GAFCON the conference is over, but GAFCON the movement has only just begun! That's the clear message of the Jerusalem Declaration and Statement, assented to by the 1200 pilgrims and signed off by the attending Primates of the Anglican Communion. I flew out of Jerusalem today to London, from where I'm writing.
On Tuesday at All Souls' Langham Place, there will be a special briefing for the Church of England by various GAFCON delegates and leaders. These include Henry Orombi, Peter Jensen and J. I. Packer. It has been organised by a coalition of nearly 50 vicars and leaders who represent a wide spectrum of orthodox believers within the C of E. As of yesterday morning they had 750 registered attenders! Interest in GAFCON and what it means for the future shape of Anglicanism is, to put it mildly, intense.
Richard Trist and I will be attending the meeting here and would love to have your prayers for us, as we keep learning and thinking through what all this means for us back in Melbourne and Australia.
I also want to offer my reflections on GAFCON at this stage. I'm exhausted! It was an intense 8 days of meeting lots of sisters and brothers in Christ and hearing lots of stories - good and bad - of ministry and life as an orthodox believer in Jesus Christ.
Our corporate worship was a wonderful wonderful experience, a real foretaste of heaven. I have video of Richard Trist doing the Nigerian 'shaky shaky' song and dance: just him and his 1200 new best friends!!! We are first hand witnesses of South American worship led by Bishop Tito and the 3 Amigos (including Greg Venables) - Alabare!!! We even saw Peter Jensen break into song, African-style, mid-way through announcements!
Our discussions were serious, thoughtful, passionate, and tinged with a sadness that we have come to this point in Anglican history when heterodoxy must be called out for what it is, and no longer condoned. It is one thing to be Anglican and comprehensive, another to close our eyes when so-called Anglican leaders are actively persecuting faithful sisters and brothers in their own church as they clearly have and are in North America. Some of those stories of persecution are genuinely disgusting, distasteful and devillish. I had not appreciated the intensity of the situation there as clearly before. It was one thing to read about it on the web, another to hear them first-hand.
Many encouragements were shared: the way the Gospel is moving forward in parts of Nigeria and Uganda is amazing! There's great ministry happening in the UK, in the US, in South America, in Asia, in NZ, in Australia. Many challenges were identified: I have a notebook full of 'Big Important Ideas' for the future, for a global future in Gospel ministry! So beware, if you're going to catch up with me when I get back!
But for now, please do pray for us: that we would travel home safely; that we would not fall ill (post-conference let-down); that we would be protected from evil and sin; and that we would discharge our ministry faithfully and well, by the grace and power of God.
in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Gafcon statement
By now, you will be able to read the Gafcon statement on the official Gafcon website. See the links on the side of this page.
I'm really happy with the Jerusalem Declaration. As a statement of orthodox Anglican belief I think it is great and should be helpful. The rest of the statement is good. I'm sure that it will be possible for people to disagree about some of the specifics set out in the "Road Ahead" - we probably all have a different ideas about how we would deal tactically with the current situation! However I'm pleased that it does not split the church. It's very good that the Australian church will not be asked to take sides. And yet it does make quite definite advances in bringing order to the relatively chaotic situation in North America. All the delegates I talked to from parishes in the USA and Canada were happy with the outcome. Actually they were mostly quite overcome.
I'll be checking the discussion forum every day or so, happy to talk about this more there with anyone who's interested.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Summary on Friday
For the next couple of days you may not hear as much from us because we've seen a draft statement from the conference but we need to keep "radio silence" until Sunday when it is released to the media.
However I thought it might still be interesting to talk about some other aspects of the conference, and being in Jerusalem, so far. Today Shabbat started at 4pm. The Sabbath is taken really seriously in Israel and it has challenged me about how well I implement this in my own life. Right now families are gathered on a large lawn outside the window, enjoying each other's company, picnicking and swimming. It's easy for us to pay lip service to the idea of a day of rest and yet let other things creep in and take away the time to worship and re-create.
However I thought it might still be interesting to talk about some other aspects of the conference, and being in Jerusalem, so far. Today Shabbat started at 4pm. The Sabbath is taken really seriously in Israel and it has challenged me about how well I implement this in my own life. Right now families are gathered on a large lawn outside the window, enjoying each other's company, picnicking and swimming. It's easy for us to pay lip service to the idea of a day of rest and yet let other things creep in and take away the time to worship and re-create.
