New Around the Mission

There’s never been a more important time to explore ways to move forward in worship as a mission. At this crucial juncture in theAM’s history, Andy Piercy, Director of Worship Development at theAM, invites you to gather with him, expert speakers, seasoned worship leaders, pastors, church leaders, and like-minded believers at the Worship for Mission conference February 16-18 at St. Peter’s Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

“We are asking the question, ‘In light of who we are as a mission-based organization reaching out to the unchurched and the de-churched, how does that affect how we worship?’” Andy says. “All around the Mission, people are doing wonderfully creative things already, but often we aren’t aware of what each other is doing. My goal is to invigorate the conversation.”

Andy has strategically invited pastors and church leaders into the mix to share a united vision with their worship team and together map a path for Anglican worship in the next chapter of theAM.

“Often when considering attending a conference, pastors can think, ‘I won’t get much from doing that; I’m too tired,’” Andy says. “But I want to encourage everybody that it’s not so much what you take away but what you will bring by your presence, ideas and being part of the conversation that will inspire other people. I want pastors to understand that their input is so important to this.”

The theme “Preparing for Growth” sets an encouraging mindset for the future and provides a chance to learn from those in the trenches who are modeling growth. The 2012 Winter Conference Worship Band will lead attendees in refreshing times of worship. Along with Andy, a distinguished lineup of conference speakers includes the Rev. Dr. Graham Tomlin, the Rev. Kris McDaniel, the Rt. Rev. T J Johnston and the Rev. Dr. Canon Ashley Null. In addition, more than 10 workshops will offer a wealth of practical insights to use in worship settings back home.

Andy believes each attendee will leave the conference invigorated and eager to continue learning from and growing with each other.

“We’re in an exciting place, ready to move into the next stage as theAM,” he says. “Attendees will be hugely encouraged as they realize they are part of a wider community, and it’s not ‘Here’s how I do it,’ or ‘You should do it like that,’ but ‘Here are people who are making the most of worship settings in their mission work, and how can we move ahead together in this?’”

Conference Details

Register here.

Date: February 16-18. The conference begins at 6:00 pm on Thursday, Feb 16, and ends midday on Saturday the 18 to allow delegates time to return home for Sunday.

Place: St. Peter's Church, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Cost: $150 per person or $200 for a Pastor and their Worship Leader.

Website: WorshipforMission.com

Twitter: @worship4mission

Winter Conference 2012 Communiqué
Holy Spirit: Power for Mission

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Introduction

Nearly 700 laity, clergy, bishops, archbishops and guests gathered at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston, Texas, January 11-14, 2012, for worship, prayer, Bible study, teaching and fellowship. We were challenged and encouraged by a range of presentations from inside and outside the Anglican Mission and affirmed our commitment to evangelism through church planting. We came with an expectation for the Holy Spirit to be present and move among us, and we rejoice in His anointing our time together.

While we celebrated with joy our life and mission, we also acknowledged the difficult, and painful events we have experienced as a Mission over the last few months. We spent a significant amount of time together seeking God’s heart and acknowledging the pain of broken relationships. This led to frank and open discussions among bishops, clergy and laity – we shared our hearts and listened to one another’s concerns.

We give thanks for the presence, leadership, spiritual oversight and godly wisdom of our founding Archbishops Emmanuel Kolini, Moses Tay and Yong Ping Chung.

Reconciliation

1. Our bishops expressed their sorrow about the regrettable circumstances that have caused a tear in relationships we have long held dear in Rwanda. They are also grieved by the resulting confusion and pain this has produced for many in our local churches as well as its affect on their mission and ministry.

2. We remain committed to diligently pursue reconciliation with both our brothers and sisters in Rwanda and those who served with us in this Mission. Therefore, we are thankful for the recent meeting in Kenya convened by the Most Reverend Dr. Eliud Wabukala, Archbishop of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON Primates’ Council. We welcome his continued involvement in this process.

3. In humility, we seek unity in Christ Jesus with our brothers and sisters in North America. It is our intention to bless those who feel called to walk a different path in this time of transition.

Celebration

4. We celebrate God’s vision and the manner in which he has provided for 12 years of fruitful ministry as we have planted churches throughout North America.

5. Our messages, workshops and mission video underscored the transformed lives and communities that are the fruit of the ministry of our congregations.

6. We rejoice that through worship and prayer the Holy Spirit reconfirmed in the hearts of many the call to mission and released others into new areas of service and gifting.

7. We renewed our commitment to that which has laid hold of us and shapes us – a Kingdom mission within our valued Anglican heritage.

Direction for the Future

8. Our bishops will prayerfully and diligently seek appropriate Anglican jurisdictional connections.

9. We acknowledge with appreciation the greeting from the Most Rev. Robert Duncan, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), by his representative, the Rev. Canon Jack Lumanog.

10. We are committed to faithfully walking through a discernment process as we explore the specifics of forming an emerging missionary society.

11. Our bishops continue to provide episcopal oversight and care for our clergy and congregations. As they have expressed, we enjoy a deep love, pastoral connection and commitment to mission together.

12. We are thankful that our leaders have committed to healthy internal communication and support their decision not to respond to negative characterizations in the media.

