Resolutions of ACC - 6
Resolution 1: Priorities for the Anglican Consultative Council
Recognizing the need of the Council to 'make some priority decisions among the wide range of expectations of the various provinces', and the need to maintain a sense of vision and strategy about its overall task, the Council recommends that the Standing Committee draw up a short list of such priorities keeping in mind resources available in other churches in the ecumenical movement (from among those listed page 33) in preparation for ACC-7 and as a guide to the Secretary General in planning his work over the next four years.
Resolution 2: ACC/Lambeth Palace Staff Meetings
Recognizing the great importance of close and easy relationships between the ACC and the Archbishop of Canterbury and his staff at Lambeth Palace the Council recommends that regular inter-staff meetings should continue to take place.
Resolution 3: The Relationship of ACC Members to their Provinces and the ACC Secretariat
Desiring to strengthen ways in which ACC members can promote understanding of the ACC in their own provinces this Council recommends that all delegates should have adequate and face to face opportunity to report back to their provincial Standing Committee and other appropriate bodies and synods and that the Secretary General should consider ways in which he can maintain a regular and more personal contact with all members between meetings.
Resolution 4: Sharing of Information at Council Meetings
This Council recommends the Secretary General and the Standing Committee, to ensure that all Council meetings should include time for adequate fellowship and sharing of information about one another and the provinces from which the delegates come.
Resolution 5: Provision for Translation at Meetings
The Council recommends that the Standing Committee review the provision made for members whose first language is not English, and others who find participation difficult, before the end of ACC-6, and make such changes in the programme for ACC-7 as seem appropriate.
Resolution 6: Ecumenical Activity
This Council recommends that ACC members and staff should continue to take a full part in ecumenical reflection, inter-church dialogue, and to act as a focus for Anglican involvement world wide in ecumenical activities.
Resolution 7: Worship and Prayer at Meetings
Believing that ACC is a 'synod of pilgrims', united by faith in the Risen Christ, this Council recommends that first priority be given to worship and prayer together at all our gatherings so that vision and openness to God's will be steadily sustained.
Resolution 8: Volunteers
Aware that there are many human resources in all parts of our Communion this Council recommends that the Secretary General further explore the use of qualified volunteers drawn from different sections of the Communion to work under the leadership of the ACC staff in different aspects of the life of the ACC.
Resolution 9: Seconded Staff
Knowing that there is a growing concern in member provinces about their relationships with each other and about ecumenical involvement this Council recommends that the Secretary General further explore the availability of seconded staff from provinces, dioceses and missionary societies to strengthen staff support for studies, meetings and consultation.
Resolution 10: Criteria for Studies
In order to encourage greater discipline in the use of human and monetary resources this Committee requests that proposals for new programmes or studies should be accompanied by:
Resolution 11: Evaluation of Mission ('Mission Audit')
This Council strongly urges all local churches, deaneries or archdeaconries, dioceses and provinces to carry out a mission audit making use of the following guidelines:-
To what extent is the Church enabling the laity to realize that they should be the forefront missionaries? Has the Church helped to equip the laity for evangelism? How effective are the present methods of evangelism and how can they be made even more effective? To what extent is the Church making use of various models of evangelism from other traditions, while at the same time rediscovering and maintaining an Anglican ethos? To what extent is the Church sharing in replanning evangelism with Churches of other traditions? Have the full-time evangelists been made to feel inferior to the ordained ministers? How can this be rectified in the future? How effectively is the Church using electronic media and technology?
Are the present Anglican practices of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist a hindrance or a help to the mission of the Church?
How effectively has the Church helped the laity to learn more about the Scriptures and Christian doctrines? Do Christians understand fully the purpose and meaning of Sacraments? Evaluate the present Sunday School system and discuss the possibility of including all ages. Evaluate the present use and future possibilities of electronic media, especially cassettes and video. Are theological colleges and Bible Schools effectively preparing their students for mission? Is the context of preaching and teaching born out of deep conviction of the gospel, related to the needs of the people and relevant to where they are? In Sunday worship, is there a good balance between the Ministry of the Word and the Ministry of Sacraments? The Ministry of Spoken Word (and praise) and the Ministry of Silence and the use of creative arts? Are ordination rites and services of institution expressing clearly the shared nature of ministry? etc.
