I’ll continue blogging this morning as I can.

Rev David Short is giving a Bible study on the power of God. Talking about an earthquake in the church and we are now seeing the tsunami. Do not be like an ostrich and bury your head in the sand, but seek higher ground. Acts 2:32-36:

The gospel is not about God affirming us in our sin. Phillipians 2 v8-11:

8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

It’s all about Him! (aside - it is a joy to be at a conference when the Bible is opened so often!) Principalities and powers are real and evil - Ephesians 6 v12:

our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Evil is not just the ‘naughty things we do’ but there are real spiritual forces of wickedness. In essense it is defiance, rebellion and disbelief. JC has been raised up and sits above all power and authority, hence the strategy is now to attack the Church and the truth. Any structure that commits itself to lies becomes a medium for the principalities and powers.

God does not want us to focus on the powers, but on JC who is superior to all these powers - far above all powers. All things are under JCs feet. Can we trust in Jesus, does he have enough power for us - yes!

Ephesians 1:v22-23
22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

God placed Him far above all things, then gave Him to the Church, to be head over everything for the church. The head and the body belong together.

Gods purpose is to fill the world with the glory of Christ, His physical, visible presence. In Him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell.

Ephesians 4:
8This is why it[a] says:
“When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men.”[b] 9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

This quote is from Ps 68. JC took principalities and powers captive and now will fill everything with His power. He is like a king with an unruly kingdom. It is through the church that Christ fills all things. Church is the fulfillment and agent of Gods purposes in the world.

Ephesians 3
8Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

To be orthodox is not enough - what will please Him is if we fill the Church and His land with disciples of Christ. JC must be the centre of our lives and our churches.

Here we are at the crossroads. You are here because you see the tsunami. If JC is at the centre you will live out of faith and not out of fear. Faith as active not passive and complacent. Look to Christ!

That the earth might be covered by the knowledge and glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

Marilyn Jacobson now on communications and media. Probably I will not bring this to the blog.

Now talking about ‘orphans’ - individuals who would like to be a part of what the Network is doing but are not within parishes that are going with the Network. Three categories:

1. Those feeling alone in liberal parishes
2. Those who have left the Anglican Church but who would like to come back
3. Those who are in an orthodox church but where the church will not join the Network / leave the ACoC.

There will be a facility to sign up as an ‘orphan’ (Renee Disiree sp?? speaking)- with a view to networking like-minded individuals, leading to the formation of a house church (or whatever type of structure may well work out best). No, I do not have the details yet, I imagine they will be forthcoming. I will see what I can find out.

Rev Charlie Masters - (We are to be talking about ‘The church of the future’ in this session.) ANiC is now a reality, it has been launched. We are open for business.

We are part of the Anglican Communion. We will be episcopally lead and synodically governed. We are incorporated and we are real. We are part of the common cause partnership. ANiC is a temporary provision with the hope that there will be a new N American province.

Commited to discern and raise up numbers of new people to be ordained. We understand there will be parishes transferring juristictions. There will be church plants. There will be housegroups thinking about becoming church plants but not at that stage yet. There will be some of you who may be in the position where there is no Network church nearby at this time.

Cheryl Chang. Apparently there will be a ACoC statement on these events next week. (I somehow think it unlikely it will be flattering ) ANiC is ready willing and able to accept individuals and parishes. We are in transition. You need to make a vote and apply before you can be under the Southern Cone. Need to make votes by March 2008. If you are not able to make a vote / choose to join at this time, you can still be an affiliate of ANiC with us . We want to be gracious to each other and maintain fellowship.

Eventually parishes will be part of the Southern Cone, ANiC affliliation for individuals only. Currently both ‘types’ can be members of both - this is transition (so a little up in the air).

Charlie - what we are trying to do is like trying to build an airplane while we are flying.

If you find yourself as an individual then please start praying - you may be the conduit to form a new church. Try to find a sponsor network church.

Ordinations and confirmations are going to occur soon.

Building blocks for growth:
1.Theological foundations
2. Episcopal structure
3. Governance
4. Central services
5. Structured growth

Emerging congregation definition, perhaps a number of housegroups, maybe with no clergy, but growing into this. We will help you with this. If you are a ANiC parish, you will need to enter a period of discernment now.

We recognise action may be taken against you. The axe may fall. You need to know there is a place you can go to immediately if you have to.

Discussing budgets now, I’ll not blog this.

ARDF - Anglican Relief and Development Fund now being discussed. For the benefit of the Global South. Now started ARDFC - the C for Canada.

A number of events coming up:

Church memberships 23rd November 2007.
Ordinations 2nd December 2007.
Celebration 25-27th April 2008 Vancouver.
Confirmations and Church plants - TBA.
First Synod - November 2008.