FRIDAY REVIEW

Let us go to the House of the lord

January 4, A.D.2008 

As we enter into the New Year, I’m reminded that it was only a little over two years ago in November 2005 when Bishop Duncan welcomed us to Pittsburgh and the “Hope and a Future” Conference. Among other things, Bishop Duncan encouraged us to focus on mission as the “quickest, happiest, and most fulfilling way” to get to the future that the Lord has for us.

Just 12 days ago on Christmas Eve, orthodox Primates announced (www.gafcon.org) that a Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) would be held in the Holy Land June 15-22. Southern Cone Primate Greg Venables put the meeting in context: “Rather than being subject to the continued chaos and compromise that have dramatically impeded Anglican mission, GAFCON will seek to clarify God’s call at this time and build a network of cooperation for Global mission.”

This is a conference about Anglican global mission work. Stand by for more details as they are worked out. In the meantime, the blogosphere is abuzz with speculation about bishops not named in the press release, Jerusalem as the site, and GAFCON’s relationship to the Lambeth Conference (July 16 – August 3).  All will come to the light in due time.

Whatever may unfold for Anglican Communion structures, the Common Cause Partners, and TEC, this conference is about global mission. As Archbishop Peter Jensen of Sydney, Australia put it: “The aim of the Conference is to discuss the future of mission and relationships within the churches of Anglican Communion…[that] want to move on together with the gospel of Christ’s Lordship, a gospel which challenges us and changes lives. Israel is planned as a venue because it symbolizes the biblical roots of our faith as Anglicans.”

My wife Ginny and I have been blessed to make two pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and we’re praying to attend GAFCON as well. As Psalm 122 says, ‘I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” To gather in the land where our Lord Jesus lived and ministered is always a great privilege and blessing. Given logistical constraints in the Holy Land, GAFCON most probably will not be open to all who would come. The conference website says that Conference organizers “will be inviting bishops and their wives, senior clergy, church planters, and lay people including the next generation of young leaders.”

My Brothers and Sisters, now is a time for trusting in the God who is orchestrating such a momentous reformation and realignment of Anglican Christianity.  Pray that this conference will be a solemn assembly with no other agenda than to seek God’s face and move into the mission work that He’s given us to do.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Jim McCaslin+

This message was sent from SEC - Anglican Communion Network to peter.g.richards@comcast.net. It was sent from: SEC - Anglican Communion Network, P. O. Box 57983, Jacksonville, FL 32241. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below.

Manage your subscription

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 1/4/2008 12:05 PM