New Around the Mission
January 14, 2012
Winter Conference 2012 Communique
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.
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Event Highlights
