Nov 12th, 2009 by David
Great breakfast with almost enough coffee.
Morning Eucharist – listening to bishop’s charge:
Need to move into areas that haven’t specifically asked for our help. All is not well in the ACoC – there is a salvation issue.
Bp. Don went over our ANiC numbers – our ASA is now 4000; to God be the glory!
Our numbers now almost justify 2 dioceses.
Bp. Don expressed distress at the recent offer by the Pope; it offers very little that is new. Those who view it as an answer for ANiC members do not understand the issues, particularly surrounding biblical authority. Anglicans are already catholic Christians.
Some Primates friendly to ANiC primates will be retiring; we must pray for their replacements.
The GAFCON Primates must “stir the pot” to keep the momentum of GAFCON going.
The fields in NA are ripe for the harvesting – thus the 5000 church plants.
Bp. Malcolm Harding has retired again – but is still very much involved in evangelism.
Archdeacon Paul Crossland appointed as new examining chaplain.
Rev. Ron Corcoran appointed archdeacon of the west.
Rev Marney Patterson is now licensed under Bp. Greg. Today, Marney is being licenced under ANiC/ACNA – presented by Ab. Bob Duncan.
Regrets from J.I. Packer who can’t travel at the moment for medical reasons.
We must acknowledge our weakness – without Christ, we can do nothing.
Altogether, a great bishop’s charge.
11:30 a.m. Opening Motions of Synod and announcements.
Parish presentations:
Holy Trinity – only US members of ANiC! ASA of 80 but do have 3 church plants – 997 to go.
Swan River fellowship – began in Nov 2008. Praying for direction in outreach.
Church of Good Shepherd, Sioux Lookout, Ont – Joined ANiC July 11/09. Meet in a house.
Living Water Anglican Fellowship Athabasca, AB – became a church plant on Jan 1, 2009. A small core of orthodox Anglicans who could no longer continue with the ACoC. Worship in a Pentecostal church.
St. Andrew’s, Delta, BC – ASA 20 – 25. Started Sept 2008. Vision is to be a mission-oriented church.
Church of the Ascension, Langley, BC – Began Monthly meetings April 2009, now weekly. ASA 30-35.
Christ’s Church, Oceanside – in Nanoose Bay, BC. Joined ANiC on Feb 8, 2009. Worship at Nanoose community centre.
Christ the King Anglican Church, Victoria, BC – Joined ANiC March 2009. 95% from St. Matthias moved to the ANiC church. ASA 150. Worship at Fairfield Community Centre.
St. John’s Sudanese, Surrey, BC – Joined ANiC May 23rd. Grew from a community of Sudanese Christians gathering on Sunday nights.Having gone to the ACoC diocese and finding it theologically unrecognisable, the community approached ANiC. Started in a home, grew to 35 people, now meeting in South Side Community Church building. Outreach not only to Sudanese Christians, but to everyone.Final words – we will never abandon Jesus; very powerful presentation.
1:30 p.m. Parish Presentations continued:
St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Pembroke, Ont – Joined ANiC Nov 2008, started meeting in a Seventh Day Adventist Church, now meeting in a catering hall. ASA 120. Thinking of church planting and want to reach the unchurched.`
Emmaus Anglican Church, Montreal, QC – most members of St. Stephen’s left and joined ANiC. Split was amicable. ASA 130.
St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Montreal, QC – Joined ANiC April 2008, meeting in the basement of a chapel – very unusual presentation: it was sung, and sung rather well! Must be an Anglican liturgical thing.
Hintonburg project, Ottawa, Ont – not building centred, but mission communities meeting in the context of their activities.
Blackburn Hamlet Community Church, Ottawa, Ont – A church plant – from people initially with no money, no training, no experience and no people. Worship in a home in Sept 2008 with a core group of 6; now have 15-20 in a storefront.
Kanata Lakes Fellowship, Kanata, Ont – Started Jan 2008. ASA of 8 meeting in a home.
2:30 p.m. Marilyn Jacobson on building the church through effective communication:
From signs to logos to websites to business cards. A cornucopia of communications to build the ANiC brand.
3:00 p.m. Budget Presentation, Claus K Lenk
Using the 10/10/10 principle: individual to parish; parish to diocese; diocese to province. Claus is going through the numbers which I won’t reproduce here.
Motion to receive budget – carried unanimously.
4:00 p.m. Mission and Vision Statement
Rev. George Sinclair.
Mission Statement for ANiC, “Build biblically faithful, gospel sharing Anglican churches.”
Vision statement for ANiC, “Every region, Enduring churches, Excellence in leadership, Equipped churches.”
4:15 Legal Update
Cheryl Chang.
Still waiting for judgement from New West. The judgement is going to take more time because of its complexity. When it does come out it will have significant import both for other churches in litigation and for churches considering joining ANiC. Must must continue to pray.
Question: is there a possibility of appeal. A: it is likely, but it depends on the judgement.
Q: Update on other cases? A: Niagara 3 parishes still in the middle of negotiations. Trial for ownership 1 – 2 years from now. Same for Windsor.
Q: Update on costs? A: New West $1.1M – paid. Ontario, litigation is more expensive. We had a big discount in New West; we need more upport for Ontario.
Q: Will the precedent be applicable to Quebec. A: Have to retain a lawyer from Quebec to give an opinion.
Q: Will decisions in Ontario be made before BC? A: Probably not.
Rev Ron Corcoran on his book The Bishop or the King
Book includes a DVD – a clip is being shown now. I bought a copy of the book – looks very interesting. From the clip and a skim of the book, it looks like a must read for anyone in ANiC – even more so for those in the ACoC.
Motions:
Motions of thanks to moderator and retiring bishops, acknowledging the debt we owe to Greg Venables.
Motion to prepare orderly transition of Moderator from Don Harvey to his replacement.
Motion that interim constitution continue to be in effect.
Note: all heavily paraphrased by me.
Parish and Project Presentations
Toronto Centre ANiC Project. Formed after Diocese of Toronto announced it would start SSBs. Officially a church plant project. ASA 19-20.
St. Paul Anglican Bible Church, Stoney Creek, Ont. Sept 2008 began meeting for prayer and study. Aug 2009 began Sunday afternoon services. Meeting in a school in Fruitland.
Church of the Messiah in Norwich, Ont. Established as an ANiC church on Jan 1 2009 under guidance of St. George’s, Lowville. ASA 14.
5:11 p.m. Dinner!