Bizarre. This gets posted on 20 Sept 2013 about a 1-month old conference. The "voice of Orthodox Anglicanism" was silent for 1 month? Anglican Ink? Anglican TV? Something else is brewing. But, better late than never. The "three streams" view, a cheap ecclesiastical commercial, some slick sloganeering by American Anglicans, is a compromise of real integrity. For new readers, the "three streams" is the American Anglican effort to shoehorn charismaticoes, Tractarians and Reformation Anglicans into a "visible" format. Something else is amiss.
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18044#.UjzG8IzD9jo
ANGLICAN CONNECTION CONFERENCE
Beeson Divinity School,
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama
August 19th - August 21, 2013
GOSPEL-CENTRIC ANGLICANISM
The Anglican Connection inaugural conference was held at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama August 19 - 21, 2013. It was attended by both ordained and lay-members from a diversity of churches from the eastern side of the country.
The aspiration and resolve of the Anglican Connection is to promote and develop in our time a gospel-centric Anglicanism that is grounded in the unique nature and authority of the Scriptures as God's Word written. It is framed by the essentials of the English Reformation set out in the Thirty-Nine Articles and the theological and liturgical principles of the 1662 English Book of Common Prayer and its Ordinal - principles that are set out in Canon A5 of the Church of England and in the essential declarations of the Anglican Church in Australia.
The Anglican Connection is gospel movement that is formed in two tiers - Tier 1: Ministers and churches that have their episcopal oversight through the Anglican Church of Nigeria and its missionary bishops, Bishops Martyn Minns and Julian Dobbs; Tier 2: Ministers and churches, having another episcopal oversight, that are committed to the Declarations and ministry goals of the Anglican Connection and who have been received as affiliate members of the Anglican Connection.
We are committed to equip, encourage and support one another to carry out our respective ministries with clarity and sensitivity, unambiguity and confidence.
The proposal to form the Anglican Connection has created considerable interest among people and churches in the United States, wherever there happens to be a longing for a gospel freshness and vitality in Anglicanism emerging from foundational principles.
Further information may be found at: www.anglicanconnection.com
*****
ANGLICAN CONNECTION CONFERENCE
Beeson Divinity School,
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama
August 19th - August 21, 2013
GOSPEL-CENTRIC ANGLICANISM
Report by Roger Salter
Special to Virtueonline www.virtueonline.org
Sept. 20, 2013
The inaugural conference of the Anglican Connection was attended by both ordained and lay-members from a diversity of churches from the eastern side of the country. It was chaired throughout by John Mason, Founding Rector of Christ Church New York City. The aspiration to pursue together a 'Gospel-Centric Anglicanism' was firmly established from the outset and confirmed repeatedly throughout the course of the conference in a variety of ways including exhortation from the Word of God, worship and prayer, teaching sessions, discussion, and deliberation over constitutional matters and modes of conduct and procedure as a biblically-grounded Anglican movement.
Day One: Following a welcome and introduction from John Mason, Dr. Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School, extended a warm, generous, and encouraging greeting to the assembled participants. His expression of a great synergy between Beeson Divinity School and a gospel-centered Anglicanism was a high note on which to begin. From here we moved into the first of our times of worship kindly led by Steve Victory and Dan Peterson (St Andrew's Church, Huntsville). Daily exposition of Scripture commenced with a study on Philippians 2:5-11 by Roger Salter. Dr. Graham Cole, Anglican Professor of Divinity at Beeson led a superb plenary session, 'The Thirty-Nine Articles Revisited'. He set out the confessional basis of Anglicanism and our affiliation was ably set out. From doctrine we moved to worship and The Lord's Supper with an introduction by John Mason of his, 'A Liturgy for Today's Church'. He identified and commended key elements of Thomas Cranmer's 1552 (second) Prayer Book which have been maintained in the English Prayer Book of 1662. John drew attention to Cranmer's commitment to the principles of clarity and unambiguity for the sake of the gospel, especially in the liturgy of The Lord's Supper. He noted his own commitment to these principles in 'A Liturgy for Today's Church. Clark Cornelius complemented John's paper with a lively, visual presentation of significant differences between American and English prayer books. The evening session provided time for personal introductions, fellowship, and informal discussion of matters of pressing importance and concern to various individuals. A sense of rapport and fundamental unity in gospel priorities was cultivated in this and similar times of informality together.
