"Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding." Proverbs 9:6 NKJV

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Message from Bishop David Anderson
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Bishop Anderson
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The long awaited announcement from England has come, and we have a new Archbishop of Canterbury appointee and Primus Inter Pares of the Anglican Communion. It has been much commented on by church pundits that Bishop Justin Welby has more experience in the business world than in the church, having been in his previous life an oil executive, and in the church a bishop slightly more than one year. Perhaps we should not rush to assume that this is a disadvantage. We have had a "professional academic" churchman for Archbishop for the last decade in Dr. Rowan Williams, and it has been a stunning failure of Biblical witness, spiritual growth and theological orthodoxy, and, coupled with inept leadership skills, it is not a model many would want to repeat. Yes, Bishop Welby has more experience in running a for-profit corporation than in running the church, but maybe that is an advantage. Perhaps he will be able to speak to the general population in terms that they can understand, and provide leadership that they can respond to in a positive way. I am all for giving the new Archbishop appointee a chance to address the difficulties in the church and set a more positive, more historically orthodox course.
Archbishop Welby, in his new appointment, will have to work with the more orthodox Global South provinces, especially the GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) Primates who represent a huge majority of the churchgoing Anglican world. The new Archbishop will need to find a way to disengage the Anglican Communion Office and the office and work of the Archbishop from the incestuous ties with the American Episcopal Church's money, influence and power. When Welby recently spoke to the TEC House of Bishops in the United States, he appeared to make observations that were, in fact, in error. He seemed to think that TEC was more broadly based theologically, when in fact those few who are still orthodox are either under suspicion or actual charges have been filed against them by TEC's version of the Star Chamber. He seemed to think that the disagreements within TEC had been generally handled well, which is a gross misunderstanding of TEC's all-out war of litigation and deposition. I hope he will educate himself before he speaks, once he wears the Canterbury mitre.
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He will also need to lead the Church of England's push-back to their UK government's homosexual agenda capped by the so-called "marriage equality" insistence of the Cameron regime. I am grateful that he has remained firm about marriage being uniquely a union of a male and female, and in this he is joined by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, who is also clear about the proper gender context of marriage.
Bishop Justin Welby has been reported to have made some initial comments about needing to rethink his stance on homosexuality. If he is serious about such and moves to the left to accommodate the homosexual lobby in England, he will further erode the position of Archbishop of Canterbury in the more conservative African and Asian Anglican world. Dr. Williams has recently commented that the job is too large for one man to cover, and that is undoubtedly the case. The time is well upon us for the Primates to elect their own chairman or presiding person, so that this position better represents the mind of the Communion.
It would be well for the Primates, while welcoming his selection and acknowledging his place of honor, to move forward with discussion about choosing their own chair. The upcoming weeks will be interesting as the media examine every aspect of his life, his family (married with five children), and past sermons and papers to distill some idea of where he might try to lead the Communion.
In the meantime the American Anglican Council wishes him well, and for God's grace to cover him abundantly.
Faithfully in Christ,
+David
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr. President and CEO, American Anglican Council
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Message from Canon Ashey
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Canon Ashey
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Dear Friends in Christ,
I am writing today after almost 30 hours of non-stop travel from Auckland New Zealand to Sydney to Los Angeles and finally home to Atlanta. It is good to be home. In the last three weeks I have experienced the high of a wonderful ecumenical leadership summit the AAC hosted in Dallas, and some of the "lows" I reported here, here and here from the 15th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council meeting (ACC15) in Auckland NZ.
As I reflect on these meetings, let me offer two observations on our faith and our hope in the days ahead::
1. Our faith is in Jesus Christ, uniquely and universally the Son of God - not in the church or in our good works
One of the most exciting and hopeful gatherings I have attended was the Ecumenical Leadership gathering of 30 Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian leaders that the AAC hosted in Dallas, TX, on October 22-25. I hope you will read the statement we drafted together: "Jesus Christ, our Common Ground and Common Cause." I believe it represents a new convergence of evangelical Christians whose roots lie in the Protestant Reformation and its great confessions - a convergence around a common confession and common mission together. It represents a new kind of ecumenism that looks not to building church structures but rather to building relationships together around a shared faith in Jesus Christ as the unique and universal Son of God and fulfilling his Great Commission. We are all wrestling with the same theological drift and compromise within our mainline denominations. We all found more common ground with each other than with others within our own denominations who are promoting revisionist and false gospels. As one leader said so succinctly, "I feel as if I have finally come home!"
