|
Letter to Members - December 2004
There is quite a lot more to communicate at present so here goes. Travels Since the last letter to members I and others have had a number of overseas trips: Serbia. It was very encouraging to see the work and contacts that Robert and Tricia MacCurrach have in Novi Sad. The situation there is far from easy but ideally suited to their gifts and experience. Thailand. I was attending the Lausanne Forum 2004 in Pattaya. The Forum was the third in the major series starting with Lausanne (Geneva) led by Billy Graham, John Stott and others in 1974 when the theme of unreached people groups emerged; Manila in 1989 when the 10/40 Window was the big outcome and now Pattaya. Some 1500 had gathered to discuss 31 different issues impacting on worldwide evangelisation. I did take advantage of the visit to go and see the four Cambridge Smilers working amongst the Karen on the Thai border with Burma and develop ties (excuse the pun) with Christchurch Bangkok. This is an exciting new venture in partnership with the Diocese of Singapore but building also on links with the Anglican Church in Myanmar. Nigeria. I had been invited to the first ever African Anglican Bishops’ Conference as an observer. It was a huge privilege to be present with more than 200 bishops from the 12 Anglican Provinces in or including parts of Africa. There were few outsiders around. Networking here was wonderful and easy as there was no hiding place for bishops from the 0630 bus in the morning until we returned to sleep late in the evening! I got to meet large numbers of our partners and make lots of new contacts too. The Conference had been called to deal with African issues that always seem to drop off the agenda of the Anglican Communion events where Western issues dominate. Sadly, following the planning of the event, which was hugely well-organised and impressive, the announcement came of the Windsor Report on the future of the Anglican Communion in the light of the actions of churches in North America. Once again this agenda influenced the discussions and statements of the African churches. They gave a robust response but also ensured that they looked at the issues of AIDS, self-reliance, theological training, conflict, youth and children etc. I was provided with a fascinating opportunity to listen and have no expectation of talking. It also gave me the chance to see other parts of the African reality and the renowned Nigerian church. Following this Conference I accompanied one of the bishops, Cyril Okorocha, to his Diocese of Owerri in Eastern Nigeria for a brief visit and the chance to see the Conference through local eyes. Finland. We have had a long tradition of friendship with the Finnish Lutheran Mission and I was able to be at their major Summer Conference at which some 10,000 of all ages attended. As part of the visit I signed an agreement that may make it possible for us to offer young Finnish Bible College students placements in Churches in Britain and Ireland. India. Mary Higginson has had a good trip to South India visiting partners and Indian agencies that we work with. East Asia. Mary was able to visit some of our mission partners in situ and came back very encouraged. South Africa. Alan Purser was able to visit mission partners and other partners in South Africa as well as encourage Anglican evangelicals who are finding life quite difficult at present. Myanmar. Following the visit early this year with our President, Chris Wright, I am preparing to go again in January with Chris and two others. It is very exciting how the Lord has opened up these opportunities for us. Arctic. Mel Lacy has recently returned from a trip to visit Darren and Karen McCartney who are working in the Diocese of the Arctic, from where BCMS received their first request for help 80 years ago. There remains much to be done to work with the needy churches there. Anglican Communion Much could be said about the current state of the Anglican Communion but suffice to say that Crosslinks is well placed to continue working with Anglicans of orthodox faith. I attend as a member of the Church of England Evangelical Council as the debate about the recently-published Windsor Report has got under way. CEEC together with Anglican Mainstream have produced a detailed response to Windsor in time for the English House of Bishops and in time for the February meeting of the Primates. I think that it is a good response, entitled “Repair the Tear”. It can be found on the websites (http://www.anglican-mainstream.org/repair.asp ) or purchased. We need to be praying for wisdom and courage for all concerned over these next months. Spin-offs from the Current Anglican Problems As a result of some of the current issues in the Anglican Communion some African Provinces have felt that they should decline to receive further money from the churches in North America; encouragingly they do not criticise those who have chosen to continue receiving money. In Kenya where the money is now stopping the Archbishop asked Carlile College (whose Principal is Crosslinks’ David Williams) to take on the Provincial Theological Education by Extension programme because its existence was in danger. David accepted this challenge and has pruned the programme but also asked Crosslinks for some interim financial help. We have agreed to this for two years and are seeking partners who may wish to help out on this or other grants. One person has written expressing a concern to me that Crosslinks is working too closely with the REFORM network on this. In answer I would say that we are seeking the support of both REFORM and non-REFORM churches and individuals in this vital cause. Manchester. Whilst on the subject of concerns expressed by some I want to pick up on the Manchester church, “The Plant”. In the last few years a number of churches in Britain, looking to plant churches where the gospel is not heard whilst remaining within the Church of England, have sought help from Crosslinks. This has coincided with the discussion of the official publication of the “Mission-Shaped Church”. The first such venture was in Christ Church Central in Sheffield and then we received a request from two Anglican curates to help them with a new student venture in Manchester. Some have written following the last magazine, which featured “The Plant” asking why we are working against the Church of England. I want to assure you that we are doing just the opposite: we have interviewed the leaders and accepted them as Associate Mission Partners and we are very impressed with the maturity they show. We have also written to and spoken with the Manchester bishops on this and we remain in contact. We are not into planting Crosslinks churches so The Plant is accountable to a local Anglican clergyman who reports back regularly to us. In many ways this action has ensured that The Plant retains some Anglican oversight. Staff Changes. There are always some staff changes to announce but more than usual this time. Many of you will know by now that Graham Sopp has moved on to become National Director for the International Bible Society, based in Guildford. Following Graham’s departure I have appointed Janet Horsman as Deputy and Resources Team Leader. She has already done a huge amount in stepping into this huge portfolio (she has done almost every job in Crosslinks now!). This reshuffle still allows us the possibility and need to appoint a part-time accountant to work in Janet’s team alongside Martin Brown. Suzy Wakefield had also taken on a number of new roles and I have now appointed her as my PA and to help me run the projects/grants programme. Lynda Blake has agreed to step up her hours in reception from January to cover for Suzy. All this will take some time to shake down but I would value your prayers and patience as we begin new ways of working. News has reached me of the great success of the recent Autumn Conference in Brunel Manor. Every visitor I know to that Conference finds it a hugely encouraging time and this year the collection (largely from those on pensions) was particularly impressive. In addition to the prayer that is done in Brunel a number have communicated that they wish they would be used more to help as volunteers. This is tremendous news and Janet Horsman is keeping notes of possible areas where we could really do with help. One such possibility would be the Keswick Conference each year. This is a Conference, which we have had a long-term association with. Now however it is one of many Conferences. With our reduced staffing we would value having volunteers who would be prepared to man a Crosslinks stand during Keswick. We would be able to rent space and provide a stand and material. If you are going to Keswick and would like to help, please do get in touch with Janet Horsman in London. |