24.05.2023



"Keep the fires burning!"
Gafcon IV Kigali Feedback Evening Report



"Keep the fire burning!"


These were Archbishop Laurent Mbanda’s words to a full building at Knockbreda parish church for the Gafcon IV feedback evening on Monday last week [15/5/23]. We heard from members of the Gafcon Ireland delegation and Gafcon Ireland’s chairman, Tim Anderson.


Gafcon IV in Kigali included 1300 people from 51 countries and called for a resetting of the Anglican Communion. Delegates captured a contrasting mood of the conference:


“I was surprised by the grief” one recounted, reflecting the anguish over false teaching and its impact on the communion. Each morning session concluded with a call to corporate and personal repentance while pleading with others to turn from error. This mood was evident at the reading of the historic Kigali Commitment, a statement that deserves hearing with sober hearts. You can read it here.


“I was surprised at the joy” reported another conference delegate. Even in the context of so great a tear, throughout sessions and breaks they experienced meeting strangers who were also brothers and sisters in Christ, unified by scriptural Christianity. Many have suffered for His gospel but remain faithful to Him and testify to His faithfulness. “To whom do we go?” was the theme of the conference. The joyous answer: “We go to Christ who alone has the words of eternal life (John 6:38) and then we go with Christ to the whole world.”


One presenter, who has observed Gafcon's growth from its beginning, gave a moving personal account of Gafcon’s formation in seven points. The seventh drew attention to Gafcon’s establishment of new Anglican jurisdictions providing oversight for those Anglicans adrift, cast out by opposition or denial of scriptural doctrine, currently covering seven parts of the world - North America, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, England and Europe.


“Have soft hearts and hard feet” was our final local delegate’s passionate call to us–have compassion and courage. Our parishes and synods are to define for themselves with whom we are in communion, including the seven new truly Anglican Gafcon regions. We should build gospel partnerships with congregations in the Global South, and between “the north and south of Ireland!” He denounced false unity among Anglicans on our island declaring, “Error is error!”. How inspiring it will be to have “soft hearts and hard feet” openly walking a distinctly scriptural path in the House of Bishops, through Synod into every diocese, parish, and household of this island! As the Kigali Commitment states:


“…we do not walk in Christian fellowship with those in darkness (Deuteronomy 8:6; 2 John 4; 1 John 1:7)"


Tim Anderson and Laurent Mbanda introduced to us this historic statement of the Gafcon IV containing an astonishing resolution from those representing 85% of global Anglicans:


“Both GSFA [Global South Fellowship of Anglicans] and Gafcon Primates share the view that, due to the departures from orthodoxy… they can no longer recognise the Archbishop of Canterbury as an Instrument of Communion, the ‘first among equals’ of the Primates. The Church of England has chosen to impair her relationship with the orthodox provinces in the Communion.”

(The Kigali Commitment)


The Archbishop of Canterbury and the structures he oversees are devastatingly broken. The Anglican Communion is being reset. So what shall we do?


"Keep the fire burning” is exactly the encouragement we need. You must watch the interview with Archbishop Mbanda yourself to receive its full impact (in full here or in parts in this playlist) . Hear how he came to faith, his involvement with Gafcon from its inception, his passion for the gospel, his summary of the “Kigali Commitment” and finally, his encouragement for us here in Ireland to:

  • Stand firm
  • Proclaim Christ and plant new churches
  • Connect with other faithful anglicans
  • Equip young leaders
  • Pray for Gafcon movement and do your part.

Amen!


P.S. All of the main sessions of Gafcon IV Kigali were streamed and recorded. You can watch them through the gafcon23.org link here. On the Tuesday Evening, Tim Anderson and Cameron Jones were interviewed by Bishop Andy Lines, updating the global communion on our situation on the island of Ireland. You can watch it here.



Gafcon IV Kigali Feedback Evening
Interview with
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda



Gafcon '23 Kigali - Gafcon Ireland Interviews



14.02.2023



Statement from Gafcon Ireland in response to Church of England General Synod motion, "Prayers of Love and Faith"



The Church of England at its General Synod on Thursday 9 February 2023 passed a motion that commends a liturgy, Prayers of Love and Faith, which according to the House of Bishops “will offer clergy a variety of flexible ways to affirm and celebrate same-sex couples in church, and will include prayers of dedication, thanksgiving and for God’s blessing”.


