In Praise of GAFCON

Global Anglican Futures Conference

This is GAFCON Sunday, and those of us who are members have been asked to pray in thanksgiving for all that GAFCON has accomplished, and to ask that the Lord will continue to guide the leaders of the movement as they seek to bring theological renewal to the Anglican Communion. In these days of doctrinal confusion, GAFCON stands as a clarion call to the Anglican world, calling Anglicans to faithfulness in the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word written.

It has been said that GAFCON is divisive. It is no more divisive than the preaching of the Gospel. When Jesus spoke, those who heard him mounted a full-on rebellion, or they knelt in complete surrender. I don’t think this is division – but rather Holy Spirit conviction. GAFCON is a movement which, we pray, will bring Holy Spirit conviction to the church that will lead to repentance.

GAFCON’s Jerusalem Declaration is a brilliant summary of the ‘faith once for all delivered to the saints’. It is the theological foundation of the movement, and it articulates what I call ‘Sunday School religion’. There is no new lesson or doctrine here – it is simply the restating of the Bibles teaching. It is catholic in its scope, evangelical in is purpose, classically Anglican in its perspective, and clarifies (in days when clarity is much needed) what it means to be an Anglican Christian.

GAFCON matters because the Bible is true.

GAFCON matters because the Gospel still works.

GAFCON matters because people need to be converted to Christ.

GAFCON matters because heaven and hell hang in the balance.

Would you join me in praying for The Most Reverend Dr. Laurent Mbanda, Chairman, GAFCON Primates Council, for Bishop Paul Donison, General Secretary of GAFCON, for all those who work together with them, and would you, as you are able, make an offering to support this Gospel focused renewal movement within the Anglican Communion?