Anglican 1000: Archbishop Bob Duncan’s closing homily
Cheryl M. Wetzel March 8, 2012 Reporting from Plano, TX
This conference closed today with a final statement for those gathered by Archbishop Bob Duncan. A tribute, a promise and a short recounting of the immediate history. This intensive short course on church planting was totally inspiring and totally overwhelming. The in-depth teaching and solid under girding on all topics of Scriptural significance, coupled with the details of how to go about even talking/praying about beginning a new plant was enriching. A terrific 3 days. Hope you enjoy Abp. Duncan’s “send off” for these exciting and excited people of God.
Where we are and how we got here.
The subject has changed. It really has changed. The things we talked about in the past are long gone and the subject about which we speak now is radically different. How? Jesus is at the center of who we are and what we are doing. The reason so many have suffered so much is because we have not been willing to put anything else but him in first place. I know I am “ Speaking to the choir” here.
I want to tell you again how palpable the unity is here. As I think back on this conference, I can’t remember what diocese or group anyone came from, except maybe the Canadians, and that is ok.
All three summit’s have been different in the extent that at this one, we are one . Palpable unity.
In fact, we have reached a new moment for us together as the Anglican Church in North America. That is the reality of our unity. Other point: remember Matt 16: 18 when Christ said, “Peter you are the rock upon which I will build my church….. The gates of Hell will not prevail against my church.” Going against the gates of hell and the enemy is not happy topic or life event. But it is a real life event.
Level of spiritual warfare is immense. Would you expect anything else?
First, I will say a word about how we got here and next, about the next chapter of our life together. In David Roseberry’s talk about where we are as province on Tuesday afternoon, he spoke about a rocket ship. That booster Rocket was the first stage. There will be another booster into second stage and I think this conference and approximately this moment in time, is a new indication of who we are and where we are going. There is the level of unity here. So many churches have been planted. Again, a marker of the situation is the level of spiritual warfare that I see so much around us.
To 2012 and beyond, but first, how we got here. It is always useful to remember who we are and what we have come through. Quickly: recall. The first stage. We could talk about it as if we were writing a book. Think about chapters. The First chapter would be about the coming apart, but in two distinct phases.
First is 1873: when the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) left the Episcopal Church USA ( TE)C
They did this so long go and have been so helpful to us in the last decade.
Between the 1960’s and year 2000, there so many instances of Anglicans departing, trying to be faithful and then separating over really important issues. So, the first chapter is about the disintegration of Anglicanism in USA.
Chapter 2 is about “The coming together.” The Anglican Congresses, starting before the 1998 Lambeth Congress; the Plano Conference held after the 2003 General Convention here in Dallas. And in January, 2004, the foundation of Anglican Relief and Development Foundation (ARDF), so that we had our own relief agency, subscribed by so many of the provinces within the Communion, those who would stand with us in this struggle.
Remember Plano 2003? Remember the excitement as 800 clergy gathered? It was an incredible moment, different than any other point in our history as Anglicans in the United States. That moment proved that God’s agenda was different than ours. In early 2004, The Anglican Communion Network was founded. Then in April 2004, a number agreed to make Common Cause for the Gospel of Christ, for a biblical, missional Anglicanism in North America. I signed, Leonard Riches, Presiding Bishop of the REC signed; the Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman of TEC and Forward in Faith signed; the Rt. Rev. Chuck Murphy signed, representing the Anglican Mission in America. We sent the signed document to Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace. Then the common cause years that followed with more Anglican Congresses in 2005 and 2006.
Chapter 3 would be The Launch in 2009 – 2011 of a Movement, not controlled through the center. It would be like an enterprise represented in Celtic mission with Patrick and those he gathered. The flavor and future of that nation changed. We are a movement not an institution.
Our message was simple: we are based on converted individuals; converted to Christianity. Our goal is to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Please note the difference. Not the “Affirming” love of Christ, the Transforming love. Jesus loves you where you are but will not leave you there. He will transform you into the person God the Father made you to be. We saw clearly and still see the possibilities of us being a movement, not an institution. We found a pattern that can be subscribed to. It has three facets: we are Accountable to the Word of God; accountable for mission; accountable for the transformation of society.
