The suffering and the soul-searching

Shalom. 

Again I am struck by two categories of people attending GAFCON. Unlike the visual textile differences I mentioned yesterday, this is an internal contrast.

There are people here who are in great pain. Their pain ranges from disappointment, frustration and isolation to anxiety, suffering from funds cut off, rejection from their bishop, to even some being exiled from their churches. Some want to talk, some are looking for advice, some are forming alliances, some are sick of talking and want solutions. Some even use the term ‘a second reformation’.

Then there are those of us from Sydney who have been largely sheltered from all this. Having grown up in a solid Bible believing diocese with a solid Bible college and Godly leadership our eyes are being opened and we are gathering more material for prayer than we ever imagined.

Peter & I knew there were problems from our time as CMS missionaries in Indonesia. We had great oneness of heart with our American fellow OMF, Pioneers and SIL missionaries. But they’ve always puzzled at our Anglican background which they equated to American Episcopalian. This week, though, things have become much clearer.

We had no idea the degree to which Bible believing Anglicans in North America had suffered as they remained true to Christ. You have to meet them first-hand and hear their stories to really feel what they have endured.

I appreciate more than ever my own heritage but now ask, what can we do to support our brothers and sisters who have been doing it so tough?

Marcelle Rodgers, part of the ministry team at the Sydney Anglican Church in Newtown, will be providing providing readers with a lay person’s view the ‘sights and sounds’ of GAFCON

Photo: Russell Powell

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