Orthodox Anglicans present united front
The time was ripe for the "For Such a Time as This" satellite conference, say organizers of the February 28 event. The four-hour Anglican conference featured an interactive televised presentation to 21 venues across Canada, from Vancouver to Charlottetown, P.E.I.-including a two-hour live broadcast for general viewers on CTS.
Approximately 3,500 people participated in the conference, which was aimed at building bridges between biblically orthodox Anglicans at a time when their national church is in a crisis that some believe could lead to schism.
The Essentials Coalition, a partnership between Barnabas Anglican Ministries, the Prayer Book Society of Canada and Anglican Renewal Ministries, produced the telecast. The coalition attempts to provide a voice and a meeting place for orthodox Anglicans within the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC).
Producer Doug McKenzie stresses that the conference was not about refuting same sex blessings, or the controversial appointment of a practicing homosexual bishop in the United States, but about the deeper issues facing the Anglican Church of Canada.
"The conference takes the view that these issues are actually symptoms of a much deeper problem, to do primarily with the gradually diminishing recognition of the authority of orthodox scripture in its traditional and foundational role within the church," he says. Many of the questions posed during the question and answer segments of the show focused on the ramifications of same-sex blessings.
"There were a lot more questions than we could handle," says Charlie Masters, national director of the Essentials Coalition.
"So there's a lot more work to be done." Initiatives such as "For Such A Time As This" show Anglicans that "they are not alone," he adds.
"Loss of hope is more dangerous spiritually than confusion over morals-serious as this can be," says Anthony Burton, bishop of Saskatchewan. "At the end of the day these matters must be resolved spiritually rather than politically, and I think that Essentials can be used powerfully by God if it doesn't become simply a political movement."
This may be especially important as the ACC heads into General Synod in May, the national denominational gathering where the issue of same-sex blessings is expected to dominate.
The Essentials conference "gave many people a measure of hope for the future. A lot of Anglicans are weighing their consciences as to how to be faithful to Christ in a situation they have never before faced," says Burton. "In part the conference reminded us of the tremendous spiritual and theological resources of the Anglican tradition which can help us put these challenges into a proper perspective.
"For my part, I am doing all I can to encourage people to remain in our Church and to witness in the Christian community to which they belong rather than looking for greener pastures."
Masters hopes that "For Such a Time as This" marks a new day in communication and partnership between Anglicans who hope for a "renewed and restored Anglicanism. It was definitely an effort to get to the people, to establish a partnership that was real," he says.
"The work now is to keep that connection happening as things unfold. We intend to build stronger numbers and involvement with each other in this partnership. We hope to have a strong presence at General Synod, to be a winsome but clear biblical witness at a critical time."
Masters says feedback from participants has so far been favourable. "Any comments I have heard are that people felt connected."
Rob Robotham, an Anglican parishioner in Toronto who attended the event, says the conference succeeded in its goal. "I came away upbeat and encouraged."
Ralph Moore, a participant from Charlottetown, P.E.I. is equally optimistic that a new day has dawned for orthodox Anglicans.
"I was encouraged to see Anglicans from all walks of life, especially the younger members, standing together for the sake of the gospel. With God's blessing the lasting benefit of the conference will be unity in the Anglican church amongst like minded members."
Moore was not a member of the Essentials partnership before the conference, but says, "I have since signed on."
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