Now that the dust has settled, it is important to begin to try and evaluate the long-term effect of the Anglican Primates Meeting at Canterbury in January.
The GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) Primates called for prayer before the gathering and, thankfully, it was a meeting bathed in prayer from all around the world.
What then should we give thanks to God for by way of outcome?
Growing influence
One of the most significant things that happened during the meeting was that there was a growing influence for the GAFCON leaders. The Global South leaders joined with them and their collective influence spread as more Primates understood what had been happening. This meant that there was a growing conservative consensus that prevented liberal dominance at the gathering. If this consensus holds together then it is very likely that there will be further and stronger disciplinary action against those who defy the clear teaching of the Bible on sexual issues. But the general strengthening of support for the clear and brave lead of the GAFCON Primates is something that has been prayed for, and for some time, so it is thrilling to see it happening.
Orthodox is mainstream
Secondly, it is clear that the mainstream position of the Anglican Communion leaders is orthodox. The gathering was called to build on the basis of what has gone before, including presumably the resolutions of Lambeth 1998, and the meeting upheld the uniqueness of holy heterosexual marriage as the Anglican norm.
Thirdly, ‘sanctions’ in relation to voting rights and involvement in decisions at Anglican Communion level were imposed on the liberal American Episcopal Church (TEC/EC). This disciplinary action is long overdue and was the least that could be done effectively, but nonetheless it has been done! As might be expected it has caused a storm amongst the liberals. Gentle disciplinary action by the Primates, who are at last finding their feet in this, with the aim to bring about true repentance, will hopefully get stronger if met with intransigence and refusal on behalf of the liberals to alter their ways.
Fourthly, the invitation to Archbishop Foley Beach of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA – the good guys in USA and Canada!) to be involved in the Primates meeting was a great thing. By all accounts he spoke bravely, clearly and well, and his contribution had an effect for good on the meeting. It remains a scandal that ACNA is still not recognised as an official part of the Anglican Communion, but his presence now makes that much more likely to happen.
Why not three cheers?
So much for the positives – why not then three cheers? Firstly, only one thing was really addressed at the gathering in relation to the ‘torn fabric’ of the Communion, and that was the EC’s change in its canons to redefine marriage away from the biblical norm in order to allow homosexual marriage. It was that change that galvanised the Primates together to take action. However this left unaddressed the behaviour of the Canadian and Scottish Episcopal churches who have moved in a similar liberal direction to allow the blessing of same sex ‘marriages’ and the ordination of practicing homosexuals. This remains an undealt-with scandal which needs to be addressed.
No repentance
Secondly, there was no sign of real repentance amongst the liberals and if Communion is to be restored this needs to happen. The presenting issue is the disagreement about sexual ethics, but the real issue is a battle for the soul of the Anglican Church worldwide – it is one of authority in the church. Will we live by God’s Word written, understanding that the gospel of transforming new life calls for repentance of the sins specified in the New Testament, as well as faith in the saving work of Christ? There is a huge gulf between those who want to live by the Scriptures (including people of homosexual orientation who are bravely and faithfully seeking to live out Scripture’s and God’s standards) and those who believe that the teaching of the Bible should be altered or adjusted to conform with the mores of our day! If repentance is not forthcoming, and the problems remain unresolved, then separation is surely inevitable? It needs to be remembered that the Primates did not take Holy Communion together at this gathering because of the serious ‘first order’ nature of their disagreement.
Why not sanctions?
Thirdly, whatever the good work done by the Archbishop of Canterbury in fairly handling the meeting (which is testified to), it was distressing to watch the final Press Conference. The Archbishop three times insisted that the sanctions were not ‘sanctions’ but simply ‘consequences’ of action taken. Surely they were both! This, together with the apology to the gay community – taken out of context and used by the media, had the effect of seeming to minimise and to spin what had been achieved at the gathering! This is regrettable and gives the impression of a less than certain sound from the trumpet! But in fairness, as reported in The Week magazine, both The Economist and The Guardian said that the Archbishop had sided with the conservatives at the meeting. Pray for the Archbishop, and for all the bishops and clergy – we desperately need leaders who will be graciously but clearly unapologetic for standing up for biblical Christianity.
Church of England
Fourthly, where does this leave us in the Church of England? Did the meeting help us? Yes it did, in one important way. It will make it much harder for the ‘mother’ church of the Anglican Communion to change our canons and sanction ‘gay marriage’, because to do so would be seen to be out of step with mainstream Anglican opinion and make us liable for ‘sanction’ ourselves! But some sort of compromise solution, which allows for ‘pastoral accommodation’ and the blessing of gay unions, with a conscience opt out for clergy who refuse to do this, seems likely to be pressed for.
We already have the scandal of a suffragan bishop advocating the recognition of gay marriage enthusiastically, without any disciplinary action taken against him, and a practising gay clergyman being an undisciplined and voting member of General Synod, not to mention the political and cultural pressure to change.
We must be vigilant, pray on and ‘contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints’, with love and concern in our hearts. Thankfully, Jesus accepts us as we are, but loves us enough not to leave us as we are. He knows the best way for us to live. When we think we know best, it is a folly best repented of! Repentance and faith remain the gospel call. But a restored relationship with God and new as well as eternal life is the outcome!
So, two cheers! Good has been accomplished, but there is much more to be done!
