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Christianity Today, August, 2009 |

Q & A: Robert Duncan

The archbishop of the new Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) explains an alternative to the Episcopal Church.

George Conger | posted 7/30/2009 10:04AM

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What is going on here in Bedford?

Bedford for us Anglicans is the end of the beginning. We have struggled, some of our congregations for over 30 years, with issues that have been forced upon us by the Episcopal Church. We've come to a point where we are not operating in force anymore.

Rick Warren told the ACNA not to be "reactionary." What did he mean?

He means the war [in the Episcopal Church], it's not yours anymore. That's behind. God has a whole new work for you. We are trying to move on. Get over the wounds, get over the hurts, get over the lawsuits, get over all the stuff.

What is the ACNA's plan for outreach?

The congregation is God's fundamental way of doing things, just like the family is God's fundamental building block for society. We have to disciple. We have to teach people to love God … and share their faith. We have to teach them how to engage the world in service, in Christ's love.

What is your message for Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams?

He should understand that there really is realignment in Anglicanism. There is a new reformation in the Christian West. I hope he sees the unity despite our diversity. It's a unity in Christ. He should see the passion for mission. I trust he sees a people who look recognizably Anglican.

What do you say to those who criticize the ACNA for being against gays?

Jesus was not against anybody. We're not against anybody. The Father's desire is to reach out to everyone—all of us are broken. What I hope people experience from us is the love of God. The starting place is meeting people where they are. What we have embraced as our clear statement is the transforming love of Jesus Christ. I hope that people come out and test us.

Related Elsewhere:

See Christianity Today's news section and liveblog for more news updates.

Christianity Today has a special section on division in Anglicanism, including:

Too Unorthodox Even for the Episcopal Church? | Church leaders appear to have vetoed a bishop-elect for the first time since the 1930s. But few opponents are celebrating. (June 8, 2009)

Conservative Anglicans Create Rival Church | Top leader Duncan expects to see Episcopal Church 'displaced.' (December 14, 2008)

Defending the Faith | Conservatives face huge obstacles in putting Anglicanism back together. (October 13, 2008)

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David L

Posted: August 05, 2009 5:15 PM

I think having Rick Warren and Metropolitan Jonah demonstrates the sickness that perpetually plagues Anglicanism. There really isn't unity in faith amongst the Anglicans, it is only a matter of time until this new body repeats the errors of TEC. The evangelical protestants need to follow Rick Warren, the Anglo-Catholics need to take up Metropolitan Jonah on his offer of inclusion without a change in rite. It would be more healthy for Christianity as a whole and it would allow Anglicans to then work towards sharing Christ regardless of their title of Orthodox or Evangelical.

Original Anna

Posted: August 01, 2009 12:35 AM

Rick Warren isn't the issue. He's a speaker, a guest at the Church like any speaker invited to do a lecture etc.. Get your concentration of making the Anglican Church THE Anglican Church. And why is it assumed that because you don't want practicing homosexuals in Church that you hate and are against them. Having abstaining homosexuals in church is okay because their concentration is where it should be, on Jesus, and not the religion of sex. It's the point of Jesus, give up your sin whatever it is and have your mind on God because you were created to belong to God through Jesus. God gave sex for pleasure not to be worshipped above him. Like any other addiction it is pleasureable but it is not to be worshipped to the point it takes your mind off of God. The assumption should be that those wanting homosexuals to stop making sex their worship and to bring them to God are what Church is to be about and any other thinking is wrong. Ask any recovering alcoholic what hell is without Jesus

rpo	Posted: July 31, 2009 8:40 PM


High church, low church, broad church, Anglo-Catholics, evangelicals....what a mish-mash of conflicting beliefs all claiming to be the real Anglican church. Anglicanism can't get its act together. It loves the "Church" and its traditions more than anything.

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