Evangelism at GAFCON
Lots of things today that I could talk about, but let me tell you a few things about evangelism that I was struck by today.
One of my study group members is a bishop from Northern Nigeria, who was consecrated into a missionary region a year ago. When I say a 'missionary diocese', I mean that there were no churches in his region a year ago, and he has been establishing churches and ordaining ministers as he goes. Today, there are 52 churches in his region (!), mostly based in small towns of 300-1000 people. He showed me pictures of his churches, which are mainly thatched buildings and semi-temporary structures that they build wherever needed. Their growth is phenomenal, and one of the challenges it has brought up is the desperate need to train enough ministers to look after all these new churches - at the moment, many ordained ministers in this areas are quite new Christians, with little or no theological training, and there is a big need for materials and training to give them the skills they need for ministry.
I spoke with Rico Tice this morning, about Christianity Explored and plans to roll it out in an African context. The English version has been used in Uganda for a few years now, and has had an 'informal' translation into local languages. Rico told me that they are planning to re-write an 'international' version that can be translated into a variety of languages. It was interesting to realise that the African churches don't need CE for evangelism - they clearly have a local flavour to evangelism already which is bearing lots of fruit. The place that CE might be most helpful for them is it discipleship and as an introductory catechism. It was interesting to reflect on how existing tools might be used in a different way in a different contexts; I'm hopeful that international connections through meetings like GAFCON can provide lots of people like Rico with the opportunity to see where these sorts of cross-overs could be realised.
While we're on the theme of evangelism, we heard a great story today from one of the Nigerian bishops, who was delayed for several hours at an airport while coming to the meeting. He spoke with a German tourist, and in true African style, opened his Bible and read John 3:16 with him, telling him that he needed to know Jesus. This tourist, who was a Buddhist, listened and prayed with him, and before they went their separate ways, had accepted Christ and handed over his statue of Buddha. I was really inspired by this story - my own hesitation and nervousness about evangelism is constantly being challenged by the simple gospel message that the African clergy here are so quick to talk about.
Looking forward to what tomorrow brings...
One of my study group members is a bishop from Northern Nigeria, who was consecrated into a missionary region a year ago. When I say a 'missionary diocese', I mean that there were no churches in his region a year ago, and he has been establishing churches and ordaining ministers as he goes. Today, there are 52 churches in his region (!), mostly based in small towns of 300-1000 people. He showed me pictures of his churches, which are mainly thatched buildings and semi-temporary structures that they build wherever needed. Their growth is phenomenal, and one of the challenges it has brought up is the desperate need to train enough ministers to look after all these new churches - at the moment, many ordained ministers in this areas are quite new Christians, with little or no theological training, and there is a big need for materials and training to give them the skills they need for ministry.
I spoke with Rico Tice this morning, about Christianity Explored and plans to roll it out in an African context. The English version has been used in Uganda for a few years now, and has had an 'informal' translation into local languages. Rico told me that they are planning to re-write an 'international' version that can be translated into a variety of languages. It was interesting to realise that the African churches don't need CE for evangelism - they clearly have a local flavour to evangelism already which is bearing lots of fruit. The place that CE might be most helpful for them is it discipleship and as an introductory catechism. It was interesting to reflect on how existing tools might be used in a different way in a different contexts; I'm hopeful that international connections through meetings like GAFCON can provide lots of people like Rico with the opportunity to see where these sorts of cross-overs could be realised.
While we're on the theme of evangelism, we heard a great story today from one of the Nigerian bishops, who was delayed for several hours at an airport while coming to the meeting. He spoke with a German tourist, and in true African style, opened his Bible and read John 3:16 with him, telling him that he needed to know Jesus. This tourist, who was a Buddhist, listened and prayed with him, and before they went their separate ways, had accepted Christ and handed over his statue of Buddha. I was really inspired by this story - my own hesitation and nervousness about evangelism is constantly being challenged by the simple gospel message that the African clergy here are so quick to talk about.
Looking forward to what tomorrow brings...
Meeting lots of people here!
