Anglican Network in Europe
The inauguration of Anglican Missionary Congregations (AMC) Europe as a Diocese within the [Gafcon-authorised] Anglican Network in Europe, the consecration of Venerable Dr Gideon Ilechukwu and his Installation as Bishop of the new Diocese, will take place on Tuesday 15th October. The venue is Church of Restoration, 70 Chalford Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester. (See press release here).
Gafcon Global
Rev’d Jodie McNeill named as Gafcon Global Operations Manager.
Gafcon General Secretary Bishop Paul Donison announces that Jodie will lead the international staff and ministry of the Gafcon Global Secretariat: "He will work closely with me as General Secretary, as well as Archbishop Mbanda and our Primates’ Council, Trustees and Guarantors." He succeeds Canon Daniel Willis who has commenced retirement having served faithfully in this role since 2020.
Church of England
What is the problem with a Third Province in the Church of England? By Martin Davie:
The ‘Alliance’ (between leaders from CEEC, HTB networks and orthodox Anglo-Catholics) has said that if the House of Bishops and the General Synod continue down the path of permitting the blessing of same-sex relationships and allowing those in these relationships to serve as ordained Church of England ministers, a ‘third province’ of the Church of England should be created to provide a secure and permanent home for those who cannot in good conscience accept these developments.
This has been rejected by the House of Bishops as “a red line we cannot cross”.
But what are the reasons for the rejection of the ‘third province’ idea?
Also, an article in Anglican Futures addresses the issue of whether to stay in the Church of England or whether to leave, and how those who decide one way should not “bind the consciences” of the other.
Cozying up with the world
Carl Trueman, writing for World Online about the Church of England, says:
“ General Synod makes further moves toward dissolving the difference between Christianity and the acceptable tastes of the surrounding world…once a church finds a way to bless those who are in a situation or a relationship that is destructive of the body here and the soul hereafter, the game is really over.”
Back to School with the Church of England, from Anglican Futures
The church’s official Prayer for those facing the first day at school or work shows poor theology and lack of evangelistic confidence.
Church of England: Bernard Randall still not reinstated despite being cleared by safeguarding and anti-terror bodies, and despite criticism of C of E leadership by its own tribunal judge.
“Evidence was found that the diocese had blacklisted him, under the watch of Bishop of Derby, Rt. Rev Libby Lane …repeatedly misused safeguarding processes to uphold an illegitimate ban on Dr Randall’s ministry.”
Detailed report from Christian Concern here.
More comment on the Bernard Randall case from Tim Dieppe in Christian Today:
“The Church of England is now beyond parody. You could not make it up… How can the CofE discriminate against one of its own ordained clergymen for upholding CofE doctrine?”
Has the Church of England really ditched the word ‘church’ as part of a “woke rebrand”? No, says Emma Fowle (Premier), although some new church planting initiatives are using terminology which may or may not be helpful.
Disused church not allowed to become a mosque:, from Church Times
Restrictive covenant prohibits non-Christian worship, Church Commissioners say.
Church and society
The rise of cultural Christianity: Why religion is thriving in a non-believing age.
By Madeleine Davies, New Statesman:
A new appreciation for Christianity is being communicated by well-known and sometimes surprising spokesmen… “More than 20 years since Alastair Campbell barred God from New Labour discourse, it seems we may be ready for a more grown-up, refreshingly weird conversation about faith’s place in our lives and politics.”
Paul Huxley of Christian Concern argues that we need to recover faith in Jesus at the heart of society, not a “Christian-ish veneer”.
Are there more things the church should say about the riots? By Andrew Carey, Church of England Newspaper:
“Church leaders were quick to echo the condemnation of those causing unrest, but there has been little thoughtful Christian analysis and solutions.”
See also: Our country must take pride in itself – only that can bring communities together. By Michael Nazir Ali, Telegraph:
“A socially cohesive society will be able to call, for instance, on a common memory, on a shared history and the cumulative beliefs, traditions and values which arise from such history and memory… Much of this way of thinking and doing has its roots in, and has been mediated by, the Judaeo-Christian tradition.”
The Christian Institute urges PM not to curb free speech:
“Like ‘disinformation’ or ‘extremism’, the term ‘harm’ is slippery and subjective language that could lead to damaging limitations on legitimate debate.”
Church around the world
Nearly 17,000 Christians killed in Nigeria in last four years, from Christian Today:
(ORFA) said that over half the deaths (55%) were at the hands of radicalized Muslim Fulani herdsmen.
“Islamist extremists enjoy relative freedom to carry out atrocities against civilians in large regions of Nigeria,” says a new report from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa.
Iran's Jesus Revolution: Mosques Close as 1 Million Muslims Accept Christ: Report from CBN.
“Iranians are growing tired of the ayatollahs and a nation led by the empty promises of their Islamic theocracy. An anonymous internal poll found that 80% now prefer a democratic government, and many are leaving Islam… there's an awakening that is taking place across the Muslim world, not just in Iran."
Theologians discuss in Prague what it means to be evangelical in today’s Europe.
About 70 participants from all regions gather to “discuss again what is at the heart of evangelical belief and theology and what is more secondary”.
Report from Evangelical Focus.
The Collapse of the Anglican Church of Canada, by David Goodhew, Covenant.
Here are the data for average Sunday attendance:
2001 162,000
2019 87,000
2022 65,000
It is routinely said that churches must “move with the times,” that adapting faith is “the only way to connect with younger generations.” The ACoC shows this to be untrue.
Canada is the Titanic of the Anglican Communion. Some years ago it hit the iceberg. Since then, it has listed violently in a progressive direction. Now it is sinking beneath the waves. The figures are deeply sad, but they do not lie. And Western Anglicans would do well to learn from Canada’s baleful example. Much of Western Anglicanism is heading in the same direction, unless it changes course.
Issues facing Christians
Transgender
The trans ‘cult of ideology’ ripping apart Britain’s doctors’ union, from the Telegraph:
The BMA, formerly a respected organisation, is challenging the Cass review. Many doctors are furious:
“The BMA has been taken over by a brigade of people wearing red braces and putting pronouns in their bios who have turned their back on evidence-based medicine in favour of a cult of ideology”.
UK youth
Is the internet and social media the main reason for the epidemic of mental health problems among young people in the West? Psychologist Jonathan Haidt believes so, and believes we are heading for ‘civilisational collapse’ if this is not addressed. He sets out his reasons in ‘The Anxious Generation’ (published March 2024).
Extracts and reviews:
The Guardian
The Gospel Coalition
MercatorNet
Summary for prayer:
- Pray for Reverend Jodie McNeill, the new Global Operations Manager of Gafcon.
- Pray for the ReNew Conference in Leeds – 23rd/24th September – for all those attending as they seek to demonstrate gospel solidarity and encourage those contending for orthodoxy in CofE.
- Pray for 15th October inauguration of AMC as diocese within ANiE, and consecration and installation of Venerable Dr Gideon Ilechukwu as first diocesan bishop. Pray for Gideon and his family and safe travel for all those attending.
- Pray for the unity between the various orthodox groups working together in UK. Pray for mutual respect and encouragement and a working together and flourishing for the sake of the Gospel.
The delegates present in Kigali pledged to give over $750,000 to become foundation members of the Gafcon Endowment Fund, by pledging to give $10,000 over the next 3 years. Might you or other faithful Anglicans that you know become founder members also? More information will soon be found on our website.