Bp Guernsey – Global realignment: An international view.

Tremendous privilege to be here, bringing greetings from Network Deans and from those South of the border. Lord has lead me to 2 Cor 4:

Treasures in Jars of Clay
1Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b]With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

(Like I said, we do the Bible here ) Drawn to v5 above, the servant heart is all important. Praise God for the ANiC leaders. Cling to the cross in bringing forth this new work that the Lord is giving you.

It is tempting to think at this time that your mission field is disaffected Anglicans. That is not true, it is about those who do not know Him. Lift high Jesus and He will draw all to Him. We preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ.

Common Cause – at our best we are not about proclaiming our movement, not about “I belong to Uganda, I belong to Southern Cone etc”. We need to forge a united biblical Anglicanism.. Only possible if we preach JC as Lord. God is calling us together. Preach the Gospel.

Canon Sugden – Lord is leading us to be Anglican by conviction rather than by accident or opportunity. Some no longer trust ABC, ACC etc to deal with problem, others do.

Now a discussion on the history of the reformation.

The real diversity of the Anglican Communion is the embracing all peoples and races and bringing the gospel to them in their own language (missed some of this).

We need to be focused on our relationships with Anglicans in other provinces. This is one of Gods methods to ensure we are not overwhelmed by the surrounding culture.

At least half worlds Anglicans will not be at Lambeth conference as things stand. Bp London understands now that there will be no meeting with the ABC at St Peters (this was ABC attending at a service with gay clergy and partners due to happen this month).

We look to God to provide the increase (missed some of this).

Now a Q/A session - I will blog anything noteworthy.

Q – Why are we not aligning with breakaway Anglican groups in Canada?
A – This is the purpose of Common cause – we have reps from ACiC, we are working on this.

Q – What about orphan Clergy (as opposed to orphan Laity)?
A – Hope that we will be able to bring both together (this is a case by case basis). May be tough decisions to make. Could send money to help and support.

Q – Church properties to be owned by diocese or parish?
A – Perhaps a premature question, something for Synod to decide.