We’re about a week away from the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod 2010 (to be held at St Mary’s University in Halifax from June 3 to 11) and we want to update you on what the AEC blog has planned. But first some background…
This site was first formed to liveblog the 2007 General Synod, which proved very successful, getting up to 50,000 hits a day. After a short hiatus, we decided to keep the blog going, and here we are now. There are four of us who try to keep you up to date with what is going on in the Anglican world north of the border from an orthodox Anglican perspective.
In General Synod 2007 we were accredited as press. We’ve been trying to get the same accreditation from the ACoC since March, and unfortunately have just learned that accreditation has been denied to us. Something similar happened south of the border for TECs GS 2009. We are told that this denial applies to all requests from bloggers, and that only those with a proof of an association with a media outlet are being accredited, apparently due to limitations of resources and support. However, we have been welcomed to come as visitors.
What this means in practice is that while we can still liveblog Synod, it’s going to be more inconvenient – in terms of working space and power availability. Despite these hardships David has foolishly valiantly agreed to be our sacrificial lamb on-site blogger this time round.
Now, to get this service to you is not free, in fact it will be costing between $2500-$3000. If you would like to contribute something towards these expenses, you can do so – either online (see the Donate Online link to the left of this page) or or by sending a cheque to this address:
Box 266
Milton, ON
Canada
L9T 4N9
In either case, please mark your contribution to “AEC Blog – GS 2010 Expenses” so that it will go to the correct place. Thank you in anticipation.
Don’t forget to watch the blog for on-the-spot and up-to-the-minute reporting by your intrepid (but sadly unaccredited) AEC blogger, June 3-11.
UPDATE: Our intrepid reporter is now also reporting for Eternity Magazine out of Australia. We do get about a bit! Many thanks to them, and a tip of the hat to the ACoC for granting David press credentials.
I risk choking a bit here, but here goes the foot in mouth.
Up-to-the-minute reporting of GS 2010! What a yawning festival. I think you should replace the word “foolishly” above. If anything big happens, I am sure we will all find out from T19 or Stand Firm. And what could happen? The ANiC folks are gone, and the one Essentials big wig left (Brett Cane) has one foot out the door. When he heads to greener pastures, the Essentials movement will go with him. Furthermore, even if GS 2010 were to accept the blessings of marriages to animals, the ABC and the rest of the actual Anglican Communion would do nothing.
So I suspect a person could fudge the entire live blog, and simply cut and paste from the past. No news here. Unless……unless the believing bishops across Canada came together and literally tossed the liberals out on the street – committing a coup d’etat. Now that would be newsworthy…but then again, this is Canada.
Well, it’s not going to be of interest to some, true, but then again this blog is aimed at orthodox Anglicans in Canada, and some of us remain in the Anglican Church of Canada….
T19 and SF are American sites and as such are not greatly involved above the 49th. They may report on things happening, however it’s likely to be sourced from folks on the ground.
Also, you might like to consider that at least a third of CoGS are orthodox. It might not be as simple as you think, though I do agree the deck looks stacked, from the use of Indaba even to the theme “Charting a New Course” etc. Still, we shall see….
I’m afraid I have to agree with “Don’t Panic”. The ACoC has chosen its course of action and I have chosen mine.
I acknowlege that there are still some within the ACoC who self identify as being “orthodox” but their presence and actions have proven to be of no consequence to the ACoC leadership. While some may be interested watching the ACoC self destruct I, for one, am not one of them. I don’t think I’m alone in believing that we would be far better off focusing our attention more on the renewal of Anglicanism in Canada and less on wistfully looking in the rear view mirror hoping beyond hope that the ACoC will see the error of its ways and change course.
I hope I haven’t inadvertently offended anyone with this comment. However that’s my opinion, for what its worth.
Don’t panic and the traveler; your points are taken with some merit however neither of you spoke to the issue of unbiased and truthful reporting. Speaking of choking, the “spin” that I have seen coming out of various ACoC sources particularly BC and Niagara is enough to choke a horse. I mean the gag meter is off the charts. So I for one will be in touch with the on line donation guys as per Peter’s request. uhhh don’t disappoint me David.
