What is the primary vision of the Anglican Mission?
The Anglican Mission is a missionary outreach of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, which is a full member of the Anglican Communion and celebrates being part of one holy catholic and apostolic Church. The Mission enjoys the oversight of Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda and the Rwandan House of Bishops.

In addition, more Primates from the “Global South” have endorsed our mission, encouraging us to continue in this vital work of reaching out to the un-churched in America and Canada as a direct outreach of the vitality and growth of the Global South.

Is the Anglican Mission connected to the Anglican Communion?
As a missionary outreach of the Anglican Province of Rwanda, the Anglican Mission is rooted in the East African Revival and connected to the vibrant growth of Christianity in the Global South. In light of the crisis of faith and leadership that has plagued the Anglican Communion over the last several decades, Dr. Philip Jenkins notes in The Next Christendom, that the actual leadership of the Anglican Communion has now shifted to the Global South. We rejoice to be connected with that part of the Anglican Communion that upholds the historic faith and practice of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

As this crisis within the Communion is being addressed and resolved, the Anglican Mission will maintain its consistent focus on those 130 million people in this country as well as the millions in Canada who have yet to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by gathering and planting new churches throughout North America. We rejoice in the knowledge that the AMiA is in “full communion” with all of God’s faithful around the world and that since the creation of this Mission, God has faithfully added to our numbers, on average, one new church every three weeks. We will, therefore, continue to look to Him, and to Rwanda, for the necessary authority and “recognition” needed to press on with this vital and essential work.

Are Anglican Mission bishops “real” Rwandan bishops?
The Anglican Mission bishops are members of the Rwandan House of Bishops, and their consecrations have been conducted according to the Constitution and Canons of the Province of Rwanda, with AMiA clergy received and ordained under its authority. In addition, the Provincial Synod of South East Asia enabled their Primate, until his recent retirement, to offer oversight to the Anglican Mission. Though he has stepped down as Archbishop, the Most Rev. DatukYong Ping Chung continues his involvement with the Anglican Mission.

What about the Archbishop of Canterbury?
The Archbishop of Canterbury does not provide specific notice, documentation, or “recognition” of bishops throughout the Anglican Communion or within specific Anglican Provinces. Although some individuals have opposed the creation and work of the AMiA because it crossed geographical boundaries and structures of The Episcopal Church (TEC), there is a long history of overlapping jurisdictions within the Anglican Communion. The current Archbishop of Canterbury has recently stated that if he is in communion with an Anglican Province, as he is with Rwanda, then it should also mean that all those within that Anglican Province are therefore in communion with him.

Was the Anglican Mission established prematurely?
The Anglican Mission was birthed at a critical time. The Episcopal Church (TEC) had lost a third of its membership over the preceding thirty years, drifted into revisionist doctrines and wasted opportunities in leadership and mission. Valiant and sustained efforts to renew TEC from within had, unfortunately, not provided enough impact to slow the church’s dramatic slide deeper into false teaching and practice.

In 1999 at a meeting in Kampala hosted by the First Promise movement, bishops of the American Anglican Council along with First Promise made a direct appeal for intervention from nine archbishops and/or their representatives—a number, by the way, that did not include the Archbishop of Canterbury. These American leaders publicly admitted that The Episcopal Church was in a deplorable state theologically, that it was incapable of self-correction and that it needed an “intervention.” While no clear consensus emerged among the Primates as to what, specifically, to do, the Primates of Rwanda and South East Asia determined that the time was right for action. That action came two months later in Singapore with the consecrations of Chuck Murphy and John Rodgers to serve as “missionary bishops” to the United States from Rwanda and South East Asia. Developments in the Episcopal Church since that time, serve to underscore the reality that the timing for this intervention was right, even prophetic, in providing an orthodox Anglican alternative in the United States.

Since the summer of 2004 the Anglican Mission has energetically partnered with other orthodox Anglican groups in this hemisphere in the Common Cause alliance. In a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, leaders of the Anglican Mission, along with the leadership of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN), Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), Forward in Faith North America (FIFNA), Anglican Province in America (APA) and the American Anglican Council (AAC) affirmed a commitment “to make common cause for the gospel of Jesus Christ and common cause for a united, missionary and orthodox Anglicanism in North America.”

