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The gospel of John is my favorite of the four gospels. I love John because when you read it, you get this overwhelming sense of God as Living Love and God as Christ Incarnate. It also has one of my favorite passages in the Bible – where Mary cries over the empty tomb of Jesus and He meets her where she is – her sadness and mourning turn into joy when He speaks her name. However, the Gospel of John also has the narrative of the woman caught in adultery brought to Jesus – and He sits drawing and says, “He is who is without sin cast the first stone”. When they all leave, Jesus says to the woman, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin”. I love that story. I love that story because it reminds us all that we have no right to judge. I love that story as well because it reminds us that we are to go – not condemned but to leave our life of sin.
I was reminded of that story again when pursuing the net and the Anglican world – and, in particular, my Montana Anglican world - and ran across the old familiar lie from those who have opposed the formation of the Anglican Church of North America. The lie goes something like this, “Well, them there rebels don’t want no sinnin’ in their church so they just are trying to get rid of all of them there sinners” (artistic license, mine). Now, this is a ridiculous idea from several vantage points. First, even a small child in Sunday School can tell you that ‘all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” So, logically, if you were to get rid of all the sinners in the church you would have to completely exterminate the entire human population on the planet. That would ensure holiness – but I seriously doubt that was God’s design in sending His Son to the Earth. Therefore, to propose that ANY sane Christian on the planet would want that is just, well, ridiculous. Secondly, the idea that we could actually exclude sin by excluding people would be great – but unfortunately, since sin is in our very DNA unless we can be transformed by the Risen Christ, I’m afraid all the exclusion in the world would not prevent sin from inhabiting our own hearts and lives. Our greatest barrier to holiness, unfortunately, is ourselves – and doesn’t reside in anyone else. Read on …
Hattip - Christ the King in Spokane
Christ Church Anglican in Butte was privileged to hear two of the bishop canidates for the new Diocese this past May as part of a tour they made to see all the churches in the new area. One of the the most striking things about both of these bishop canidates, both Fr. Thompson and Fr. Jose’ was their commitment to the gospel of Christ. Each of these men had given up so much - property, pension, and their former positions in the Episcopal church to do what they believed God was calling them to do. Not only did these choices give them integrity and credibility, it gave them a passion for calling others to lead a commited and transformational Walk with the Person of Christ.
Most of us came away from that meeting wishing both of them could be our bishop. Fr. Jose’s passion for mission and Fr. Bill’s passion for building up God’s work as an avenue towards transforming community were inspiring to say the least. However, it is a blessing to know that while one will lead the Diocese, Fr. Bill will continue to serve as a priest and continue to work with his fellow ministers to lead our diocese well.
Thanks be to God!
Read the official press release -Here!
From ACNA website:
Archbishop Duncan (elect)’s address:
Many of us have sacrificed a great deal to follow Jesus to this place. Many of us have lost properties and sacred treasures and incomes and pensions and standing and friends Yet, remembering the challenge of the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, few of us have suffered [Heb.12.4] to the point of shedding blood (though some here, especially among our global émigrés, actually have.) Alban, a new convert, shows us the way. Jesus isn’t finished with his asking and we aren’t finished with our giving. Are we? Alban was the consummate Christian convert, willing to follow his Savior even into a death for others. Are we ready, if more still is asked? Are we ready? Are we willing?
Read the entire message here: Click!
Constitution is passed - Click here!
From: Western Anglicans
DIOCESE OF WESTERN ANGLICANS TO BECOME A REALITY
“Dear Brothers and Sisters, I write this from the Provincial Council meeting in Dallas/Ft. Worth. As of 11:45 a.m. CDT on April 24 the Diocese of Western Anglicans is now a diocese of the Anglican Church in North America. May God’s Name be praised. In fact we were the first diocese to be so approved. Please forward this information to your parish’s delegation to Western Anglican and to the congregation as a whole. I want you all to know what a privilege it is to be the Collegiate Vicar of Western Anglicans during this exciting time. Your brother in Christ, Fr. Bill Thompson+”
We are fortunate to be able to speak to two of our bishop candidates HERE in Butte, MT tonight at 6:30 - up at the Blaine! Come, have dinner and be blessed!
A great way to reconnect with your Anglican brothers in the Faith!
Coming May 15 - 17th, 2009!
This Anglican Men’s weekend event evolved from a parish event for the men of St. James Church in Newport Beach, has grown to a meeting of laymen and clergy from all over the United States, along with Canada, South America and Uganda. We have been blessed to be led by Archbishop Gregory Venables and more recently by Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi of the Province of Uganda. Last year over 230 men from 50 parishes joined us on the mountain for a weekend of teaching, spiritual guidance, wonderful music and lasting fellowship. In less than three short weeks we will gather again and look forward to your joining us.
Register online at www.anglicanmensweekend.org
Blessings,
The Men’s Commission of the Western Anglican Diocese
Jim Carlson, Registrar, Anglican Men’s Weekend
wamwe@earthlink.net
714 377-9933
Pass this information along!
hattip: Standfirm
The FCA Primates’ Council recognizes the Anglican Church in North America as genuinely Anglican and recommends that Anglican Provinces affirm full communion with the ACNA. Anglican Covenant- As the Jerusalem Declaration insists we believe that the existing theological formularies of Anglicanism provide an adequate basis for the restoration of the relationships within the Anglican Communion. While we support the concept of an Anglican Covenant, we understand that its adequacy depends on the willingness to address the crisis that has “torn the fabric” of the Communion. We welcome the Ridley Cambridge Draft Covenant and call for principled response from the Provinces.
See entire statement here: click
This is another step of recognition for those orthodox Anglicans who are in North America. The question must be, however, not just if a denomination has recognition, but why we pursue such recognition. If the idea is nothing less than helping us to organize better to draw people to the Person of Jesus, then all such delineations are of little use. The goal must be, and always be, to clearly shine the Light of Christ into the world around us.
hattip: Standfirm
Click on the above to go the original site:
hattip: Standfirm
I am so completely thankful that Jesus wants the Rose - Thanks be to God for his Grace.