Posted on 09/01/2007 6:05:04 AM PDT by Huber
As the world now knows, Bill Atwood and Bill Murdoch were consecrated today as Suffragan Bishops in the All Saints Diocese of the Anglican Church of Kenya in a joy-filled service at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.
The All Saints Cathedral is a beautiful colonial structure built in the 1800s and holds about 1,500. This morning it was full with a tent outside for overflow. I was told that on a regular Sunday morning, there are seven or more services with between 9,000 and 10,000 regularly attending. The service of consecration which began at 10 a.m. took a full five hours.
The liturgy was for the most part a very traditional Anglican service with some Kenyan touches. One was that a bishop-elect is escorted in and out of the cathedral during the service by a bishop on either side who is holding his hand. This was based on the history of martyrs and the fear that prospective bishops might be inclined to run rather than be consecrated. The service included great quantities of glorious music from traditional hymns to anthems by the great cathedral choir to praise music with African melodies and harmonies led by the Praise Band. To capture an event of worship of this length and variety required one to be present to hear, absorb and join in. The Anglican TV recording may help capture the flavor.
Among the assembled throng were nine primates of the Anglican Communion or their representatives. Those personally present included Archbishops Benjamin Nzimbi (Kenya), Henry Orombi (Uganda), Emmanuel Kolini (Rwanda), Gregory Venables (Southern Cone), Drexel Gomez (West Indies), Bernard Malango (Central Africa), Justice Akrofi (West Africa) and Ian Ernest (Indian Ocean). Archbishop Peter Akinola (Nigeria) was represented by Archbishop Nicholas Okoh. Total support but regrets for being unable to attend came from Archbishop Donald Mtetemela (Tanzania), Archbishop Dirokpa Fidele (Congo) and Archbishop Joseph Marona (Sudan).
In addition to this assembly of the major players in the Global South, the following US bishops were present: Bishop Robert Duncan (Pittsburgh), Jack Iker (Fort Worth), Martyn Minns (CANA) and Chuck Murphy (AMiA), plus Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti (Recife) and Bishop Donald Harvey (Canada). There were about 20 Kenyan bishops also present. All of this episcopate presence contributed to a dramatic sense of great importance surrounding the otherwise ordinary church business of consecrating bishops. No one I spoke with knew of any occasion in the history of the Anglican Communion when so many primates were present to lay hands for the consecration of bishops.
The homily was delivered by Archbishop Drexel Gomez. He delivered an excellent and detailed teaching sermon based on the commands of Jesus to Peter in John 21 to "Feed my lambs ...; tend my sheep ...; feed my sheep ...; follow me." While most of the interest in the Anglican Communion will no doubt be on the closing paragraphs of his sermon and his very direct comments about TEC, his teaching about ordained ministry and Episcopal ministry are worthy of study and attention. He indicated that he had made a few minor changes in delivery today but those notations were not available.
The obviously significant context in which these consecrations took place today is that it is just a few weeks before TEC's House of Bishops meets to respond to the September 30 deadline established by the primates in the Dar es Salaam communiqué from their meeting in February. There is little doubt that the very direct language used by Archbishop Gomez and the attendance of nine primates (or representatives) who represent a numerical majority of the Anglican Communion will put increasing pressure on Archbishop Rowan Williams at and following the HOB meeting. It is interesting to note that informal comments following the service from several primates were to the effect: "Archbishop Nzimbi, you've done it. Something has happened today. History has been written. But it is not our doing, it is the Lord's doing."
Toward the close of the service, both newly consecrated bishops offered their personal comments.
Comments from Bishop Bill Murdoch included the following:
This is an urgent mission moment. So, who better to lead the way than the ones who still know that the Mission is urgent and the Message is the word of God and the gospel of Christ, and the Price to be paid is everything for the love of Christ and his Cross. Who better to remind us that it is not about us, it is about Jesus, the only Lord, the only name by which men can be saved. Who better than the Kenyans, the Africans, the churches of the Global South, whose blood, sweat and tears, whose smiling eyes shine with the light of souls overflowing with the glory of this great salvation. Who better to tell us? The Mission is urgent.
This moment is not about me or Bishop Bill Atwood. It is about the whole church for which Jesus died, was raised and is seated at God's right hand. This is a sending. This is an apostolic moment for the ones in American who have left property, pension and conformity to the world to follow Jesus. This is a sending by the Anglican Church of Kenya in collaboration with primates of the communion to serve with the other common cause bishops to guard the unity of the Faith, give pastoral care and provide leadership to the church . . . without asking for anything except that we be faithful to the gospel mission in the Anglican Tradition. May we who are called and sent be found faithful.
The full comments offered by Bishop Bill Atwood follow:
Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi, Archbishops, all the bishops, pastors, elders and esteemed ladies, all those who have come to this service, I greet you in the peace of Jesus. Praise the Lord!
I thank God for the wonderful saving grace of Jesus. When I first met Him on Easter Sunday 1972 my life was changed forever. He has forgiven my many sins and shown me a way to live that is better than any I could have conceived on my own. In every way, He has proven Himself faithful and to this day, I remain committed to serve and follow Him.
Many of you have sacrificed and come a long way. I thank God for you and for many friends here in Kenya and other parts of Africa who have come. I particularly want to thank the members of the ACK Mothers Union who have made a gracious space in their Provincial Assembly for this service today.
Today I stand very much as a debtor, with debts so great that they can never be repaid. Even so, it is important that some of them be acknowledged.