Even though I’m south of the border, I’d like to throw in a sarcastic comment regarding the comments of Don’t Panic and Winter T, since their comments are not peculiar to Anglicans north of the border, but common to much of first world Anglicanism.
here goes:
It is such a joy to witness even in Canada the attempts of those motivated by emotional pain and fear to suffocate the ministry of transparency wherein the truth can be seen and heard by all, so that in fact the truth can be seen and heard by all. Your courage to deploy the controlling technique of wild thrashing is overwhelming.
Peter, Scott, Kate and David: I’ll be making a donation of some sort. Be safe, David, and find fellowship while you are there.
Lots of compact stuff here.
For one thing, Brett Cane may well be out the door, as has been suggested here, but if GS makes no hefty decisions to violate the “faith once for all delivered to the saints”, then he may well remain. But any ‘major deviation’, and he will be history, has he has himself said publicly.
Murray Henderson, Toronto area, will remain as witness to the ACoC, of faithful and god-fearing orthodoxy, no matter what decisions are made in Halifax, as he has stated publicly, I believe.
I have recently left Brett’s parish for ANiC, having crossed my own personal line in the sand as far as the rebellion of the ACoC goes. Besides, many folks are fleeing Anglican jurisdictions by the hundreds, what of them? Where are they to turn: to non-denominational and biblically orthodox settings, or staying at home, or worse, losing faith entirely?
No!, it is Network time: an Anglican option.
Beyond that, the Lord Himself has the end game already sorted out. I trust in Him.
Rob Eaton (#5), I find your comment more rude than sarcastic; and sweeping in its generality. What do you mean by “even in Canada”?
Point taken. I should probably put some money in the till.
Actually, it was a professor at Regent College Vancouver who is now ANiC, who told me that the future of the Anglican Church of Canada is Evangelical. I actually believe this. Truth be told, like many other areas of life, (Boomers, please do not take offence here), when the Boomers retire, much of what we have been dealing with will simply pass away. The younger generations (their children, and their grandchildren) may have a mess to clean up, but they are far more evangelical, reformed, what have you. Just look at the new bishops of Saskatchewan, Algoma, and Athabasca to name a few. The real question is whether a renewed ACoC will one day be able to share the right hand of fellowship with ANiC and the ACNA. I suspect they will, and will be because of persecution.
Thank you, Warren, for asking for clarity.
The phrase “even in Canada” refers to the gracious civility that I’ve experienced with Canadians and that Canada is known for (and so much so that it is spoofed respectfully for, as witnessed during opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics), and yet – even with this civility (which we all know is the legacy of the Scots) – even in Canada – this kind of friendly fire I’ve pointed to breaks through the filter of Christian discipline. It is in fact the rudeness that was so exhibity that demands the sharpness of love in accountability, because love is not rude.
God bless Canada. God bless all the faithful in Christ.
Sp: exhibited, not “exhibity”.
Rob Eaton (#9), as a Canadian who has lived and worked in the US for four years – in two different states – I find that most Americans really don’t understand Canadians at all. I’ll be having a “normal” conversation with a colleague and then we’ll move into a new topic and suddenly discover that we inhabit two different universes. I agree that Canadians may tend to state their opinions less forcefully (I suspect that that is because most of us don’t think we have anything to prove), but you’re on dangerous ground if you interpret that “civility” as agreement with your opinions on a wide range of subjects. Also, I believe that Canadians are far less homogeneous than Americans across a wide spectrum.
I’ve posted my “honest” opinions on Stand Firm on a few occasions and have been attacked rather viciously – way beyond rude to my Canadian sensibilities. Although I generally agree with the theological positions of the people attacking me, I still think they’re hopelessly blind to their close mindedness and unthinking patriotism.
I’m not sure why I had to get that off my chest, but I feel better.
Me too. I’ve pretty much stopped commenting there, actually. I’m interested in conversation, but when things start getting nasty I’m gone.
#9 Legacy of the Scots?? How many Scots have you met? It’s the legacy of the English, of course!
Thank you David for doing this for all of us. This is difficult and exhausting. To all, let’s remember that this is an AEC blog and David is doing this for the in’s and the out’s. There are many in the ACoC pew who are orthodox and appreceate this website and blog. They will not necessarlily leave but need encouragement and prayer.
It is quite true it is ANiC time, but for some not yet.