Day Two: With our basis for ministry in Holy Scripture, Keith Paulus ably set the tone of the day's proceedings with a biblical exposition of Titus 2:8ff. In particular he focused on the past, present, and future dimensions of God's grace and the need of God's grace in our own lives and as central to our ministry. Our need to plumb the riches of the Bible was further exemplified with John Mason's plenary session, 'Preaching the Lukan Parables', based on his recently published commentary, 'Luke: An Unexpected God'. A recorded interview with Tim Sims, a Sydney (Australia) businessman on the subject, 'Effective Ministry under God' provoked robust, thoughtful interaction on the subject of ministry in today's changing culture. Bishop Martyn Minns of CANA preached and presided at a Service of the Lord's Supper in the early afternoon, at which A Liturgy for Today's Church was used appreciatively. Bishop Minns' stirring sermon, 'The Fire of the Lord' (from Luke 12:49 - 'I have come to bring fire on the earth') impressed upon us the nature of the gospel as urgent and utterly essential proclamation. Graham Cole's second plenary session provided helpful insights for 'Preaching Christ in Modern Times'. He made us aware of the various mindsets and expectations of generations past, recent, and present.
Strategic Church Planting (panel and discussion) was the theme of the final period of the afternoon. The focus was equally upon suitable method and the specific experience of several church planters. Most of the ministers present had been involved in church-planting and we were reminded afresh of the need to ground our ministry in the Word of God as God's unique self-revelation. Any ministry, but especially church-planting, is a daunting task and requires humility before the Lord, God's grace, wisdom, patience and perseverance, in the face of many obstacles.
It was also noted that adequate, wise and godly support and generous funding are absolutely requisite. At the evening gathering seminary options were promoted and examined (Beeson Divinity School; Knox Seminary, FL; Redeemer Seminary, TX). Bishop Martyn Minns also had the opportunity to explain the origins, objectives, and prospects of GAFCON.
Day Three: John Mason's Bible study on Luke 10:38-11:13 opened the closing day of the conference. We were reminded again of the need to attend to God's Word when we pray. Following further remarks about ministry from Bishop Minns, the ministers attending the conference formed themselves as a business meeting. The need for and the future of the Anglican Connection was discussed and an interim committee of seven was elected –Clark Cornelius, Geoff Hatley, Michael Kelshaw, John Mason, Lanier Nail (clergy) and Jim Churm, Cecil Money and Dan Peterson (lay-members).
The Future: Now that the Anglican Connection has been launched, it has the necessary impetus for development under God of a unified, mutually encouraging and supporting ministry affiliation - an affiliation that we can look back to and say was the work of God's Word and God's Spirit in our midst. The three days in August were characterized by a robust resolve to preach and preserve a gospel-centric message. Faithfulness to Scripture affords no alternative.
Michael Gaydosh of Solid Ground Christian Books provided a well-stocked book table enabling many of us to leave the conference equipped with classics of Anglican and general Christian literature.
All would agree that the conference was exceedingly worthwhile and edifying and that it eminently served to create strong bonds of friendship between participants. All conferences eventually have to end but the rich benefits of the Inaugural Anglican Connection Conference will remain in the minds, hearts, and ministries of each person privileged to attend.
Anglican Connection
A network of Anglican Churches within the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
Introduction
The foundational and governing principles of any organization set the framework for the purpose and structure of that organization. So, the Fundamental Declarations of a Church are significant in that they form the foundation on which the mission and vision of the church is built; they also frame the way the church is structured and how its mission and ministry is exercised.
