Harry Goodhew, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, has rejected a decision by his synod to allow laity and deacons to preside at Holy Communion. The synod voted two-to-one in favor of the "lay presidency" proposal October 19. Had Goodhew agreed to it, the proposal would have been a first in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Supporters of lay presidency say they will revive the issue at the next General Synod, scheduled for Brisbane, Australia, in 2001. Opponents of the measure warn it could create a church split.
World Evangelical Fellowship, the Lausanne Movement for World Evangelization, and AD2000 and Beyond have created the Great Commission Global Roundtable to "connect diverse segments of the Body of Christ in hope of achieving closer coordination and cooperation in sharing the Gospel." Bertil Ekstrom (Brazil) serves as chair, Iman Santoso (Indonesia) is vice chair, and John Robb (U.S.) is the group's international coordinator.
Disagreement with some bishops over homosexuality is prompting conservative evangelical parishes in the Church of England to consider proposals for new oversight. Proposals include creating a system of bishops parallel to the existing structure of diocesan bishops and the possibility of oversight by missionary bishops. David Holloway is an evangelical and leading member of Reform, the group that proposed the new oversight structures. Vandals painted pro-homo sexual graffiti outside Jesmond Parish Church, where Holloway is vicar, in October.
Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here.
Our digital archives are a work in progress. Let us know if corrections need to be made.
Annual & Monthly subscriptions available.
- Print & Digital Issues of CT magazine
- Complete access to every article on ChristianityToday.com
- Unlimited access to 65+ years of CT’s online archives
- Member-only special issues
- Learn more
More from this Issue
Read These Next
- TrendingAmerican Christians Should Stand with Israel under AttackWhile we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
- From the MagazineWhat Kind of Man Is This?We’ve got little information on Jesus’ appearance and personality. But that’s the way God designed it.españolFrançais
- Editor's PickIn Secular UK, Evangelical Alliance Experiences Record GrowthLeader explains why the movement is seeing its biggest membership bump in 30 years and its mission for the years ahead.