Report from GAFCON - Monday, June 23

The following is an abridged report from the Rev Canon Bill Gandenberger in Jerusalem:

The opening session began after dinner. Archbishop Kolini of Rwanda had the honor of introducing Archbishop Peter Akinola as the keynote speaker. ++Peter did a masterful job of outlining how GAFCON came into being – that it is a reaction to the downward slope of theology and morality within the Communion, primarily from the US and Canada. That we are not attempting to split the communion but instead to be a healing force for the continued life and vitality of the Anglican Communion. That statement, and some by other leaders, gives me hope for the Communion, but also frustrates efforts to create a true reformation of the establishment. We’ll have to wait to see what actually is produced here. It has been said by a number that this gathering must not be just another venue for another statement – almost all of the former being ignored by Lambeth, TEC, etc.

Yet the anticipation here is palpable and the enthusiasm contagious. Many of the pilgrims are housed at other hotels, some more than 20 minutes away, and still there are more people arriving each day. Even this evening Archbishop Greg and Sylvia Venables just arrived due to scheduling and other issues.

This Monday morning we started with a 6:30 breakfast and then went to board buses at the other tower. Our Bishop boarded the bus and was actually placed in the front seat beside the bus driver, a position I’d seen him in on our first tour of Israel. The other available seat was in the center of the rear seat, and I had the pleasure of sitting next to Bishop Peter Smith of AMiA and his wife, and an Nigerian Bishop and his wife. Bishop Chuck Murphy of AMiA, his wife and two daughters, were a few seats ahead. We struggling through heavy Monday morning traffic making our way to the top of the Mount of Olives. Our Israeli tour guide told us that along with approximately 1,000 of us, another group of 500 pilgrims from Russia were to be arriving at there that morning. As the second bus in line it was easier for +John-David to exit the bus and enter the cue heading down a slope towards our meeting place overlooking the whole ancient City of Jerusalem. The Bishops had been urged to bring rochets and shemere and Bill and I found a rock ledge which +John-David could rest against as he was vested. Luckily, we had been encouraged to purchase straw hats the night before, because the sun was extremely hot as we waited to organize for a number of pictures and he eagerly wore his hat (although it did sit tiny upon his head – one size does not fit all!).

We were organized with our backs to the city, while being entertained by the Nigerian Youth Praise Band and Fr. Greg Brewer of Good Shepherd, Paoli, Pennsylvania on the keyboard. That group has ministered to all our plenary sessions. A service from our GAFCON worship booklet was geared to praying for Jerusalem, the dioceses and congregations we had left behind, and those who had not yet been reconciled to God through Christ around the world. It was actually quite moving despite the crowd. Interestingly participants from CANA and AMiA helped lead the worship and were welcomed as equals by all the other jurisdictions present, something that Lambeth has not done. Perhaps that is one of the key victories of this whole event. Just as the Diocese of San Joaquin has been somewhat hidden within the Anglican Communion Office website and directories, our other Common Cause Partners are very present and recognized by the orthodox leaders around the globe. Numerous Diocesans made a point of coming over to our Bishop to acknowledge, congratulate, and enquire how we were progressing in our new found freedom from TEC. Our Bishop and Diocese are well known in the Communion, despite the efforts of the established Church.

Both a still photographer, and then a helicopter arrived to take shots of us. There were certainly numerous TV and news photographers there as well. We were disappointed that the copter seemed to stay so far away, but I believe Israeli air space restrictions may be the problem there. Some of us hoped to feel the wind from the rotors to cool us off, but that didn’t happen. Regardless, after the whole group was “shot”, they were asked to leave the bishops behind and retire until the Purple Pictures were taken. A separate picture for Archbishops only was supposed to be taken, but there was sufficient confusion and congeliality abounding that I don’t know if that was ever accomplished. Herding cats may be easier than directing such a gathering of bishops. I believe proofs will be available for sale tomorrow and I hope to purchase a few of them for display later.

That crowd was then to remove their vestments, and then join the other pilgrims to begin a walk down the Palm Sunday path to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. We had already decided that we would take a cab back to the hotel instead. Bishop Schofield has been there at least six times and would not have been able to walk that distance anyway. It is a most gorgeous and glorious place to spend some time in contemplation, but surrounded by 1,000 of our pilgrims in addition to other tourists made it seem better to go back another time. Traffic to the hotel was extremely backed up, and for good reason as the French Prime Minister was in motorcade to or from the Knesset and many roads were blocked. Once we had the opportunity to see his vehicles pass by, surrounded by about 20 motorcycles and other security vehicles we had a quicker time getting to our hotel.