This deliberate, synodical and formalised departure from, and contradiction to the written Word of God (the Bible) on marriage, sex and gender has, in the words of one speaker during the General Synod debate, “implications…both nationally, across the four nations, and around the world.” In other words, this decision by the Church of England has serious implications for the Church of Ireland as well as others.


Archbishop Foley Beach, the Chair of the Gafcon Primates who together represent over 60 million faithful Anglicans throughout the world, writes this in his response: “The Gafcon provinces and other Global South provinces are already in impaired Communion with The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Episcopal Church of Brazil, The Scottish Episcopal Church, The Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, and the Church in Wales. We shall now have to make a decision about the Church of England.” The Archbishop goes on to say “Many in the Church of England have made faithful and courageous speeches upholding biblical teaching. We thank God for them and acknowledge their faithfulness to the Gospel, and our ongoing fellowship with and support for them.”


Here in Ireland our hearts and prayers go out to our faithful and brave Anglican brothers and sisters in England who continue to stand firm for Jesus, who resist the temptation of sexual sin, and who remain committed to reaching their nation for Christ. We thank God for them as they continue to “gladly proclaim and submit to the unique and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ” (Jerusalem Declaration Clause 5).


But the questions remain.


Where does this leave the Church of Ireland in relation to ‘the sister’ Church of England?


Are we able to ‘maintain communion’? Will we follow the path of Scotland, Wales and now England and trample the Son of God underfoot (Hebrews 10.29)?


Or instead, will the Church of Ireland contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3)?


We continue to earnestly pray for our own House of Bishops and General Synod.


We also reaffirm Clause 8 of the Jerusalem Declaration:


We acknowledge God’s creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family. We repent of our failures to maintain the standard and call for a renewed commitment to lifelong fidelity in marriage and abstinence for those who are not married.



29.10.2021



Statement from Gafcon Ireland Trustees regarding Bishop Michael Nazir Ali



The Trustees of Gafcon Ireland are deeply troubled by the recent transition of Bishop Michael Nazir Ali to the Roman Catholic Church. He has previously defended Christian orthodoxy around the world and courageously spoken on behalf of the persecuted church. However, Bishop Michael has now aligned himself with doctrines that are, in the words of the Thirty-nine Articles, “repugnant to the Word of God”. We cannot affirm Bishop Michael in his decision. We urge him to reconsider and return.


The first clause of the Jerusalem Declaration states that, “We rejoice in the gospel of God through which we have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit”. As Trustees of Gafcon Ireland, and with our members and supporters, we continue to express our loyalty to the King of kings, the Lord Jesus, and rejoice in his gospel and its faithful proclamation to all nations.



Gafcon Ireland Residential (@ home) 2020



PROCLAIM the gospel and PLANT new congregations



Gafcon Ireland does not stop working, even in a lockdown!


Each year we have a residential over two days where we gather to look closely at our work and how we can go further in our work together.


Last year we couldn't gather in person so we went online with three sessions with a strong focus on PROCLAIMing the gospel and PLANTING new congregations.


First, we had a whirlwind of a session with RICO TICE – Evangelism in the Local Church! Because we know the saving gospel of Jesus, we are the most important people our neighbours, friends and family know!


Second, we were encouraged by a brother PROCLAIMING the gospel and serving God's people where persecution is a reality. We can not share this session with you because it would be dangerous to him and other believers, but the openness and passion for the gospel under pressure was humbling and enthusing.


Finally, we had an amazing session with Archbishop Foley Beach, Chairman of Gafcon global. He shared his own story of coming to Christ and then spoke of church PLANTING in his context - the USA.


Apart from the content, it was wonderful to have a senior Christian leader speak so passionately about this vital work with expert knowledge and experience.


We couldn't keep these just to those who were able to join us live. Click on the pictures below to watch the sessions with Rico and Abp Beach.







Transgenderism, schools and talking with our children.





