Let me preface this by saying that this conference was a real blessing to me, in that I got to see the Holy Land with over a thousand Anglican pilgrims. I walked where Jesus walked. I knelt before the most important places in Christendom - the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Via Dolorosa, Capernaum, etc. etc. I echo what Archbishop Venables said in this morning's homily - this is about Jesus. Without Him, it is impossible to know God because true religion starts with God and Christianity with God Incarnate, Jesus Christ. The proclamation of the true Jesus, and therefore the true Gospel is essential to what the Church is, and that is what GAFCON was all about.
All stripes of faithful Anglicans were represented. There were Evangelicals, Charismatics, Africans, Asians, Middle Easterners, Missionaries, Priests, Laity, Bishops, and Anglo-Catholics like me. It is clear that our practices are rather different, but we came together to proclaim Jesus, and Him as Lord, in the very city where He was first proclaimed as such. Speaking to other pilgrims, the most moving part of the pilgrimage was sitting on the steps of the Temple, where Peter preached the gospel for the first time on the day of Pentecost.
So, having said all that, let me comment on the statement.
I think the statement represents a sea change in the Anglican Communion, from one in which traditionalists and reasserters beg the Archbishop of Canterbury for his gracious help to one in which we press on toward the future, paving the way that God has called us to pave. Whereas before we had looked to old means to solve our issues - namely the instruments of unity outlined in the Windsor Report, now we will simple be who we are. That's the most important thing the Jerusalem Declaration says - it says clearly who we are. Now, for an Anglo-Catholic like me, I have struggles with accepting the 39 Articles as a doctrinal standard on which the movement is founded. But, we have been here before with the Common Cause Theological Statement, a document which I continue to support. (In fact, I think it's better than Jerusalem!) I think the various difficulties we Anglo-Catholics have with the Articles are things which can be overcome. One of the interesting things about the Jerusalem Declaration is that in it, we have people rallying around the Anglican Ordinal (which certainly wouldn't support the ordination of women) and the first four ecumenical councils (which tell us that female deacons (deaconesses) should be counted among the laity). So, there are contradictions for everyone, this much is certain.
What the Jerusalem Declaration states, at its best, is that classical Anglicanism - the comprehensive and Elizabethan settlement kind of Anglicanism. This is huge. It could have taken a fundamentalist, sola scriptura turn, but it did not. Instead, the statement says "The doctrine of the Church is grounded in the Holy Scriptures and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures." On this, I can agree. I think any catholic Christian would agree with this statement. So this is a huge day.
The next thing is that this document has huge teeth! Finally, no more ambiguity. We are no longer asking revisionists who peddle a cheap gospel to make themselves clear or to self-impose moratoria. This is a huge change. Instead, the Jerusalem Declaration states (Article 13): "We reject the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed. We pray for them and call on them to repent and return to the Lord." So there it is. If you ordain those who practice homosexuality, if you refuse to cling to Christian orthodoxy, if you call evil good, we simply don't recognize you. Those bishops who fall into this category - their dioceses are now open territory. We will not apologize. This is where the document was most clear, and about that I'm thrilled.
The third thing that is really positive is that it encourages the formation of a new Anglican province for the Common Cause Partnership. We've been praying for this for some time, and now it has come to fruition. Hopefully, in the next year, we will see the Common Cause Partnership form this province. There is still much to be ironed out, but I think it is very near.
Fourthly, and lastly, this meeting promises to be really the last important meeting we'll have on the subject. If you're like me, you've grown weary of meeting after meeting, not really going anywhere. You're tired of waffling on the part of North American leadership, and even the Archbishop of Canterbury. Well, I happen to think that the Jerusalem meeting pretty much has sealed the deal for North America, and our struggles. It gives us primates committed to our aid, a strong identity, and the go-ahead for a province. I don't know if we could have asked for more.
With that said, I turn your attention to this great news article by Guardian writer Anne Atkins. One of the things that impressed me about the conference was that the reporters gathered to report on the conference were really touched by it. One from the National Review sitting next to me at this morning's mass wept at the proclamation of Archbishop Venables in his homily. It was amazing. And that's what's refreshing about GAFCON - clarity about who we believe Jesus Christ to be.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Pilgrims Dipping their Feet in the Sea of Galilee...
Right on the shore where the catch of 153 fish was brought up in Peter's boat in St. John's Gospel.
Church of the Primacy of Peter
In the back of the church, you can see the mensa, the rock table upon which the Lord made breakfast for His disciples on a charcoal after His Resurrection. it is also the site of Peter's restoration.
