Anyway enough of that. The service began with energetic worship and enthusiastic singing with, yes, a bit of an African flavor in terms of style.
Scripture was read. A formal recognition of Martyn Minns from Archbsihop Akinola was read, including a reference to Martyn’s consecration in Nigeria and a naming of each Archbishop present at the service.
The gospel is being read now from John 17.
Martyn has prayed and begun to preach. Opening line: “You can learn a lot about a person by listening to their prayers.” He then gives examples of prayers, both goos ones and bad ones. John 17 gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ prayer life. Archbishop William Temple calls it perhaps the most sacred passage in all of the gospels.
Notice how it ends. It reflects his passion for the whole world it is not a prayer of self-justification.
We are here for that reason above all. This is not a gathering of the like minded. This is not a gathering of people who agree with each other. This is a gathering of people who long to see the world persuaded of the truth of the gospel of Christ.
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A disciple is someone who is called by God. We tend to foget this.
A disciple is also somehow who knows who Jesus is and where he came from.
These are difficult times for orthodox Christians. CANA is God’s gift to orthodox Anglicans for those who cannto find a home in Tec as it is currently led.
We want to see lives transformed and not merely excused. We want a church where everyone is welcomed but no one leaves unchanged. We want to remain faithful members of the Anglican Communion.
We are thankful for the recognition of CANA by the Primate of Nigeria it has cost him a great deal (standing ovation). The solidarity of the provinces of the global South has also been an inspiration.
What’s next. Many of the issues are unresolved. The Anglican Communion is wrestling with irreconciliable truth claims.
3 themes
1–radical inclusion we are a missionary church
2–profound transformation
3—inspired service
a servant church
all to the end that God’s glory will be revealed and the whole world may believe in him.
During the greetings, Martyn made special reference an thanks to Archbishop Akinola, Bishop David Bena, Bishop Bob Duncan amd the Anglican Communion network, and Nigerian Judge the Honourable Abraham Yisa.
For the offertory, during praise music, people who were led to give were encouraged to do so Nigerian style by dancing up to the oferring plate, putting their offering in, and dancing back.
On the way to receive Communion I bumped into Dom Armstrong and a contingent from Colorado, and saw Christopher Leighton from Connecticut.
A very raucous chorus of “These are the days of Elijah” after the post-communion prayer.
Martyn asks people to be seated. The primate of Nigeria is asked to bring a word:
“This indeed is a unique and historic event. This has never happened before in the church of which I became a part. As the Chinese say a journay of a 1000 miles begins with a single step. I want to remind everyone that this is simply a first step.
The journey ahead is long, the rough will be rough probably, but you don’t go through life bread and butter we are called to pick up a cross and following our master. The Church of Nigeria itself has almost nothing to offer. We are doing this on behalf of the Communion. If we had not done this many of you would be lost to other churches, maybe to nothing at all.
I urge you to continue to pray for ECUSA. Continue to pray for the Anglican Communion. IF the Episcopal Church gets back in line with the rest of the Communion I renew my pledge, which I also made in Tanzania to the Primates and to Rowan, that we will cease from the ministry of CANA. It is meant to provide a safe spiritual home.
God bless you.”
(Please note this last section is anything but verbatim the Archbishop went too quckly).
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