Statement on the Election
of Canon Margaret Vertue as Bishop of False Bay
‘I am absolutely delighted that the Revd Canon Margaret Vertue has been elected
the next Bishop of the Diocese of False Bay’, said Archbishop Thabo Makgoba on
hearing the news from the 3 October elective assembly. ‘Margaret was my junior
when we were both training for ordination at the College of the Transfiguration
– then St Paul’s, and I have worked closely with her on the board of HOPE
Africa. She is well known, respected, and liked throughout Southern Africa, and
we thank God for this new chapter in her life and ministry, and the life of
False Bay Diocese.’ Canon Vertue will replace Bishop Merwyn Castle. The
Archbishop learnt the news while attending the Anglicans Ablaze conference in
Johannesburg, the largest gathering from across the whole Anglican Church of
Southern Africa in living memory.
Canon Vertue is the second woman elected to the episcopate in the Anglican
Church of Southern Africa. The Revd Ellinah Wamukoya will be the first Anglican
woman in Africa to become a bishop, when she is consecrated Bishop of Swaziland
on 17 November. The Archbishop of Cape Town said ‘In the last few months, we
have had four episcopal elections, electing two women and two men. It seems the
Holy Spirit is not finished with us, but is taking us further onwards into this
new stage of our Church’s life. We give great thanks to God.’ The Venerable
Steve Moreo will succeed Bishop Brian Germond in the Diocese of Johannesburg,
and the Revd Steven Letloenyane will follow Bishop Paddy Glover in the Diocese
of the Free State. They, and Canon Vertue, will be consecrated in early 2013.
Friday, October 5, 2012
A news article on Anglicans
Ablaze from Ray Hartle
Anglicans from across Southern Africa are meeting in Johannesburg this week in the biggest gathering of the whole church in recent years.
Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, who leads the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA), has said the conference, “Anglicans Ablaze”, is an opportunity for Anglicans who endured turmoil and strife in South Africa and the former frontline states to explore the challenges of the new century.
The conference would also allow churchgoers from South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Lesotho, Swaziland, St Helena and Tristan de Cunha to "build up the common life we share in Christ".
Anglican church leaders meet for official synods every three years. However, this is the largest gathering of ordinary members of the church from across Southern Africa in living memory. It has also drawn people from across the various theological and worship styles found in the denomination, in itself a significant demonstration of unity despite diversity.
Makgoba says the conference is about discovering "what it is to be the body of Christ in our time, and who God is in Jesus Christ, for us here and now.’
"We are a hugely diverse church, stretching from St Helena to Mozambique, from Angola’s border with the DRC to Cape Agulhas, from rich urban centres to impoverished informal settlements, from lush veldt to dry Karoo. We also live with great human diversity, in our languages, our cultures, our contexts."
Makgoba said the "glue" that bound these diverse communities together was that "God loves us".
"The call to be anchored in the love of God is the starting point of all Christian life; and the starting point for all that the Church is, and is called to be."
It was also what gave him courage to visit Marikana after the shooting of miners. "It is not in human strength, but in God’s love, in which I stand as my protection."
Makgoba said ACSA had an opportunity to begin a fresh chapter "acknowledging our past but now facing the new challenges of the twenty-first century".
"Our church, and all the countries of Southern Africa, have been through enormous turmoil and strain in the last fifty years or more. Conflict, strife, oppression – we have all known them in many ways; and some of us have lived with full-blown civil war.
"The task of the church was to preach and model and share the good news of Jesus Christ in these terrible circumstances.
"And so we did: proclaiming the Scriptures, speaking up for God’s truth, standing for righteousness, opposing oppression, burying the dead, comforting the sorrowing, and – no matter how dark our darkest hours – always holding up the light of Christ, always sharing the hope of the gospel.
"But all our lives were distorted by the horrors of apartheid, and its impact within and beyond South Africa.
"When democracy and peace finally came, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu then famously said ‘Now we can get back to truly being church!'
"Well, what does it mean for us to be truly church, in our new circumstances? Makgoba said.
"Who is God in Jesus Christ, for us, today, in Angola, in Lesotho, in Mozambique, in Namibia, in South Africa, in Swaziland, even in St Helena and Tristan da Cunha? What is God’s desire for our church, and for our world?"
