This weekend I spent a day with the Anglicans in Charlotte, NC.
A few years ago, Bishop Chuck Murphy asked me to come and speak at the Anglican Mission in Americas (AMiA) annual meeting in 2005 and 2006. I made some friends there and built some relationships and now I am occasionally invited to lend a hand.
While at the Winter Meeting, I was also privileged to meet Archbishop Kolini and to hear his passion for the church and the gospel.
You will hear a lot more in the news about AMiA and CANA leader Archbishop Akinola in the coming weeks. Pray that the Episcopal Church will respond to the calls for repentence from faithful Anglican Christians around the world.
I am impressed with the character and persistence of these Anglicans. So many of these pastors and leaders have left historic buildings, pensions, and security because they believed in the orthodox gospel.
These orthodox Anglicans are coming under the jusdiction of leaders from what is called the Global South.
That is interesting in two ways:
1. American Christians are now under the authority of African bishops who are more orthodox than their American counterparts.
2. It is Christians in the two thirds world who are now leading the charge for the evangelization of North America.
The Anglican Mission in America are building their denomination around networks that can be either geographic or affinity based. In much of evangelicalism, these networks are gaining influence-- but AMiA is making that a part of their strategy. It will be interesting to see how that develops.
Comments (3)
One of my most memorable worship times EVER was in an Anglican Cathedral in London. That service, probably more than any other, proved that denom labels don't mean much in and of themselves.
Posted by Bob Cleveland | August 23, 2007 9:19 AM
Posted on August 23, 2007 09:19
My own pastor wanted to make it to that meeting but couldn't. I'm glad you've had a positive ecumenical experience with AMiA. It was even a local Baptist church in Lexington that invited us to use their space for our last confirmation service.
Posted by Kyle | August 30, 2007 8:38 AM
Posted on August 30, 2007 08:38
Ed,
I'm just discovering your blog...DUH! I too had a powerful experience with AMIA while sharing with them about a year ago at a North Carolina retreat. I appreciate what God is doing...a "sacramental, evangelical, and 50% charismatic" group is something I can be excited about!
Thanks for your ongoing ministry. I love the work that you do and will be participating in a number of your upcoming projects.
In Him,
John Jackson
Posted by John Jackson | September 1, 2007 10:40 PM
Posted on September 1, 2007 22:40