I was the speaker at the final plenary session of the Anglican Church in North America’s provincial assembly in Bedford, Texas, on Thursday, June 25, 2009. As promised, you can find the notes from my session here and for more information about the Assembly visit the Anglican Church in North America Inaugural Assembly site.
It was a wonderful treat to be with my new colleagues at the Investiture of Archbishop Duncan and to speak at the closing session. Our time was brief Thursday morning, so as promised, I have made the full text of my notes available here. Not every point in the outline will be clear without my comments, but use what you can…for the sake of others!
June 30th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Good evening. I tuned in to the ACNA founding assembly to see how Metropolitan Jonah addressed the ACNA. I, too, wish to see the deepening of the ecumenical relationship between Eastern Orthodoxy and the ACNA. I was once a member of Wellspring Anglican Church in the AMIA and before that, of Christ Church in ECUSA.
My theological convictions took me to the Eastern Orthodox Church, but I still think the AMIA, CANA and the ACNA do a better job of evangelism than we do in either the OCA or the Antiochian Archdiocese.
I would like to see a blending of the approaches to doing church. Your missionary zeal, our theological perspective.
Eastern Orthodoxy and Faithful Anglicanism have a ton of things in common and I believe this can lay the foundation for a fruitful partnership.
I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian in the Western Rite tradition. We use what is referred to as “The Liturgy of Saint Tikhon” and have recently published a new Book of Common Prayer.
Please let me know what you think of this idea of a mutual effort in reaching the unchurched between Anglicanism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
I have a dream to see a vibrant parish planted in my community.
Christ is in our midst,
Christian Cate
July 1st, 2009 at 5:23 am
Hi Christian,
I have a lot of respect for Orthodoxy, but I do not know enough about it to have an intelligent opinion about the merits of Anglicanism seeking full communion with the Orthodox Church.
But I like your idea of sound theology and mission working together!
Peace,
Todd
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:05 am
Todd,
Thanks for making the notes of your wonderful and challenging talk available online. I was able to watch the talks by Rick Warren and Metropolitan Jonah on streaming video, but wasn’t able to see yours. I see that their talks can now be watched at the ACNA assembly website. Is their any chance that your talk will also be available there?
I was struck by the parallel between your threefold description–purpose of God, aims of Jesus and work of the Spirit–and Warren’s similar description–perspective of the Father, pattern of Jesus and power of the Spirit. Also, you both were clearly focused on mission. Great words for a province that might be tempted to be inwardly focused instead of being “for the sake of others.” Thanks for being willing to speak challenging truth!
Blessings,
Greg
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:12 am
Hi Greg,
Thanks for your kind feedback!
I don’t know about the video of my talk–sorry! You’ll have to ask ACNA directly.
Peace,
Todd