An Anglican group that subscribes to these three factors can to anything.
Pruning. 1873 after some brief discussions, TEC gave the property to the Reformed Episcopal Churches that departed.
Not today. It is a John 15 moment. We’ve been hard pruned. But we trust that “ Jesus is the vine and his father is the vine dresser…. What does not bear fruit is cut off and burned.”
It is important to remember this as so many have lost their buildings.
Provision: So many stories of God’s provision. When we step out in faith, God is faithful.
We learned yesterday that the city of Fairfax as agreed that The Falls Church can rent/use the Catholic high school. Falls Church asked for 1000 seats. That auditorium has 2000 seats. We mustn’t forget what God has done as he has taken us through this time.
Anglican Fever: I want to tell you about the Baptist preacher who came last night to seek if God was really calling him to be an Anglican. Came last night to the Eucharist celebration and spoke with me afterwards. He is one of many that have Anglican fever.
Next Chapter: 2012 and Beyond.
The main topic for 2012 will be Eschewing Egypt. We must forgive and forget the stress, fears, hurts, impatience, ambitions. We learned with Moses in the Old Testament that it is easier to take people out of Egypt than to take Egypt out of the people. Face it. When you are doing ministry, there will be suffering and a lot of stress. Initially, we were afraid of each other and acted out of that. We didn’t know each other and were not sure we could trust each other. We talked out of our fears, for example that ACNA would be dominated by Evangelicals, or Anglo-Catholics. It is not true. We need to let go of that attitude.
There have been plenty of hurts. We must continue to deal relationally with these things. Now this is the time for these things to be healed. If not, we will fall back on those hurts and live in it and it will be transferred within this circle, this new beginning for all of us.
Impatience. How quickly we want to get there! Remember the issue of the ordination of women in the ‘60’s? There was so much impatience over that issue, that it was settled politically. At a General Convention. With resolutions and very little rationale. It was done in their time not God’s time. This issue continues to bring nothing but strife and division. That’s not of God. We must not do that. We must not do that.
Ambition: The spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God are alive and very active. When we see it in ourselves and among ourselves, name it and don’t go there. How we speak to and about one another is essential in this next chapter.
Next things: We will remain a movement, not a denomination. Not centralizing but centering and integrating into everything we do. Imagine having the Vicar of this movement (Anglican 1000) at Ambridge? The world has had enough denominations. Others are starting to see this. Not trying to create an institution. The next hard thing for us is when our College of Bishops meets to choose my successor. Will there be the temptation to seek institutional power and ability over missional ability?
On remaining a movement: everybody has prayed for the Anglican Mission, PEAAR, Rwanda; their unexpected and sudden brokenness. Where God wants us is together. He brought us together. He has acted sovereignly. We’re supposed to be together and un-separated. One in Christ. We are more unified than we have ever been at this gathering and satan hates it more than he ever has.
We’ve spent some time talking about what we’ve done that we wish we hadn’t. Paul reminds us that, “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” His permissive will allows for all the things that he will redeem if we will give it to him.
We will remain together and will not be separated.
Third piece is about local congregations. As constitutions aren’t usually good reading, I recommend reading ours. Article IV, subsection 1: fundamental agency in the mission of this church is the local congregation. Amazing statement. Previous line, end of Article III is that the people of God are the local agents.
Are we just a bunch of congregations? Are we congregational not Episcopal? No. We are accountable congregations that have chosen and want to be affiliated with each other . Not because we are anything special, but trying simply to be submitted to the Lord and to each other. We do have overseers. We are accountable to the vision and to each other.
About Anglicanism 1000 and reaching 1000. As David Roseberry pointed out in his opening session presentation , this is not a single line fishing set up. It is net fishing. Our greatest encouragement is like St. Michael’s at Nashotah House, when 5 people present themselves for priesthood in one week, in a church established last fall. The growth can become geometric.
