This is a good time to be an Anglican!

This is a good time to be an Anglican. In fact you could say it’s a defining moment quite literally. Not defined by buildings or clothing (clerical collars and robes, or not) but defined by the one thing that is essential to our faith — the truth of God’s word, for which we are at this moment contending (Jude 3-4). You may not think it is such a good time as you see bishops from across the world gathering for the ‘Lambeth Conference’ this month (organised by the Archbishop of Canterbury every 10 years). The bishops of America and Canada may once again try to push their pro-gay plans further than in 1998.

But last month God drew together another conference that was more representative of the many millions of Anglicans world-wide called ‘GAFCON’ (Global Anglican Future Conference) which promotes unity in truth (see logo). And it will be the new focus of unity for all Christians who value leadership which is based on scriptural rather than secular thought.

Some people say it’s all about sex! It is. As Peter Jensen, the Archbishop of Sydney said recently; ‘When you reject the true and living God, you put an idol in its place. Sex outside heterosexual marriage is a powerful idol for many. And gay sex is part of that idol. You dare not speak against it.’

The prophets in the Bible have always spoken out against idolatry. And they’ve generally had a tough time when they did. That is still true today. In America and Canada, congregations that have wanted to teach what the Bible says on this matter have been thrown out of their churches they paid to build! In England boundaries are being pushed too and persecution is present.

Two weeks ago two gay clergyman were ‘married’ in the City of London. The Bishop of Chelmsford wants more practising gay people to be church leaders, and is Patron of ‘Changing Attitude’ - a group that campaigns for that to happen. In many ways it gives the impression the Church of England is being carried along by a very strong tide. But now there’s a group moving the other way, God’s way, ensuring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of Salvation is not compromised and that Christ-centred mission is the top priority. God has shown Anglicans how to stay together and go forward in his truth - He is greatly to be praised! Hallelujah to the King of kings.

Will you stand for the truth of God’s word, or will you bow down to secular thought?

Every Blessing

Revd Clive Pooley