What about mission?
The Anglican Mission is focused on reaching out to the un-churched on our continent. This is our vision and the thing that engages most of our resources in the Mission. We exist to glorify God and to serve, grow and multiply local churches that love Jesus Christ and reach the world He died to save. The AMiA faithfully seeks to fulfill Christ’s Mission as outlined in the Great Commandments and Great Commission.

How does the Anglican Mission add new churches?  
The Anglican Mission grows in three ways. We receive active congregations seeking to join; we respond to lay-initiated fellowships that request our assistance in moving to congregational status; and we strategically initiate new works. All potential congregations follow specific steps of an affiliation process. Over 60% of our congregations are new works planted with the goal of evangelizing people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We’re grateful to God for this increase, and know that this is our true calling. Churches coming into the Anglican Mission must have a ‘missional’ orientation and passion. As we move forward, our eyes are on the call to evangelize and to be about the business of building the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church in our time.

For more information or to receive an Affiliation Packet, please contact the Anglican Mission office: info@theamia.org

What makes Anglican Mission different 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 was the correct 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.

What is the Anglican Mission’s 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. AMiA Womens Ordination Study 

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 opinions and policies on women’s ordination.

How are Anglican Mission leaders identified and developed?
Identifying, recruiting, training and equipping laity and clergy is a key component of the Anglican Mission’s ministry as we seek to “prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).

We are open to multiple ways of training and equipping ranging from traditional seminary training for theological education to parish-based study. Finding the right leaders for the right setting is essential; for example, in selecting church planters, we intentionally focus on discernment and assessment – not everyone called to ministry is called to be a church planter. We want to help leaders discern their true call. Tools such as boot camps, apprenticeships, mentoring and coaching assist in leadership training, and these methods are enhanced through building a team representing a balance of gifts.

How do affiliated congregations support the Anglican Mission?
All Anglican Mission congregations are expected to participate in the 10-10-10 stewardship model in which individuals give 10% to the local church; the church gives 10% to the National Mission Resource Center; and the National Mission Resource Center gives 10% to our international sponsors. While all money received is invested in expanding the Mission, as much as 50% of our national budget is directed to new initiatives and board approved Mission Network strategic works, primarily new church plants; the remaining 40% of funds received will be used to cover other National initiatives and mission expenses.

Does the Anglican Mission have any claim on the property of its affiliated congregations?
Neither the Anglican Mission nor the Province of Rwanda makes any claim on real property or other assets held by our affiliated congregations. The Anglican Mission expects each local church to obtain tax exempt 501(C)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service and to meet all standards as a religious corporation in their state or commonwealth; Canadian Churches are expected to meet the corresponding Canadian law. Additionally, Anglican Mission churches are expected to carry indemnity and liability insurance.

What benefits does the Anglican Mission provide for its clergy?
We have two national health insurance brokers who assist congregations in developing a customized health care program that best meet their needs. All churches are expected to provide health care coverage for clergy and their dependants.

We also offer two pension options – 401 (K) and 403 (B) plans. Additionally clergy have the freedom to design a retirement plan in consultation with their personal financial advisor.

Does the Anglican Mission prescribe a particular form of worship for its churches?
Churches of the Anglican Mission are expected to conduct worship services consistent with the theology of the historic Books of Common Prayer (known as formularies). Our congregations incorporate a variety of liturgies including the 1662, 1928 and 1979 Books of Common Prayer as well as liturgies from other provinces within the Anglican Communion. We celebrate diversity in worship styles that reflects our ancient…future approach. We are rooted in traditions of the earliest Christian churches but often blend these historic elements with contemporary and fresh expressions that engage the senses, connecting with people’s hearts and minds.

What is the Anglican Mission’s approach to both pastoral care and discipline of its clergy?
The Anglican Mission believes that the most effective ministry happens at the local level and this includes pastoral care. Mission Networks emphasize the importance of pastoral care for clergy in practical ways including identifying leaders who are trained, or willing to be trained, in crisis intervention and marriage (family) support.

The Anglican Mission uses a program called “Avoiding the Millstone” which provides both training on how to avoid sexual misconduct as well as appropriate responses to situations which may arise in the life of the congregation. Additionally, a newly formed Pastoral Response Team is developing procedures for crisis response and conflict resolution. Bishops, in their role as chief pastors, exercise disciplinary oversight to address clergy misconduct.

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