I am encouraged that we have already tentatively planned two follow up gatherings - the first in March 2013 around the Anglican1000 regional church planting gathering in Chicago. This will be an opportunity for Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians to come together and recommit to church planting as the best way to make disciples of Jesus Christ, to share best practices in church planting, and to explore joint efforts across denominational lines in church planting! Our second gathering will be in late Fall 2013, in Atlanta, to articulate reasons for traditional Christian marriage and family life, shared resources for adult education, and a shared witness against human sex trafficking.
I am reminded of the words of the last orthodox Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, John Allin, who is reputed to have said before he died, "I fear I have loved the church more than I have loved the Lord of my church." As Anglicans, we have sometimes focused too much on the church and its structures rather than the Lord of our church, Jesus Christ. This was painfully evident in so many discussions I listed to at ACC15, where representatives focused on the structures of the Anglican Communion and its work while studiously avoiding the very crisis over the person and work of Jesus Christ that has separated so many within the Anglican Communion. The church is not an end in itself - it bears witness to and points people to Jesus Christ as the unique and universal Son of God. The American Anglican Council will continue to support the work of this new ecumenical coalition in North America, and the work of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans globally, to lead people to Jesus Christ.
2. Our hope lies not in Canterbury, but in Jesus Christ and his work on the Cross for all humankind...
Read the rest of Canon Ashey's article here.
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Anglican Relief and Development: Hurricane Sandy Relief Funds
| Hurricane Sandy, one of the largest and fiercest storms to strike the East Coast in years, affected more than 20 states in one way or another during the past week. The winds and water destroyed thousands of homes, left millions without power and killed hundreds. The Anglican Relief and Development Fund is working with Anglican Dioceses and churches in the northeast to provide assistance to the areas most severely affected by the storm. To learn more and to donate to Hurricane Sandy relief, please click here.
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Announcement of the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury
| Source: Anglican Communion News Service Friday 9th November 2012
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Archbishop-designate Welby
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The Queen has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Justin Welby for election as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. He will succeed Dr Rowan Williams who is retiring at the end of December after ten years as Archbishop. The Right Reverend Justin Welby, aged 56, is currently Bishop of Durham. He will be enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on 21st March 2013. He said today: "I don't think anyone could be more surprised than me at the outcome of this process. It has been an experience, reading more about me than I knew myself. To be nominated to Canterbury is at the same time overwhelming and astonishing. It is overwhelming because of those I follow, and the responsibility it has. It is astonishing because it is something I never expected to happen. "One of the hardest things will be to leave Durham. I work with a group of wonderful senior colleagues and remarkable clergy and lay people. It is an astonishing part of the country, one which as a family we were greatly looking forward to living in for many years. The people are direct, inspiring and wonderfully friendly. In many ways it has been the ancient cradle of British Christianity. It is a place of opportunity and an even greater future than its past." Dr Rowan Williams issued the following statement: "I am delighted at the appointment of the Right Reverend Justin Welby to Canterbury. I have had the privilege of working closely with him on various occasions and have always been enriched and encouraged by the experience. "He has an extraordinary range of skills and is a person of grace, patience, wisdom and humour. He will bring to this office both a rich pastoral experience and a keen sense of international priorities, for Church and world. I wish him - with Caroline and the family - every blessing, and hope that the Church of England and the Anglican Communion will share my pleasure at this appointment and support him with prayer and love." Read a biography of the Archbishop-designate Justin Welby Read the rest of the article here. Further details on the procedures for the appointment of an Archbishop of Canterbury can be found here.
Comments by David Ould here.
Contrasting comments by Peter Mullen here.
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Message of welcome to Archbishop of Canterbury Designate
| Source: GAFCON/FCA November 9, 2012
Message of welcome to Bishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of CanterburyDesignate.
I welcome the news that Bishop Justin Welby is to be the next Archbishop of
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Archbishop Wabukala
| Canterbury. I believe that his appointment should give hope to all of us who long to see renewal, reform and genuine unity.
Bishop Justin will bring to the Anglican Communion a special combination of gifts and experience. I know him as a deeply committed servant of Jesus Christ who honours the Scriptures as the Word of God and as a courageous peacemaker. I am confident that these qualities, togetherwith his sustained involvement in business and finance, will enable him to articulate the Lordship of Christ to a watching world as well as to a Communion in continuing disorder.
After the Primates of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans met earlier this year in London, we said we were praying for a 'godly leader of God's people' to emerge from the selection procedure for the next Archbishop of Canterbury and I believe our prayer has been answered.
However, it would be unfair and misleading to suggest that one man can resolve the crisis which has beset the Anglican Communion in recent years and we also stated our belief 'that in the future development of the Anglican Communion the chair of the Primates Meeting should be elected by the Primates themselves'.
Our proposal, while not intended to deny the honour due to Canterbury as an historic see, is an expression of the truth we hold as vital, that our identity as Anglicans stems first and foremost from adherence to the faith we confess. It is this which gives substance and integrity to our bonds of affection and our efforts to relieve poverty and promote development.
