Keep the prayers coming

Yesterday we continued our reflection on the "I am" sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of St. John. Each small group Bible study read and discussed John 6:14-21, giving special attention to verse 20, "It is I (or, "I am"); do not be afraid." Our group had a very candid exchange as we spoke about the things that we fear about the Conference and about being bishops at the moment in the Anglican Communion. It was sobering to share our fears. But one of our members recalled for us the remark by Archbishop Rowan Williams that the only thing he is afraid of is the failure to hope in Christ. Amen.

Later in the morning we met for the first time in our "Indaba" groups (40). In these groups we have specific tasks associated with a different topic each day. Yesterday our group did some very good work describing our understanding of the role and identity of a bishop. I felt challenged and inspired by the wisdom, vision, and commitment of my brothers and sisters.

At a later session that afternoon I chose to attend a small group discussion of how we approach Scripture as Anglicans. We are formed by Scripture. As one document puts it, "We discern the voice of the living God in the Holy Scriptures, mediated by tradition and reason" and "We cherish the whole of Scripture for every aspect of our lives, and we value the many ways in which it teaches us to follow Christ faithfully in a variety of contexts." (From The Anglican Way: Signposts on the Journey, by TEAC, Theological Education for the Anglican Communion.)

In that particular discussion group, however, some real disagreements emerged as we discussed interpretation and the authority of Scripture. It was not an easy discussion and it surfaced many of the tensions among us.

Last evening our guest speaker was Dr. Brian McLaren, an American pastor and leader in the Emerging Church movement. He spoke of our changing contexts and the need for new models of evangelism. He was very affirming of the potential for Anglicans to lead the way.

He describes evangelism as a gentle, respectful relational process. I really resonate with that definition and I commend his book, Generous Orthodoxy, which I read last year. We have a real need to become a Church that presents the Gospel in day-to-day life, not to make converts but to form disciples. I am confident that we can do this, with God's help, in ways that are gentle, generous and joyous, inviting people to share the abundant life of Jesus Christ with us in the Church that we love.

Thanks for your prayers. Keep them coming, please.

I hold you in my heart. I love this Church!

Faithfully yours in Christ,

+George