Jihad Terror: ISIS affiliated Muslim terrorists killed over 120 people and wounded many more in savage attacks across central Paris in November.
French President, Francoise Hollande, declared a state of emergency and vowed to “annihilate” those responsible. Subsequently, massive raids were conducted by police throughout France, leading to multiple arrests and at least one armed stand-off with Jihadis, in which several terrorists were shot. French air and naval assets have been deployed in the ongoing fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Christian leaders from around the world have condemned the attacks, with Pope Francis calling them “inhuman” and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow calling for “repentance.”
Forward in Christ urges your prayers on behalf of the victims of Islamic terror around the world and for the conversion of Muslims to faith in Christ.
CofE Bishop Prays to a New God: Rachel Treweek, the new bishop figure of the Diocese of Gloucester, told the U.K.’s Guardian that she no longer prays to God as “he,” although she sometimes forgets.
According to the Guardian, “She personally prefers to say neither ‘he’ nor ‘she’, but ‘God’. ‘Sometimes I lapse, but I try not to.’”
Christians believe that God has revealed himself in masculine terms and, in Christ, as a man. We have to ask, what deity is Treweek praying to?
TEC Tanks, ACNA Grows: According to the latest figures, the Episcopal Church (TEC) continues its long decline.
From 2010-2014, the small but wealthy denomination lost 241 churches, 189,000 members, and 82,000 persons in average Sunday attendance.
In contrast, The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) grew by 248 churches over the same period and gained 10,000 new members. Average Sunday attendance grew modestly, from 69,197 in 2009, to 71,664 in 2014, making it comparable to the Anglican Church of Canada.
Archbishop Duncan Retires: Archbishop Duncan announced his retirement, effective June 2016, in November, stating, “It has seemed to me like the work I was called to do is as complete as it can be. I believe that this is a very good moment for me to let go and to pass the chief pastor’s crozier to another, just as we have largely passed diocesan leadership, both clergy and lay, from one generation to another. The years of conflict, and of course correction, within the Body of Christ are past for now. The challenge ahead is one of strengthening the Church for discipleship and evangelization in a hostile and needy nation and world.”
ACNA’s Archbishop, Foley Beach, commented, “As its first Primate, Archbishop Duncan led the Anglican Church in North America through critical stages of its formation, and we will be forever grateful for his years of courageous, servant leadership. Please join me in praying for the Diocese of Pittsburgh as it seeks God’s will for its next bishop, and for Archbishop Duncan and his wife Nara as God leads them in this next season of life.”
Church of Iceland Loses its Conscience: The Church of Iceland has scrapped its freedom of conscience clause, ending the right of clergy to refuse to solemnize same-sex marriages. The resolution introduced by the Rev. Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir overturned a 2007 statement by the annual Church Council, the Kirkjuþing, that held the “freedom of clergy in these matters must be respected.” However Ms. Helgudóttir argued that it was now time to “take things the whole way and place no limits on human rights.” The conflict between religious freedom and human rights must always be “decided in favor of human rights,” she argued. As state employees Church of Iceland clergy should not be allowed to place their conscience above the law. On 28 October 2015 the 29 member Kirkjuþing endorsed the resolution. (Anglican Ink)
Episcopal Dean Blesses Abortion Clinic: A group of clergypersons blessed a Cleveland abortion clinic in October, on the initiative of a Methodist minister, Laura Young. The blessing was carried out by the lesbian Dean of Cleveland’s Episcopal Cathedral, Tracy Lind.
“Bless this building,” prayed Lind, “May its walls stand strong against the onslaught of shame thrown at it. May it be a beacon of hope for those who need its services.”
Young heads up the Ohio chapter of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), an enthusiastic supporter of the taxpayer funded abortion giant, Planned Parenthood, which was praised by the group for doing “God’s work.”
What part of doing God’s work does selling baby parts to biotech firms fall under, and for that matter, what “God” is the RCRC working for?
FiFUK Transitions: At its November 2015 National Assembly, at the Church of St Alban the Martyr, Holborn, Forward in Faith UK completed an important transition. The organization’s primary role in future will be as a support structure for The Society of S. Wilfrid and S. Hilda.
Forward in Christ wishes FiFUK well in its new role.
Primates Meeting: Conservative GAFCON primates, representing the great majority of the Anglican Communion, have agreed to attend a Primates meeting, called by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in January. ACNA Archbishop, Foley Beach, has been invited, as has the Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Anglican Church of Canada. (ACoC).