Boat on the Sea of Galilee
Yesterday, we took a boat across the Sea of Galilee, stopping to tie together with three other boats to pray. It was really neat. After that, we went on to the Mount of Beatitudes, the Chapel commemorating the Primacy of Peter, the place of the Feeding of the 5,000, and Capernaum.
Entering the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Here we are entering the church. They filled in the entry a bit to keep horses out, but inside it is positively beautiful. We had a great trip into Bethlehem on Friday afternoon. Very sad to see the wall, and the plight of Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem.
Back Blogging Again...
Well, I'm back. I'll have some things to say about the statement in good time, but first I'd like to show you some pilgrimage pictures.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Where we had dinner last night...
This great Armenian place in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. We had lamb kebab and wonderful baklava.
The Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu
This church was built upon the ruins of the House of Caiaphas. In recent years, there have been excavations beneath the church, revealing ancient prison cells dating to the time of Jesus, and a Byzantine chapel within the prison.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mass at Church of the Holy Sepulchre
A special treat for readers of this blog - glorious singing in from the the Anastasis, the tomb into which the Lord Jesus Christ was laid after His death, and the tomb from which He rose, alleluia!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Pics from the Via Dolorosa...
I've just put up a Black and White gallery of a walk Summer, Andrew, and I took on the Via Dolorosa this morning. We woke up at 4:30 and got going, so that as dawn set in, we were walking. It was incredible. Enjoy!
Provincial Meeting
Ok, so on the one hand, we have the provincial meeting of the Common Cause.
And on the other, the provincial meeting of the Province of the Southern Cone, with Archbishop Venables addressing their group.
There was literally 20 feet between us. And - later, we met in the same ballroom.
And on the other, the provincial meeting of the Province of the Southern Cone, with Archbishop Venables addressing their group.
There was literally 20 feet between us. And - later, we met in the same ballroom.
Me on the Temple Steps...
Your faithful (when I have a good internet connection and a full battery) blogger, on the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tea Time at GAFCON...
One of the most enjoyable parts of our days has been daily tea times, at around 10:30a.m. and 4:30p.m. each day. It is a great time to talk to other pilgrims and share about our various ministries. I send you this picture simply to show the wide variety of people attending the conference.
On the Way Into Bethlehem...
On our way into Bethlehem today, a good friend of mine, Dr. Jack Gabig, who has lived in to Holy Land for some time, shared with us that these hills in Bethlehem were, in the time of Jesus' birth, the place where paschal lambs were raised by shepherds. It is interesting that as Mary and Joseph made their way to the City of Kings, they where shepherding and raising the True Paschal Lamb. Also that the shepherds who raised the paschal lambs would be the first to behold the fulfillment of their labors. Very cool!
More Pictures Now Up!
Just posted some more pictures here.
Took a trip into Bethlehem today for some gift-shopping. Morning sessions were very good. I attended a workshop entitled the Gospel and Leadership, focusing on the book of Nehemiah, one of my personal favorites.
This verse came to mind: "Those who carried burdens were laden in such a way that each with one hand labored on the work and with the other held his weapon." Nehemiah 4:17b
Took a trip into Bethlehem today for some gift-shopping. Morning sessions were very good. I attended a workshop entitled the Gospel and Leadership, focusing on the book of Nehemiah, one of my personal favorites.
This verse came to mind: "Those who carried burdens were laden in such a way that each with one hand labored on the work and with the other held his weapon." Nehemiah 4:17b
Bishops Gathered in the Garden of Gethsemane
One of the things that has been inspiring about the Conference is the presence of so many bishops who are not invited to Lambeth. For instance, Bishop Ray Sutton (REC) and Bishop Paul Hewett (Diocese of the Holy Cross) pictured here with many bishops from Africa in the Garden of Gethsemane. It is clear that GAFCON does not represent "institutional Anglicanism." It represents a global movement among Anglicans. That's what is most exciting. Well, I'm off to the first morning session, albeit a bit late from waiting for pictures to upload.
Comments are now enabled, keep it civil.
What GAFCON looks like...
Big. That's what it looks like. This was from yesterday morning's photo opp on the Mount of Olives.
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Garden of Gethsemane...
I was really struck by this. Standing in the Garden of Gethesemane, every thing made sense. On the night before Jesus was crucified, he lowered himself beneath the temple. You can see in the background of this picture the walls of the Temple Mount. The only thing missing is the Temple. Jesus determined himself to make the ultimate sacrifice as he prayed below the Temple, just hours before the last sacrifice would be made.
In the middle of the Garden is the Church of All Nations. In front of the Altar is the rock on which Jesus went through the Agony in the Garden. We, of course!, venerated the rock. It was a very holy place.