To what extent has the Church accepted social responsibility as part of our mission to the world? What issues are arising from the churches' involvement in community development? Are there areas of duplication with what government and other church agencies are doing? Are the poor communities involved in the decision-making process of the development programmes in their areas? With regard to evaluating present development programmes, and in assessing their future, are Christians well equipped in understanding their responsibility as citizens of their country and in struggling for a just, viable and participatory society? (See MISAG p.38 and Appendix C).
Resolution 12:Mission Agencies (see MISAG Report p.17-19)
This Council requests the new MISAG in planning its first meeting, preferably in Australia, to invite all mission agencies who are prepared to fund a representative to participate. The Conference should reflect on the data gathered, aim at building trust and understanding, and as far as possible lay the foundation for more co-ordinated response to the PIM process and overall mission strategy. The Conference should have a significant presence if official representatives of the Churches in whose mission the mission agencies are participants. We recommend that the Conference be funded, as far as possible, by the mission agencies participating.
Resolution 13: Mission Strategy and the Future of MISAG
This Council receives with thanks the interim report of MISAG and hereby authorizes MISAG to continue as an Advisory Group on Mission issues and strategy. We further recommend that, subject to the availability of funds, the group be reconstituted by the Standing Committee so that the many dimensions of the Church's life that impinge upon its mission are more adequately represented. We further resolve that the following be considered as terms of reference of the reconstituted MISAG:-
Resolution 14: Mission and Ministry Report
The Council resolves that the following issues arising from the Mission and Ministry Report be considered for study in Provinces in the next three years, and also that the Agenda for ACC-7 take them into account in preparation for Lambeth 1988.
Resolution 15: Literature needs of the Francophone Dioceses
We welcome the report on the literature needs of the Francophone dioceses, and affirm the decision of the Office of the Secretary General to compile a select list of sound theological works and reference materials. We further affirm the decision to produce a simple 'primer' on Anglicanism recognizing that the issues raised in this report apply with equal urgency to some other Anglican provinces where access to English languages resources is difficult.
Resolution 16: Ministry of Healing
In preparation for Lambeth 1988 the Council recommends that serious consideration be given to the role of the healing ministry in Scripture, together with its actual functioning, relevance and potential importance in today's Church and its mission.
Resolution 17: Anglican-Roman Catholic Marriages
Be it resolved that ACC-6 requests that this section of the report dealing with Anglican-Roman Catholic marriages be sent to the Secretariat for Christian Unity in Rome for their earnest consideration.
Resolution 18: Polygamy
Be it resolved that this ACC-6 requests the Council for Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA) to study the issue of polygamy and the Christian family further in both its theological and pastoral dimensions and asks CAPA to co-ordinate the studies and to make available its findings to the Lambeth Conference of 1988.
Resolution 19: Christian Marriage and Family Life
Be it resolved that ACC-6 request the Secretary General to promote a new study or studies of Christian marriage and family life in contemporary society, so that this issue can become a major topic for the Lambeth Conference in 1988.
Resolution 20: Relations with Islam
Be it resolved that ACC-6:
Resolution 21: Studies
Be it resolved that ACC-6 request the Secretary General and the Standing Committee to commission several booklets or book-length studies. Such a study is particularly recommended in the area of moral reasoning: in Anglican theology and practice what are the theological and practical understandings which best guide us as we seek to offer insight and guidance in areas of moral decision?
Other suggested areas are:
Authority in the Church
The Authority and Interpretation of Scripture in Anglicanism
The Charismatic Movement in Anglicanism
Anglicanism and Indigenization
A Study of the factors leading to Church growth in areas of the Communion where that is taking place
Resolution 22: Steps Towards Unity
The Council receives the Report Steps Towards Unity, commends it to the member Churches and:
Resolution 23: Full Communion
In the light of its consideration of the implication of full communion the Council asks:
Resolution 24: United Churches and the Lambeth Conference
In the light of its consideration of the implications of full communion the Council welcomes the proposed invitation to representatives of the United Churches in full communion and other churches in full communion, to discuss the question of membership of the Lambeth Conference at the Primates' Meeting due to be held in March 1986.