Earlier, Bishop Martin Breytenbach said Southern Africa, together with the rest of the world, was experiencing a crisis in politics, the financial sector, the environment and as a result of natural disasters.
The Anglican church was also in crisis, as it faced the real possibility of schism and a drop in numbers of church-goers, especially among the youth. But times of crisis were also times of opportunity, he said.
The Conference runs from 3 to 6 October.
Anglicans from across Southern Africa are meeting in Johannesburg this week in the biggest gathering of the whole church in recent years.
Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, who leads the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA), has said the conference, “Anglicans Ablaze”, is an opportunity for Anglicans who endured turmoil and strife in South Africa and the former frontline states to explore the challenges of the new century.
The conference would also allow churchgoers from South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Lesotho, Swaziland, St Helena and Tristan de Cunha to "build up the common life we share in Christ".
Anglican church leaders meet for official synods every three years. However, this is the largest gathering of ordinary members of the church from across Southern Africa in living memory. It has also drawn people from across the various theological and worship styles found in the denomination, in itself a significant demonstration of unity despite diversity.
Makgoba says the conference is about discovering "what it is to be the body of Christ in our time, and who God is in Jesus Christ, for us here and now.’
"We are a hugely diverse church, stretching from St Helena to Mozambique, from Angola’s border with the DRC to Cape Agulhas, from rich urban centres to impoverished informal settlements, from lush veldt to dry Karoo. We also live with great human diversity, in our languages, our cultures, our contexts."
Makgoba said the "glue" that bound these diverse communities together was that "God loves us".
"The call to be anchored in the love of God is the starting point of all Christian life; and the starting point for all that the Church is, and is called to be."
It was also what gave him courage to visit Marikana after the shooting of miners. "It is not in human strength, but in God’s love, in which I stand as my protection."
Makgoba said ACSA had an opportunity to begin a fresh chapter "acknowledging our past but now facing the new challenges of the twenty-first century".
"Our church, and all the countries of Southern Africa, have been through enormous turmoil and strain in the last fifty years or more. Conflict, strife, oppression – we have all known them in many ways; and some of us have lived with full-blown civil war.
"The task of the church was to preach and model and share the good news of Jesus Christ in these terrible circumstances.
"And so we did: proclaiming the Scriptures, speaking up for God’s truth, standing for righteousness, opposing oppression, burying the dead, comforting the sorrowing, and – no matter how dark our darkest hours – always holding up the light of Christ, always sharing the hope of the gospel.
"But all our lives were distorted by the horrors of apartheid, and its impact within and beyond South Africa.
"When democracy and peace finally came, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu then famously said ‘Now we can get back to truly being church!'
"Well, what does it mean for us to be truly church, in our new circumstances? Makgoba said.
"Who is God in Jesus Christ, for us, today, in Angola, in Lesotho, in Mozambique, in Namibia, in South Africa, in Swaziland, even in St Helena and Tristan da Cunha? What is God’s desire for our church, and for our world?"
Earlier, Bishop Martin Breytenbach said Southern Africa, together with the rest of the world, was experiencing a crisis in politics, the financial sector, the environment and as a result of natural disasters.
The Anglican church was also in crisis, as it faced the real possibility of schism and a drop in numbers of church-goers, especially among the youth. But times of crisis were also times of opportunity, he said.
The Conference runs from 3 to 6 October.
These are the notes of the talk on Transformation by the Holy Spirit, given at Anglicans Ablaze on 4 October 2012 by Bishop Graham Cray, Archbishops' Missioner in the Church of England
Introduction
Great to be back in South Africa
Great to be here among so many blazing Anglicans.
I am also part of the New Wine ministry in the UK
A new bishop's hat
So to our theme
The Lord is here - His Spirit is with us.
Two possible talks about the Holy Spirit - the comfortable one about assurance,
(but I'm not going to give that). Then there's the other discomforting one.
Acts 1:6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
'Our theology would improve if we thought more of the church being given to the Spirit, than of the Spirit being given to the church.' John V Taylor
If we are to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit we must allow ourself to be drawn into the Holy Spirit's purposes, not believe we can simply draw the Holy Spirit into ours.
v8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
A crucial text in my own history - February 1966 - leading my first person to Christ
Since then renewal and mission have been inseparably linked in my understanding.
Renewal without mission is self- indulgence.
Mission without renewal becomes legalistic or triumphalist or disillusioned.