In the middle of the Garden is the Church of All Nations. In front of the Altar is the rock on which Jesus went through the Agony in the Garden. We, of course!, venerated the rock. It was a very holy place.
On the Mount of Olives
Today we went to the Mount of Olives, from which you can see the whole city. Jesus went there often to pray. At the top is Bethany, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived.
We prayed together on the Mount, and then had a group picture taken from a helicopter. Not sure how that's going to turn out, so here's a group picture of the young pilgrims from the diocese.
We prayed together on the Mount, and then had a group picture taken from a helicopter. Not sure how that's going to turn out, so here's a group picture of the young pilgrims from the diocese.
The Shrine of the Tomb
This is a shot of Andrew Petta ducking down to enter the shrine. It's very dark inside. You wait in line for a long time, and since it was Sunday morning when we went, we were hearing Orthodox chant from the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, and the Armenian liturgy at the same time. When you enter the antechamber, it is lit only by candlelight. But, I couldn't bring my camera in. Actually, I guess I could have, but it probably would have seemed profane.
This is the holiest place in the whole world.
To kneel at the place where Jesus Christ rose from the dead is an incredible experience.
This is the holiest place in the whole world.
To kneel at the place where Jesus Christ rose from the dead is an incredible experience.
The Shrine of Golgotha... Church of the Holy Sepulchre
High up in the Church is an altar to the Crucifixion, completely beautiful. Under the altar, you can place your hand under the altar and touch the hole that they inserted the cross into. Venerating this place was incredibly humbling. Pilgrims approach on their knees. We were in tears the whole time.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is home to the last 4 stations on the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross) and the place where Jesus rose from the dead. It is managed and served by the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Armenian Orthodox.
It houses the place where Jesus was stripped of his garments, the place where he was nailed to the Cross, crucified, died and buried.
We have come to Jerusalem to seek Jesus. Here, the gospel comes alive.
It houses the place where Jesus was stripped of his garments, the place where he was nailed to the Cross, crucified, died and buried.
We have come to Jerusalem to seek Jesus. Here, the gospel comes alive.
Finally... Good Internet Access!!!
Sorry bout the lack of posts. Internet here is expensive! But, I finally found a way to get it going and more cheaply.
We arrived Sunday morning early - at about 3:30 a.m. The travel agency had not sent a shuttle that we had requested, but after a trip to the information desk, we caught a less expensive (and faster!) shuttle into the city from Tel Aviv. James Michener says that the best time to see the Holy Land for the first time is at dawn. I couldn't agree more! We drove into Jerusalem as the sun was rising.
Andrew Petta had already arrived, so we put our bags in his room and managed to take showers, all before 6:30 a.m. After a quick breakfast, we took our bus into the Old City to Christ Church, Jerusalem, one of two Anglican churches in the Old City. After that, we (Summer, Andrew, and I) walked down to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The first thing you see is a rectangular stone on the ground, wet with water. Pilgrims kneel before the stone and venerate it. This is where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, one of my favorite stories from the Gospels. We knelt and venerated it. You could feel the holiness of the place.
More to come soon.
We arrived Sunday morning early - at about 3:30 a.m. The travel agency had not sent a shuttle that we had requested, but after a trip to the information desk, we caught a less expensive (and faster!) shuttle into the city from Tel Aviv. James Michener says that the best time to see the Holy Land for the first time is at dawn. I couldn't agree more! We drove into Jerusalem as the sun was rising.
Andrew Petta had already arrived, so we put our bags in his room and managed to take showers, all before 6:30 a.m. After a quick breakfast, we took our bus into the Old City to Christ Church, Jerusalem, one of two Anglican churches in the Old City. After that, we (Summer, Andrew, and I) walked down to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The first thing you see is a rectangular stone on the ground, wet with water. Pilgrims kneel before the stone and venerate it. This is where Jesus' body was prepared for burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, one of my favorite stories from the Gospels. We knelt and venerated it. You could feel the holiness of the place.
More to come soon.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Made it to Warsaw!
Got in to Warsaw, Poland today at about 3:00 local time. Using the internet at Rick's Casablanca Internet Cafe - ha ha. The city is really, really cool. And, by the way, Lot Polish Airlines is a great airline, very clean planes and great service and food. Anyhow, we'll get on a plane bound for Tel Aviv at 10:55 this evening. Next post will be from Jerusalem!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Flying Out Tomorrow
Tomorrow, at about 12:37 local time, I'll be boarding a plane, bound for Jerusalem and the GAFCON conference. I'm flying on LOT, which means a stop in Chicago for pizza and a stop in Warsaw for pierogies. Early Sunday morning, I'll make it to Israel, God willing.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
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