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 What is GAFCON?

GAFCON is short for Global Anglican Futures Conference and is a relational network of biblically orthodox Anglicans from around the globe. It is led by the Primate’s council (a Primate is a senior Archbishop over a Province, a Province in Anglicanism is a national or multi-national jurisdiction- like ACNA). Out of the 85 million Anglicans globally, the vast majority belong to GAFCON supporting Provinces. ANiC is a part of ACNA, which is a part of GAFCON.  

Why GAFCON?

GAFCON began in 2008 as the deterioration of biblical orthodoxy in parts of the Anglican Communion, (especially the western church— North America, UK and Australia) came to a head. It was particularly the issue of same-sex blessings and LGBT affirmation that became the flash point, separating those who hold to a biblically orthodox view from those who want to see the Church “modernized” and more “responsive to culture”. The GAFCON provinces are within the Anglican Communion but consider themselves to be in “impaired fellowship” with the liberal provinces and leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury who, even after decades of appeals and intercession, progress in abandoning orthodoxy.  

GAFCON CONFERENCES

Every 5 years the GAFCON provinces gather to pray, worship, be refreshed, and seek the Lord. The first gathering, in 2008 was held in Jerusalem and the “Jerusalem Declaration” was crafted. You will find this declaration of biblical orthodoxy in the Book of Common Prayer 2019, pg 791-793.  

KIGALI 2023

This year’s GAFCON conference will be held in Kigali, Rwanda from April 17-21. It is an incredibly important time. There is a second network of orthodox Anglicans, called the Global South, who decided that they would stay in fellowship with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the liberal Anglican provinces, seeking to bring reform and repentance from within. However, the Church in England has recently taken strides  towards the full blessing of same-sex marriage and the Primates from the Global South are profoundly grieved. They will be gathering with the GAFCON Primates, the day before Kigali23 starts to pray about a possible path to the union of the two movements. If this union happens it will re-order global Anglicanism and place the leadership firmly in the hands of the joint council of Primates of GAFCON and the Global South. No longer would the Church of England lead Anglicanism, but rather an indigenous, international, body of leaders who stand as equals— all passionate for Jesus and his gospel— would bring it governance and direction.  

PLEASE PRAY

Our ANiC Diocesan Bishop, Dan Gifford, leaves for Kigali on April 15th to attend this important time. Please pray for him but also for the conference. Key points are:

  • Unity
    • That God would grant unity in the spirit of John 17.“that they may all be one… so that the world may believe.” (Jn 17:21)
  • Protection
    • There are natural challenges in holding meetings in Africa but in addition, there is very real spiritual warfare that opposes God’s kingdom’s advance. “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” (Jn 17:15)
  • Wisdom
    • What does God want to do, and how is it to look? Let’s ask the Father for wisdom from above for all decisions made at this time. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (Jas 1:5)       

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