From: "ANiC Communications"
Date: November 15, 2008 1:36:15 AM EST (CA)
Subject: ANiC synod - Nov 14 08
Anglican
Network in
The second day of synod was just as full as the
first. Highlights included:
·
Worship
·
Sermon by George Sinclair, “A Bible to
teach”
·
Presentations from ANiC parishes
·
A vision for ministry to
·
Presentation:
o from the Theological Commission
o on discerning the call to ministry
o from Artizo, ANiC’s ministry
internship program
o from the Canons Committee
o from the Finance Committee
o from the Legal Committee
·
Testimonials to:
o God’s power in transforming lives through the
ministry of Living Waters
o God’s power move His people to give generously
·
Motions were passed receiving the
financial statements and auditors’ report, as well as the budget for the year
ending 30 June 2009.
Visit our Synod webpage
for more detailed information. Also, you can follow as David Jenkins live blogs from the
floor of synod.
Following over an hour devoted to worship and the
preaching of God’s Word, synod heard from the Rev Stephen Leung who challenged
ANiC to intentionally develop ministries to recent immigrants and ethnic
groups, with the goal of having the demographics of ANiC reflects the
demographics of
Then the morning agenda launched into parish
presentations. Yesterday, we heard from eight parishes and a
“project”; today we heard from the remaining 15 parishes – included the most
recent addition in
The Church of the Good Shepherd (Vancouver)
recounted their recent experience of raising funds to purchase the church
building they have leased for the last five years. Their story of
sacrificial giving by their leadership and parishioners moved synod delegates
to give a standing ovation, expressing gratitude to God.
The Rev David Short made a presentation from the Theological
Commission outlining the six areas of theological work to be undertaken, to
ensure our practice will truly reflect our theology. These are: Church,
Ministry, Discipline, Liturgy, Marriage & Family and the
The Rev Dr Trevor Walters presented the ordination
process for those sensing a call to ministry. [See attached] This process is a
minimum of two years and involves:
·
a parish discernment process
·
a meeting with the regional examining
chaplain
·
a meeting with the moderator or regional
bishop
·
meeting with the regional discernment
committee
The Canons Committee presented the 12
Principles guiding their work in developing canons:
1. The Canons will be biblical – we want the Bible to
inform and direct the canons.
2. We will have as few Canons as possible.
3. We will learn from the best Anglican practices from
around the world.
4. We will be respectful of and attentive to the best of
Anglican traditions.
5. The Canons will encourage Gospel mission work.
6. The Canons will encourage godly initiative.
7. The Canons will be national.
8. The Canons will encourage godly churches, clergy and
Bishops.
9. The Canons will foster co-operative and prayerful
relationships between laity/priest/parish/Bishop/Synod.
10. The Canons will strive for wise balances of authority and responsibility
between laity/priest/parish/Bishop/Synod.
11. The Canons will be open to ongoing reformation by God’s word written and
renewal by the Holy Spirit.
12. We desire to be servants who do all things to the Hallowing of God’s
name and the furtherance of His Kingly rule.
A first draft of the canons will be ready by March to
go to ANiC leadership. From there they will go to parishes for
comment. Revised canons will then be presented to synod delegates at
least eight weeks in advance of the 2009 synod.
Synod delegates were presented with a draft interim
constitution to govern synod. This was discussed and delegates
provided comments which will be incorporated in the revised constitution to be
voted upon by delegates tomorrow. This constitution is in place until
December 2010, unless replaced earlier by synod. The constitution was
developed by researching “best practices” in Anglican jurisdictions around
the world and in
She
explained that the court decisions to date are only relevant to the issue of
who will get to use the church properties between now and a trial on the
ultimate issue of who the properties are held “in trust for”. The courts
will need to determine whether the properties are held “in trust” for the
congregations or the dioceses and the Anglican Church of Canada. The basis of
ANiC’s case was articulated in Judge Ramsay’s Endorsement in the first hearing
in
“Now I want
you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to
advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole
palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my
chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word
of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
The actions in
In
the end, if God wants us to have the properties or leave the properties, He
will do it. Our job is to remain faithful along the journey and in all
things hope that God will be glorified.
The
financial statements for the Nov 07 – June 08 were presented and
discussed and received by synod, as was a budget for July 08 – June 09 of just
over $700,000.
Manya Egerton presented testimonials
of changed lives as a result of the Living Waters ministry at
Marilyn Jacobson
Anglican
Network in
604
929-0369 OR 1-866-351-2642 ext 4020
Cell: 604
788-4222