"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14 KJV 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Message from Bishop David Anderson
|
 | |
Bishop Anderson
|
Bishop Anderson was not able to write an article this week.
|
|
The Chaplain's Corner
|
 | |
Canon Ashey
|
By The Rev. Canon Phil Ashey Chief Operating and Development Officer, American Anglican Council
Spiritual Realities require Spiritual Resources, Part 1
Dear Friends in Christ,
I want to build on the Special Report we released this week "Do Not Lose Heart," to which many of you responded. For those who were encouraged, who are in TEC and who are pondering their next steps post-General Convention 2012, let me offer a first step:
Use the Spiritual resources you have in Christ to meet the Spiritual realities you are facing.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we recognize the reality that we are not wrestling only against personalities, political agendas, flesh and blood. Our struggle is against "the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12). In every deviation from the historic and biblical doctrines and norms of our Christian faith, there is a spirit of wanton rebellion and lawlessness at work.
Paul says we should "arm ourselves" with the spiritual resources we have in Christ (Ephesians 6:10-20) in order to effectively address the spiritual realities we are facing. And what are those resources?
|
|
|
|
1. Prayer: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With all this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (Eph. 6:18)
As you face difficult decisions for yourself and your church in the days to come, you will be lost without prayer. I am frequently surprised how few Anglican churches have an organized and trained intercessory prayer team, healing prayer team, classes on prayer, prayer retreats, or places and times set aside for individual and corporate prayer. The bible promises that God has a plan for us and that it is for hope and for a future (Jeremiah 29:11). The bible also promises us that God's will is good, pleasing and perfect-who can improve upon it? (Romans 12:2)
But how do you discern God's direction for you and your church without intentional, organized, listening and prevailing prayer? Paul's fourfold use of the word "all" here introduces us to a whole new dimension of prayer: at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, with all perseverance for all the saints. Do you have such prayer in your own life and in your church? Does it pervade every other resource you use in this spiritual fight? If not, now is the time to get on your knees and do it.
2. The belt of truth: "Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..." (Eph. 6:14a)
"Truth" can mean here the truth of God's word, the bible. Because the definite article is absent in the Greek sentence before the word "truth," others prefer to understand "truth" here as sincerity and integrity. Why not both: speaking God's word with sincerity and integrity. Satan loves darkness; light causes him to flee. Is our Biblical teaching in church so thorough, so sincere, and so maintaining integrity with all of scripture that Satan's lies and distortions ("Did God really say that?"Gen. 3:1) have no place to land? Satan loves scheming and intrigue; he abhors transparency. Are we acting with transparency and sincerity in all our discussions with each other in church-including those with whom we disagree?
3. The breastplate of righteousness: "...and with the breastplate of righteousness in place..." (Eph. 6:14b)
Like the word truth, "righteousness" has two possible meanings. Whenever Paul uses the word "righteousness' (dikaiosyne), more often than not he means God's gracious initiative in putting sinners right with Himself through Christ. Have we assessed the spiritual maturity of our congregation? How many people have assurance of salvation in Jesus Christ? Who does not? What can we do to help people find intimacy and righteousness with God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ-rather than works? What are we doing in our catechesis from cradle to grave to make fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who are living every aspect of their lives as He would? Are we making righteous followers of Jesus Christ-righteous in both senses-righteous in character and in conduct?
How might these resources work together? Let's take the issue of your giving. What does the Bible say about national, diocesan and church askings or even assessments for an agenda that has departed from the historic and biblical norms of the Christian faith? An asking is not a tax, and even if an assessment were to be regarded as a tax, do we raise that assessment to the same level of God ordained civil authority to which God's word asks us to support financially (Romans 13)?
That would be the kind of misuse of scripture and violation of truth that we have seen elsewhere in TEC.
On the other hand, the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 is a clear teaching from Jesus on the importance of carefully stewarding the financial treasure God has given us-always in the service of the King and his kingdom.
So if your denomination, your diocese, your church, and your Rector impose on you an agenda that dishonors God and his word, do you have to pay for it? Wouldn't that be even worse than burying your financial treasure in the ground?
No: don't just withhold your gifts. Be transparent and truthful about why you will no longer give any money that will support an agenda that is contrary to God's word. Write a letter and tell your Rector, Wardens and Vestry. Copy it to you Bishop and TEC national headquarters in New York. And if you need a good example of what to write, you can find one from Sarah Hey at the Stand Firm in Faith blog.
The goal of all this is to take your stand, so that "when the day of judgment" comes, you will be standing in Christ, assured that you have done everything you can (Eph. 6:13).
Next Week: Gospel shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.
Yours in Christ,
Phil+
|
Episcopal Church approves same-sex blessing rite
| Source: AP
July 10, 2012
By Rachel Zoll
Episcopalians approved a churchwide ceremony Tuesday to bless same-sex couples, the latest decisive step toward accepting homosexuality by a denomination that nine years ago elected the first openly gay bishop.
At the Episcopal General Convention, which is divided into two voting bodies, about 80 percent of the House of Deputies voted to authorize a provisional rite for same-sex unions for the next three years. A day earlier, the House of Bishops approved the rites 111-41 with three abstentions during the church meeting in Indianapolis.
Supporters of the same-sex blessings insisted it was not a marriage ceremony despite
 | |
The Very Rev. David Thurlow, deputy from South Carolina, gives a minority report ahead of a debate on the authorization of a rite of same-gender blessing (ENS photo)
|
any similarities. Called "The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant," the ceremony includes prayers and an exchange of vows and rings. Same-sex couples must complete counseling before having their unions or civil marriages blessed by the church.
Other mainline Protestant churches have struck down barriers to gay ordination in recent years or allowed individual congregations to celebrate gay or lesbian unions. However, only one major U.S. Protestant group, the United Church of Christ, has endorsed same-sex marriage outright.
