From June 3 to 11, 2010, over 300 delegates will gather in Halifax, N.S. for the Anglican Church of Canada’s national meeting, General Synod, held once every three years. This web forum is a place to discuss the major topics that will arise at General Synod—from governance to sexuality. You are invited to join the conversation.
"The church of Christ in every age, beset by change but Spirit led, must claim and test its heritage and keep on rising from the dead.” (“The Church of Christ in Every Age,” #584, Common Praise)
“Beset by change but Spirit led”—this description of the church could apply to any century and certainly applies today. Media reports confirm what our best demographics tell us, that the Anglican Church of Canada is in serious decline in terms of numbers and influence. It is time to claim our heritage and be open to the leading of the Spirit.
The Marks of Mission
Vision 2019 challenges Canadian Anglicans to go beyond institutional maintenance and embrace the call to mission that is at the heart of Christian discipleship. This call to mission has been articulated in the Anglican Communion through the Five Marks of Mission—a short statement of core values that express the mission of God in the world.
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
If we reclaim our vocations—as evangelists, storytellers, caregivers, advocates for peace and justice, and stewards of creation—the church can and will find new ways to express service to God and neighbour.
Priorities for the future
Vision 2019 was developed through consultation with Anglicans at the grassroots and in conversation with church leaders. It sets out seven priorities and five practices that seek to energize the national church in its common mission.
The seven priorities are:
- Develop leadership education for mission, evangelism and ministry
- Support ministry through the Council of the North
- Walk with Indigenous Peoples on a journey of healing and wholeness
- Work toward peace and justice
- Engage young people in mutual growth for mission
- Enliven our worship
- Be leaders in the Anglican Communion and in ecumenical actions
These priorities will be expressed through practices that will renew our church structures, improve communication and statistical information, promote Christian stewardship principles and gather financial resources, and seek to build bridges of understanding across the diversity of our church.
The national Council of General Synod (COGS) has already adopted this plan in principle and is forwarding it with their support to General Synod 2010. There is one caveat: members of COGS passionately insisted that this plan could only succeed if each member, parish, and diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada takes up the vision of a church in mission.
Here are three ways you can participate:
1. Consider the Five Marks of Mission as part of your personal rule of life. How do you proclaim God’s kingdom, nurture faith, serve others, and work to transform unjust structures and safeguard creation’s integrity?
2. Raise issues of God’s mission at meetings in your parish and diocese. Insist that each activity of the church be measured against the Five Marks of Mission and help your church community focus on God’s mission rather than institutional survival.
3. Pray daily for the church and its leaders, that God’s Spirit may lead them to be agents of God’s mission in the world.
With God’s blessing, Vision 2019 will chart a new course for the Anglican Church of Canada, and we will live into the words of Hymn #584: “Then let the servant church arise, a caring church that longs to be a partner in Christ’s sacrifice and clothed in Christ’s humanity.”
What do you think this plan will mean for your home church? Do these Marks of Mission and priorities resonate with you?