Closing

We urge our clergy and laity to pray and fast for the Anglican Mission as we seek to hear God’s voice and obey His will. We commit to walk forward together in fruitful ministry with great anticipation and expectation.

The Anglican Mission has freely and without compulsion given 10% of the revenue it receives from parish tithes to the support of the Province of Rwanda as part of its 10%-10%-10% principal of giving. In addition, other gifts have been given to the Province of Southeast Asia as well as other global Anglican movements like GAFCON, ACNA, CAPA and Global South Encounters. (see Tithe Gifts to Rwanda chart*)

The method of giving the tithe to Rwanda has always been done in consultation with the Archbishop of Rwanda. Gifts were directed in three ways: (see Anglican Mission Tithe Gifts 2004-2010 chart) 1) a portion of the moneys were sent directly to the Province of Rwanda, 2) Travel related expense for the Province and its leaders were paid directly by the Anglican Mission, as agreed to by the Archbishop, and therefore did not go to Provincial Accounts, 3) Designated support as part of the tithe was paid for or given by the Anglican Mission to assist in cases of special need. (see Designated Support as Part of the Rwandan Tithe chart)

Questions have been posed concerning roughly $1,200,000 that was given by the Anglican Mission but did not go into the Provincial accounts. As addressed above, approximately $800,000 was part of the tithe that paid expenses for the Province directly from the Anglican Mission or was designated to another need.

The remaining $460,000 was a designated gift given to the Anglican Mission for special projects in Rwanda. The donor gave Anglican Mission complete discretion to use this money in support of Rwanda in whatever way it saw fit. In consultation with the Archbishop, these funds went to support items like PEAR Theological College, the Provincial Convention, Diocesan support and the purchase of a provincial vehicle. These were not a part of the Anglican Mission’s tithe to Rwanda and were given over and above the tithe.

*These PDF's may take a moment to load.

As you may know, on December 5, in response to unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances, the Anglican Mission in the Americas withdrew from the pastoral oversight of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda. In addition, Bishop Chuck Murphy resigned as Primatial Vicar and Bishops Murphy, Sandy Greene, Todd Hunter, TJ Johnston, Philip Jones, Doc Loomis, John Miller and Silas Ng, as well as retired Bishop John Rodgers, resigned from the House of Bishops of Rwanda.

During this interim period, the Anglican Mission is under the oversight of our founding Archbishops Emmanuel Kolini, Moses Tay and Yong Ping Chung until we have a new provincial home within the Anglican Communion. Bishop Murphy is meeting with these overseeing archbishops in London next week to discuss options for the best way forward.

While these events came as a significant surprise to all of us, and circumstances beyond our control have necessitated rapid decisions and actions, we are very encouraged about our future in the Anglican Mission and see a powerful missional opportunity to move toward formation of a missionary society. Since we highly value continuity, this is a logical, consistent progression of what God has been doing in and through the Anglican Mission since 2000. The missionary society concept provides the appropriate structure for us to be...a mission, nothing more, nothing less and in many ways represents "a long obedience in the same direction."

We ask and encourage you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Rwanda, offering thanksgiving and praise to God for the way they, and the Province of S.E. Asia, once took us in as "spiritual refugees." The Anglican Mission will be forever grateful for our partnership in the Gospel with Rwanda and for providing a spiritual home for us.

Look for more information in special video messages tomorrow.

From Some of Our Archbishops and Bishops:

"I do believe the Spirit is leading you. I therefore accept your request to be on the team for the apostolic oversight...I thank God to serve Him with people who are ready to pay any cost for the sake of the gospel. Take heart and be courageous, the victory is HIS. He has the Master plan." Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini

"The birth and the growth of AMIA up to this point has been God's way of showing His gracious favour upon our obedience. We have been faithful in the last season. He has now called us to enter into a new season and to make plans for a more permanent mission structure that will take us onward to the next season." Archbishop Yong Ping Chung

"The Mission will emerge from these struggles stronger and better prepared for the next 50 years." Bishop Doc Loomis

"I think our partnership with Rwanda was a one between godly leaders who arose from within a specific and unrepeatable set of circumstances and with a very specific mission: planting churches and engaging in evangelism. Archbishop Kolini once told me that he envisioned taking us in like foster children until we could grow up and find our adult place in the church." Bishop Todd Hunter

"I have had a long relationship with Chuck Murphy and have grown to appreciate the way he leads with vision, clarity, passion and wisdom. I still do. At this moment of transition, I trust his vision and desire to become a missionary society. We have grown up as a mission under his leadership. This moment calls for bold, thoughtful action and +Chuck is giving that." Bishop Philip Jones

Read Bishop Murphy's personal letter* to Archbishop Onesphore Rwaje in which he outlines a chain of events over the last six months clarifying issues that have been aired in the media recently. Read the joint letter of resignation from Anglican Mission bishops here*.

Read other pertinent documents here*.

*The letters are PDF's and may take a moment to load.

Early Bird Registration Extended Five More Days: DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE SAVINGS...REGISTER TODAY!

We have extended the deadline for Early Bird registration to December 5.

WINTER CONFERENCE 2012
January 11-14
Houston, Texas