We desire clarity and unambiguity in our understanding of the Scriptures so that our ministry can be faithful and effective and bring about a Godly unity in Christ Jesus for the greater glory of God. Many today regard doctrine as a tedious irrelevancy, accusing anyone who campaigns for doctrinal issues of being a pedant or a misguided troglodyte who is frustrating the movement of the Holy Spirit towards revival, renewal and unity. Yet the irony is that sound doctrine is essential for the work of the gospel and for the unity of God's church. Jesus himself said it: "Those who worship him (God) must worship in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, the architect of the 16th century English Reformation, understood this. He was committed to two key principles in his second prayer book (1552): clarity and unambiguity.
With the rejection in recent years of core orthodox Christian doctrine within the Anglican Communion, the Jerusalem Declaration provided Anglicanism with a clear re-statement of essential belief. This Declaration which was unanimously adopted by the Global Anglican Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem in June 2008, reflects core values of the Church of England.
Canon A5 of the Church of England states: "The doctrine of the Church of England is grounded in the Holy Scriptures, and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures. In particular such doctrine is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal".
In like manner the Constitution of the Anglican Church in Australia says in its Fundamental Declarations that the Australian Church is 'part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ', affirms the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, and receives the Old and New Testaments as 'the ultimate rule and standard of faith ... containing all things necessary for salvation'.
There is a commitment to obey the commands of Christ, teach his doctrine, administer the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion and preserve the orders of bishops, priests and deacons. The 'Ruling Principles' of the Anglican Church in Australia commit the Church to the doctrine and principles of the Church of England embodied in the Book of Common Prayer, the Ordinal and the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion.
The reference to the Book of Common Prayer in both the Church of England and the Anglican Church in Australia is to the 1662 edition. The purpose of the Anglican Connection is to provide an affiliation of clergy and churches that is framed by these foundational documents of classic Anglicanism.
In particular it provides an opportunity to re-establish a robust, vital, Bible-based, gospel-centered Anglicanism in North America, based on a doctrinal foundation and a ministry framework that is grounded in the doctrine of the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion and the theological and liturgical principles of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and its Ordinal.
The Mission and the Vision
When he had been raised from the dead Jesus commissioned his disciples saying, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.' Central to the outworking of this commission is the proclamation that Jesus Christ is the Lord and the bringing people of all ages under his lordship. Making disciples and making disciple-making disciples is key.
Such work calls for the faithful ministry of God's Word and a prayerful dependence upon God; it calls for God's people to grow in the riches of Christ's love and in obedience of life to him, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (John 14:23-24,15:1-8; Colossians 1:10; 4:2 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Such disciple-making ministry builds God's new society, where a genuine love for 'one another' is exemplified (John 13:35; 1 John 3:21-24). Further, there is also a deep joy that overflows in concern for and witness to 'the lost' (Matthew 28:19, Luke 24:44-49; Colossians 4:2-6; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-17). Such disciples will want to live lives of servant-hood and sacrifice (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 14:25-27; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-17).
Structure
The proposed structure of this network is set out in its Charter. The Charter begins with foundational doctrinal statements. It then states the mission of the network before dealing with matters of governance and structure.
The plan is to have two tiers within the Anglican Connection - Tier One: Ministers and Churches that have their episcopal oversight and their link with the Anglican Communion through the Church of Nigeria (the largest Anglican Province in the world); Tier Two is for Ministers and Churches that have other episcopal oversight but who are keen to be affiliate members of a network of reformational Anglicans. Details are set out in the Anglican Connection Charter.
It would be wonderful for the gospel cause in North America if there is agreement on the essential declarations in the Charter. This will lay a foundation for the development of vital ministries and churches committed to promote the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ within a revitalized Anglican framework for the greater glory of God. On governance and structure, an important principle is that the role of leadership and of any central body is to facilitate the mission of the church by serving the needs of the local church in its work of building up believers. Those believers will in turn 'make disciples of all nations'. The defining mark of Christian leadership is service.