6 Important Things to Remember When Talking to Our Children About Transgenderism






In the last weeks, Gafcon International news and other media have reported that an orthodox Church of England rector has felt compelled to resign both as governor of a Church of England school and also as rector of his church over this issue. Transgenderism is increasingly the point of difference between biblical thinking and that of the secular culture of the western world. It is in schools that this is appearing and where our children will encounter this very different idea of what it means to be male and female. How do we speak to our children about so challenging an idea, perhaps before we've thought about it ourselves? Gafcon Ireland board member and director of Irish Church Missions, Rev'd David Martin, has written an excellent, practical and easy-to-read book meeting exactly this need - "Rewriting Gender?". David has written this article with helpful advice for Christian parents who know they need to speak with their children about this issue, but may not know where to begin.​




As parents our lives are full. They are full of the joys and happiness that come with having four lovely, healthy children. They are full of the exhaustion and frustration that come with having four lively children too. They are also full of certain fears and worries about the future, as to the issues our children will face as they grow up. Transgenderism is one of those issues they will certainly be unable to ignore and therefore as parents we cannot ignore preparing our children for the real world either. However, perhaps more importantly, as Christians we cannot ignore the opportunities this broken, hurting, rebellious world offers us either, to apply the comfort of the gospel The most important thing I need, as a parent is to daily be reminded of the gospel’s power to transform every heart; my own, my children’s, and everyone else’s.


However when it comes to transgenderism, and especially when it comes to transgenderism and our children, there are some other important things to remember as well


1. Talk about transgenderism with your children.

This might seem like stating the obvious, but today the obvious is not as easy as it might seem. The current cultural climate has successfully muzzled most voices from speaking out against transgenderism. It is simply assumed in many cultural narratives today that transgenderism is actually quite normal. While I’ve tried to unpack some of the more sensitive issues relating to what we say and how we say it in the book, I think the most important point actually is simply this: as parents we must be talking to our children about these huge cultural shaping trends. Without a doubt, if we are not informing their hearts and minds other people will be.


2. Talk about the people, not just the politics of it.

Another great danger is that as Christians we simply try and argue our points. The aim of any Christian should not be to win the argument. We are not simply concerned with scoring points in a debate. The aim of every Christian should be to win people to see the glory, forgiveness, beauty and truth of the Lord Jesus. Therefore when we talk with our children help them to see the value in every person.


3. Talk about transgenderism as a Christian, not an expert.

In other words, don’t worry if you do not have an answer to every question your child asks. If you don’t know, say so, and then make the effort to find an answer. A key point to remember here is that even the experts are divided. In some cases science itself seems to have been influenced more by the opinions of certain groups than by the observable facts on the ground.


4. Talk about God and this fallen, wilful and frustrated world.

Transgenderism itself is certainly not an unforgivable sin. Neither does it put an individual beyond the reach of our glorious saviour. Everyone of us has a heart that is turned in on itself and equally in need of rescue. The simple fact that I am writing this today, as a Christian, is evidence that God’s sovereign grace, is able to deliver, forgive and transform any life. But the context of God’s activity is this broken, fallen and frustrated world Transgenderism is another clear example of our need for God to intervene.


5. Talk about Jesus who is full of both grace and truth.

While transgenderism is not an unforgivable sin, when Jesus deals with our sin, He not only takes our punishment but promises to remake us in His image. It is so important to help our children see that while Jesus loves everyone, that does not mean that He simply affirms us in all our choices. Every sinner who comes to Jesus for rescue at the same time gives over control of their lives to Him. Whether we struggle with issues of deep personal self–acceptance or greed and the need to gossip about others, Jesus will change us all in some way by his love and righteousness.


6. Talk to God with your children about ways in which He might use you as a family to bring the power of the gospel to bear on everyone’s life, including those living with transgenderism.

Our families are wonderful gifts from God. They ultimately belong to Him. One of the greatest cries of our hearts, and especially those within the transgender community is for a sense of belonging. Pray to your loving Heavenly Father, as a family, with your children, about the all the questions and concerns that you have. Pray for other people and the questions and concerns they have about themselves too. Our loving God is able to cope, even when we are not. Our children deserve to see that in the end everything depends upon Him and His everlasting love.


This article was first published by Christian Focus Publishing on 10 August 2018 and is reproduced with their kind permission.



Gafcon Ireland PREPARES people for Christian ministry





Theology is for everyone!
A strong church requires a theologically astute laity!





