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"Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. . . "
Romans 8:8-9 NIV
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Message from Bishop David Anderson
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Bishop Anderson
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Dear Anglican Brothers and Sisters and those who wish us well, The world is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for all Christians, and especially for Anglicans. In some places our property and churches are being taken from us by misguided judges who are unwilling to go beyond the rhetoric of Episcopal Church assertions to find the facts, justice and fairness that would protect us. In other cases Anglicans are being hurt and killed for their faith by Islamists intent on terror, such as in Sudan and Northern Nigeria. In still another case, a Christian 15 year old boy in Wisconsin is being threatened with suspension because he wrote an article at the school's request on why he didn't think homosexual adoption was a good idea. Although I am not anticipating the end of the world this coming December, as some Mayan calendar theorists are postulating, I do believe that the time we are living in is approaching a time of tribulation for sincere Christians. If you really believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that our God is the only God, and that salvation comes uniquely through the work of Jesus Christ, and that the Holy Bible is the Word of God, then you already know that the media is hostile to you, the schools are hostile to you, much of the business world is hostile to you, and increasingly you will be portrayed as ignorant, hateful, atavistic and out of touch with modern life. Your and your family's ability to live your lives unmolested by government, business, and public school will grow increasingly difficult, unless by divine intervention and a huge change in American culture, the trend is reversed. It is important to push back politically, and one place to start is with the local school boards. If your elected representatives in government are not supportive of your free exercise of your Christian faith, vote them out of office. Pray fervently and become politically aware. Our U.S. government from the president on down needs to be willing to pressure other governments to protect their religious minorities from persecution and attack. Although democracy is an important ideal to urge countries to uphold, advocating for their Christian citizens to be free from attack and death is an even deeper and more precious ideal to advance. Pray for the Christians in Sudan and in Northern and Central Nigeria as they fear for their lives because of Islamists' Jihad against believers in Christ.
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Pray for the Anglicans in North America who are being forced from their houses of worship because they left the apostate and heretical leadership of TEC and wanted to take their own property with them. Even now Bishop Seabury Church in Groton, CT and Christ Church, Savannah, GA are contemplating whether they should appeal adverse court decisions to the United States Supreme Court. A Presbyterian church in Georgia is also considering the same SCOTUS appeal, for much the same reason.
Todd Starnes from FOX NEWS Radio reports that a 15-year old Wisconsin boy, Brandon Wegner, who wrote an op-ed article at the request of the school concerning homosexual adoptions has been censored and threatened with suspension. It is reported that the superintendent of the Shawano School District called the student ignorant and called the article disrespectful and a form of bullying. The young man used scripture references in citing why he believed that it was unadvisable for gay adoptions to take place, and this apparently added to the superintendent's fury at the student. Having read the young man's essay, I concede that he could have used less volitile phrasing, which although quoted from the Bible, generally makes an argument less receptive by the unconvinced public. It could have been an essayist's learning moment on argument, debate, and convincing presentation, but instead the school system which asked him specifically for the writing, nuked him for what he said which, although rough, is factually true.
Another student was asked to write an article favoring gay adoption, and this student was left alone. Matthew Staver, the founder of Liberty Counsel who has intervened on the student's behalf, said "The superintendent wants everyone to accept homosexuality as normative and homosexual adoption as something that should be standard practice. In doing so, he's belittling the views and the biblical views of many people across this country." Todd Starnes of FOX assessed it, "He (Superintendent Todd Carlson) wants to cram his view down the throat of everyone else and will not tolerate an opposing viewpoint." How intimidating for this 15-year old; how amazing that he stood up to these threats including suspension and did not recant, but rested his case on the word of God. The Todd Starnes article can be found here.
Like many high school epistles, Brandon could have used some coaching on the best ways to present his point of view and how to shape his argument, but the reaction by Superintendent Carlson shows that the bias of the system is to indoctrinate the young and impressionable to a very certain and narrow pro-homosexual point of view. It raises the question of why the superintendent responded with such anger and poor judgement toward the young student. Another fair question is whether Superintendent Todd Carlson is fit to continue in his role as school superintendent with this level of animus and bias.
I suppose a take away for student Brandon is how to shape and mature an argument in a compelling and winsome manner, stating the truth in ways that invite a second look and change of mind, but that is for his future.