Resolution 25: Anglican/Lutheran Relations
The Council commends the Report of the Anglican/Lutheran Working Group Anglican-Lutheran Relations, to the member Churches and on its basis:
Resolution 26: Anglican/Orthodox Relations
The Council looks forward to the forthcoming Anglican/Orthodox Agreed Statement, reiterates the importance of this dialogue, and recommends that a new Commission be constituted after the completion of the present phase of the Anglican/Orthodox Joint Doctrinal Discussions using the new Anglican/Roman Catholic commission as a possible model for size and geographical spread.
Resolution 27: Anglican/Oriental Orthodox Relations
The Council welcomes the proposed informal meeting with representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Churches proposed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Resolution 28: ARCIC Final Report
The Council requests:
Resolution 29: Evaluation of Anglican Centre in Rome
Affirming the ecumenical role of the Anglican Centre in Rome, the Council believes the time is ripe for some evaluation of its purpose and constitution; and requests the Secretary General to call together a small review group for this purpose, to report for ACC-7.
Resolution 30: Anglican/Reformed Relations
The Council warmly welcomes the Report of the Anglican/Reformed International Commission God's Reign and Our Unity and commends it to the churches for study, requesting a response for ACC-7.
Resolution 31: Anglican Consultative Council and World Council of Churches
The Council commends to the provinces for discussion the Report of the visit of Anglican Ecumenical Officers to the WCC and recommends that a staff member of the ACC pay regular visits to the Ecumenical Centre to improve communication between the WCC and the member churches and vice-versa.
Resolution 32: Church of England in South Africa
Resolution 33: Dr. Philip Potter
Resolved that the Council send a message of thanks and good wishes to Dr Philip Potter, General Secretary of the WCC, as he approaches his retirement.
Resolution 34: Ecumenical Budget
In view of the fact that a reduction in the ecumenical budget of £15,000 for 1986 would entail the serious curtailment of the work of the Anglican Centre in Rome or the cancellation of the proposed first meeting of a newly constituted Anglican/Orthodox Commission or the cancellation of the scheduled meeting of ARCIC II together with continuation of working groups with the Lutherans and the Reformed; and in view of the fact that the ecumenical dialogues should not be curtailed by unilateral Anglican action, we recommend that the Standing Committee be authorized to restore as much as is necessary of the £15,000 to maintain the ecumenical commitment of the Council if the special appeal meet with success.
Resolution 35
Resolved that the Council receives the record of section IV and Report.
Resolution 36: Social Issues
Resolved that the Council, noting that 'Christianity and the Social Order' is on the ACC agenda for the first time, and will be on the agenda of ACC-7 and the 1988 Lambeth Conference, encourages provinces to refer local social issues which have international implications for possible consideration at ACC-7.
Resolution 37: Peace
Believing that the gospel imperative requires God's children to work for peace with justice in the world, the Council:
Resolution 38: Namibia
The Council:
Resolution 39: Refugees
Recognizing that the report 'Refugees: A Pastoral Challenge for Anglicans' presents a well documented case study of both refugee ministries as they exist in various provinces and of the urgent and continuing need throughout the Communion for these ministries; and that the Primates' Meeting in Kenya in 1983 requested further involvement in refugee ministry throughout the Communion; and that acute problems of displacement, homelessness and isolation now directly affect many people including Anglicans in no fewer than seven provinces, and to some degree those in virtually every other province, the ACC at its Sixth Meeting:
Resolution 40: Family
The Council commends to the Lambeth Conference 1988 Planning Committee the inclusion of the family in society as a major concern, so that the conference can compare contemporary family patterns with 1958, when the family in society was the theme of the Lambeth Conference.
