We have reported on this before, but I missed the italicized bit.
Anglican Essentials Federation Consultation
Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 9:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Wycliffe College, 5 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto
The Anglican Essentials Federation is calling together orthodox leaders within the Anglican
Church of Canada to a consultation to be held at Wycliffe College, Toronto, on
November 25, 2008.
An Invitation:
We are asking you to consider taking part in an exciting reshaping of orthodox witness within the
Anglican Church of Canada. In response to the various changes in Canadian Anglicanism, the
Federation, as a movement within the ACoC, is reconstituting itself as an independent body to further its
mission “to call the Anglican Church of Canada to embrace and live by its orthodox Christian Heritage
under the renewing guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
This move of the Federation comes as our former parent body, Anglican Essentials Canada, is being
transformed into an umbrella-type fellowship. This new grouping will draw together representatives from
various orthodox Canadian Anglican ecclesial bodies, colleges and societies to provide an occasion for
networking and the sharing of ideas to further the gospel in our land.It is anticipated that all this will lead up to a major National Conference to officially “relaunch” the
Federation in the Spring of 2009.
The deadline for applications to attend the consultation is passed, however, if any of our readers will be attending, we would welcome reports, impressions about the consultation, etc. You can either leave a comment on the Contact us page or use the info on that page to email us. Please pray for the people attending the consultation, that God’s will be done, and also that Federation leaders be guided by the Holy Spirit as they make decisions on how to move forward.
While I continue to pray for my orthodox brothers and sisters who feel called to pursue the “inside strategy”, I have to question the continuing validity of this strategy if and when a new Anglican Province of North America comes into being.
It is clear now that Federation has had no strategy whatsoever since GS 2007 in Winnipeg, based on their “relaunch” hopes. It is surprising to me that it has taken them since July of 2007 until now to rally people for the “relaunch” in spring of 2009. That will be almost two years … truly Anglican in their haste.
Two things:
1. perhaps they will be the link that will allow reluctant ACoC people to join ANiC gracefully.
2. it does not surprise me that the Federation has been dormant – many of the movers and shakers moved to the Network and those left in the Federation have had to engage in some serious soul searching and prayer in order to submit to the Lord’s call to be, like the prophet Jeremiah, a voice for the Lord to a heretical nation and a guide to the remnant.
#3: Please do keep in mind that for most of us, there isn’t even the option of joining an ANiC church, nor for that matter is every parish in the country in the situation yet of being obliged to leave in order to get anything done whatsoever.
If Federation is going to get anything done, there cannot be any suspicion that it is a mere front for ANiC; I know several people who are quite faithful Christians, but view “the Network” as something of a club more than a church, or even view it with some suspicion. The point, as far as I’m concerned, is to try and save what of the ACC can be, before the entire thing goes the way of the United Church.
I think Federation will be distancing itself from ANiC / the new province soon Andrew, so it will probably avoid that suspicion.
The ANiC is not a club. It’s being Christian/Anglican, in global communion with the rest of the world Anglicans/Christians. Nothings changed. Some people wish to walk apart. We stand on a firm foundation.
Some of the comments in the blog in various postings have been hurtful and uncharitable. The ANiC would have gained more members by biblical honey. The Federation is like salt – hurting but healing the Body of Christ which has different functions. Some have to hold the fractured bits together with prayer. We need each other.
Siena (#7), what does the Federation propose to do that hasn’t been tried repeatedly for the past 40-50 years; with no success? I had a lengthy exchange on Stand Firm recently with a Wycliffe Student who I believe participated in the Federation Consultation. He used the word “witness” repeatedly, but I don’t know what he meant by it. He made clear, however, that unity of the Anglican Communion is the highest priority and that divisions such are is happening with the Network are a greater sin than heresy and false teaching (although he did, with prodding, admit that certain leaders of the ACoC are guilty of these). In short, the only strategy I could discern was more “wait and hope for the best”.
I find that Anglicans often use the word charity like human rights activists use the words discrimination and victim. Sometimes they are used rightly, but often they are thrown out in an attempt to silence their opposition and avoid meaningful debate.
#8 Perhaps someone else who has attended the Consultation can answer your question. However, is it not “success” when someone (eg. a student) is brought to Christ and goes back to their country as a witness? They do not have a church there or any access to a Network church but do depend on prayer. No silencing meant nor debate, but to bring an awareness to the discussion. Others in later comments have covered some of the concerns.
Siena (#9), I may not personally use the word “success”, but I believe that heaven rejoices whenever a sinner comes to Christ. I don’t know how this relates to my previous comment.