1. This is an outgrowth of the "culture wars" in the United States. Because of the actions of the Episcopal Church, specifically in their appointment of an openly gay bishop (Gene Robinson), conservatives in the worldwide Anglican communion have sought to find direction, to find a voice, and to find shelter. The ecclesiastical deck seems stacked against them.
2. This is an example of the changing face of world Christianity. If you still think the U.S. or the West provide worldwide evangelical leadership, it's time to catch up. Things have changed. Instead, evangelical Episcopalians (Anglicans) in America have sought shelter under the jurisdiction of like-minded, Bible-believing, gospel-preaching leaders in Africa.
3. These brothers in the Lord are suffering for their faith. Because they oppose the progressive agenda so prevalent in the U.S. and elsewhere, these Christian brothers are being sidelined, shoved around, defrocked, etc., by the powers that be (not counting the heavenly powers). Hebrews 13:3 commands us to "remember...those who are mistreated as if you yourself were suffering."
4. We have a lot to learn about repentance. One address, by the Rt Revd Robert Duncan, included statements such as these: "Over the last five decades we have made more than our share of compromises when issues of Scriptural truth were debated or challenged. There were countless times when we kept silence when we should have spoken. Moreover, the witness of our personal lives has been scarcely better than the record of those whom we now forthrightly confront... Further to our shame, we have sometimes as orthodox battled one another..." (Read entire speech here.)
5. We have a lot to learn about faithfulness to God's word and counting the cost. In that same speech, Rev. Duncan asked, "What will it take to restore the Holy Scripture as 'ultimate rule and standard' among us?" That is what is at issue, and is a concern every generation of church leaders must ask and answer. The speech mentioned above is powerful in that there is a desire to be faithful to God and also to His church.
Okay, those are five reasons to visit http://www.gafcon.org/ or http://www.virtueonline.org/. Go to it!
2 comments:
Thanks for sharing this. On your first point, I do think it is important to highlight that the consecration of Gene Robinson is not the only or even main issue. It is more the proverbial straw. As with most mainline denominations there has been a slow and steady drift toward liberalism (not a political identification, rather a theological/philosophical one) or deeper into that pool in the Episcopal church. For this reason, as you mention, we can be thankful and pray for this gathering.
With regard to what I said above - this seems to tie in a bit with what you share in points four and five. Thanks again.
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