and very important mission for the Church in the world and not continually have time and energy consumed by internal squabbling.” …He is also in talks with a leading theological college attached to a university — not Oxford — about accreditation for the courses he will be offering…. “The overall point is to enable countries and religious communities to agree on and then respect fundamental freedoms, freedom of belief and expression and freedom to change your belief. In terms of churches, I am very concerned that they should be strengthened to live in their very demanding contexts."
In a Telegraph interview, Bishop Nazir-Ali talked about the twin threats to British society – aggressive secularism and radical Islam and said the Church of England needs to be more active in taking a stand to preserve the country’s Christian heritage. Bishop Nazir-Ali said: “I think there’s a double jeopardy – on the one hand an aggressive secularism that seeks to undermine the traditional principles because it has its own project to foster. On the other is the extremist ideology of radical Islam, which moderate Muslims are also concerned about. This is why there must be a clear recognition of where Britain has come from, what the basis is for our society and how that can contribute to the common good.” The article adds: “He also claimed that liberal Anglicans around the world who are following contemporary culture rather than the teachings of the Bible are effectively following a different faith... He said that the Church should defend the traditional two-parent family and Christian festivals, which are opposed not by followers of other faiths but by atheists who want to remove religion from the public square.”
South Africa diocese requests pastoral guide for homosexually active parishioners
The synod of the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town (South Africa) passed a resolution asking “the Archbishop to request the Synod of Bishops to provide pastoral guidelines for those of our members who are in covenanted partnerships, taking due regard of the mind of the Anglican Communion”. It also resolved to ask that a working group be appointed by the Primate, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba to engage in a listening process on the issue of human sexuality.
International media
Church of England Newspaper – August 14 2009 – From new priest to bishop in just 17 days
Religious Intelligence – August 7 2009 – Court to rule on Indian religious row
All Africa – August 4 2009 – Rwanda: Religious leaders call for new hearts
Telegraph – August 6 2009 – Time for Rome to rescue Christians trapped in the Anglo-Catholic wreckage
Church of England Newspaper – August 21 2009 – Archbishop of Singapore reelected Primate
Soul food
Questions of morality and God’s design for His creation
Is sexual reorientation possible? – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has released a report criticizing efforts to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attractions. However, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) points out that the APA task force which produced the report was comprised entirely of “gay and pro-gay” activists and excluded those holding contrary views. Charles Lewis at the National Post has written an interesting article covering both sides of the debate on whether people can change their sexual proclivity.
Is abstinence education effective? – The National Catholic Register reports that a recent analysis of US data shows states that accepted federal funding for abstinence education experienced a drop in abortions among teens of more than 20 per cent during the period 2001-05 while states that declined this funding saw a decline in abortions of only 5.2 per cent over the same period.
The battle over euthanasia – The National Post discusses proposed euthanasia legislation, Bill C-394, which would make euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide legal. The bill comes up for second-reading this fall in the Canadian House of Commons.
AIDS prevention – Dr Edward Green, director of Harvard’s AIDS Prevention Research Project once again publicly affirmed that the Pope was correct, despite the ridicule he received; abstinence, not condoms, prevents AIDS. Dr Green said, “As a scientist [I] was amazed to see the closeness between what the Pope said last March in Cameroon and the results of the most recent scientific discoveries. The condom does not prevent AIDS. Only responsible sexual behavior can address the pandemic." He said, "The condom can work for particular individuals, but it will not serve to address the situation of a continent. To propose the regular use of the condom as prevention in Africa could have the opposite effect.” Green noted the success of Uganda’s ‘ABC’ strategy – "Abstain, Be faithful, and, as a last resource, use a Condom."
Worth reading
In First Things, George Cardinal Pell addresses the growing intolerance of secular society.
“Ironically, intolerance of Christianity and Christian culture is proclaimed most often in the name of tolerance: Christianity must not be tolerated because of the need for greater tolerance…. At present, the most preferred means for addressing perceived intolerance seems to be antidiscrimination legislation… It is being used to redefine marriage and to make a range of relationships acceptable as the foundation for new forms of the family… How should Christians respond to this growing intolerance? Clearly, there is an urgent need to deepen public understanding of the importance and nature of religious freedom. Having the freedom to search for answers to questions of meaning and value and to live publicly and privately in accordance with our answers is an essential part of human fulfillment and happiness.
The great question that exercises modern culture is the meaning of human autonomy and especially sexual freedom. But this struggle is fundamentally a struggle over a religious question—a question that revolves around the reality of a transcendent order. One way of putting it is: “Did God create us, or did we create God?” The limited scope that secularism is prepared to concede to religious beliefs is based on the assumption that we created God… Absolute sexual freedom lies at the heart of the modern autonomy project. Well beyond preferences about sexual practices or forms of relationship, it extends now to preferences about the method and manner of procreation, family formation, and the uses of human reproduction in medical research. The message from the earliest days of the sexual revolution, always barely concealed behind the talk of “live and let live” and creating space for “different forms of loving,” was that limits on human sexual autonomy will not be tolerated. This is generating the pressures against religion in public life…
Christians have to recover their genius for showing that there are better ways to live and to build a good society—ways that respect freedom, empower individuals, and transform communities. They also have to recover their self-confidence and courage. The secular and religious intolerance of our day needs to be confronted regularly and publicly. Believers need to call the bluff of what is, even in most parts of Europe, a small minority with disproportionate influence in the media. This is one of the crucial tasks for Christians in the twenty-first century.”