Until the Lord returns, stay strong in the faith and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Faithfully in Christ,
+David
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr.
President and CEO, American Anglican Council
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Chaplain's Corner
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 By The Rev. Canon Phil Ashey
Chief Operating and Development Officer, American Anglican Council
Dear Friends in Christ,
This morning I returned from the Pacific Northwest and our third Clergy Leadership Training Institute focused on the issue of "The Character of the Leader." Twenty two clergy from the new ACNA Diocese of Cascadia and the Anglican Network in Canada came together at Cedar Springs Retreat Center in Sumas, WA with their two bishops, +Kevin Allen and +Trevor Walters, for a time of looking at the kind of character God wants in the leaders of his church - particularly in the context of leading people through the organizational conflicts that inevitably arise as churches grow in fulfilling Christ's Great Commission.
Here is just a sampling of the written evaluations from the clergy who were there:
"Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the depth of teaching and grace of God poured out through this time you have provided. This has been the best conference I have ever been to."
"The best part of the program was the introduction to 'Red-Zone/Blue Zone' in church conflict, real-life scenarios shared by the speakers, and an opportunity to apply our own real-life scenarios."
"The best part for me was sharing in the small groups and seeing that what I am going through is normal, and I am not alone."
"Topics were spot on."
"I've been burned by 'ministry training events' before. This surpassed my expectations - not what I feared, better than I'd hoped!"
"I am deeply appreciative of the personal counseling that took place. Also the informal conversations with other clergy. The best part of the program was sharing each other's stories in a relaxed spiritual place. I feel much closer to my diocese and now have additional friends in Christ from Canada (ANiC)."
One of the most powerful moments of this CLTI was an afternoon session where Bishops Kevin Allen and Trevor Walters, without violating anyone's confidence, shared a "real time" conflict in a congregation one of them is leading, while the other helped unpack before the group what was helpful in developing both the character of the leader and the health of the congregation. For bishops to make themselves so transparent with their clergy and each other, in such a spirit of humility - modeling leadership in a congregational scenario that every clergy member can identify with - well, that's remarkable leadership. It is pastoral. It is humble. It is biblical. It is healing and trust-building.
It is in short what the beloved Apostle John wrote in his first Epistle when he said, "If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sins." I John 1:7
Remarkable teaching. Remarkable sharing. Remarkable healing and trust-building. The AAC Clergy Leadership Training Institute is a place where we are seeing not only the reformation of leaders, but the reformation of behavior, for the future of Anglicanism in North America.
Yours under the blood of Jesus Christ,
Phil+
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AAC Webinar: Sign up today for Clergy & Their Taxes Part 3
| Part 3 of the AAC's "Clergy & Their Taxes" free webinar will be Thursday, February 2 from 2:00-3:00 pm (est). Hosted by Todd Ensign of Capin Crouse LLP, this session is described as follows:
 Do's and Don'ts: Preparing Your Personal Return
Save tax dollars! Keeping records! Are you reporting all of your income? Are you taking all of your available deductions? Do you have to pay estimated taxes? IRS red flags! Should I be afraid of an audit? These topics and more!
Sign up today!
To view a recording of parts 1 & 2 go to the AAC's webinar page here.
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Anglican Church Embraces Working Relationship with Church of England
| Source: Anglican Church in North America
January 20, 2011
Church of England General Synod Report Encourages "Open-Ended Engagement"
The General Synod, the national assembly of the Church of England, released a report this week providing further clarity on its working relationship with the Anglican Church in North America, and encouraged an "open-ended engagement with ACNA on the part of the Church of England and the (Anglican) Communion."
"We are encouraged by the desire of the Church of England to continue to embrace the Anglican Church in North America and remain in solidarity with us as we proclaim the Gospel message and truth as revealed in Scripture in the way it has always been understood in Anglican formularies," said Archbishop Duncan.
The Church of England General Synod report can be viewed here.
"As we have demonstrated successfully to the GAFCON primates, the Anglican Church in North America remains committed to our growing relationships with Anglican provinces outside of North America. Our biblical orthodoxy and ministries are strengthening our bond to our Anglican brothers and sisters around the globe. We are gratified that we are already in a relationship of full communion with many Anglican Provinces and look forward to expanding that circle."