Gafcon Ireland continues to express these ongoing convictions through our recent completion of its second annual TheologyIreland programme.


This year TheologyIreland expanded on what we began in January 2018 when we had Dr Peter Orr run the foundational “Biblical Theology” course—introducing the whole Bible’s storyline, and so equipping people to better read and understand the Bible for themselves. In January 2019 Peter returned to run this course again for those new to TheologyIreland, and to build upon this foundation for those students who attended last year.


Those returning for this second year were treated to an introduction to Matthew’s gospel, with a particular focus on how Matthew uses the Old Testament to understand who Jesus is, and what he came to do. We saw that Matthew’s use of the Old Testament is foundational “Biblical Theology”!


In a wonderful new step for TheologyIreland we were able to offer the Foundation Course in Belfast with live-streaming to students registered in Dublin.


Peter also ran courses for Lay readers in the Republic of Ireland in “Preaching from Luke’s gospel” to assist in their preaching from this year's Church of Ireland Lectionary. If that were not enough, he also led Saturday sessions dealing with various contemporary issues, and other sessions for Christian leaders!


How wonderful to receive the service of such a godly Christian scholar. We are thankful to God for him, and for the generosity of his family who we are sure felt his absence for three weeks. We are also thankful to Moore Theological College for their PARTNERSHIP in the gospel.


TheologyIreland will continue to grow, building Christian people in their knowledge and love of Christ by teaching the God-breathed scriptures that we Anglicans confess contain all things necessary to salvation.


Theology IS for everyone! And our church is now stronger through the equipping of laity and leadership this Gafcon Ireland work of TheologyIreland.



Partnering and Planting–A Very Anglican Activity of Gafcon Ireland!





“I urge you to be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord that together we will bring people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and finally attain everlasting life.”
-Archbishop Ben Kwashi





What a wonderful visit and encouragement to receive from incoming Secretary General of the global Gafcon movement! Gafcon Ireland was privileged to receive him at the annual two-day residential attended by over 50 church leaders in his first visit to a Gafcon branch since his election.


His encouragement fit with the message of our other guests: “Of Gafcon Ireland’s four ‘P’s’, Partnering and Planting will be the most difficult to do” Canon Alan Hawkins, Leader of Gafcon’s Church Planting Network


The four P’s of Gafcon Ireland are to PROCLAIM, PARTNER, PLANT and PREPARE, and Alan Hawkins is quite right to notice the significance of placing PARTNER and PLANT in the middle. They are central to the future of Anglican ministry in Ireland! Gafcon Ireland is already PROCLAIMING the message of the gospel through parish ministry. We are already PREPARING people for gospel ministry through theologyIreland (www.theologyireland.com), but PLANTING new congregations and PARTNERING with like-minded organisations to do so are not so easy.


Yet Gafcon Ireland has committed to plant 50 churches in the next 50 years! But our guests shocked us by sharing their opinion: “this is too small a vision!” Our guests come with experience from new Anglican movements in the USA and England. Our American brothers were thrown out of The Episcopal Church because they would not turn from scripture. The Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) did not turn inwards in self-protection after this painful experience. Quite the reverse! ACNA looked to the desperate need to multiply faithful Anglican churches that would evangelise. They began to plant new churches—and 488 authentic Anglican churches were planted and remain after just 5 years.(1)


Our guests from England, Rev. Lee McMunn of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) and Bishop Andy Lines, gave the same encouragement through teaching from John’s third letter, interviews, and in gospel-driven personal conversations during breaks and over meals. But does this fit with being authentically Anglican? Dr. Ashley Null – the great scholar of Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation– provided a masterclass in foundational Anglican theology. The Anglican Book of Homilies, the Book of Common Prayer – the ‘Title Deeds’ of Anglicanism – demonstrate that Anglicanism is movement founded on Scripture, concerned with sin, justification by faith, and the love of God!


