Basic Background Information on the Anglican Mission

Purpose

Mission
(GC)2 – Fulfilling Christ’s Great Commandments and Great Commission

Call
Our goal reaching the 130 million un-churched in the U.S. and some 20 million in Canada with the transforming reality of Jesus Christ.

Oversight
Anglican Mission is missionary outreach of the Province of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda under the oversight of the Anglican Archbishop of Rwanda. Through its relationship with the Province of Rwanda, the Anglican Mission is connected to the global Anglican Communion.

Distinctions from Other U.S. Entities in the Anglican Tradition
When the Anglican Mission was formed in July 2000, many within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion who strongly advocated an “inside” strategy (working within The Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion’s existing structures) were highly critical of the Anglican Mission and the Province of Rwanda. As the crisis of faith and leadership has deepened, it has become clear to virtually everyone that the “ outside” strategy of having clergy and bishops canonically resident offshore is the way forward. Such intervention is no longer considered “scandalous” or “irregular.” The Anglican Mission welcomes initiatives of other provinces as a confirmation of its pioneering work. We will continue to maintain our distinctives and consistent focus.

Beliefs and Worship
The Anglican Mission uses imagery of “three streams” to express the heart of its belief and worship: The Scripture…the Spirit…the Sacred. In the course of Church history, three major “branches” have developed which incorporate a particular emphasis of belief, teaching and worship. The Anglican Mission believes that each of these traditions represents an essential element of Christian faith, worship, life and ministry. We refer to these elements using a descriptive short-hand: the Scripture, the Spirit and the Sacred, envisioning them as three streams flowing from one river – Jesus Christ and His Gospel imperatives. We believe the three streams together provide a balanced blend of the Christian faith as taught in the one holy catholic and apostolic Church. The Scripture, the Spirit and the Sacred are exemplified in our discipleship, worship, congregational life and outreach.

Worship is Ancient…Future
Our approach to worship is rooted in historic traditions of the earliest Christian Church but often is colored with contemporary and fresh expressions that engage the senses, connecting with people’s hearts and minds. This unique blend of the ancient and future provides a means of capturing the imagination of a society immersed in images of the media and Internet. Our churches offer a wide variety and diversity in worship expressions while upholding the Biblical and historic essentials of Christian faith.

Position on the Ordination of Women
Based on a careful study undertaken by the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, the Anglican Mission has determined that the most faithful response to the witness of Scripture and its teaching on headship would dictate that women be ordained only to the diaconate. While recognizing that the Church is presently seeking further clarity in this matter through a period of discernment and “reception,” the important concept of “headship” proved to be the most critical issue for us as we developed our policy on the issue of women’s ordination.

In 2007, the Anglican Mission expanded its structure at the request of Archbishop Kolini by creating the Anglican Mission in the Americas. This umbrella organization includes the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA), the Anglican Coalition of Canada (ACiC) and the Anglican Coalition in America (ACiA). This structure embraces two countries (the US and Canada) as well as two positions on the ordination of women. Both the ACiC and the ACiA ordain women to the priesthood, as does the Province of Rwanda, while the AMiA maintains its policy of ordaining women only to the diaconate. The Anglican Mission in the Americas provides a way to maintain the integrity, and honor the consciences, of those with differing positions and policies on women’s ordination.

Note: In case you don’t quite understand a term or two, please see our glossary.

FAST FACTS

• Established in the summer of 2000 in Amsterdam, the Anglican Mission began with just 7 or 8 churches and currently has 133 churches with over 40 emerging works in process.
• The Anglican Mission was formed in response to a crisis of faith and leadership in The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
• On average, the Anglican Mission has added (planted or affiliated) a new congregation about every three weeks since its formation.
• The first two bishops, Chuck Murphy and John Rodgers, were consecrated in Singapore in January of 2000, with four additional bishops consecrated in Denver in June of 2001
• The Anglican Mission developed a unique approach to growth and structure through regional networks, rather than dioceses. This expresses an important distinction – that of affinity over geography.
• The Anglican Mission uses nationally acclaimed coaches, from a variety of traditions, who work with churches to help release effective and faithful evangelism and other ministry.
• The Anglican Mission has enjoyed a unique connection to the Global South from its very inception, and this partnership continues to grow. A number of international leaders in the Anglican Communion have encouraged the work of the Mission in the United States.
• Anglican Mission bishops are members of the Rwandan House of Bishops, and their consecrations were conducted according to the Constitution and Canons of the Province of Rwanda, with AMiA clergy received and ordained under its authority. The bishops who provide oversight to the Anglican Mission are not “Anglican Mission bishops” but rather bishops of the Province of Rwanda and members of its House of Bishops. The Anglican Mission is under the direct authority of the Province of Rwanda and its Archbishop and is given the responsibility to lead Rwanda’s missionary outreach to North America.
• Neither the Anglican Mission nor the Province of Rwanda makes any claim on real property or other assets held by our affiliated congregations.

Office of Communications

Mrs. Cynthia P. Brust

Director of Communications

cbrust@theamia.org

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