But there is much more in this text than I saw then
'Be my witnesses' Who we are not what we say
'Ultimately the evidence for the credibility of the gospel in the eyes of the world must be a quality of life, manifested in the Church, which the world cannot find elsewhere.’ Towards the Conversion of England 1945
Martyrs - cost not just encounter
Witnesses for others, not experiences for myself.
The Spirit of Christ transforms us to be more like Christ, as we are drawn into witness and mission
When the Spirit comes, I am drawn out of self -absorption into love for God and love for others, out of individualism into community, out of consumer Christianity which exists to bless me and drawn into a missional life which blesses others.
Drawn out of my comfort zone to those who need Christ.
E.G. Soul Survivor Mission 2000 Valley Estate - learning to do the same when they get home.
E.G Fresh Expressions (60,000 since 2004, 30-40 in many congregations). The same missionary Spirit in Nyassa and the UK.
Fundamentally the gift of the Spirit is a cross cultural or missionary gift, and that requires wisdom.
When Pentecost occurred, Peter gave a further explanation:
Acts 2:16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,in those days I will pour out my Spirit;and they shall prophesy.19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ’
The promise of wisdom, for mission out of our comfort zones.
The Holy Spirit is the lead missionary - they must follow and attend to the Spirit
But they were often surprised - despite 'Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'
The Samaritans, Paul, and Cornelius all come across as surprises.
God gives guidance on a 'needs to know basis.
He decides what and when we need to know.
They sometimes found it hard
Acts 16 - An apostolic team, seeking to be obedient to the Holy Spirit opens up a new mission field, despite its best intentions!
Acts 16:6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
Unpromising circumstances
Church Politics:
Partnership of Paul (who represented the Gentiles at the Council of Jerusalem) and Silas (who was part of the Jewish church in Jerusalem, a leader and a prophet 15:27+32) So something good can come from unavoidable politics and conflict.
Relationship Breakdown:
Following a split with Barnabas and the forced creation of a new team (15:36ff)
Months of Frustration
Kept from preaching in what would be the next places on a journey north.
(These regions were evangelized later Ch18-19)
As a result they have a frustrating journey of several months.
‘Jesus’ witnesses must patiently endure the frustration of their own plans, in order to discover the opportunity which God holds open.’ David Peterson
‘The Spirit blocked every direction sought by human initiative, and left only an opening to Europe.’ LT Johnson
Notice when God stops you, or takes his hand off a piece of work - In my context many trusted ways of evangelism failing to bear fruit.
Or when his guidance so far seems to lead you to an impasse – my interview at Cheltenham
Or when you have tried everything you know - much of it what God has taught you in earlier ministry - Grange Park Church
‘The Spirit is shepherding Paul and his companions to Troas, in order there to grant them a new vision.’ Justo Gonzalez
The Spirit was present, just as much in the time of frustration as in the time of a clear call from God
‘The church is “missionary by its very nature” and it becomes missionary by attending to each and every context in which it finds itself.’ Bevans & Schroeder
A church is not being faithful by remaining the same and preserving its traditions when it's missionary context is changing all around it.
We grow as we allow God to draw us out of our comfort zone and security.
‘They were not expanding the gospel as they followed the missional mandate of our Lord across all the safe boundaries of their world. The gospel was expanding them. It still does.’ Darrell Guder
Back into the story of the call to Macedonia, where they find their previous experience will not help.
No synagogue.
But God the evangelist at work in just the same way as before, but in this strange new context.
Acts 16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.
We are witnesses - The Holy Spirit convicts and we add our testimony.
Heaven backs up earth 'in the heaven above and on earth below'
Why is it hard sometimes? Why is life in the Spirit not just one triumph after another.
Pentecost is first fruits not full harvest, the Holy Spirit in the midst of the kingdom of this world, Not the kingdom restored - so a gift of first fruits of being sustained, of hanging in there, in hope and faith.
So when it is hard, remember
'The certain evidence that the future has dawned and the absolute guarantee of its final consummation.' Gordon Fee
Conclusion
The gift of this missionary and sustaining Spirit is for today, whatever your context and however much it is changing.
'In the last days' (Compared to 'the Lord's great and glorious day')
So the promise for today.