This love that begins with God calls in our Anglican communion service: Presbyter: “Lift up your hearts” Congregation: “We lift them up to the Lord” “For Cranmer, the whole point of the reformation was restoring God’s glory, and restoring Christian lives motivated by a new ruling love for God that comes through the proclamation of the gospel” Dr Ashley Null


The Book of Common Prayer drives the gathered people of God to recognise that their hearts – the centre of their being – must be transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit by the word of God in Scripture about Jesus’ death, to love of the God who saves! On the island of Ireland there are so many who do not know of this love for which they were made. They do not know of the love that is initiated by God alone and turns our hearts to right love of our creator who bought us back by the blood of Jesus the Son. They do not know the God of all comfort. They have not heard and believed “the comfortable words”. “Hear these words of assurance for those who truly turn to Christ. Jesus said: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’. Matthew 11:28 ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’ John 3:16 The apostle Paul said: ‘Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. 1 Timothy 1:15 The apostle John said: ‘If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.’ 1 John 2:1–2” (2)


To take the message of Christ with cultural sensitivity is the work of authentic Anglicans! (3) So Gafcon Ireland will devote itself to PARTNER and to PLANT. Whether it is Belfast or Dublin, Galway or Cork, there are not sufficient Anglican congregations devoted to Cranmer’s project for the English-speakers of the world (and of all tongues) to reach all those who do not lift up their hearts to the Lord. “[Cranmer wrote] a liturgy that promoted the alluring power of the gospel in a culturally relevant manner” Dr Ashley Null


The good news is that we are not alone, and that we have already started. We have the Gafcon church planting network who PARTNER with us in this work – lending expertise, financial networks, advice and prayer. We have local partners who have experience in church planting and share Anglican convictions as well as historic connections within the Church of Ireland and a remit for mission on this island which contains the least evangelized people group of English-speaking world.


Will you join us as we plan to PARTNER and PLANT?

• Pray for urgency – for the time is short.

• Pray for patience – for it is the Lord’s work.

• Pray for and give financial support – for that is what gospel fellowship means.

• Pray for church planters who are PREPARED and able for the work.

• Pray for (or provide) accommodation for church planters.

• Pray for churches whose affections and hearts, are lifted up to the Lord in love for God by his word PROCLAIMED.


(1) A similar number were attempted and have not kept going... but those who tried continue to receive support and many plan to try again. (2) Excerpt From: Archbishop of Sydney's Liturgical Panel. “Common Prayer”. Apple Books. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/common-prayer/id635153045?mt=11 (3) see Article XXXIV of the thirty-nine articles



Gafcon Ireland responds after the event in Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford where a senior Arab Muslim gave an address.


Gafcon Ireland welcomes the recent statement by the Church of Ireland Evangelical Fellowship, New Wine Ireland and the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy which gives a clear summary of the Church of Ireland’s teaching on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as ‘the way, the truth and the life and that no one comes to God the Father except through him’ (John 14.6-7).


It is right to express deep concern about a senior Arab Muslim politician giving an address from the pulpit of a Christian Church in Ireland on the 23 June 2018. In particular it is right to “regret that a misleading impression was given at this event that the Bible and the Quran are different books by the same author”. The teaching of the Church of Ireland is that eternal salvation is only through the name of Christ (Article 18), that the Bible contains all things necessary to salvation (Articles 6), and that Christ is the only mediator between God and Man (Article 7).


The ‘Letter to the Churches’, the Conference Statement from Gafcon III in Jerusalem (June 2018), states that “some religions deny the unique person and work of Christ on the cross and others are innately syncretistic”. It also states that theological revisionism recasts “God’s gospel to accommodate the surrounding culture, resulting in a seductive syncretism that denies the uniqueness of Christ, the seriousness of sin, the need for repentance and the final authority of the Bible”. Gafcon Ireland agrees with these clear statements of historic, traditional Christian belief.


Gafcon Ireland also stands and partners with all Christian believers worldwide who are being persecuted on account of their faithfulness to the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus Christ and their courageous proclamation of his gospel. We deeply regret the offence that is caused when this gospel is threatened, compromised and ignored, as happened in Waterford. However we also, in the words of the Jerusalem Declaration (Clause 5), “gladly proclaim and submit to the unique and universal Lordship of Jesus Christ”.



Gafcon Ireland recently came together in Belfast for an evening to remember GAFCON III in Jerusalem and to share with others what happened during that memorable week.


There were 85 of us and if there was one prominent theme throughout the evening it was that Jesus Christ is Lord.


