Almost a year ago, the once-in-a-decade Lambeth Conference in Canterbury convened with the announced purpose of worship, study and discussion. But chaffing beneath the surface and expressed via boycotts and discussions were flashpoint issues of the ordination of practicing homosexual clergy, same-sex union blessings/marriages, and other moves away from orthodox practice and belief.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, upon whose invitation Lambeth Conference conferees attend, attempted to sidestep the most divisive issues by not inviting Reverend Gene Robinson, a homosexual bishop of the New Hampshire diocese. Robinson was elected to the bishopric June 7, 2003, sparking action between opposing factions in both the Anglican Communion and Episcopal Church.

In the end, Anglican Communion leadership placed a moratorium on making any decisions. And nobody was happy.

Reverend Peter Frank, spokesman at the time for the Anglican Communion Network, an evangelical renewal movement, predicted that “[n]ether side will wait for another 10 years to act. The moratorium will empower the innovative to be freer to act because they know that nothing on the radar will happen to them. However, it (the lack of any official decisions) will empower the defenders of the faith to be realistic, not count on the leadership, and organize within the structure. And they are in the majority.”

Frank’s prediction rang true this week with the formation of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

A Historic Week of Union

Meeting June 20-21, prior to the assembly, The ACNA College of Bishops completed the election of five bishops and welcomed three bishops-elect.

In addition to the election of bishops, selection of an archbishop, and ratification of a new constitution, on week included several Christian leaders from other denominations. Tuesday the assembly heard remarks from Dr. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and Metropolitan Jonah, the leader of the Orthodox Church in North America.

Warren reminded the audience to stay focused on God and his love for people. The work of the church, he said, was to preach the Gospel and make disciples. “Don't ask God to bless what you are doing. Do what God is blessing."  

Along that theme and in context of the current lawsuits brought against many in the ACNA, Warren said, “The church has never been made up of buildings, it’s made up of people,” and “Christ did not die for property… You may lose the steeple, but you will not lose the people.”