First of all, there is an unsung hero in this place. Few people know the great price that my wonderful and godly wife has paid over years and years of sacrifice as she surrendered me to travel, meetings, and ministry. She has done faithful and unglamorous service that has all but escaped notice. She has worked long and hard at her job and in our family and has been heroic in being willing to spend too many nights alone. Together we have two daughters. Christy is here. Her sister Suzie and her husband Kirk are in America taking care of our grandchild. She is the prize Solomon speaks of in Proverbs 31––a righteous woman.
Second, I owe a great debt to the East African Revival. I bear its mark deep in my heart and spirit. It has provided a profound resonance with my spirit and encouragement for my soul. In it I found a people who have discovered the lengths to which God is willing to go to demonstrate unconditional love––a love so rich and deep it demands response.
I also owe a great debt to many Archbishops who have been mentors and friends. Each has freely shared their redemptive gifts with the church and the world and, thankfully also with me over the years. It is my hope to apply some of what I have learned from them and eventually to become something like them.
I long to have something of the precise theological vision of Drexel Gomez,
the Spirit of Henry Orombi,
the courage of Emmanuel Kolini,
the Gospel passion of Greg Venables,
the clarity of Justice Akrofi,
the servant's heart of Bernard Malango,
the strength of Peter Akinola (represented today by Archbishop Nicholas Okoh - a great leader in his own right),
the willingness of Bob Duncan,
the humility of Donald Harvey,
the conviction of Ian Ernest, and
the distilled simplicity of Joseph Marona,
and the joy of Fidele Dirokpa.
While these and other friends here have been spiritual fathers and inspirational examples for me, I owe a particular debt to Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi.
There are many examples of his leadership, however some stand out. On the day Archbishop Nzimbi was enthroned, I was privileged to be seated very near him; just over there. As he took his seat high up on a platform that had been elevated for the day, the cathedral was filled with wonderful music. During the singing, he motioned to me to come to his side. He leaned over and whispered, "I am really uncomfortable up so high above the people. I'd like to sit lower."
Last year, I traveled with him in the US. He listened to tired disappointed and disillusioned people. He listened to impatient people and to those who had lost hope. He listened patiently and gently and then told the people that he loved them. He reminded them to trust in Jesus and to preach His name to those who live without hope or salvation. Every day I spend with him, I learn new things.
Now, as this service has garnered some measure of attention, let me say that what we are about is not a political statement. It is about the Gospel and about caring for people. May I also suggest that it is a significant day in history. That is certainly not because of who Bill Murdoch and I are, but because of the clarity that is rising from so much of the Global South to re-affirm the Gospel so strongly.
On any given Sunday all around the world, there are approximately fifty-two million Anglicans attending Church. Out of them, the leaders of something like forty million are present or represented in this service today. They represent not just a church of potential but also one of accomplishment. It is their clarity and commitment that shaped the unified resolve of the primates at Dar es Salaam. It is their devotion to the Gospel that provides such a desperately needed voice. You have heard the clear message, "Feed the sheep, tend the flock, care for the lambs, and follow Jesus."
There are, however, voices of disunity. There has been a great assault; a great attempt to re-define the Christian faith. Moral and spiritual relativism have brought a great deal of confusion and conflict. Tragically, these innovations miss the mark of what Biblical faith is supposed to offer. Even worse, it does not just wind up at a different destination that is arguably an alternative good, it falls far short of the Good News that Jesus Christ offers.
At its heart, the message of the Gospel is a simple one.
All are welcome at the Cross, but we come not to stay as we are, we come in order to be changed ever more into His likeness; forgiven, healed, and transfigured.
The message that seeks to replace the Gospel is a superficial innovation that denies sin by attempting to re-define it, and it robs people of the forgiveness that Jesus died to bring. A faith so anemic that it does not offer the power to change misses the victory that Jesus rose to share. We live now in the midst of a cruel falsehood that leaves people to live in denial of their sin or misleads them to believe that there is no power to change.
If the truth of what we proclaim is to be believed, we will have to do a better job of showing love because God's heart is for everyone, no matter how broken or wounded, to receive care that is robust enough to offer hope. We must show that it is Jesus who offers hope and Jesus who offers forgiveness. It is Jesus who calls for amendment of life and Jesus who loves so deeply and completely he does not abandon us to despair.
What a great tragedy that there are places where institutional structures stand in the way of the Good News rather than providing for care. The Gospel, however, will ultimately prevail. There is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken and will not be undone. There is a King Who is eternal, immortal, invisible, a King Who is the only wise God; and He will stand.
Where the Gospel is clearly and rightly proclaimed; where people receive adequate care, we celebrate. There is no need to go into the fold of well cared for sheep and do anything. But, where the Gospel is not believed or proclaimed; where faithful people are denied care, we have a responsibility to go, even if the way is hard and the soil rocky. Jesus did not shrink back from Golgotha because the way was hard.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said about Himself:
Luke 4:18:
The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.
He told us that He is the fulfillment of those words. He went on to say, "As the Father sent me, so send I you." We are supposed to carry on the work of His Kingdom. Every day, every hour we must ask, "Where would You have us go, Lord? What would You have us do?"
How can we rest until our lives and ministries produce the fruit the Lord is calling to life?
If we will yield our lives to the Master, then surely the fields that surround us will yield the harvest He desires. This is not a burden to carry, but a joyful message we are privileged to proclaim.
It is of this substance that this day is made. Because of that, it is a joy to be able to say to say to you here at All Saints Cathedral, as a part of this Diocese and of this Province, "Mimi ni muKenya."
But there is even a greater joy. Because we belong to Jesus we are able to say, "Sisi ne waKristayo." Bwana asefewi.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Who is Hank Steenstra and who is he representing at the conference?
Hank Steenstra is a member of the Church of the Redeemer in Camden, North Carolina (under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Church of Kenya) who was in Nairobi and reported for Stand Firm during the past week
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