211 new plants in 2.5 years that we know of. What is possible in the next 2.5 years? The planting of congregations is so central to what we are about. Remember Point 5 in my Consecration homily? (there was silence in the room) Point 5 was to plant 1000 churches in the next 5 years. To grow in unity and charity. To welcome back the wounded. To call and equip a new generation of leaders. Christian Broadcasting Network told the story just last week of Anglican Fever: youth flocking to new congregations. They told it with surprise and amazement. We are not surprised.
Yet, we have to engage with secularism and other divisions of the present age. There will be help from the province, but chiefly this will be carried out in local congregations. We will feed and nurture the naked, the hungry, the alone, the wounded… again it’s the local congregation… local pastors and local fathers and mothers teach the young how different things can be when Scripture lives in your heart, not just your head.
Finally I said we would give thanks in all circumstances. Thessalonians 5
Will we reach 1000? Of course we will. If we do that in 5 years is not important. What is important is that it happens. When we reach 1000 we will not stop. We will keep at it until Jesus comes home. We’ll do everything we can trusting that he will do everything he can, surely the cause of God inspires it all. All we need to do to begin is get on our knees.
That’s where we are. I want to express gratitude. Gratitude to David Roseberry and Christ Church, Plano. Gratitude to the Planters who have trusted and gone out to do the work. I especially want to express gratitude for what you have risked, what you have suffered, and your spouse who has shared all of this with you. The work of a bishop is secondary. It is to encourage you. [David Roseberry was given a special award by the Archbishop.]
With God’s help, we did change the subject. We are not talking about the same subjects we talked about in 2003.I thank God for that change. Many are being drawn to this invitation and this challenge and Christ is bringing many partners to us who want to be part of this.
Now for the shameless commercial: We need a Vicar for Anglican 1000. If you are interested in this position, call me. The Next Provincial Assembly is June 7-9 in Ridgecrest, NC. It is the first gathering of the whole church since we were founded here in Fort Worth nearly 3 years ago. Bp. Todd Hunter will be principle speaker.
Next Anglican 1000 Summit is Feb. 26-28, 2013, with the location yet to be determined. Please rise for Noonday Prayers as we close this assembly.
This conference closed today with a final statement for those gathered by Archbishop Bob Duncan. A tribute, a promise and a short recounting of the immediate history. This intensive short course on church planting was totally inspiring and totally overwhelming. The in-depth teaching and solid under girding on all topics of Scriptural significance, coupled with the details of how to go about even talking/praying about beginning a new plant was enriching. A terrific 3 days. Hope you enjoy Abp. Duncan’s “send off” for these exciting and excited people of God.
Where we are and how we got here.
The subject has changed. It really has changed. The things we talked about in the past are long gone and the subject about which we speak now is radically different. How? Jesus is at the center of who we are and what we are doing. The reason so many have suffered so much is because we have not been willing to put anything else but him in first place. I know I am “ Speaking to the choir” here.
I want to tell you again how palpable the unity is here. As I think back on this conference, I can’t remember what diocese or group anyone came from, except maybe the Canadians, and that is ok.
All three summit’s have been different in the extent that at this one, we are one . Palpable unity.
In fact, we have reached a new moment for us together as the Anglican Church in North America. That is the reality of our unity. Other point: remember Matt 16: 18 when Christ said, “Peter you are the rock upon which I will build my church….. The gates of Hell will not prevail against my church.” Going against the gates of hell and the enemy is not happy topic or life event. But it is a real life event.
Level of spiritual warfare is immense. Would you expect anything else?
First, I will say a word about how we got here and next, about the next chapter of our life together. In David Roseberry’s talk about where we are as province on Tuesday afternoon, he spoke about a rocket ship. That booster Rocket was the first stage. There will be another booster into second stage and I think this conference and approximately this moment in time, is a new indication of who we are and where we are going. There is the level of unity here. So many churches have been planted. Again, a marker of the situation is the level of spiritual warfare that I see so much around us.
To 2012 and beyond, but first, how we got here. It is always useful to remember who we are and what we have come through. Quickly: recall. The first stage. We could talk about it as if we were writing a book. Think about chapters. The First chapter would be about the coming apart, but in two distinct phases.
