You are here
JACKSONVILLE: Network Advances on church planting/strategic planning
October 6, 2004
Anglican Communion Network Steering Committee Advances on Church Planting and Strategic Planning
The Convocational Deans and the Steering Committee of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) met September 28-30, 2004 in Jacksonville, FL to address the complex needs of a growing and vital ecclesial body. The two groups reinforced the ACN’s commitment to “church planting, disciple-making remnant-gathering and global-partnering”
“Our meeting was fruitful and moved us forward,” said Bishop Robert Duncan, ACN Moderator. “I am greatly encouraged by the support the ACN is receiving around the United States as evidenced by the various reports presented during our time together.”
The group heard presentations on the Global Communion, church planting, and the Anglican Global Mission Partners. In addition, Bishop Duncan announced formation of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF), an organization that will gather and distribute donations from Anglicans in the United States to Anglican churches in the economically poorer countries of the Anglican Communion.
“Where we are today is consistent with what we set out to be and do,” said the Rev. John Guernsey, Dean of the ACN Mid-Atlantic Convocation and rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Dale City, VA. “It is evident that God is blessing us and encouraging us towards our purpose and mission.”
During this time of transition and instability within the Anglican Communion, the Steering Committee of the ACN sought to strengthen its core purpose and to emphasize its fundamental strategies for moving into the future. The desire to emphasize the ACN’s focus as a missionary movement was reflected in revising its Core Purpose Statement to read: “…making disciples who make disciples of Jesus Chris and planting churches that plant churches in North America and to the ends of the earth.”
“This is a good statement of our priority,” Fr. Guernsey stated. “Church planting is widely known to be one of the most effective strategies of evangelism. We want to continue planting churches that lift up the name of Jesus Christ.”
The Steering Committee also stressed its role in charting the way forward for orthodox Episcopalians and other Anglicans in the United States. According to the Rev. Jim McCaslin, Dean of the Southeastern Convocation, the Deans and Steering Committee discussed possible scenarios resulting from recommendations of the Lambeth Commission.
The Steering Committee is comprised of the ACN Moderator, Secretary, representatives of each ACN diocese. Convocation Deans and a representative of the Anglican Global Mission Partners, who were also present, work closely with the steering committee. Several bishops also attended the deliberations. The Committee is responsible for “carrying the Network mission forward between meetings of the Council”.
This meeting comes just two weeks after the ACN announced substantial growth in the number of its affiliated parishes and clergy. The numbers of clergy has topped 1000 while the parish count recently hit 800, including 240 in non-ACN dioceses. Fifteen Primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion have formally recognized the Anglican Communion Network.
END