Acts 2:39
For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
Jan. 1, 1739. In his journal Wesley wrote about it this way:
Mr. Hall, Kinchin, Ingham, Whitefield, Hutchins, and my brother Charles, were present at our love-feast in Fetter-Lane, with about sixty of our brethren. About three in the morning , as were were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of his Majesty, we broke out with one voice, “We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.”
The promise is for today.
'Our theology would improve if we thought more of the church being given to the Spirit, than of the Spirit being given to the church.' John V Taylor
If you have never been filled, open yourself today.
Told keep on being filled
To do that you have to,have a first time.
Together we give ourselves to the Holy Spirit again.
Introduction
Great to be back in South Africa
Great to be here among so many blazing Anglicans.
I am also part of the New Wine ministry in the UK
A new bishop's hat
So to our theme
The Lord is here - His Spirit is with us.
Two possible talks about the Holy Spirit - the comfortable one about assurance,
(but I'm not going to give that). Then there's the other discomforting one.
Acts 1:6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
'Our theology would improve if we thought more of the church being given to the Spirit, than of the Spirit being given to the church.' John V Taylor
If we are to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit we must allow ourself to be drawn into the Holy Spirit's purposes, not believe we can simply draw the Holy Spirit into ours.
v8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
A crucial text in my own history - February 1966 - leading my first person to Christ
Since then renewal and mission have been inseparably linked in my understanding.
Renewal without mission is self- indulgence.
Mission without renewal becomes legalistic or triumphalist or disillusioned.
But there is much more in this text than I saw then
'Be my witnesses' Who we are not what we say
'Ultimately the evidence for the credibility of the gospel in the eyes of the world must be a quality of life, manifested in the Church, which the world cannot find elsewhere.’ Towards the Conversion of England 1945
Martyrs - cost not just encounter
Witnesses for others, not experiences for myself.
The Spirit of Christ transforms us to be more like Christ, as we are drawn into witness and mission
When the Spirit comes, I am drawn out of self -absorption into love for God and love for others, out of individualism into community, out of consumer Christianity which exists to bless me and drawn into a missional life which blesses others.
Drawn out of my comfort zone to those who need Christ.
E.G. Soul Survivor Mission 2000 Valley Estate - learning to do the same when they get home.
E.G Fresh Expressions (60,000 since 2004, 30-40 in many congregations). The same missionary Spirit in Nyassa and the UK.
Fundamentally the gift of the Spirit is a cross cultural or missionary gift, and that requires wisdom.
When Pentecost occurred, Peter gave a further explanation:
Acts 2:16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,in those days I will pour out my Spirit;and they shall prophesy.19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ’
The promise of wisdom, for mission out of our comfort zones.
The Holy Spirit is the lead missionary - they must follow and attend to the Spirit
But they were often surprised - despite 'Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'
The Samaritans, Paul, and Cornelius all come across as surprises.
God gives guidance on a 'needs to know basis.
He decides what and when we need to know.
They sometimes found it hard
Acts 16 - An apostolic team, seeking to be obedient to the Holy Spirit opens up a new mission field, despite its best intentions!
Acts 16:6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
Unpromising circumstances
Church Politics:
Partnership of Paul (who represented the Gentiles at the Council of Jerusalem) and Silas (who was part of the Jewish church in Jerusalem, a leader and a prophet 15:27+32) So something good can come from unavoidable politics and conflict.
Relationship Breakdown:
Following a split with Barnabas and the forced creation of a new team (15:36ff)
Months of Frustration
Kept from preaching in what would be the next places on a journey north.
(These regions were evangelized later Ch18-19)
As a result they have a frustrating journey of several months.
‘Jesus’ witnesses must patiently endure the frustration of their own plans, in order to discover the opportunity which God holds open.’ David Peterson
‘The Spirit blocked every direction sought by human initiative, and left only an opening to Europe.’ LT Johnson
Notice when God stops you, or takes his hand off a piece of work - In my context many trusted ways of evangelism failing to bear fruit.
Or when his guidance so far seems to lead you to an impasse – my interview at Cheltenham
Or when you have tried everything you know - much of it what God has taught you in earlier ministry - Grange Park Church
‘The Spirit is shepherding Paul and his companions to Troas, in order there to grant them a new vision.’ Justo Gonzalez
The Spirit was present, just as much in the time of frustration as in the time of a clear call from God
‘The church is “missionary by its very nature” and it becomes missionary by attending to each and every context in which it finds itself.’ Bevans & Schroeder
A church is not being faithful by remaining the same and preserving its traditions when it's missionary context is changing all around it.
