Anglican Perspectives

What happened in Jerusalem this Summer?

Nearly 2000 Anglicans from around the world met in Jerusalem for the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON). I was there along with a small team of American Anglican Council employees to participate in and serve this great movement. Here is what made GAFCON 2018 great and why it matters to you – a faithful follower of Jesus Christ:

AAC Communications Director, Robert Lundy (right), The Rev. Frank Capitanio of the Diocese of New England (middle) and Korede Akintunde of the Anglican Cable Network in Nigeria working on conference communications. With over 100 volunteers, the event was a team effort.

 

GLOBAL GATHERING:  It was the largest global gathering of Anglicans in 50 years! And though we now see unbiblical teaching spreading around our Communion, we take heart that the majority of Anglicans still uphold the historic, Biblical Christian faith. As the GAFCON movement grows, so has its ability to effectively gather believers and that bodes well for the future.

COLLABORATION:  It is incredibly important that Christ-centered Anglicans collaborate if we are going to reform the Anglican Communion – and not only collaborate, but deepen relationships. The end of GAFCON 2018 saw the launch of 9 strategic networks that are to continue meeting between now and the next GAFCON, presumably in 2023. In fact, I was asked to co-lead the Lawyers Network, and will be working in this area over the next several years. For some time we at the AAC have noticed the need for more faithful Anglicans, especially those in the pews (laity), to connect with and support one another across the globe. We are thankful for GAFCON’s leadership recognizing this and doing something about it.

MOVING FORWARD: At the end of GAFCON we left encouraged, but also with a sense there is still work to do.

For our part, the AAC has been and continues to deepen connections between faithful Anglicans around the globe. One of our next priorities is to connect North American dioceses with dioceses in Africa, Asia and South America. We have seen the mutual benefit that international diocesan partnerships can create. While at GAFCON the AAC hosted a “meet and greet” gathering for Bishops where some agreed to pair up and attend our upcoming Bishops’ Leadership Summit in September in Colorado. During and after the summit, the bishops will be taking practical steps toward creating partnerships between their respective dioceses. The more relational and meaningful connections we create between believers, the better off the Kingdom of God will be.

As we move forward with the momentum that comes from being a part of such an important global and local calling, we continue to need partners like you to pray, to give, and to advocate. Would you consider a gift as we work to foster global connections and collaborations that will impact the Kingdom?

With many thanks for your prayers and support,

The Rev. Canon Phil Ashey
President & CEO
American Anglican Council

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