"In that regard, we appreciate the work of the Faith and Order Commission of the Church of England, whose report and recommendations to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York form the basis of the document now released for General Synod, and whose content substantially advances the same ends with the Church of England," concluded Archbishop Duncan.
In July 2009, a resolution was brought forth to the Church of England's General Synod to recognize its common faith and fellowship with the growing Anglican Church in North America. The following February, 2010, representatives and ecumenical friends of the Anglican Church in North America shared directly with the General Synod the vision of the church for reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. At the 2010 meeting, the General Synod first affirmed the Anglican Church in North America's desire "to remain within the Anglican family."
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Church of England attendance decreasing, continuing downward trend
| Source: Christian Today
January 25, 2012
The latest statistics from the Church of England show a two per cent drop in attendance between 2009 and 2010.
Average Sunday attendance fell from 944,400 in 2009 to 923,700 the following year, continuing the long-term downward trend.
The number of children and young people at weekly services also dropped by two per cent, from 223,000 in 2009 to 218,600 in 2010.
Marriages rose in the Church of England by four per cent, from 52,730 in 2009 to 54,700 in 2010.
It is the biggest increase in marriages in any one year in the last decade and follows the launch of a range of initiatives designed to make marrying in the Church of England easier.
The figures show a slight increase in the number of child baptisms, up one per cent from 43,480 in 2009 to 43,850 the following year. Adult baptisms also rose by one per cent, from 11,010 in 2009 to 11,160 in 2010.
The number of people opting for a Church of England funeral fell by two per cent in churches and four per cent in crematoriums.
Despite the drop in attendance at Church services, there is positive news in the growth of fresh expressions of church.
The figures show that there are at least 1,000 fresh expressions and new forms of church linked to the Church of England. There are an estimated 1,000 fresh expressions within the Methodist Church.
It is the first time that fresh expressions have been included in the Church of England's annual report on attendance. . .
Read the rest of the article here.
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| Sharia Court convicts Anglican priest of blasphemy for baptizing Muslims | Source: Church of England Newspaper
January 20, 2012
By George Conger
The All India Christian Council has condemned an indictment issued by a Sharia law court in Kashmir that charges two priests with blasphemy by enticing Muslims to convert to Christianity.
On 11 January 2012 Muslim leaders in the Northern Indian state issued a statement saying that "it was proved beyond doubt that the accused" the vicar of All Saints Church in Srinigar, the Rev Chander Mani Khanna of the Church of North India, "along with other accomplices was luring Muslim people to change their religion."
A second priest, Fr. Jim Borst, a Roman Catholic missionary who has worked in Kashmir for 46 years, was also charged with converting Muslims to Christianity.
"The Kashmir situation is going through a critical phase and if such elements are not brought to book it will have a serious and negative impact on the (Kashmiri Muslim) society," the Muslim leaders said.
"It is shocking and surprising that the state government was allowing such activities. Kashmir society will not tolerate such activities at all and we stand united against such elements," Mufti Muhammad Nasir-ul-Islam said. The sentence from the court would be announced shortly, he added.
On 19 Nov 2011 Mr. Khanna was arrested by the Jammu & Kashmir police on charges of fomenting civil unrest. He was released on 1 Dec 2011 and has since left the state for fear for his life. . .
Read the entire article here.
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Atty Says School Threatened, Punished Boy Who Opposed Gay Adoption
| Source: Fox News
January 24, 2012
By Todd Starnes
A 15-year-old Wisconsin boy who wrote an op-ed opposing gay adoptions was censored, threatened with suspension and called ignorant by the superintendent of the Shawano School District, according to an attorney representing the child.
Mathew Staver, the founder of the Liberty Counsel, sent a letter to Superintendent Todd Carlson demanding an apology for "Its unconstitutional and irrational censorship and humiliation" of Brandon Wegner.
Wegner, a student at Shawano High School, was asked to write an op-ed for the school newspaper about whether gays should be allowed to adopt. Wegner, who is a Christian, wrote in opposition. Another student wrote in favor of allowing gays to adopt.
Wegner used Bible passages to defend his argument, including Scripture that called homosexuality a sin. . .
You can read Wegner's editorial by clicking here.
Read the rest of the story here.
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