We grow as we allow God to draw us out of our comfort zone and security.
‘They were not expanding the gospel as they followed the missional mandate of our Lord across all the safe boundaries of their world. The gospel was expanding them. It still does.’ Darrell Guder
Back into the story of the call to Macedonia, where they find their previous experience will not help.
No synagogue.
But God the evangelist at work in just the same way as before, but in this strange new context.
Acts 16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.
We are witnesses - The Holy Spirit convicts and we add our testimony.
Heaven backs up earth 'in the heaven above and on earth below'
Why is it hard sometimes? Why is life in the Spirit not just one triumph after another.
Pentecost is first fruits not full harvest, the Holy Spirit in the midst of the kingdom of this world, Not the kingdom restored - so a gift of first fruits of being sustained, of hanging in there, in hope and faith.
So when it is hard, remember
'The certain evidence that the future has dawned and the absolute guarantee of its final consummation.' Gordon Fee
Conclusion
The gift of this missionary and sustaining Spirit is for today, whatever your context and however much it is changing.
'In the last days' (Compared to 'the Lord's great and glorious day')
So the promise for today.
Acts 2:39
For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”
Jan. 1, 1739. In his journal Wesley wrote about it this way:
Mr. Hall, Kinchin, Ingham, Whitefield, Hutchins, and my brother Charles, were present at our love-feast in Fetter-Lane, with about sixty of our brethren. About three in the morning , as were were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of his Majesty, we broke out with one voice, “We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.”
The promise is for today.
'Our theology would improve if we thought more of the church being given to the Spirit, than of the Spirit being given to the church.' John V Taylor
If you have never been filled, open yourself today.
Told keep on being filled
To do that you have to,have a first time.
Together we give ourselves to the Holy Spirit again.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Synod of Bishops 26 September 2012
This statement was issued
by the Synod of Bishops on 26 September 2012.
"For such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)
The Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) met together in Synod at the St George’s Hotel and Conference Centre in Centurion, Pretoria from 23rd to 26th September 2012. It was a joyous reunion and a time of deep fellowship for all. Our time was spent in an alternating rhythm of worship (both the Eucharist and Daily Offices) and work, with each informing and being informed by the other.
We were privileged to have an opportunity to meet with Governor Gill Marcus, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, and to be made aware of the extent of the global financial crisis and the long term implications it has for the nations of the Anglican Province of Southern Africa. Her address was challenging and inspiring. It would seem that the economic downturn will continue for some time, and that economic recovery will be slow, and that, as always, it will be the poor who suffer the most.
As we listened to our own bishops speaking about the national crisis in the South African mining industry, the massive challenges facing our education and health services, rising corruption in all sectors of the community, and the internal crises affecting the life of the people of God in our dioceses (most notably those in the Cathedral of Pretoria and the Diocese of Umzimvubu). We were struck by the fact that we are struggling with not only economic, but also social, collapse. Much of this crisis, we believe, reflects a desperate need both for principled leadership in church and society, and for Christians to live out their faith in community in ways that set the common good of all above the selfish desires of greed and personal self interest.
The readings in our worship have also spoken to us powerfully about anointed leadership. In a reading from the Book of Esther, Mordecai speaks to Queen Esther warning her that her destiny as a Jew is inextricably bound up with that of her people and suggesting that she has “come to royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). For such a time as this, we need Christian leadership that will stand in solidarity with all of God’s people. For such a time as this, we need prophetic voices that will speak God’s word with boldness and set before us the radical vision of God for a world transformed by God’s grace. For a time like this, we need faithful people willing to be conformed to the purposes of God rather than to the ways of the world (Romans 12:1-2).
This has much to say to us about developing and nurturing Christian leaders within the church, for leadership not only within our churches, but also for our world. We have begun discussion on ways in which we could more intentionally promote the spiritual formation of God’s people for this purpose. We are discussing the formation and training of new bishops, and ways in which we could better guide and mentor those experiencing difficulties within their dioceses.
However, we also recognised that the socialisation, training and formation of people for leadership begins in the earliest years of life. In this regard we recognise the need for the church once again to play a prominent role in education, especially amongst the very young. We strongly affirmed the Archbishop’s Initiative in Education and its proposed objectives:
• To strengthen what the Anglican Church of Southern Africa is already doing in the field of education
• To encourage parishes in the ongoing upliftment of all their communities through partnership with local public schools
• To create more excellent church schools for all.