In a separate vote Monday, the full Episcopal convention approved new anti-discrimination language for transgendered people that cleared the way for transgendered clergy....
During the debate Tuesday, opponents argued that adopting an official liturgy amounted to an endorsement of same-sex marriage with no theological justification for doing so. Episcopal church law and Book of Common Prayer still define marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
"It is being seen as a marriage rite even though I was told that is not intended," said the Rev. Sharon Lewis, from the Diocese of Southwest Florida delegation.
The Rev. David Thurlow of the Diocese of South Carolina, which has withdrawn from some councils of the national church in protest of its theological direction, said the church was "marching off not only completely out of step with, but completely out of line with, the faith once delivered to the saints."...
The official liturgy for same-sex blessings has been in development since 2009, when it was authorized by the last General Convention. Some bishops had already created rites for the ceremonies for use in their own dioceses. But the prayers approved Tuesday are the first such official prayers for use by the entire church, which claims just under 2 million members.
The liturgy can be used starting December 2, the first Sunday in Advent.
The rest of the article may be found here.
Back to top |
Episcopal Church Clears Way for Transgender Ordination
| Source: Christian Post
July 9, 2012
By Lillian Kwon
A legislation that opens the door to transgender ordination passed its final hurdle on Monday and was approved by leaders in The Episcopal Church. The measure passed both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The Episcopal General Convention voted to amend church laws to state: "No one shall be denied rights, status or access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities or age."
"This proposed revision is based upon our increased understanding and practice to respect the human dignity of transgender people - transsexuals, and others who differ from majority societal gender norms," an explanation for the legislation states. "Gender identity (one's inner sense of being male or female) and expression (the way in which one manifests that gender identity in the world) should not be bases for exclusion, in and of themselves, from consideration for participation in the ministries of the Church."...
The rest of the article may be found here.
Back to top |
12 bishops say no to gay blessings
| Source: Anglican Ink
July 11, 2012
By George Conger
A coalition of conservative and moderate bishops attending the 77th General Convention has released a statement denouncing the passage of Resolution A059: "Authorize Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Sex Relationships."
The "Indianapolis Statement" joins declarations by the bishops and deputations of South Carolina and Central Florida in rejecting the authorization of provisional local rites for gay blessings as being contrary to Scripture, the Prayer Book, the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, and the undivided theological, pastoral and moral witness of the universal church for the past 2000 years....
The rest of the article and the text of the statement may be found here.
Back to top |
South Carolina Differentiates Itself from Actions of 77th General Convention
| Source: Anglican Ink
July 12, 2012
By Kevin Kallsen
..."These resolutions in my opinion," said Lawrence, "are disconcerting changes to the
 | |
Bishop Lawrence
|
doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church--to which every bishop, priest and deacon is asked to conform. More importantly they mark a departure from the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them, therein making it necessary for me to strongly differentiate myself from such actions." At the conclusion of this private session Lawrence told the House of Bishops that he would not be continuing in the remainder of the Convention. "I concur with the assessment of our canon theologian, the Rev. Dr. Kendall Harmon, when he described the actions of this General Convention as 'unbiblical, unchristian, unanglican and unseemly,'" said Lawrence....
The rest of the article may be found here.
Back to top |
Church of England: General Synod delays vote on women bishops
| Source: BBC News
July 9, 2012
The Church of England is to delay a final vote on the consecration of women bishops to allow a late amendment to be reconsidered.
The General Synod voted by 288 votes to 144 to adjourn the debate, after protests from pro-women campaigners. They object to an amendment to the draft law allowing parishes who do not accept women bishops to request a male bishop who shares their beliefs.
The new vote is likely to happen at a special Synod session in November.
The draft law was amended by the Synod's House of Bishops in May. It already contained a provision for parishes who object to women bishops to request that they be placed under the care of a male bishop. But the amendment went further, specifying that the stand-in bishop should exercise their ministry in accordance with the parish's opinions on the issue.
That caused uproar within the Church, as many who favour of women bishops said it embedded discrimination into the law.
'Lower the temperature'
The debate has been taking place at the second meeting of the Church's governing body this year, held at York University.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, warned that an adjournment would not be a "panacea" but would give a chance to "lower the temperature" within the Church of England over the dispute....
The rest of the article may be found here.
Back to top |
Orthodox Church in America: Metropolitan Jonah submits resignation
| Source: Anglican Ink
July 9, 2012
By Kevin Kallsen
 | |
Metropolitan Jonah
|
In a letter addressed to the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops dated Friday, July 6, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah tendered his resignation as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.
His Beatitude composed and signed the letter at his residence in Washington, DC, in the presence of Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor.
On Saturday, July 7, the letter was presented to the Holy Synod in the course of a conference call in which all of the hierarchs participated, except His Eminence, Archbishop Alejo of Mexico City....
The text of the letter may be found here.
Back to top |
ARDF Requests aid for Province of Sudan
| Source: Anglican Relief and Development
 | | Baroness Caroline Cox (center) is the founder of
The Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust
|
...The UN Refugee agency estimated on June 20, 2012 there were more than 150,000 refugees in Sudan. More than 35,000 people have fled Sudan's Blue Nile State in the past month. The refugees have fled bombing and ground fighting between Sudan's military and a rebel group historically associated with South Sudan. Many of the refugees have walked two to three weeks to reach the border with South Sudan. The majority of the new arrivals are women, the elderly and children...
ARDF is partnering with the Humanitarian Aid Relief Fund, inspired by the vision and mission of Baroness Cox to provide relief funds for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Sudan. Any funds received in excess of needs for immediate relief will be restricted for development work in Sudan.
Please join us in extending a hand to our Anglican brothers and sisters in Sudan by making a donation today!
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