First is 1873: when the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) left the Episcopal Church USA ( TE)C
They did this so long go and have been so helpful to us in the last decade.
Between the 1960’s and year 2000, there so many instances of Anglicans departing, trying to be faithful and then separating over really important issues. So, the first chapter is about the disintegration of Anglicanism in USA.
Chapter 2 is about “The coming together.” The Anglican Congresses, starting before the 1998 Lambeth Congress; the Plano Conference held after the 2003 General Convention here in Dallas. And in January, 2004, the foundation of Anglican Relief and Development Foundation (ARDF), so that we had our own relief agency, subscribed by so many of the provinces within the Communion, those who would stand with us in this struggle.
Remember Plano 2003? Remember the excitement as 800 clergy gathered? It was an incredible moment, different than any other point in our history as Anglicans in the United States. That moment proved that God’s agenda was different than ours. In early 2004, The Anglican Communion Network was founded. Then in April 2004, a number agreed to make Common Cause for the Gospel of Christ, for a biblical, missional Anglicanism in North America. I signed, Leonard Riches, Presiding Bishop of the REC signed; the Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman of TEC and Forward in Faith signed; the Rt. Rev. Chuck Murphy signed, representing the Anglican Mission in America. We sent the signed document to Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace. Then the common cause years that followed with more Anglican Congresses in 2005 and 2006.
Chapter 3 would be The Launch in 2009 – 2011 of a Movement, not controlled through the center. It would be like an enterprise represented in Celtic mission with Patrick and those he gathered. The flavor and future of that nation changed. We are a movement not an institution.
Our message was simple: we are based on converted individuals; converted to Christianity. Our goal is to reach North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Please note the difference. Not the “Affirming” love of Christ, the Transforming love. Jesus loves you where you are but will not leave you there. He will transform you into the person God the Father made you to be. We saw clearly and still see the possibilities of us being a movement, not an institution. We found a pattern that can be subscribed to. It has three facets: we are Accountable to the Word of God; accountable for mission; accountable for the transformation of society.
An Anglican group that subscribes to these three factors can to anything.
Pruning. 1873 after some brief discussions, TEC gave the property to the Reformed Episcopal Churches that departed.
Not today. It is a John 15 moment. We’ve been hard pruned. But we trust that “ Jesus is the vine and his father is the vine dresser…. What does not bear fruit is cut off and burned.”
It is important to remember this as so many have lost their buildings.
Provision: So many stories of God’s provision. When we step out in faith, God is faithful.
We learned yesterday that the city of Fairfax as agreed that The Falls Church can rent/use the Catholic high school. Falls Church asked for 1000 seats. That auditorium has 2000 seats. We mustn’t forget what God has done as he has taken us through this time.
Anglican Fever: I want to tell you about the Baptist preacher who came last night to seek if God was really calling him to be an Anglican. Came last night to the Eucharist celebration and spoke with me afterwards. He is one of many that have Anglican fever.
Next Chapter: 2012 and Beyond.
The main topic for 2012 will be Eschewing Egypt. We must forgive and forget the stress, fears, hurts, impatience, ambitions. We learned with Moses in the Old Testament that it is easier to take people out of Egypt than to take Egypt out of the people. Face it. When you are doing ministry, there will be suffering and a lot of stress. Initially, we were afraid of each other and acted out of that. We didn’t know each other and were not sure we could trust each other. We talked out of our fears, for example that ACNA would be dominated by Evangelicals, or Anglo-Catholics. It is not true. We need to let go of that attitude.
There have been plenty of hurts. We must continue to deal relationally with these things. Now this is the time for these things to be healed. If not, we will fall back on those hurts and live in it and it will be transferred within this circle, this new beginning for all of us.
Impatience. How quickly we want to get there! Remember the issue of the ordination of women in the ‘60’s? There was so much impatience over that issue, that it was settled politically. At a General Convention. With resolutions and very little rationale. It was done in their time not God’s time. This issue continues to bring nothing but strife and division. That’s not of God. We must not do that. We must not do that.