We also affirmed the Lent Course, “People of the Way”, that was produced by the Diocese of Johannesburg and encouraged plans to expand it into a three year discipleship programme for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. In addition, we continued to discuss, in depth, the need for excellence in the theological formation of our clergy and future clergy. We gave thanks for progress made at the College of the Transfiguration in Grahamstown and committed ourselves to support the College as it continues and develops its ministry.
The Synod of Bishops gave thanks for the “Anglicans ACT” Vision and Mission Statement of ACSA and for the way in which they are catching the imagination of our people. In particular we endorsed the forthcoming “Anglicans Ablaze” Conference in Johannesburg and the Bible studies that were produced in preparation for it. We also encouraged Dioceses and Parishes to find ways to participate in the Celebration of “Anglicans ACT” on 25th November this year.
Central to the life of ACSA is a rhythm of daily and weekly prayer and worship. It feeds our common life, theology, ministry and mission. Through this rhythm we and our people engage daily with God and one another through the Scriptures. We therefore welcomed the introduction of the Revised Common Lectionary to guide our Sunday Bible readings and worship as from Advent 2012. This brings us into line with most of the church worldwide. We gave thanks for the wonderful resource, “Word and Worship”, which has been produced by an Ecumenical team based at Ekklesia in Stellenbosch. Arising from this discussion we have asked the Liturgical Committee to investigate the possible revision of the Anglican Prayer Book 1989 or the production of a new Prayer Book.
We welcomed Bishop Graham Cray, Missioner to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, among us. He addressed us on the missionary nature of the church and its implications in our changed and changing cultures. One strategy is to encourage a “mixed economy” of traditional and “fresh expressions” congregations in our dioceses and parishes. In all of this we recognised, once again, that making Christian disciples is the key. We also took note, with great interest, of the “New Monastic Movement” that is emerging worldwide.
The Synod of Bishops gave thanks for the faithful and effective ministries of our bishops who are retiring or have recently retired: Paddy Glover (Free State), Merwyn Castle (False Bay) and Brian Germond (Johannesburg). We prayed for those who have recently been elected to serve as Bishops: Ellinah Wamukoya (Swaziland), Dintoe Stephen Letloenyane (Free State), and Stephen Moreo (Johannesburg), and also for the Diocese of False Bay, preparing for their Elective Assembly in the coming week. We welcomed the appointment of Bishop Rubin Phillip (Natal) as Dean of the Province.
The Synod of Bishops rejoiced with all of ACSA at the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood. We gave thanks for the many ways in which the widening ministry of women continues to enrich the life of our church.
The Synod of Bishops gives thanks to God for the loving, wise and godly leadership of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. In all these things we thank our God of holiness and love for continuing to inspire and guide us as we strive to oversee the life, mission and ministry of the church in such a time as this.
“Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
"For such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)
The Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) met together in Synod at the St George’s Hotel and Conference Centre in Centurion, Pretoria from 23rd to 26th September 2012. It was a joyous reunion and a time of deep fellowship for all. Our time was spent in an alternating rhythm of worship (both the Eucharist and Daily Offices) and work, with each informing and being informed by the other.
We were privileged to have an opportunity to meet with Governor Gill Marcus, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, and to be made aware of the extent of the global financial crisis and the long term implications it has for the nations of the Anglican Province of Southern Africa. Her address was challenging and inspiring. It would seem that the economic downturn will continue for some time, and that economic recovery will be slow, and that, as always, it will be the poor who suffer the most.
As we listened to our own bishops speaking about the national crisis in the South African mining industry, the massive challenges facing our education and health services, rising corruption in all sectors of the community, and the internal crises affecting the life of the people of God in our dioceses (most notably those in the Cathedral of Pretoria and the Diocese of Umzimvubu). We were struck by the fact that we are struggling with not only economic, but also social, collapse. Much of this crisis, we believe, reflects a desperate need both for principled leadership in church and society, and for Christians to live out their faith in community in ways that set the common good of all above the selfish desires of greed and personal self interest.