Essentials Dude (#14), I wish I could believe you when you say that, “There are many in the ACoC pew who are orthodox”. But I don’t. I don’t believe that what has happened to the ACoC could have happened if what you say is true. My thinking is that the the orthodox who remain should be encouraged to find a church where there is sound biblical teaching, practice and belief – from the smallest Sunday school class or home group up to the most senior levels of authority. What kind of encouragement do you have in mind?
Warren [#15],
Of course, one could also take issue with the statement “There are many in the ACoC pew”, since compared to 30 years ago, there aren’t many in the pew, orthodox or otherwise.
The ratio of orthodox to non-orthodox remaining is impossible to determine; that there are some orthodox remaining is self evident to me since I know a few of them.
Whether they should still occupy an ACoC pew or not is arguable, but the fact is, some do and some – here, for example – are to be admired imho.
David (#16), your comment is quite reasonable. The meaning of the word “many” is subjective. For me it infers a substantial minority that is approaching a majority. By that definition, I stand by my statement.
Dear Warren;
to clarify, I have left the ACoC for ANiC some time ago, yes I believe there orthodox bible believing Anglicans in the pew and they do need our prayers and encouragement. They are for various reason not ready to jump. At some point only the liberals and the middle of the roader (who cant make up their minds) will be left in the ACoC.
I just wanted to comment that I am still in the pew in the ACoC and orthodox and in an orthodox church, thankfully, and God hasn’t told us(me) to leave, so we are still there. God bless and I look forward to reading the blog.
For In The Pew
I do not know what diocese you are in but I sincerely hope and trust your rector and bishop will make a firm stand against the reign of apostasy that currently prevails. There is no “middle of the road” when it comes to the authority of Scripture or the uniqueness of Jesus Christ despite the “spin” in the preparations for this Synod. There is no way that you can have unity between orthodoxy and apostasy despite the political spin by many so-called bishops including the Primate.
Also for in the Pew,
I’m not sure what God has or has not specifically said to you and your church. What I know is what He has said in His Word to all of us. Light has nothing to do with darkness. We are supposed to ahve nothing to do with those who claim to be Christians and yet promote sin. It is hard to be under a Bishop and have nothing to do with them. It is also hard to be in communion with a Bishop who promotes sin as if it were holiness and have nothing to to with them. To remain faithful, it is imperative that we break conections with those who have hijacked the Church and are calling sin holiness.
your fellow unworthy servant in Christ,
Brian DeVisser
Warren re your #15. Although you have had experience in an Anglican church I would (suspect) with respect, suggest that you do not have the “feel”. By this, I mean the life long love and attachment that comes from the possible generational relationship and the baptismal through confirmation growth. This includes various relational circumstances as well as in many cases life long attendance at the same church.
I am sure if you considered some or all of these factors you would have a greater sympathy for those who A, have left the ACoC as well as those so called “orthodox” who still remain.
Brian #21; If we “Stand fast” with Christ, as in our first estate, we can continue to worship Him under some pretty extreme circumstances like heretical bishops and neighbours. When the first echelon (the parish priest) becomes heretical as well, than the atmosphere will probably be too tainted to have any resemblance to traditional Anglicanism. This of course calls for renewed efforts across Canada for the alterative of ACNA venues to be available.
Article from CNN
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/28/archbishop-of-canterbury-punishing-episcopal-church/?hpt=Sbin
Kate (13),
What? You’ve never read, “How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe’s Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It”, by Arthur Herman?
(disclosure: my middle name in Gordon)
I thought the title was: “How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe’s Poorest Nation Created Our World & Everything in It and How They Still Need to Support Everybody But England at the World Cup Because They Couldn’t Get Past the Faroe Islands to Qualify Yet Again”
Find ants nest, insert stick
Go England! I almost bought an England soccer shirt today, but the twits put the wrong flag (the Union Jack) on it. Good Grief.
#24 Ah, but you said “civility” is the legacy of the Scots. Putting a Campbell and a MacDonald in the same room for ten minutes will prove that hypothesis false…
backatya
Here, Peter, let me help you with that stick. I think the ants nest needs a bit of a stir….
Try working for 2 years in the same office with a couple of Scots. I went in British, came out English
Peter I to cheer for England, flag on the car et – al but than I’m a TML fan and am surrounded by Italians.