As
Anglicans, we are part of a global communion of churches established
over the centuries by the Church of England. The word Anglican actually
means “of England.” As British Anglicans, compelled by the word of God
and the Holy Spirit, took their faith around the world, churches were
established on every continent and in many nations. British pastoral
leaders encouraged autonomy and collegiality with these daughter
churches, and over time, 39 separate “provinces” of the Anglican Church
were established around the world. Today these provinces function in a
voluntary communion based around common beliefs and practices. The
leaders of each province, called archbishops, gather periodically to
discuss the work of the church and to resolve issues that may arise.
The
Anglican Church is a Biblically-based church with ancient roots and a
treasure of rich resources that help us grow as followers of Jesus
Christ to love God and serve our Communities as Christians.
Anglicans
have always sought to worship God faithfully with living forms of
worship. Therefore, our services and liturgies mirror the worship of
the ancient apostolic church while incorporating the common language
and culture of the communities in which they are practiced.
Furthermore, Anglicans incorporate both ancient sacramental practices
as well as visual symbols to celebrate the certainty of our faith and
the mysteries of God. Together, sacrament, symbol and word, enlivened
by the Holy Spirit, connect our senses with our minds and hearts.
In
order to remain true to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles,
Anglicans have historically upheld the Holy Scriptures as God’s Word,
have held to the summary of evangelical beliefs known as the
Thirty-Nine Articles of Faith and have accepted the three great
Christian creeds, the Apostles’, the Nicene and the Athanasian, as the
fundamental statements of the Christian faith. We celebrate the
sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as commanded by Jesus and
we uphold the historic order of Bishops, Presbyters and Deacons in the
administration of the church’s life and mission.
Today
the worldwide Anglican Communion is experiencing both tremendous stress
and tremendous renewal. The stress comes as some provinces depart from
historic Anglican faith and practices and from the orthodox
understanding of the Holy Scriptures. On the other hand, the renewal
comes from the explosive growth of the gospel through Anglican churches
and missions in many locations, particularly the “2/3 world.” For
example, there are more than 17 million Anglicans in Nigeria -- more
than all Anglicans in the United States!
It
is indeed an unusual and exciting time to be Anglican. Those of us
gathered here at SouthPoint Anglican Church, without reservation,
wholeheartedly embrace that we have been called to be followers of
Jesus Christ in the Anglican tradition for such a time as this. We have
a deep sense that God is calling us to live more faithfully and trust
him more genuinely than ever.
What is
The Anglican Mission in America?
The
Anglican Mission in America, populary known as "The AM" was
birthed in a daring faith-move by Archbishops Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda
and Yong Ping Chung of Southeast Asia in response to growing divergence
from traditional Anglican beliefs in the United States. In January
2000, Archbishops Yong & Kolini consecrated Chuck Murphy and John
Rodgers as Missionary Bishops to the United States. Further movement
came in August when these same archbishops signaled "full speed ahead" to
the development of the Anglican Mission in America. The AM was
established as a missionary society, charged with taking the gospel to
130 million unchurched and dechurched Americans. Its task is to plant
fully Anglican, thoroughly evangelical churches in fulfillment of the
Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).
Having
planted over 160 churches in the past 10 years, the "The AM" provides
a way for congregations and clergy to be fully Anglican—connected to
the worldwide Anglican Communion through leadership in Rwanda and
Southeast Asia—while at the same time being free of the crises of
faith, leadership and mission that surround Anglican practices in the
United States. Nine bishops give active direction to this mission
effort under the leadership of Bishop Chuck Murphy as Director.