from Stand Firm by Matt Kennedy
January 19, 2012
Sometimes on vacation we will write to a friend from some temporary paradise, “I wish you were here”. I must say, if you are reading this article and could not make it to the Sacred Assembly called Moving Forward Together [MFT] I truly wish you were there. I say that because for me it was at certain points as if we were indeed in Paradise. I don’t believe I have ever been at such a large gathering where there was such intense seeking and subdued, worshipful, spiritual energy. To see such large number of clergy and laity seeking the face of God together in an atmosphere of open prolonged, sincere, and dignified worship, humility, sorrow for sin, confession, and repentance was an awesome thing.
Those who have been following the story of the dust-up between AMiA and it’s provincial home in Rwanda would, like myself, headed toward Raleigh expecting a far different program and agenda than what actually materialized over the eighteen actual hours of meeting together at the Church of the Apostles.
Some would have expected the meeting to have the spirit of a business meeting. In other words, what do we do now? What are the structures, who are the leaders, what is our new name, where is the new headquarters going to be, and etcetera? Others would have expected a time of recriminations and accusations directed at some people and explanations and justifications on the part of others. Some would have expected a ‘show’ or a ‘pep rally atmosphere’ to get everyone excited and to draw everyone in and get ‘momentum’ for a new movement. Then experienced Anglicans may have expected papering over problems and endless dialogue and committee meetings.
Speaking for myself, but also according to others, what we saw and what actually transpired in Raleigh was an unexpected and ‘once in a lifetime’ experience for an assembly of ministers in a time of crisis, confusion, and pain.
I can only attribute this to the determination made by the Americans involved to let the Rwandan bishops set the spirit and tone of the meeting. As I mentioned in my first report the initial atmosphere of anxiety and apprehension was almost immediately dispelled when Archbishop Rwaje opened the assembly with gracious words assuring continued pastoral care, ecclesiastical covering, urging healing, reconciliation, and vision for mission.
As the assembly unfolded over Tuesday and Wednesday it was very apparent that these goals were more than words. The entire assembly took place in an atmosphere of worship. A complete Holy Communion service was celebrated Monday evening and Wednesday morning. The presence of God was palpable.
Tuesday morning the day’s activities began with a complete Morning Prayer service. The worship led the saints into true times of worship and praise.
On Monday evening, immediately after the Apostle’s Creed Bishop Terrell Glenn had the assembly form groups of four and enter into a time of intercession for reconciliation, then another time to pray for the Church, then another brief period to pray for the sick and suffering, and finally a time to pray for those in the USA and Rwanda. It was a great thing to hear the gentle but intense prayers of God’s people fill the large building.
On Tuesday morning Bishop Louis Muvunyi opened morning prayers sharing about the suffering of Rwandans, including his own family during the genocide. He made the point that the Devil is responsible for most of our ‘warfare’ and that our battle is not with ‘flesh and blood’ but with spirits that want to hinder God’s work and cause divisions among Christians.
Bishop Julian Dobbs, a New Zealander serving with CANA, shared the morning sermon. This was a passionate call to ‘Arise and Build’ from the ministry of Nehemiah. It was evident that he was casting the assembled Christians in the role of Nehemiah. He spoke of looking beyond the rubble to the City we are called to build; the Kingdom of God. He mentioned the various attacks and temptations that Nehemiah had to deal with, the mockery, the opposition and hindrances of various personalities with their own agenda, the temptation to negotiate where there was no reconciliation.
He drew a laugh when he called ‘dialogue’ an Anglican disease. He did mention that Nehemiah had to deal with civil corruption and people dealing in trade and business instead of focusing on God’s will and power. These issues were dealt with in a scriptural and wise way. Most people read between the lines and understood that they must move beyond all the distractions and do God’s work.
During a question and answer session on Tuesday afternoon someone asked if any of the bishops, American or Rwandan, felt the need to ask forgiveness of anyone. Bishop Thad Barnum reflected the spirit of the assembly and touched our hearts as he brokenly confessed to several things. He spoke of not realizing the hurt he was causing to people by acquiescing to an agenda (AMiA leadership) that he knew was not right. He seemed to be apologizing also for allowing Bishop Terrell Glenn to resign at an AMiA Council of Bishops meeting without any support. He confessed his sorrow for helping to maintain the fiction that the AMiA was submitted to the new Archbishop while he, Barnham, did not object to AMiA disobeying His Grace by being involved in planning meetings for a new ‘mission society’ contrary to the Primates wishes. Finally, Bishop Barnum confessed his sorrow for the pain caused to Abp. Duncan and other in the ACNA when AMiA refused to honor their previous agreement to have full membership in the new Province in formation. Archbishop Duncan called out from the audience, “Apology received, forgiveness granted!” I tell you, it was heavenly, it was truly Christian. Bishop Thad’s heartbroken confession, sorrow, and repentance went a long way toward breaking any remaining hostility, resentment, or self-righteousness in the assembly.
