The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall has forecast a refocus on mission and church attendance as the Church begins its most important gathering of Anglicans in years.
In his Presidential Address to the General Synod Dr Aspinall highlighted the significant work carried out over the past few years on mission and church attendance and forecast further efforts under a revised form of ‘marks of mission,’
‘Our continuing focus on mission and attendance will bring clearly into view proclamation, evangelism, baptism and nurturing of new believers,’ said Dr Aspinall.
The Primate said the keynote session on the millennium development goals and attention to justice for indigenous Australians will tackle questions on social justice and human need.
Also on the agenda is a session on the environment and our stewardship of creation along with relationships within the Australian church and the wider Anglican Communion.
‘There will be some discussion about the current tensions in the Communion over the place of gay and lesbian people in the life of the Church.
‘The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked each province to assess the response from the US House of Bishops following the recent meeting in New Orleans. I believe the response was positive but I think it is appropriate that the General Synod have its say.’
The Brisbane Archbishop also used the address to offer support for a process to produce a covenant for the Anglican Communion. It would spell out the responsibilities and obligations of belonging to the Anglican Communion and how member churches would relate to each other in times of conflict.
‘In Australia, because of our lack of central authority and willingness to embrace diversity we are in a unique position to assist in that global covenant,’ said Dr Aspinall.
The General Synod continues meeting in Canberra until next Friday.
The Anglican General Synod is 247 members – 25 bishops and 222 clergy and laypeople from all over Australia.
Item from: The Anglican Diocese of Brisbane
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Church’s national service in Goulburn
The Angican Church’s national body, the General Synod, meets this week in Canberra.
The General Synod meets every three years, to do the church’s legislative work and discuss issues of national importance.
The synod’s formal worship service was held at Goulburn’s St Saviour’s Cathedral, on Sunday 21 October.
It is the first time the national church has worshipped in a cathedral outside a major city. St. Saviour’s is the cathedral of the Canberra & Goulburn diocese.
The Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery, will attend the opening service.
Visiting academic and author Archdeacon Bob Jackson, from the Diocese of Litchfield in the UK gave the sermon at the Cathedral service.
Archdeacon Bob is an expert on church growth, and the author of Hope for the Church and The Road to Growth.
He is expected to challenge the Australian Church on its vision for the future.
The service was followed by an exhibition of music, art and drama, Facets of Goulburn and the Goulburn Region.
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