Lunch today was followed by the opening Eucharist. A grand procession of bishops took three full songs to accomplish, and then Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi of Uganda was led to the pulpit. His luggage was somewhere else in the world, but he did have a suit to preach in. His accent is much easier to understand than Akinola and despite the after lunch drowsiness he was able to keep the vast majority enthralled with a sermon from John 5. The man at the Pool of Bethesda was asked if he wanted to get well. We were asked whether WE, the Church, wanted to get well. Since his sermon should be on AnglicanTV.org I won’t go into the details of his message, but it was effective. The praise music was perfectly suited to the eucharist. Most meaningful for me was the use of the Kenyan Rite for this service. The congregational participation was so much more visible, and welcomed in this setting. I’d love to see this Rite used more commonly within our own congregations.

Frankly, after that service I felt jet lag kicking in and went up to close my eyes for just a bit prior to a presentation by Dr. Os Guinness, a presentation entitled “The Gospel and Secularism.”. I woke up a half hour after he finished, and hurried down to join the crowd. Our Bishop and others present thought it was outstanding and I do hope to be able to see it later on video.

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray that our efforts as a Diocese, and those of our Common Cause Partners, will produce both a structure for effective work for the Lord and formal recognition within the world-wide Anglican Communion. And pray for the effective use of this time for all the participants, as well as our delegation, here at GAFCON in Jerusalem. May we make a difference that translates to our home congregations as well as our Diocese and the surrounding territories.

More to come.

Yours faithfully,
Bill+

AMiA Church Planting Initiative Launched

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37, NIV

Dallas — Plans for an expansive, strategic church planting initiative were launched January 25, 2008 during the Anglican Mission in the Americas’ annual Winter Conference in Dallas, Texas. The Anglican Initiative for Mission (AIM) is a clear and comprehensive program with three distinct phases. Inspired by the Great Commission and challenged by the Anglican Mission’s vision, AIM’s mission is to:

Inspire and Call

Potential church planters will undergo a screening process to help assess their gifts and ability to implement an Anglican model of church leadership. The AIM team hosted a pre-Winter Conference 2008 workshop on “Essentials in Church Planting.”

Train and Equip

Individuals approved for the process will participate in an intensive eight-day training retreat at Christ Church Plano where they will learn best practices for fulfilling their mission.

The retreat will highlight key components for healthy, biblically-driven congregations: Worship, External focus, Discipleship Communications (branding, marketing, informing) Administration (buildings, grounds, vestry, and finance) Pastoral Care (provision and connecting relationally). In addition, participants will develop a mission plan.

Send and Support

Following the retreat, most candidates will be deployed to a residency internship program for one year to 18 months at an Anglican Mission congregation.

The Anglican Initiative for Mission was developed by three Anglican Mission clergymen in Texas who share a call and vision for facilitating exponential growth in the Austin-Dallas-Houston “triangle,” an area expected to boast a population of 22 million by the year 2020. The Rev. Matt Kessler, MESA Community Church, Austin; the Rev. Clark Lowenfield, HopePointe Church, The Woodlands; and the Rev. Canon David Roseberry, Christ Church Plano, form the board and will oversee the initiative. The Rev. Nancy Scammacca, MESA Community Church, serves as Acting Director of the Anglican Initiative for Mission.

“Some 23 years ago, I sensed a call to plant a church, but had no idea what that meant or how to get started,” said Canon Roseberry, now senior rector of the largest Anglican Mission congregation in the United States. “This initiative has been started in response to God’s call for us to reach the 130 million unchurched Americans and to provide a way to help young church planters learn the skills they need to successfully reach out to God’s harvest field.”

“The Anglican Mission has grown from a handful of churches in 2000 to 133 churches today with 62 more in process,” said the Rev. Canon Ellis E. Brust, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Anglican Mission. “As we follow the vision God has given us, the Anglican Initiative for Mission will help equip those who are called to plant churches to do so with excellence for His glory.”

AIM will be funded through Anglican Mission grants, residency support from sponsoring congregations and money raised by each potential church planter.

View the AIM video presentation to Winter Conference:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZTg_ireLsxg

About the Anglican Mission

Established in 2000, the Anglican Mission is a missionary outreach of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda charged with building an alliance of congregations committed to gathering, planting and serving dynamic Anglican churches in North America. Rooted in the history and tradition of East Africa’s revival, the Anglican Mission understands its mission field to be the 130 million unchurched in the U.S. On average, the Anglican Mission has added one new church every three weeks since its formation and has 133 congregations to date as well as some 62 new works in process.

For more information on the Anglican Mission or Winter Conference 2008, visit the website at www.theamia.org. For more information about the Anglican Initiative for Mission, visit the website at www.theanglicaninitiative.org.