The readings in our worship have also spoken to us powerfully about anointed leadership. In a reading from the Book of Esther, Mordecai speaks to Queen Esther warning her that her destiny as a Jew is inextricably bound up with that of her people and suggesting that she has “come to royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). For such a time as this, we need Christian leadership that will stand in solidarity with all of God’s people. For such a time as this, we need prophetic voices that will speak God’s word with boldness and set before us the radical vision of God for a world transformed by God’s grace. For a time like this, we need faithful people willing to be conformed to the purposes of God rather than to the ways of the world (Romans 12:1-2).
This has much to say to us about developing and nurturing Christian leaders within the church, for leadership not only within our churches, but also for our world. We have begun discussion on ways in which we could more intentionally promote the spiritual formation of God’s people for this purpose. We are discussing the formation and training of new bishops, and ways in which we could better guide and mentor those experiencing difficulties within their dioceses.
However, we also recognised that the socialisation, training and formation of people for leadership begins in the earliest years of life. In this regard we recognise the need for the church once again to play a prominent role in education, especially amongst the very young. We strongly affirmed the Archbishop’s Initiative in Education and its proposed objectives:
• To strengthen what the Anglican Church of Southern Africa is already doing in the field of education
• To encourage parishes in the ongoing upliftment of all their communities through partnership with local public schools
• To create more excellent church schools for all.
We also affirmed the Lent Course, “People of the Way”, that was produced by the Diocese of Johannesburg and encouraged plans to expand it into a three year discipleship programme for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. In addition, we continued to discuss, in depth, the need for excellence in the theological formation of our clergy and future clergy. We gave thanks for progress made at the College of the Transfiguration in Grahamstown and committed ourselves to support the College as it continues and develops its ministry.
The Synod of Bishops gave thanks for the “Anglicans ACT” Vision and Mission Statement of ACSA and for the way in which they are catching the imagination of our people. In particular we endorsed the forthcoming “Anglicans Ablaze” Conference in Johannesburg and the Bible studies that were produced in preparation for it. We also encouraged Dioceses and Parishes to find ways to participate in the Celebration of “Anglicans ACT” on 25th November this year.
Central to the life of ACSA is a rhythm of daily and weekly prayer and worship. It feeds our common life, theology, ministry and mission. Through this rhythm we and our people engage daily with God and one another through the Scriptures. We therefore welcomed the introduction of the Revised Common Lectionary to guide our Sunday Bible readings and worship as from Advent 2012. This brings us into line with most of the church worldwide. We gave thanks for the wonderful resource, “Word and Worship”, which has been produced by an Ecumenical team based at Ekklesia in Stellenbosch. Arising from this discussion we have asked the Liturgical Committee to investigate the possible revision of the Anglican Prayer Book 1989 or the production of a new Prayer Book.
We welcomed Bishop Graham Cray, Missioner to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, among us. He addressed us on the missionary nature of the church and its implications in our changed and changing cultures. One strategy is to encourage a “mixed economy” of traditional and “fresh expressions” congregations in our dioceses and parishes. In all of this we recognised, once again, that making Christian disciples is the key. We also took note, with great interest, of the “New Monastic Movement” that is emerging worldwide.
The Synod of Bishops gave thanks for the faithful and effective ministries of our bishops who are retiring or have recently retired: Paddy Glover (Free State), Merwyn Castle (False Bay) and Brian Germond (Johannesburg). We prayed for those who have recently been elected to serve as Bishops: Ellinah Wamukoya (Swaziland), Dintoe Stephen Letloenyane (Free State), and Stephen Moreo (Johannesburg), and also for the Diocese of False Bay, preparing for their Elective Assembly in the coming week. We welcomed the appointment of Bishop Rubin Phillip (Natal) as Dean of the Province.
The Synod of Bishops rejoiced with all of ACSA at the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood. We gave thanks for the many ways in which the widening ministry of women continues to enrich the life of our church.
The Synod of Bishops gives thanks to God for the loving, wise and godly leadership of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. In all these things we thank our God of holiness and love for continuing to inspire and guide us as we strive to oversee the life, mission and ministry of the church in such a time as this.
“Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
It is a constant
meditation of my heart to contemplate the role of the church in Christianity.
This extract from
Archbishop shows one side of what we are called to!!
This morning I was
Challenged by 1 Peter 2:9 - (go read it)…. Yes we need to reflect more on what
God sees his Church as - and what we are called to be and do...
