The bishop revealed that he has invited Canon lawyer and AMIA priest Fr. Kevin Donlon to put together constitution and statutes for the new society.

The Anglican Mission leader reported that at a regularly scheduled Council of Bishops meeting this week, Bishop Terrell Glenn resigned as a missionary bishop overseeing the Apostles Mission Network (parishes ranging geographically from the northeast to the Carolinas).

"I honestly do not know what his future plans are," Murphy told VOL. "He told our Council of Bishops that he and his wife Teresa are in a discernment process.

VOL spoke with Glenn and he confirmed that story. "What transpired is that I resigned from the Anglican Mission after much prayer and agonizing deliberation. After several months of trying to work through a personal matter between Bishop Murphy and myself, I believe that I have been led by the Lord to resign from the TheAM. This was a decision that was not made precipitously nor is it a reaction to any impending developments in the mission. I told Bishop Murphy and my brother bishops that we do not have plans for our next steps and we (my wife and I) have entered a season of discernment to hear from the Lord what the next step is for both of us."

Murphy said that a small but vocal number of clergy and/or churches in the Apostles Mission Network have been unhappy with his leadership and that this has been voiced in a number of blogs. He certainly does not anticipate there will be a major split in the Mission as has been suggested in some quarters.

"I will not deny that there have been grumblings in some quarters of the Apostles Mission Network about a variety of issues aired throughout the blogosphere, but there are also a significant number of congregations and clergy who have expressed a very different perspective and maintain strong support for both the Anglican Mission and my leadership."

In response to my question about why this kind of thing happens, Murphy said there are several reasons. "Theologically we are promised [John 15] that when we bear fruit, and the Mission clearly has, we can expect to be pruned. We simply cannot avoid it. But in the normal life cycle of organizations or church plants, times of stress, unhappiness and conflict are a part of growth and change. I therefore don't take it personally."

He said the Anglican Mission has about 268 missionary churches and emerging works in various stages of development. Following Bishop Glenn's resignation, the Council of Bishops has a total of nine bishops including Murphy as Chairman.

Questioned about giving to the Rwandan province and rumors that money has not gone where it was supposed to go, Murphy said that these rumors are also unfounded. Murphy in fact insists on the highest standards of financial accountability. Indeed earlier this year, the Anglican Mission earned coveted membership in the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA), a watchdog agency committed to maintaining these standards.

"There is no problem with money. We in fact, have been giving away an average of 12% to Rwanda over the last seven years. It has always been a gift." The "10, 10, 10" (a plan asking parishioners to tithe to their congregations; congregations to tithe to the Mission; and the Mission to tithe to Rwanda) is still in place.

"This Biblical principle of the tithe is always voluntary, not mandated. The money we give goes to Rwanda's provincial budget and other special projects and needs as they are identified. In each case, it is a gift intended to bless and encourage ministry within the province. This has been our practice from the very beginning of our history."

Asked if he was under any pressure to resign, Murphy said no. Earlier this year, the entire Council of Bishops wrote Archbishop Rwaje specifically requesting that he be re-appointed as the Primatial Vicar of the Mission. He has, however, told Archbishop Rwaje, that he intends to retire as Primatial Vicar in two years at age 66.

END