Dr Albert Mohler asks “Are we a nation of Hindus?” He discusses a recent Newsweek article that documents the transformation in North American’s belief system, to a polytheistic and syncretistic system. Even 65 per cent of self-identified Christians in the US – and 37 per cent of those who claimed to be evangelical – feel that “many religions can lead to eternal life”. Dr Mohler states, “The exclusivity of the Gospel is not merely a facet of the church's message. Indeed, a Gospel that does not affirm that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone is not the Gospel of Christ, but a false gospel… Many Americans have such a doctrineless understanding of Christianity that they do not even know what the Gospel is -- not even remotely. A greater tragedy is that so many who consider themselves Christians seem to share in this confusion.”
Testimony of God’s provision for a congregation that lost its building
The Rev Phil Ashey of the American Anglican Council’s ends his devotional on the Biblical command “do not worry” with the testimony of Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghampton, New York which lost its building when it left the Episcopal Church and joined the Anglican Church in North America. God graciously provided – first, a much larger rectory, courtesy of a local Roman Catholic priest, followed by a closed Roman Catholic church building for well below market value.
Rev Ashey concludes: “So right now, within four months of losing their court case and being evicted, they are worshipping in a church with a sanctuary that is four times the size of their old one, a parking lot that can accommodate 100-120 cars (as opposed to the 10-car parking lot they used to have) with a huge storage space, a rectory that is finally comfortable for [the Rev Matt Kennedy] and his family, and a day school whose income is paying for their mortgage! And as a result, their church is growing… in numbers, and in faith!”
Sounds similar to the testimonies of several ANiC parishes!
Resources
ACTS 29 Ministries – a parachurch organization focused on spreading the message of renewal within the Episcopal Church in the US – has developed resources including one designed to help lay people gain confidence in the Word of God entitled How to handle the Word of God, with ten sessions of practical study.
Church and Islam
CANA, a diocese in the Anglican Church in North America is launching a new project to educate members about Islam and the challenges it poses to the Church and its mission. The Church and Islam Project includes educational seminars and reading materials on Islam. The project’s website states: “Many missiologists attest that Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America… How are we to engage with this reality and reach North America with the transforming love of Christ? …The challenge of a resurgent Islam in North America is too serious for us to ignore. [W]e must engage, educate and faithfully proclaim the gospel to all the world, including the world of Islam.”
During the Islamic observance of Ramadan, which began this year on August 22 and lasts until September 20, millions of Christians around the world are fasting and praying for the salvation of Muslims. The 30-Days Prayer Network which leads and provides resources on Islam, Muslims and prayer for those wishing to participate, reports that many are coming to Christ in Muslim countries and of these about 25 per cent report that a dream or vision played a significant role in their conversion. God is answering prayer!
Just for laughs
Having received his assignment for the day, the news photographer quickly called the local airport to charter a plane. He was told a twin engine plane would be waiting for him.
Arriving, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger. He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, “Let's go.” The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off.
Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, “Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on the hillsides.”
'Why?' asked the pilot.
“Because I'm a photographer for Fox News, and I need to get some close-up shot,” he replied.
The pilot was strangely silent for a moment. Finally he stammered, “So, what you're telling me is.... You’re NOT my flight instructor?”
Courtesy of www.mikeysFunnies.com
Please pray...
For the Youth Leadership Conference now under way (Aug 31 - Sept 3) at St John’s Shaughnessy
For Canadian visas to be issued for the guest speakers from China scheduled to lead Church of the Good Shepherd’s evangelistic crusade (Sept 19-20).
For those planning and preparing for ANiC’s November 11-13 synod and conference – and consecration of our three new bishops.
For the many ANiC “projects” across the country building congregations and preparing to launch as church plants.
For wisdom as ANiC seeks to find more effective ways of ministering to and encouraging “Orphaned Anglicans” who have no orthodox Anglican church in their community.
That we would share the Good News with those around us who need to meet our Lord & Saviour.
For the legal cases
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For Mr Justice Stephen Kelleher as he reviews all the written material and considers his decision in the Vancouver court case. May God grant insight and discernment. |
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For the Windsor case (involving St Aidan’s) which is being dealt with in London. |
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For the remaining issues being negotiated following the arbitration hearing involving St George’s, St Hilda’s and Good Shepherd in Southern Ontario. Praise God for the satisfactory settlement of a number of outstanding issues through arbitration. |
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For the congregations involved in court proceedings and disputes. Pray for peace, particularly for the wardens and trustees who are on the front lines and bear the burden of responsibility. Pray for a continued focus on, and blessing upon, their ministry in the midst of this turmoil. |
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For continued contributions to the Legal Defence Fund so that legal costs can be covered and the churchwardens and trustees are not at personal financial risk. |
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For the leaders and parishioners of the dioceses pursuing eviction of and damages against ANiC congregations and wardens in court. |
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For repentance and healing, and that those being persecuted will be able to forgive so there can be hope for future reconciliation. |
For the Anglican Church in North America, Archbishop Robert Duncan and the 28 dioceses.
For the first meeting of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in South Africa on September 3.
For Bishop Nazir-Ali as he begins his new mission supporting and training persecuted Christians in Muslim nations.
For the unity of orthodox Anglicans in the Communion.
For our national, provincial and civic leaders as well as for our nation. May God be pleased to grant repentance and cause a revival to sweep our land.
And now a word from our sponsor
And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”
1 Samuel 12:19-25 (ESV)
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