Bishop Laurent Mbanda, former vice-president of Compassion International who now leads +John Rucyahana’s Shyira Diocese, gave us more words of wisdom and healing. He said that everyone seems to be looking for someone to blame. Some want to blame the Internet or various personalities. He told us that instead we should all examine our own hearts and find the blame in ourselves so we can confess, repent, and be healed. He said we need to be careful not to ‘write anyone off’, but instead to extend a hand of reconciliation to all.
At the risk of being redundant I must report that Tuesday Evening Prayer was again a powerful time of worship. If you don’t have a violin in your worship team, begin praying. Dr. Lyle Dorsett of Beeson Divinity School brought the message. At last years AMiA winter conference Dr. Dorsett gave us a sermon that was the ‘spiritual highlight’ of the meeting. We were not disappointed on Tuesday as he shared about the “George Gill Test”. George Gill, a layman, asked his pastor, “Pastor, do you love His appearing?” The pastor wasn’t sure what ol’ George meant. “Pastor, Paul told Timothy, ‘there is a crown of righteousness laid up for all who have loved His appearing.” Dr. Dorsett spent twenty minutes encouraging, challenging, and inspiring us to fight the good fight, finish the race, and do what God has called us to do because ‘we love His appearing’. He held before our eyes a litany of the suffering of Paul and the love he had for Jesus that enabled him finish his work. With hushed tones and a heavenly anointing our brother challenged us to have a vision of the Lord and a relationship with Jesus that will enable us to overcome and become better, not bitter. You could have heard a pin drop.
It was made very clear, over and over again at this assembly that the AMIA bishops who were not present were still considered part of the family. There was evidence that there was great grief and sorrow for the estrangement of those brethren and a great desire for reconciliation
Rev. Steve Breedlove (All Saints, Durham, NC) read out a brief statement from Abp. Rwaje about some decisions arrived at by the Leaders and Laity meeting together. Briefly, here are the high points. (I am sure a PDF will be available on the net soon.)
· Overall Bishops Terrell Glenn and Thad Barnum will provide general oversight for all the clergy involved in “Moving Forward Together”. (This seems to be a description more than an actual name.)
· A team of leaders rather than a hierarchy or a single personality will provide actual working leadership. This is much more in keeping with the Rwandan form of collegial leadership. These leaders will consult with and be under the authority and oversight of +Glenn and +Barnam. This leadership team will consist of Rev’s Dan Claire, Steve Breedlove, David Bryan, Chip Edgar, Clark Lowenfield, Ken Ross, and Alan Hawkins. Other leaders may be added as things develop.
· The MFT Bishop and leaders will work collaboratively with churches and bishops in the ACNA where helpful.
· A commitment was made to have total transparency on plans and financial accounting with regular monthly reports given to clergy and congregations. Feedback from clergy and laity will be encouraged.
· The team received a charge from Abp. Rwaje to develop plans over the next 6 to 12 months for long-term structures. These structures will be designed to meet the needs of congregations and clergy rather than to force everyone to accept a ‘one-size fits all’ solution.
· All churches and clergy who have been a part of the AMiA are invited to contact Bishop Terrell or Thad, or one of the aforementioned leaders to indicate interest in Moving forward together. Contact info for these men will be available by Jan. 23 at http://www.pearusa.com
Before the statement was read we again shared in a beautiful Communion service celebrated by Archbishop Rwaje. As the assembly drew to a close the Archbishop again addressed the assembly. He spoke briefly on how wonderfully his expectations for the meeting had been met. He said as Rwandan Christians they came expecting to have a time of prayer, confession, brokenness, and reconciliation. He said he was so grateful to the Lord that their expectations were exceeded not just met.
There was so much more, and it was so wonderful, worshipful, and encouraging.
Wishing you were there.
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