Ambition: The spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God are alive and very active. When we see it in ourselves and among ourselves, name it and don’t go there. How we speak to and about one another is essential in this next chapter.
Next things: We will remain a movement, not a denomination. Not centralizing but centering and integrating into everything we do. Imagine having the Vicar of this movement (Anglican 1000) at Ambridge? The world has had enough denominations. Others are starting to see this. Not trying to create an institution. The next hard thing for us is when our College of Bishops meets to choose my successor. Will there be the temptation to seek institutional power and ability over missional ability?
On remaining a movement: everybody has prayed for the Anglican Mission, PEAAR, Rwanda; their unexpected and sudden brokenness. Where God wants us is together. He brought us together. He has acted sovereignly. We’re supposed to be together and un-separated. One in Christ. We are more unified than we have ever been at this gathering and satan hates it more than he ever has.
We’ve spent some time talking about what we’ve done that we wish we hadn’t. Paul reminds us that, “All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” His permissive will allows for all the things that he will redeem if we will give it to him.
We will remain together and will not be separated.
Third piece is about local congregations. As constitutions aren’t usually good reading, I recommend reading ours. Article IV, subsection 1: fundamental agency in the mission of this church is the local congregation. Amazing statement. Previous line, end of Article III is that the people of God are the local agents.
Are we just a bunch of congregations? Are we congregational not Episcopal? No. We are accountable congregations that have chosen and want to be affiliated with each other . Not because we are anything special, but trying simply to be submitted to the Lord and to each other. We do have overseers. We are accountable to the vision and to each other.
About Anglicanism 1000 and reaching 1000. As David Roseberry pointed out in his opening session presentation , this is not a single line fishing set up. It is net fishing. Our greatest encouragement is like St. Michael’s at Nashotah House, when 5 people present themselves for priesthood in one week, in a church established last fall. The growth can become geometric.
211 new plants in 2.5 years that we know of. What is possible in the next 2.5 years? The planting of congregations is so central to what we are about. Remember Point 5 in my Consecration homily? (there was silence in the room) Point 5 was to plant 1000 churches in the next 5 years. To grow in unity and charity. To welcome back the wounded. To call and equip a new generation of leaders. Christian Broadcasting Network told the story just last week of Anglican Fever: youth flocking to new congregations. They told it with surprise and amazement. We are not surprised.
Yet, we have to engage with secularism and other divisions of the present age. There will be help from the province, but chiefly this will be carried out in local congregations. We will feed and nurture the naked, the hungry, the alone, the wounded… again it’s the local congregation… local pastors and local fathers and mothers teach the young how different things can be when Scripture lives in your heart, not just your head.
Finally I said we would give thanks in all circumstances. Thessalonians 5
Will we reach 1000? Of course we will. If we do that in 5 years is not important. What is important is that it happens. When we reach 1000 we will not stop. We will keep at it until Jesus comes home. We’ll do everything we can trusting that he will do everything he can, surely the cause of God inspires it all. All we need to do to begin is get on our knees.
That’s where we are. I want to express gratitude. Gratitude to David Roseberry and Christ Church, Plano. Gratitude to the Planters who have trusted and gone out to do the work. I especially want to express gratitude for what you have risked, what you have suffered, and your spouse who has shared all of this with you. The work of a bishop is secondary. It is to encourage you. [David Roseberry was given a special award by the Archbishop.]
With God’s help, we did change the subject. We are not talking about the same subjects we talked about in 2003.I thank God for that change. Many are being drawn to this invitation and this challenge and Christ is bringing many partners to us who want to be part of this.
Now for the shameless commercial: We need a Vicar for Anglican 1000. If you are interested in this position, call me. The Next Provincial Assembly is June 7-9 in Ridgecrest, NC. It is the first gathering of the whole church since we were founded here in Fort Worth nearly 3 years ago. Bp. Todd Hunter will be principle speaker.
Next Anglican 1000 Summit is Feb. 26-28, 2013, with the location yet to be determined. Please rise for Noonday Prayers as we close this assembly.
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