Resolution 41: Central America
The Council:
Resolution 42: United Nations
The Council:
Resolution 43: Co-Opted Members
The Council resolves:
The three vacancies for co-opted members (one woman, one youth under 28, one general) be filled by the Standing Committee with first consideration being given to suitable persons from areas of our Church not represented on the Council (e.g. Korea, Iberian Churches, Bermuda).
Resolution 44: Anglican Centre in Rome - Membership of Council
Acting on information received of action by Section HI the Council resolves that the following provinces be given the opportunity to nominate members to the Council of the Anglican Centre in Rome:
On a continuing basis:
Canada,
USA,
West Indies
New Provinces:
Australia,
Japan,
Nigeria
it being understood that neither the Council of the Centre nor the Anglican Consultative Council is able to cover any travelling expenses involved.
Resolution 45: St George's College Jerusalem
Having been invited to nominate a representative to be on the Board of St George's College Jerusalem, the Council resolves that the Standing Committee be asked to give consideration to the appointment of a representative on the Board of St George's College, Jerusalem and be given power to act.
Resolution 46: Amendment of Bye-Laws under Clause 2(o) of the Constitution
In exercize of its power under Clause (f) of the Schedule of Membership and Clause 8 of the Constitution of the Anglican Consultative Council, this Council resolves that a Bye-law to be numbered 5 be added to the Bye-laws of the Council worded as follows: In the event of any casual vacancy occurring in the co-opted membership of the Council the Standing Committee shall have power to co-opt a member under the provisions of Clause (f) of the Schedule of Membership of the Council to hold office until the conclusion of the next meeting of the Council. Any member co-opted in this manner by the Standing Committee shall be eligible for election by the Council if it so wishes.
In the event of a casual vacancy occurring in the membership of the Standing Committee between Council meetings the Standing Committee itself shall have power to appoint a member of the Council of the same order as the representative who filled the vacant place and such member shall have full voting rights for the remainder of the term of service of the former member. Such member shall, subject to his or her eligibility for continuing membership of the Council, be eligible for re-election to the Standing Committee at the next Council meeting.
NOTE: Recommended Criteria to be Taken into Account in Nominations for the Standing Committee Accepted by ACC-6
Following Resolution 46 (ii) above concerning the filling of casual vacancies on the Standing Committee the Council, having accepted the criteria to be taken into account in making nominations for the Standing Committee (see below) urged the Standing Committee to take into consideration the said criteria in filling vacancies which might occur in the membership of the Standing Committee:
Resolution 47: Financial Matters
This Council resolves to change its budgeting and financial policy of having a single budget with income provided by the member churches, which means that the ability of the Council to respond to new challenges and opportunities is limited to a pattern which includes:
Resolution 48: Budget
The Council resolves to approve the draft budgets for 1986 as set overleaf which restricts the contributions requested from member churches to no more than 8 of the previous year's figure. The Council further resolved that the Standing Committee be empowered to amend this budget at its meeting next March if it should prove necessary in the light of response to the Appeal or changed circumstances but it should as far as possible keep increases in contributions from the member churches to no more than the current rate of inflation or 8%. The same principle should be applied as far as possible to the 1987 budget.
Resolution 49: Special Appeal
This Council resolves to authorize a special appeal (estimated to amount to £110,000) to its member churches, concerned persons and other sources designed to include rebuilding the General Reserve of the Council to a level of approximately £100,000 with a commitment to maintain the General Reserve at a level of one third of the annual central Secretariat expenses (at 1985, running at £281,000).
Resolution 50: Office Accomodation
This Council resolves that the staff of the ACC explore the possibility of taking accommodation as part of the 'Under One Roof scheme in London in consultation with Bishop Haggart, who is empowered to act on behalf of the Standing Committee together with one or two people as he chooses. If this is impractical, Bishop Haggart is empowered to explore with the staff other properties.
Resolution 51: ACC-7
This Council authorizes the staff of ACC to contact the Bishop of Hong Kong and if he is personally supportive to the ACC meeting being held in Hong Kong in 1987, mutually suitable dates and venue be explored. If this is not possible a site in Wales should be explored, and the Standing Committee be authorized to make a decision at their meeting in March 1985.