John G. Mason
Founding Rector
Christ Church
New York Citywww.christchurchnyc.com
June 2013
*****
The Anglican Connection Charter
A network of Anglican Churches within the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
Charter (introduction only)
Preamble For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:11-14). Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ(Colossians 1:27b-28).
Article 1 Fundamental Declarations
The Anglican Connection, being part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Jesus Christ, believes and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life: no-one comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). The Anglican Connection affirms the Jerusalem Declaration of GAFCON, June 2008 and in particular:
. a) confesses and upholds the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be God's Word written, containing all that is necessary for salvation;
. b) confesses and upholds the orthodox Christian creeds, namely the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed together with the Chalcedonian Definition;
. c) subscribes to the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion as containing the true doctrine of the Church agreeing with God's Word and as authoritative for Anglicans today;
. d) upholds The Book of Common Prayer as set forth by the Church of England in 1662, together with the Ordinal attached to the same, as setting out the true and authoritative standard for doctrine and worship; and
. e) recognizes three orders of ministry - bishops, presbyters (priests) and deacons.
Article 2 Mission In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
Within the framework of biblical, gospel-focused and reformational Anglicanism the purpose of the Anglican Connection is to build up God's people into a personal and vital relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and to proclaim faithfully and effectively the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the United States of America and around the world. The Anglican Connection is a movement within Anglicanism that is an outworking of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) held in Jerusalem, June 2008.
Article 3 Ecclesiastical Organization and Governance Section 3.1 A Region within the Province of Nigeria Anglican Connection is a North American church planting movement organized within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (its missionary jurisdiction); it is dependent upon the spiritual leadership and fellowship of the Church of Nigeria.
Anglican Connection is a Region formed pursuant to Article 5.4 of the CANA bylaws. Except in matters delineated by this Charter, the Constitution and Canons of the Province of Nigeria govern the Anglican Connection. Section 3.2 Synod The Anglican Connection is governed by a College of Laity and Clergy meeting as a Synod. An Inaugural Synod is described in Article 6 of this Charter. The Synod will meet annually.
END
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18044#.UjzG8IzD9jo
ANGLICAN CONNECTION CONFERENCE
Beeson Divinity School,
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama
August 19th - August 21, 2013
GOSPEL-CENTRIC ANGLICANISM
The Anglican Connection inaugural conference was held at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama August 19 - 21, 2013. It was attended by both ordained and lay-members from a diversity of churches from the eastern side of the country.
The aspiration and resolve of the Anglican Connection is to promote and develop in our time a gospel-centric Anglicanism that is grounded in the unique nature and authority of the Scriptures as God's Word written. It is framed by the essentials of the English Reformation set out in the Thirty-Nine Articles and the theological and liturgical principles of the 1662 English Book of Common Prayer and its Ordinal - principles that are set out in Canon A5 of the Church of England and in the essential declarations of the Anglican Church in Australia.
The Anglican Connection is gospel movement that is formed in two tiers - Tier 1: Ministers and churches that have their episcopal oversight through the Anglican Church of Nigeria and its missionary bishops, Bishops Martyn Minns and Julian Dobbs; Tier 2: Ministers and churches, having another episcopal oversight, that are committed to the Declarations and ministry goals of the Anglican Connection and who have been received as affiliate members of the Anglican Connection.
We are committed to equip, encourage and support one another to carry out our respective ministries with clarity and sensitivity, unambiguity and confidence.
The proposal to form the Anglican Connection has created considerable interest among people and churches in the United States, wherever there happens to be a longing for a gospel freshness and vitality in Anglicanism emerging from foundational principles.