As the Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, I eagerly look forward to working with the new Archbishop of Canterbury as a partner in the gospel to restore much needed conviction, confidence and unity to the deeply fractured Anglican family.
I assure him of the prayers of this Province and the global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans as he prepares for this great calling to serve the Church of England and the wider Communion.
The Most Rev'd Dr Eliud Wabukala Archbishop and Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans
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Archbishop of Kenya: Anglican Communion in "spiritual and institutional crisis"
| Source: Anglican Church of Kenya - Via Email
ANGLICAN CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL 15 - A STATEMENT BY ARCHBISHOP ELIUD WABUKALA CHAIRMAN OF THE GAFCON PRIMATES COUNCIL
With key themes on the agenda such as mission and the role of the Bible in the Church, the recently concluded meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in New Zealand could have been an opportunity to address the real cause of the spiritual and institutional crisis which has overtaken the Anglican Communion during the past ten years. Sadly, I cannot escape the conclusion that this gathering was a missed opportunity and I endorse the report 'What really happened in Auckland NZ at ACC-15' released today by the ACC representatives from Kenya and Nigeria. It is clear that those controlling the agenda were very reluctant to face the real ecclesiological and theological challenges thrown up by the undisciplined rejection of historic Anglican faith and order by certain Provinces. In particular the continued treatment of the Episcopal Church of the United States as a Province in good standing, despite its leading role as an advocate for teaching and practice contrary to Scripture, undermines the claim to be allowing the Bible in the life of the Church to actually speak as the Word of God. The need for the recovery of the authority of Scripture and a clear confessional identity therefore remains as pressing as ever and at our recent Primates Meeting in Dar es Salaam, we looked forward with eagerness to 'GAFCON 2' in 2013. Our vision is for a global gathering, continuing the journey of faith we began in 2008, in order to truly empower those who want to see the manifold wisdom of the mystery of God, Jesus Christ, God's Son and only Saviour, proclaimed boldly to everyone and all creation.
The Most Revd Dr Eliud Wabukala, Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, Archbishop and Primate of Kenya 8th NOVEMBER 2012
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Fraudulent email sent to South Carolina clergy
| Source: Anglican Ink November 8, 2012 By George Conger
The Diocese of South Carolina reports that an email fraudulently bearing the name and seal of the diocese was sent to its clergy inviting them to attend a clergy conference. However, the diocese did not issue the invitation for the clergy to meet on 15 November 2012 and hear retired East Tennessee Bishop Charles von Rosenberg speak.
Sources in the diocese also report that members of the clergy are being pressured not to attend the diocese's 17 November 2012 special convention, with the aim of preventing a quorum from being formed....
The rest of the story may be found here.
The Diocese's letter regarding this fraud may be found here.
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All Saints Pawleys Island votes to join the ACNA
| Source: Anglican Ink November 9, 2012 By George Conger
The mother church of the Anglican Mission in America has voted to join the Anglican
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All Saints Pawleys Island
| Church of North America (ACNA).
At a parish meeting on 5 Nov 2012, All Saints Church in Pawleys Island, South Carolina was asked to give its support to one of two propositions. Proposal 1 would affiliate the historic congregation with the ACNA, while proposal 2 would align the church with the Anglican Mission in America's (AMiA) Society for Mission and Apostolic Works.
Parish by laws required 51 per cent approval for a change in affiliation or 316 votes. With a quorum present, proposal 1 received 322 votes and proposal 2 received 229 votes....
The rest of the story may be found here.
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French socialists in retreat as religious leaders, conservatives rally against homosexual 'marriage'
| Source: LifeSiteNews November 6, 2012 By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman
When Francois Hollande and France's socialist parties swept into power in May of this year, the passage of homosexual "marriage" and other anti-life and anti-family measures appeared to be inevitable. However, only months later Hollande and his allies are on the defensive against a surprisingly broad groundswell of opposition to his plans, led by André Vingt-Trois, the Cardinal Archbishop of Paris.
Vingt-Trois, as well as Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim leaders, have vociferously expressed their opposition to the proposed measure, and have been joined by conservative politicians and pro-life activists, who staged an attention-grabbing protest on October 23. Larger protests are scheduled for the 17th and 18th of this month.
The result has been a dramatic shift in public opinion, which polls had consistently shown to favor homosexual "marriage" and adoption. According to a recent poll by IFOP commissioned by Le Figaro magazine, opposition to homosexual adoption has increased by ten percentage points in just one month, resulting in a majority of 52% opposed. In apparent response to the outcry, the socialists have delayed a debate on the bill until next year....
The rest of the article may be found here.
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