There was a live video interview with Archbishop Foley Beach. He spoke movingly of his own conversion. As a 17 year he heard a talk about the Lordship of Christ and he explained how this led to him receiving Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. This was such a great reminder of what Gafcon is about – proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations that many will come to repentance and faith in Him.


Four of the 31 delegates from Ireland who went to Jerusalem gave their own reflections. It was a week rooted in bible teaching that was engaging and applied. There was daily, meaningful and prayerful fellowship with fellow Anglican believers from many other parts of the world. There were archbishops and bishops mixing and mingling everyday with all of the delegates. There were many stories and testimonies about the cost of being faithful to the Lord and His word. There was a challenge to the whole conference to be ready and prepared for difficult times ahead within the Anglican Communion. There was encouragement from knowing that Gafcon is maturing, growing, and taking practical steps (e.g. the 9 Strategic Networks) to engage in effective, biblical mission.


The conference statement, the Letter to the Churches, was mentioned throughout the evening. Archbishop Foley commended the Letter because at the heart of it is the gospel of Christ. We saw how the Letter reflected some of the gospel themes in Romans 1.1-7. Proclaiming God’s gospel, reforming God’s church and reaching God’s world are constantly shaping the structure, the governance and the vision of Gafcon, and it’s witness to Anglicans worldwide.


Theological education and church planting are two priorities of Gafcon Ireland. With these in mind the evening closed with an explanation of Theology Ireland and an invitation to attend in early 2019. Also, all were invited to come to the third Gafcon Ireland Residential in December. The Revd. Dr. Ashley Null will be the keynote speaker and the leaders of Gafcon’s Church Planting Strategic Network will also be contributing.


The evening was informative, encouraging and forward looking and we are grateful to God that in response 12 people asked to become Supporters of Gafcon Ireland. Please pray that we will move forward together with Jesus Christ, and Him alone, as our Lord and King.


Revd. Tim Anderson



Gafcon III in Jerusalem was a significant moment in the history of Anglicanism



One of the 31 delegates that attended from Ireland said it was:

“an inspirational revelation of the zeal, commitment and determination of men and women of the Anglican Church to obey the command of Christ to bring the gospel to the world and to make disciples of all nations”.


So come on Monday 15 October at 7.30pm at Knockbreda Parish Church where Gafcon Ireland will delight in sharing with you


What happened in Jerusalem!

The evening will include:

• accounts of Gafcon 2018 from Gafcon Ireland delegates

• an introduction to the extraordinary ‘Letter to the Churches’ (the Conference Statement)

• an exclusive update outlining the future plans for Gafcon Ireland


We also plan a live video interview with

Archbishop Foley Beach incoming chair of Gafcon Global

&

Andy Lines Gafcon Missionary Bishop for Europe


So please join us!


*Read on below for more of a taste of some delegates experiences.



Gafcon Ireland lay delegates
reflect on their experience of Gafcon III





“As a layperson whose hunger and desire it is to see Jesus Christ glorified and the truth of the gospel proclaimed in its entirety, I was truly humbled by the welcome, hospitality and the inclusion both of myself and others at the conference.”





“Nowhere before had I experienced Bishops eating packed lunches seated on steps with young adults, or women - ordained and lay-so highly regarded for their input, and welcomed with appreciation and affection that crossed cultural boundaries.”



More than half of those of the Gafcon Ireland delegation who attended the Gafcon Jerusalem 2018 were lay
people. Quite appropriate too – as this reflected the overall attendance of this largest gathering of Anglicans in
50 years! Lay delegates attended and participated all aspects of the conference. They contributed equally to the
formation of the Letter to the Churches that the conference received with loud acclaim and accepted by vote
without a voice raised in opposition.


Lay involvement is also foundational to Gafcon Ireland!​


The vast majority of the enthusiastic attendees at Gafcon Ireland’s launch in April were members of congregations, and our first initiative – TheologyIreland – delivered an intensive Biblical Theology course to around 300 lay people in January 2018, and we’ll be doing the same next year.


As we read through their reflections we were struck by some recurring themes. They were Christian, Anglican, global, united and growing. Each of these resonated with themes found in the historic Jerusalem Declaration that emerged from the first Gafcon in 2008. It seems fitting to present this selection of quotes using those titles and prefaced by a relevant portion of the Jerusalem Declaration.