Further information may be found at: www.anglicanconnection.com
*****
ANGLICAN CONNECTION CONFERENCE
Beeson Divinity School,
Samford University
Birmingham, Alabama
August 19th - August 21, 2013
GOSPEL-CENTRIC ANGLICANISM
Report by Roger Salter
Special to Virtueonline www.virtueonline.org
Sept. 20, 2013
The inaugural conference of the Anglican Connection was attended by both ordained and lay-members from a diversity of churches from the eastern side of the country. It was chaired throughout by John Mason, Founding Rector of Christ Church New York City. The aspiration to pursue together a 'Gospel-Centric Anglicanism' was firmly established from the outset and confirmed repeatedly throughout the course of the conference in a variety of ways including exhortation from the Word of God, worship and prayer, teaching sessions, discussion, and deliberation over constitutional matters and modes of conduct and procedure as a biblically-grounded Anglican movement.
Day One: Following a welcome and introduction from John Mason, Dr. Timothy George, Dean of Beeson Divinity School, extended a warm, generous, and encouraging greeting to the assembled participants. His expression of a great synergy between Beeson Divinity School and a gospel-centered Anglicanism was a high note on which to begin. From here we moved into the first of our times of worship kindly led by Steve Victory and Dan Peterson (St Andrew's Church, Huntsville). Daily exposition of Scripture commenced with a study on Philippians 2:5-11 by Roger Salter. Dr. Graham Cole, Anglican Professor of Divinity at Beeson led a superb plenary session, 'The Thirty-Nine Articles Revisited'. He set out the confessional basis of Anglicanism and our affiliation was ably set out. From doctrine we moved to worship and The Lord's Supper with an introduction by John Mason of his, 'A Liturgy for Today's Church'. He identified and commended key elements of Thomas Cranmer's 1552 (second) Prayer Book which have been maintained in the English Prayer Book of 1662. John drew attention to Cranmer's commitment to the principles of clarity and unambiguity for the sake of the gospel, especially in the liturgy of The Lord's Supper. He noted his own commitment to these principles in 'A Liturgy for Today's Church. Clark Cornelius complemented John's paper with a lively, visual presentation of significant differences between American and English prayer books. The evening session provided time for personal introductions, fellowship, and informal discussion of matters of pressing importance and concern to various individuals. A sense of rapport and fundamental unity in gospel priorities was cultivated in this and similar times of informality together.
Day Two: With our basis for ministry in Holy Scripture, Keith Paulus ably set the tone of the day's proceedings with a biblical exposition of Titus 2:8ff. In particular he focused on the past, present, and future dimensions of God's grace and the need of God's grace in our own lives and as central to our ministry. Our need to plumb the riches of the Bible was further exemplified with John Mason's plenary session, 'Preaching the Lukan Parables', based on his recently published commentary, 'Luke: An Unexpected God'. A recorded interview with Tim Sims, a Sydney (Australia) businessman on the subject, 'Effective Ministry under God' provoked robust, thoughtful interaction on the subject of ministry in today's changing culture. Bishop Martyn Minns of CANA preached and presided at a Service of the Lord's Supper in the early afternoon, at which A Liturgy for Today's Church was used appreciatively. Bishop Minns' stirring sermon, 'The Fire of the Lord' (from Luke 12:49 - 'I have come to bring fire on the earth') impressed upon us the nature of the gospel as urgent and utterly essential proclamation. Graham Cole's second plenary session provided helpful insights for 'Preaching Christ in Modern Times'. He made us aware of the various mindsets and expectations of generations past, recent, and present.
Strategic Church Planting (panel and discussion) was the theme of the final period of the afternoon. The focus was equally upon suitable method and the specific experience of several church planters. Most of the ministers present had been involved in church-planting and we were reminded afresh of the need to ground our ministry in the Word of God as God's unique self-revelation. Any ministry, but especially church-planting, is a daunting task and requires humility before the Lord, God's grace, wisdom, patience and perseverance, in the face of many obstacles.
It was also noted that adequate, wise and godly support and generous funding are absolutely requisite. At the evening gathering seminary options were promoted and examined (Beeson Divinity School; Knox Seminary, FL; Redeemer Seminary, TX). Bishop Martyn Minns also had the opportunity to explain the origins, objectives, and prospects of GAFCON.
