Posted on 06/04/2004 8:33:35 PM PDT by ahadams2
ORTHODOX EPISCOPALIANS CALL FOR NEW NORTH AMERICAN PROVINCE
Special Report
By David W. Virtue
LONG BEACH, CA (6/4/2004)--Orthodox Episcopalians meeting here at Plano-West have issued a call for the Anglican Communion Network to be recognized as a true Anglican province in North America if ECUSA does not repent.
The grass roots statement issued by the Plano-West steering committee made up of clergy and laity, is the boldest and most hard-hitting statement since the Anglican Communion Network was formed.
It asks for a full recognition of the Anglican Communion Network by the Primates as the legitimate arm of orthodoxy in The Episcopal Church, USA.
The group also demands the immediate cessation of the "blessing" of same-sex unions; discipline and censure of ECUSA for its ongoing ungodly actions.
The group asked for measures to be taken to uphold Holy Scripture as authoritative in the life and practice of the Anglican church and to take such measures as are necessary to uphold the apostolic, historic and orthodox teachings of the church.
The Plano-West statement affirmed the authority of the Word of God and Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Savior of the world.
They also said the following:
We proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and support those who do.
Support the planting of new churches.
Uphold the sanctity of life.
Marriage between one man and one woman, and marriage as God's sole provision for sexual relations.
The rejection of all teachings and claims of revelation that are contrary to Holy Scripture or the apostolic teaching of the church.
Pray and support faithful, orthodox Anglicans inn the Global South and in North America noting specifically the crisis in Canada.
END
PLANO-WEST ISSUES PLEA FOR ACTION TO ANGLICAN PRIMATES
LONG BEACH, CA -- More than 830 orthodox Episcopalians gathered for the June 3-4, 2004 Plano-West conference have called upon the worldwide Anglican Primates to take strong action in light of "ongoing ungodly actions" of ECUSA.
Hundreds of participants penned their names to a statement outlining commitment to the "authority of the Word of God and to the glory of Jesus Christ, the only Lord and Savior of the world."
The statement also urged Primates to "discipline and censure ECUSA, recognize the Anglican Communion Network as a true Anglican province in North America if ECUSA does not repent and demand the immediate cessation of the 'blessing' of same-sex unions."
The primary focus of the conference was the Great Commission featuring world-renowned Anglican evangelist the Rev. Canon Michael Green who spoke on the Lifestyle, Message, Approach and Priorities of "those who changed the world".
The Rt. Rev. Peter Beckwith, Diocese of Springfield, the Rev. Canon David C. Anderson, AAC President and CEO, the Rev. Dr. Kendall Harmon, the Rev. Canon Alison Barfoot and the Rev. Chuck Reischman also delivered keynote addresses.
"God wants us to be a ship prepared to sail into the unknown, into deep waters guided by the winds of the Holy Spirit," said the Rev. Ron Jackson, AAC/Los Angeles convener. "Sometimes people need to be reminded of who God is - we worship the great I AM not the I Was."
"In the Decade of Evangelism, ECUSA lost thousands of people," said Canon Green. "The characteristics of the first Christians included dedication, enthusiasm, joy, faith, holiness, spiritual power, courage and generosity."
He applauded the fact that African bishops have declined to take any more money from ECUSA and called upon the American Anglican Council and the Anglican Communion Network to offer financial assistance in light of their principled stand.
Plano-West was co-hosted by the AAC chapters of Los Angeles and San Diego. The Western Convocation of the Anglican Communion Network held an organizational meeting June 1 - 2, 2004 prior to Plano-West. At that gathering, convocational leaders discussed their vision for the future and began developing leadership teams.
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The Plano-West Statement
Long Beach, CA ~ June 4, 2004
As an orthodox Anglican in North America, standing under the authority of the Word of God and to the glory of Jesus Christ, the only Lord and Savior of the world, I commit to:
. Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and support those who do.
. Support the planting of new churches.
. Uphold the sanctity of life.
. Marriage between one man and one woman, and marriage as God's sole provision for sexual relations.
. The rejection of all teachings and claims of revelation that are contrary to Holy Scripture or the apostolic teaching of the church.
. Pray and support faithful, orthodox Anglicans in the Global South and in North America noting specifically the crisis in Canada.
My plea to the Anglican Primates:
In the name of God, I urge you to:
1. Take measures to uphold Holy Scripture as authoritative in the life and practice of the Anglican church.
2. Take measures to uphold the apostolic, historic and orthodox teachings of the church.
3. Discipline and censure ECUSA for its ongoing ungodly actions.
4. Recognize the Anglican Communion Network as a true Anglican province in North America if ECUSA does not repent.
5. Demand the immediate cessation of the "blessing" of same-sex unions.
Cynthia P. Brust, Director of Communications, American Anglican Council, 1110 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005
202-296-5360
202-296-5361 FAX
Ping.
Look for some parallel action two years hence in Lutheran circles when one of the orthodox groups seeks recognition from the Lutheran World Federation. Only problem is the LWF President is the apostate ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, once aptly described as "Bill Clinton in an alb."
I believe this reorganization within Lutheranism may happen sooner than later. No matter what a Lutheran Synod may recommend, the authority to ordain, commune, marry, and so on rests with the congregation.
"Clinton in an alb" won't be in his LWF position forever, either.
That's correct. It does seem to cut both ways. But do we want a governance structure where Synod imposes on congregations? That, too, can be abused.
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