I was raised Episcopalian, so I consider this to be good news, indeed. After the Phantom Menace of gross theological liberalism began growing in the Episcopal Church, and after the Attack of the (Liberal) Clones gained steam, it looked to all the world as if the Revenge of the (Social Gospel) Sith would finally overwhelm and destroy an historically solid and proud church. But now, with this news American Anglicans have A New Hope.
Leaders who defected from the Episcopal Church completed the formation of a conservative branch of Anglicanism in North America Monday by ratifying the constitution of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).
The document was signed during the ACNA Inaugural Provincial Assembly, which drew some 800 participants to Bedford, Texas, this week. Pittsburg Bishop Robert Duncan, who on Wednesday will be installed as the group’s first archbishop, said the formation of ACNA is part of a "reformation" marked by a return to orthodox Christianity within the 77 million-member Anglican Communion and beyond.
I’m waiting for the (Liberal) Empire to Strike Back any time now; Archbishop Rowan “Emperor Palpatine” Williams is no friend of theological conservatives. Recognition of the new church within the worldwide Anglican Communion will likely be a long struggle in itself, but for now, things are certainly looking up for Americans who still love the Anglican Communion, who still hold to the via media theology, and who yet want to be faithful to the Biblical witness. God bless Archbishop Duncan and the courageous few churches and dioceses who refused to yield for the sake of “unity at all costs” in the face of creeping compromise.
Read the full article here.
June 24, 2009 at 11:09 pm
[...] have written much about the “Social Gospel” and the possible ramifications. Mike from Mikescape found a great article that shows that there is a division happening within the Anglican Church! Division is something [...]
June 25, 2009 at 7:42 am
Greetings from Pittsburgh! Just surfing through and found your post. It’s good to see word of the new ACNA is getting around.
Lots of prayer will be needed going forward but the situation within the broader Anglican communion is hopeful. There is much support from the Southern Hemisphere which these days represents a large part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The greatest opposition is coming from the hierarchy of what’s left of the Episcopal Church in America, who are trying to claim the real estate belonging to the departing parishes. (They don’t want the people, they just want the buildings. Nice.)
Anyway, I enjoyed your post, and keep us in prayer. Blessings!
June 25, 2009 at 8:23 am
Absolutely, Peg.
And yes, it is rather telling there, where the Episcopal Church hierarchy’s priorities lie…