Day Three: John Mason's Bible study on Luke 10:38-11:13 opened the closing day of the conference. We were reminded again of the need to attend to God's Word when we pray. Following further remarks about ministry from Bishop Minns, the ministers attending the conference formed themselves as a business meeting. The need for and the future of the Anglican Connection was discussed and an interim committee of seven was elected –Clark Cornelius, Geoff Hatley, Michael Kelshaw, John Mason, Lanier Nail (clergy) and Jim Churm, Cecil Money and Dan Peterson (lay-members).
The Future: Now that the Anglican Connection has been launched, it has the necessary impetus for development under God of a unified, mutually encouraging and supporting ministry affiliation - an affiliation that we can look back to and say was the work of God's Word and God's Spirit in our midst. The three days in August were characterized by a robust resolve to preach and preserve a gospel-centric message. Faithfulness to Scripture affords no alternative.
Michael Gaydosh of Solid Ground Christian Books provided a well-stocked book table enabling many of us to leave the conference equipped with classics of Anglican and general Christian literature.
All would agree that the conference was exceedingly worthwhile and edifying and that it eminently served to create strong bonds of friendship between participants. All conferences eventually have to end but the rich benefits of the Inaugural Anglican Connection Conference will remain in the minds, hearts, and ministries of each person privileged to attend.
Anglican Connection
A network of Anglican Churches within the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
Introduction
The foundational and governing principles of any organization set the framework for the purpose and structure of that organization. So, the Fundamental Declarations of a Church are significant in that they form the foundation on which the mission and vision of the church is built; they also frame the way the church is structured and how its mission and ministry is exercised.
We desire clarity and unambiguity in our understanding of the Scriptures so that our ministry can be faithful and effective and bring about a Godly unity in Christ Jesus for the greater glory of God. Many today regard doctrine as a tedious irrelevancy, accusing anyone who campaigns for doctrinal issues of being a pedant or a misguided troglodyte who is frustrating the movement of the Holy Spirit towards revival, renewal and unity. Yet the irony is that sound doctrine is essential for the work of the gospel and for the unity of God's church. Jesus himself said it: "Those who worship him (God) must worship in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, the architect of the 16th century English Reformation, understood this. He was committed to two key principles in his second prayer book (1552): clarity and unambiguity.
With the rejection in recent years of core orthodox Christian doctrine within the Anglican Communion, the Jerusalem Declaration provided Anglicanism with a clear re-statement of essential belief. This Declaration which was unanimously adopted by the Global Anglican Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem in June 2008, reflects core values of the Church of England.
Canon A5 of the Church of England states: "The doctrine of the Church of England is grounded in the Holy Scriptures, and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures. In particular such doctrine is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal".
In like manner the Constitution of the Anglican Church in Australia says in its Fundamental Declarations that the Australian Church is 'part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ', affirms the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds, and receives the Old and New Testaments as 'the ultimate rule and standard of faith ... containing all things necessary for salvation'.
There is a commitment to obey the commands of Christ, teach his doctrine, administer the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion and preserve the orders of bishops, priests and deacons. The 'Ruling Principles' of the Anglican Church in Australia commit the Church to the doctrine and principles of the Church of England embodied in the Book of Common Prayer, the Ordinal and the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion.
The reference to the Book of Common Prayer in both the Church of England and the Anglican Church in Australia is to the 1662 edition. The purpose of the Anglican Connection is to provide an affiliation of clergy and churches that is framed by these foundational documents of classic Anglicanism.
In particular it provides an opportunity to re-establish a robust, vital, Bible-based, gospel-centered Anglicanism in North America, based on a doctrinal foundation and a ministry framework that is grounded in the doctrine of the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion and the theological and liturgical principles of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and its Ordinal.