Christian

We rejoice in the gospel of God, through which we have been saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Jerusalem Declaration Clause 1)


  • “[Gafcon 2018] was, for me an inspirational revelation of the zeal, commitment and determination of men and women of the Anglican Church to obey the command of Christ to bring the gospel to the world and to make disciples of all nations,”

“Throughout the conference, I was struck that… our sin is serious, but when we grasp this, we see that the news of a saviour really is good news.”

  • "As a layperson whose hunger and desire it is to see Jesus Christ glorified and the truth of the gospel proclaimed in its entirety I was truly humbled by the welcome, hospitality and the inclusion both of myself and others at the conference."




Anglican

“We rejoice in our Anglican sacramental and liturgical heritage as an expression of the gospel.”

(Jerusalem Declaration Clause 6)


“During the week of GAFCON, I was delighted to be reinforced in my Anglican roots and beliefs”

  • “The liturgy of morning prayer came alive with meaning each day as it was led meaningfully by a number of Bishops/Archbishops from around the globe.”

“This event was a testament to Anglicanism in the true sense of the word.”

  • “At Gafcon Jerusalem 2018 the gospel was unashamedly proclaimed without compromise, and standing firm [on] the traditional Anglican beliefs.”




Global

We Celebrate the God given diversity among us which enriches our global fellowship

(Jerusalem Declaration Clause 12)


“It was a true privilege to share with sisters and brothers from across the global Anglican family, as together we encouraged one another to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations.”

  • “The fact that so many delegates were from the global south changed the focus and emphasis in so many ways.”

“The times of worship as I stood in the gallery looking around at all the different nationalities gathered and singing praises to our great God was special and unique. It felt like a little glimpse into how amazing heaven will be when people from every nation will gather [to] praise God.”




Unity

We are committed to the unity of all those who know and love Christ and to building authentic ecumenical relationships.

(Jerusalem Declaration Clause 11)


“It was for me, a real and remarkable example of the power of brothers and sisters ‘who dwell together in unity’ and who are determined to obey the commands and teachings of Christ in their lives. This event was a testament to Anglicanism in the true sense of the word.”

  • “To learn of the incoming General Secretary Ben Kwashi, his wife Gloria, and their 50 adopted orphaned children; the stories of pastors jailed for preaching the gospel; or losing entire congregations as martyrs, shows how precious Jesus really is to those who were there.”

“I’m encouraged from GAFCON of the unity and community that we have with fellow believers all around the world to encourage and spur one another on.”

  • “I personally prayed and spent time with Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy and other Laity wondering at times who was who, without their clerical garb there was no way of distinguishing! They were simply a group of born again believers who were in love with Jesus,”




Growing

We gladly accept the great commission of the risen Lord to make disciples of all nations.

(Jerusalem Declaration Clause 9)


“That’s what the world needs and if some of the Anglican Communion have lost the plot on that it is incredibly kind of the Lord to bring GAFCON into being so that people can hear the good news of Jesus Christ.”

  • “There were opportunities to pray with believers from all round the world and hear something of their own situation and tell them ours. It was also a great opportunity to get to know members of our own delegation better”

“I long that Ireland, north and south, would be flooded with a new generation of bible believing clergy who will proclaim Christ and stand firm against the pressure of the world around.”

  • “It’s very exciting that GAFCON have started the new 9 Networks! I am really impressed with the way GAFCON is being proactive and outward looking”

“As I reflect upon the week I realise the need for wise, biblical, Christ-centred leadership over both Gafcon Ireland and elsewhere.”



Delegates of Gafcon Ireland at Jerusalem's International Conference Centre



Resources



The Letter to the Churches



The culmination of the conference. A letter to Faithful Anglicans around the world. Received with standing ovation and passed without opposition.


Read it

Responses to the Letter to the Churches



Feel the excitement and weight of meaning of the letter as Anglicans are interviewed about their response to the letter to the churches.


Watch it

Gafcon Jerusalem 2018 videos



Including full-day livestreams, individual Bible expositions and plenary sessions, interview, and more!


Watch it

Gafcon Jersusalem 2018 photographs



The photographers captured the feel of the conference. Look at them here!


See them

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