An Extract from the
Archbishops Ad Laos (to the people)
Dear
People of God
‘Cry
aloud to the Lord!’ writes Jeremiah in his Lamentations, ‘Let tears stream down
like a torrent day and night … Arise, cry in the night, at the beginning of the
watches. Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!’ (Lam
2:18,19).
South
Africa has been rocked by the tragedy at Marikana mine – the death of 34 miners
at the hands of the police, after a further 10 deaths, including of police, in
the preceding week. But this is only part of a greater tragedy: the tragedy
that the situation could be allowed to deteriorate so far; the tragedy of
appalling working and living conditions; the tragedy of such a breakdown in
relations between employers and unions and employees and government; and the
tragedy that across our country similarly dreadful situations are festering.
They are like smouldering logs that, if left unattended, are ready to ignite.
What should be the church’s response to this?
First,
we should know how to lament – how to cry out to God, in our pain, our
frustration, our anger, our distress, our deep, deep hurt. We should not hold
back in speaking the truth of what we see, what we feel, what we fear. We bring
before the throne of grace all that is broken, all that is awry, all that ought
to be better but is not. And in opening our hearts to God, we call on God to
step in, to act, to respond to the great need in which we find ourselves. ‘Weep
with those who weep’ wrote St Paul to the Romans (Rom 12:15), and so we must.
Now is a time to weep. We mourn for all who have died; and we mourn for all
else that grieves us. We bring it all before God with a purpose – we come to
ask him to take it all, and redeem it, to change it, and to change us, and give
us a fresh start, so we may make a good and godly difference.
And so
we are not left helpless in our weeping, and we must not despair. St Paul also
writes ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good’ (Rom 12:21).
Though I have been twice to Marikana since those terrible shootings, and found
conditions that shocked me, nonetheless I am optimistic, for ours is a God who
shines light in every darkness. Though I felt the very ground crying out to my
soul that ‘All is not well’, and though it felt that the whole area is on a
knife edge, still I am hopeful. For this can be to us not a prophecy of doom,
but a wake-up call.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Amanzimtoti
Grace and peace to
you from our Lord Jesus Christ - to the Saints of the Church of the Good
Shepherd Amanzimtoti.
I write to thank you
for your wonderful hospitality. I was blessed to meet you all at the midweek
Eucharist and the fellowship evening, and I am so looking forward to getting to know you all
better when we move down in January.
I wish to extend a
special thank you to Mtr Margie, from my family and I. Margie has opened her
heart and her home to us and really helped us to get a sense of place in
preparation for our move. We praise God for His wonderful gift to the parish in
her, and for all that she is doing. May God bless you abundantly, Margie, and shower His goodness upon you.
Be assured that you
will all be in my prayers and that you have won my heart, and I thank God for
the opportunity given me to serve you in this place.
With Love
Fr Andrew.
Fr Andrew and his
wife Michelle and Children Jamie, Matthew and Noah are moving from the Parish
of Evander with Secunda in the Diocese of the Highveld to the Parishes St
Mary's Kingsburgh and The Good Shepherd Amanzimtoti in the Diocese of Natal, in
January 2013.
He can be followed
on Twitter at ManningFr: or on facebook at www.facebook/andrewmanning or on
his blog at www.andrew-runningwithhorses@blogspot.com
Kingsburgh
Grace and peace to
you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was so wonderful
to meet you all at our fellowship dinner on the 6th of September.
My Family and I were
really blessed by the evening and we look forward to our return in January and
our stay here in Kingsburgh.
A special thank you
to Mtr Margie. Her hospitality to us has been wonderful and her love for you
all is very evident. Please keep her in your prayers as she undergoes this
period of major change in her life. God be praised for her faithfulness to her
calling and all that she has done over the years here on the South Coast.
Be assured that you
will all be in my prayers and that you have won my heart, and I thank God for
the opportunity given me to serve you in this place.
With Love
Fr Andrew.
Fr Andrew and his
wife Michelle and Children Jamie, Matthew and Noah are moving from the Parish
of Evander with Secunda in the Diocese of the Highveld to the Parishes St
Mary's Kingsburgh and The Good Shepherd Amanzimtoti in the Diocese of Natal, in
January 2013.
He can be followed
on Twitter at ManningFr: or on facebook at www.facebook/andrewmanning or on
his blog at www.andrew-runningwithhorses@blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)