The Mission and the Vision
When he had been raised from the dead Jesus commissioned his disciples saying, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.' Central to the outworking of this commission is the proclamation that Jesus Christ is the Lord and the bringing people of all ages under his lordship. Making disciples and making disciple-making disciples is key.
Such work calls for the faithful ministry of God's Word and a prayerful dependence upon God; it calls for God's people to grow in the riches of Christ's love and in obedience of life to him, bearing the fruit of the Spirit (John 14:23-24,15:1-8; Colossians 1:10; 4:2 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Such disciple-making ministry builds God's new society, where a genuine love for 'one another' is exemplified (John 13:35; 1 John 3:21-24). Further, there is also a deep joy that overflows in concern for and witness to 'the lost' (Matthew 28:19, Luke 24:44-49; Colossians 4:2-6; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-17). Such disciples will want to live lives of servant-hood and sacrifice (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 14:25-27; 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-17).
Structure
The proposed structure of this network is set out in its Charter. The Charter begins with foundational doctrinal statements. It then states the mission of the network before dealing with matters of governance and structure.
The plan is to have two tiers within the Anglican Connection - Tier One: Ministers and Churches that have their episcopal oversight and their link with the Anglican Communion through the Church of Nigeria (the largest Anglican Province in the world); Tier Two is for Ministers and Churches that have other episcopal oversight but who are keen to be affiliate members of a network of reformational Anglicans. Details are set out in the Anglican Connection Charter.
It would be wonderful for the gospel cause in North America if there is agreement on the essential declarations in the Charter. This will lay a foundation for the development of vital ministries and churches committed to promote the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ within a revitalized Anglican framework for the greater glory of God. On governance and structure, an important principle is that the role of leadership and of any central body is to facilitate the mission of the church by serving the needs of the local church in its work of building up believers. Those believers will in turn 'make disciples of all nations'. The defining mark of Christian leadership is service.
John G. Mason
Founding Rector
Christ Church
New York Citywww.christchurchnyc.com
June 2013
*****
The Anglican Connection Charter
A network of Anglican Churches within the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)
Charter (introduction only)
Preamble For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds (Titus 2:11-14). Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ(Colossians 1:27b-28).
Article 1 Fundamental Declarations
The Anglican Connection, being part of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Jesus Christ, believes and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life: no-one comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). The Anglican Connection affirms the Jerusalem Declaration of GAFCON, June 2008 and in particular:
. a) confesses and upholds the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be God's Word written, containing all that is necessary for salvation;
. b) confesses and upholds the orthodox Christian creeds, namely the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed together with the Chalcedonian Definition;
. c) subscribes to the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion as containing the true doctrine of the Church agreeing with God's Word and as authoritative for Anglicans today;
. d) upholds The Book of Common Prayer as set forth by the Church of England in 1662, together with the Ordinal attached to the same, as setting out the true and authoritative standard for doctrine and worship; and
. e) recognizes three orders of ministry - bishops, presbyters (priests) and deacons.
Article 2 Mission In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
Within the framework of biblical, gospel-focused and reformational Anglicanism the purpose of the Anglican Connection is to build up God's people into a personal and vital relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and to proclaim faithfully and effectively the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the United States of America and around the world. The Anglican Connection is a movement within Anglicanism that is an outworking of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) held in Jerusalem, June 2008.
Article 3 Ecclesiastical Organization and Governance Section 3.1 A Region within the Province of Nigeria Anglican Connection is a North American church planting movement organized within the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (its missionary jurisdiction); it is dependent upon the spiritual leadership and fellowship of the Church of Nigeria.
Anglican Connection is a Region formed pursuant to Article 5.4 of the CANA bylaws. Except in matters delineated by this Charter, the Constitution and Canons of the Province of Nigeria govern the Anglican Connection. Section 3.2 Synod The Anglican Connection is governed by a College of Laity and Clergy meeting as a Synod. An Inaugural Synod is described in Article 6 of this Charter. The Synod will meet annually.
END
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