Resolution 52: Preparations for Lambeth Conference 1998
The Council resolves that the Secretary General form a small committee, chosen by him in consultation with the Standing Committee from amongst those who have experienced ACC meetings, with the addition of others who have special competence in the subject, to review the procedures by which the Council handles the issues, (other than organizational and financial) that come on its agenda, with a view to restructuring procedures, for ACC-7 and, in the light of that meeting, advising the Archbishop of Canterbury on the procedures for Lambeth 1988.
Resolution 53: Communications
Resolved that this Council, recognizing that deliberate and planned communication is essential for the building up of the community of the Church and is vital in assisting the witness of that community in telling the good news and discerning and interpreting the signs of the times:
It is understood that the above recommendations which involve expenditure of funds are subject to the limits of budget allocation.
Resolution 54: Youth Communication Network
Be it resolved that this Council authorize:
It is assumed that this can be part of the Communication Network already being developed with no addition to the budget.
Resolution 55: Research Fellowship
Resolved, that this Council:
Welcomes with gratitude Highways and Hedges, a study of developments in the Anglican Communion 1958-1982, prepared by Bishop John Howe as the first Research Fellow of the ACC in accordance with Resolution 37 of ACC-5.
Resolution 56: Eloff Commission Delegation
Resolved that this Council:
Resolution 57: Outgoing Members
Resolved that this Council notes with gratitude and regret the departure from its ranks of:
Archbishop Edward Scott - Canada
Bishop Joseph Mabula - Central Africa
Bishop Ronald Bowlby - England
Archbishop Manasses Kuria - Kenya
Mr David Wylie - New Zealand
The Hon Mr Justice O Akinkugbe - Nigeria
Mrs Sylvia Swartz - Southern Africa
Dr Silvia Roitberg - South America
Miss Mary Brown - New Zealand
Miss June Cuffley - West Indies Miss Cecilia Yoshimoto - Japan
Each of these colleagues has served faithfully and has brought unique gifts to our work. All will continue in our thoughts and prayers and can be depended upon to continue to work for the Council, the Communion and their respective churches. We thank God for their work and continuing witness.
Be it further resolved that the Secretary General be requested to convey a fair copy of this resolution to each of our retiring sisters and brothers.
Resolution 58: Ecumenical Partners
Resolved, that this Council
The Rt Revd Wayne Weissenbuehler - Lutheran World Federation
The Most Revd Alexander Mar Thoma - Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar
The Rt Revd Bishop Aristarchos of Zenoupolis - Orthodox Churches
The Rt Revd Abdias de la Cruz, Philippine Independent Church
The Very Revd Mgr Richard Stewart - Roman Catholic Church
Mr Mazi Kanu Oji - World Alliance of Reformed Churches
The Revd George Tsetsis - World Council of Churches
Resolution 59: Staff and Volunteer Staff
F
Resolved that this Council
The Revd George B Braund
Mrs Christine Codner
Miss Deirdre E Hoban
Mr John K Martin
the Revd Canon Howard Root
Mr Michael C Sams
Ms Vanessa Wilde, and
The Revd Canon Christopher Hill
Mrs Stella Taylor and
Mr Terry Waite, MBE; and
The Rt Revd David Gitari
the Revd Dr Jaci C Maraschin
Mrs Faga Matalavea
the Revd Canon Martin Reardon
the Rt Revd Alexander Stewart
the Revd Alan Nichols
the Rt Revd Benjamin Nwankiti
for their expertise and guidance, and
Mrs Ruth Nicastro
the Revd Onell Soto
Mr David Sumner
the Revd Charles A Cesaretti and
the Revd Dr Philip Turner, and
Resolution 60: Administrative Staff College of Nigeria
Resolved, that this Anglican Consultative Council (6):
Resolution 61: Church of Nigeria
Mrs Kate Emetu
Miss Georgina Budede and
Miss Ngozi Obasi