At CANA Council

I've posted a number of pieces today while I'm attending the CANA Annual Council in Herndon, VA. This afternoon our Missionary Bishop Martyn Minns gave a terrific address and it is posted here:

http://www.canaconvocation.org/downloads/docs/Pastoral_Call_2009.pdf

One of the aspects of CANA life that I didn't see often in pecusa is numerical growth. At last year's council in Akron, Ohio we heard that CANA had grown to 70 congregations. At this council we heard that we have 85 congregations with the possibility that we will have 100 by year's end. This is strong growth and it is the kind of numerical growth that we are seeing all over the new province in North America (the ACNA).

We have also focused on spiritual growth. You can get a sense of this in the postings below on the CANA Council by BabyBlue.

There is a spirit of unity among attendees that I never experienced in pecusa. We are united at the foot of the cross and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is encouraging to be with other Christians who share biblical values and a biblical sense of mission.

In contrast I heard one person speak about the emptiness of the recent General Convention in Anaheim. There were fewer people at GC09 than in year's past, fewer exhibitors in the exhibit hall and no sense of joy. You'd think that the liberals would be giddy with all the legislation that they passed, but instead the sense of the speaker was that there was suppressed anger rather than joy.

I also heard that at General Seminary in NYC there is an $8 million budget supported by an anticipated $5 million in revenue. This is after Seabury Western announced that they are closing their doors, EDS has downsized, and Bexley Hall is on life support (SW and BH were not discussed at the CANA Council and GTS was not mentioned in a public meeting).

The feeling of the CANA Council is upbeat, joyous and thankfulness for God's good work in our midst this year pervades the assembly. There is also great anticipation for what we expect God to do as we move forward in CANA and the ACNA. Tommorrow we will hold our closing worship that will include several ordinations. We praise and thank God for the growing ministry that He is entrusting to us.