Conference highlights 'historic alliance between the American evangelical mainstream and Anglicanism in the Global South' By Craig M. Kibler The Layman Online Friday, November 11, 2005 PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Organizers of the first-ever international conference "Hope and a Future" are calling it a showcase for an "historic alliance between the American evangelical mainstream and Anglicanism in the Global South." The Anglican Communion Network, created by Episcopal Bishop Robert W. Duncan Jr. and other conservative bishops after the denomination consecrated a gay man, V. Gene Robinson, as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003, organized the conference, which Duncan has said will focus on the renewal of North American Anglicanism and "the rebirth of a Biblical, missionary and united Anglicanism." The network was formed in opposition to the Episcopal Church USA's decision in 2003 to accept an openly gay bishop and give tacit approval to same-sex blessings. The two-year-old movement is made up of 10 Episcopal dioceses and more than 800 parishes, constituting about 10 percent of the Episcopal Church USA's 2.3 million members. The Rev. Dr. Leslie P. Fairfield, a professor of church history at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, Penn., said, "I believe that our identity and mission as orthodox American Anglicans lies in this historic alliance." "Our institutional arrangements with the Episcopal Church will take whatever shape they may," he said. "The process will be painful. But let's not get bogged down in that mess. It's a choice between morass or mission. We need to make the mental shift now, and lean into our future. And our future lies in this mission-partnership with the American evangelical mainstream and the Anglican Churches of the Global South." Duncan, in a letter to participants, wrote that, "To exiles 2,600 years ago, our God spoke about His good plans, about His desire for their welfare, and about 'Hope and a Future' (Jeremiah 29:11, the conference theme). There has been much heartache, persecution, anxiety and loss among us faithful North American Anglicans in recent years. But I believe the dust is settling and that we can begin to see the outlines of what, by God's grace, is emerging." The reason for the conference, he said, is "because we need Jesus and one another more than ever. In times of storm and struggle, it is our support for one another, with God's grace, that gets us through. Because the whole world is watching. From Singapore to Kampala to Rome to Los Angeles, there is the sense that the attendance and the events at this conference will be an indicator of the viability of a reformed and realigned North American Anglicanism. Because the logjam is about to break." "The way forward for Biblical and missionary Anglicans – and Christians – is increasingly clear and involves all of us together," Duncan said. "Because you have been called. No matter where you are or how insignificant you believe the contribution you have to make, come claim your part and come understand what is your hope and your future."

Respond to this article

Home · Archives · The Layman · PLC Publications Presbyterian Lay Committee · Feedback · Links