February 28, 2014

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2

Holiness of Life in the Anglican Communion

By the Rev. Canon Phil Ashey

"For we know that our old self was crucified with him [Christ] so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin... Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness." Romans 6:6-7, 12-13

In the Daily Office that I follow online ( TheTrinityMission.org ) my attention was drawn this morning to the verses above from the New Testament reading in Romans 6. I could not help but reflect upon them in the light of the time I have spent this week with the bishop and clergy of the Anglican Church in North America's Diocese of Quincy, as we met for a clergy leadership retreat at the Redemptorist Retreat Center (Roman Catholic) near Nashotah House. In the hallowed and holy places of the chapel and the retreat center, in the lives of the bishop and clergy with whom I was privileged to spend time, and in Romans 6, I am reminded that at the heart of following Jesus is the call to holiness of life.

We spent a week talking about the challenges of leading a local church as a rector (senior pastor), vicar, interim or church planter. We spoke at length about how churches grow- and how they move from incline (growth) to recline (plateau) to decline and even death. We shared at length about the kind of leader Anglican churches need to move from recline and decline to a new season of incline. As leaders, we shared at even greater length about the temptations to sin in the process- to live less than the holy life that Christ calls us to lead- by personalizing church conflict instead of staying focused on God's vision for our churches, in our communities, at this time for mission rather than maintenance. We ended our time thinking about the way that Jesus himself led in times of great conflict. His was a "holy" pattern of life for us to follow as we seek to lead others his footsteps...Read more.

A Sign of the Times

By the Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson

The Book of Revelation foretold a time when the number 666 would be marked on everyone and without it a person couldn't do business or function in society. Who could have ever thought that in the 21st century in Western culture endorsing homosexuality would become the 666 required to live and do business, have a job, carry on a trade, and be socially acceptable. The constitutional right to freedom of religion is displaced in favor of the freedom of sexual practice, whatever it may be, with no allowance for reasoned objection. In states that have voted for traditional marriage, federal judges are declaring the laws unconstitutional (in their opinions). When Christians decline to provide business services such as wedding photography or baking for homosexual couples the court system is used to beat the Christian into submission or deprive them of their livelihood. Now, the principal attorney for the United States government has said he won't defend any federal laws that he doesn't believe in, specifically anything not friendly to gays and lesbians, and has advised his federal attorneys around the country to do likewise. So the rule of law is now by executive branch fiat; it reminds me of "Alice in Wonderland," where the law is whatever the queen says it is.

While it is incumbent on Christians to work peacefully against this, it does mean, in a practical way, that we are thrust back into the second and third centuries of the Roman Empire, where the prevailing culture and society, government and law was hostile to Christians and all that we believe. It means that churches need to emphasize discipleship and discipline within the ranks of the committed fellowship. We need to insist and enforce moral standards on ourselves, giving submission to God's authority and glory to him in our faithfulness...Read more.

A Statement on Nashotah House from the (ACNA) College of Bishops

Anglican Church in North America
February 25, 2014

At the request of the Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America, meeting in conference call on Tuesday, February 25, I have been asked to make the following statement:

"The Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America deeply regret the invitation by Dean Edward Salmon to Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori to preach at Nashotah House. The insensitivity of this invitation to many of the loyal friends of the House is compounded by the proposed eucharistic context. What is far more concerning, however, are the fundamental spiritual, biblical and institutional issues that the visit to Chapel raises. We have trusted Nashotah House with our students, our prayers and our support, recognizing that the House also serves the Episcopal Church, and that a remarkable community has been built there. We hope that ways can be found to restore the trust that this particular invitation has seriously shaken."

The Most Revd Robert Duncan, D.D. (Nashotah)
Archbishop, Anglican Church in North America
On behalf of the College of Bishops

GAFCON Chairman's February pastoral letter

February 26, 2014

My dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

When we met for GAFCON 2013 here in Nairobi last October, we drew inspiration from the living tradition of the East African Revival, a movement of the Spirit that led the churches of this region back to a new love for the Lord Jesus and a new obedience to the Scriptures as the Word of God. The authenticity of the Revival was demonstrated in times of persecution, including Uganda under the regime of Idi Amin. Earlier this month my brother Primate of Uganda, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, gathered with thousands of people at Mucwini, Kitgum, for the 34th commemoration of the martyrdom of Archbishop Janani Luwum who was murdered at the hands of Idi Amin on 16th February 1977. During the service more than 250 people responded to Archbishop Stanley's sermon as he invited people to come forward and surrender their lives to Jesus as Lord and Savior. This was a most fitting and wonderful commemoration!

Not long before his assassination, Archbishop Janani said to the great evangelist Festo Kivengere, "They are going to kill me. I am not afraid". It is my passion that the GAFCON movement will inspire courageous Christ- centred leadership such as this throughout the Communion in these troubled times. . . Read more.

What Will the Supreme Court Do with The Falls Church Petition?

Anglican Curmudgeon
February 25, 2014
By A.S. Haley

The docket sheet in the United States Supreme Court tells the tale. After receiving an extension of time, The Falls Church filed on October 9 in the Supreme Court its petition for writ of certiorari (or review) of the decision rendered by the Virginia Supreme Court last April 18 (and its denial of a rehearing on June 14).

The ever-cocky Episcopal Church (USA) and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, following its lead, declined to file responses to the petition. Four amici curiae ("friends of the court", being organizations interested in the case) filed briefs in support of The Falls Church: ACNA, the Presbyterian Lay Committee, St. James Anglican Church in Newport Beach, CA, and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. The case went to conference last December just on those briefs. And - lo and behold! - the Court ordered ECUSA and its Diocese to file a response before it ruled on the petition....Read more.