GAFCON is an amazing event, and it's such an amazing experience to be here as a pilgrim or delegate. More than ever, I'm convinced that the true value of such events is the opportunity it gives us to have our vision of what God is doing all over the world enlarged. I've met so many top-value sisters and brothers in Christ. Let me give you a quick snapshot:
I'm in the Theological Education workshop stream. In my small group are Mike Ovey, principal of Oak Hill (UK) and Cezar Guzman, director of Centro de Estudios Pastorales (Chile). Also in the stream is Tim Wambunya, principal of Carlile College (Nairobi). These three lead the workshop and it's been tremendously stimulating and challenging. I can't tell you anything else about the stream because there is media embargo! But suffice to say that I'm getting to know and discuss meaty issues with many others involved in theolgical formation of future leaders from all over the world. It's great stuff!
Delegates are spread all over the city in several hotels, for reasons of security and space - apparently GAFCON is taking up 20% of the hotel rooms in Jerusalem this week. I'm in a hotel 30 minutes from the conference venue with maybe 50 others from various countries, including the US, Nigeria, UK, NZ, Canada. I've met five people here who regard Alf Stanway as a 'saint' because of his work in establishing the Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pittsburgh. That Ridley connection has been a fantastic springboard into conversations about their ministries and training for ministry.
Please pray for delegates - that we will continue to meet and make connections with the people that the Lord wants us to.
I'm in the Theological Education workshop stream. In my small group are Mike Ovey, principal of Oak Hill (UK) and Cezar Guzman, director of Centro de Estudios Pastorales (Chile). Also in the stream is Tim Wambunya, principal of Carlile College (Nairobi). These three lead the workshop and it's been tremendously stimulating and challenging. I can't tell you anything else about the stream because there is media embargo! But suffice to say that I'm getting to know and discuss meaty issues with many others involved in theolgical formation of future leaders from all over the world. It's great stuff!
Delegates are spread all over the city in several hotels, for reasons of security and space - apparently GAFCON is taking up 20% of the hotel rooms in Jerusalem this week. I'm in a hotel 30 minutes from the conference venue with maybe 50 others from various countries, including the US, Nigeria, UK, NZ, Canada. I've met five people here who regard Alf Stanway as a 'saint' because of his work in establishing the Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pittsburgh. That Ridley connection has been a fantastic springboard into conversations about their ministries and training for ministry.
Please pray for delegates - that we will continue to meet and make connections with the people that the Lord wants us to.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Ophel Gardens
Yesterday the whole conference met and worshipped sitting on the temple steps at the Ophel Gardens. What an incredible privilege to bewhere Jesus preached, Peter preached, and the first 3000 converts were made at Pentecost. This is a picture of the Melbourne delegation on
the steps
(L to R): Jenny, Matt, Richard C, Helen, Wei-Han, Richard T and Justin.
Update from GAFCON from Richard Trist
What a fascinating and powerful exerience the past 4 days have been -
powerful talks and Bible studies reminding us all of the centrality of
Gods Word in our lives and of the Lordship of Christ, opportunities to
meet believers from all around the globe many of whom are facing great
difficulties as orthodox believing Anglicans, and fantastic times of
praise and worship - a true foretaste of heaven.
powerful talks and Bible studies reminding us all of the centrality of
Gods Word in our lives and of the Lordship of Christ, opportunities to
meet believers from all around the globe many of whom are facing great
difficulties as orthodox believing Anglicans, and fantastic times of
praise and worship - a true foretaste of heaven.
The Conference has been extremely busy with barely a spare moment to
think and process all that is being presented, but here are some
initial observations:
1. It is vital that one outcome will be a united vision for action and
support for Anglicans in North America currently disenfranchised from
their national churches. It is a miracle that amidst all the diversity
and past fractures in the USA, all the various denominations and
Anglican groupings are actually here - seeking to put aside previous
disputes and seeking a new future. One delegate I spoke to said he
never expected to see this to occur in his lifetime. We need to pray
that this will occur.
2. I am also seeing amongst us all a renewed confidence that a return
to historic Anglican orthodoxy is the only hope for our denomination.
It is only in those places where the gospel is faithfully preached and
the new gospel of "inclusiveness" is rejected, that men and women are
coming to Christ - in every nation and in every culture. Let us be
confident to go where the Spirit is moving.
Point for prayer - that the final conference statement being currently
hammered out will reflect the diverse opinions of the conference and
will be more than just words but be a powerful statement of intent and
commitment of this new renewal movement within our Anglican Communion.
Richard
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