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Taken from the AMiA Website
What is the Anglican Mission in America?
The Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) is a missionary outreach of the Province
of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, which is a full and active member of the
Anglican Communion. The Mission enjoys the oversight of Archbishop
Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda and the Rwandan House of Bishops.
In addition, more Primates from the "Global South" have recently endorsed our
mission, encouraging us to continue in this vital work of reaching out to the
130 million un-churched Americans around us as a direct outreach of the
vitality and growth of the Global South church here in the United States.
At the 2006 Winter Conference, nine Global South Primates came together in
Birmingham, Alabama to encourage this gospel movement.
Is AMiA "fully" Anglican?
Absolutely. The Anglican Mission in America, as its name implies, is
fully Anglican. The AMiA is a direct outreach of the Anglican Province of
Rwanda-a full and active member of the global network of churches known as the
Anglican Communion. The Anglican Mission bishops are seated in the Rwandan
House of Bishops, and their consecrations have been conducted according to the
Constitution and Canons of the Province of Rwanda, with AMiA clergy received
and ordained under its authority. In addition, the Provincial Synod of
South East Asia enabled their Primate, until his recent retirement, to offer
his oversight to the Anglican Mission. Though he is stepping down, the
most Rev. Datuk Yong Ping Chung will continue his involvement with the
Anglican Mission.
Lately, additional Primates have supported and encouraged the Anglican Mission
to continue its work of evangelism and church planting. A number of
international Anglican and national Episcopal leaders have also declared openly
that the AMiA is fully Anglican, and has "saved many who would have left
Anglicanism altogether."
What about the Archbishop of Canterbury?
Has he specifically recognized this work? The Archbishop of Canterbury does not
provide specific notice, documentation, or "recognition" of bishops throughout
the Anglican Communion or within specific Anglican Provinces. Although
some individuals have opposed the creation and work of the AMiA because it has
crossed the geographical boundaries of the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA), there
is a long history of overlapping jurisdictions within the Anglican
Communion. The current Archbishop of Canterbury has recently stated that
if he is in communion with an Anglican Province, as he is with Rwanda, then it
should also mean that all those within that Anglican Province are therefore in
communion with him.
Was the Anglican Mission in America established prematurely?
The Anglican Mission in America was birthed at a critical time. The
Episcopal Church had lost a third of its membership over the preceding thirty
years, had drifted into revisionist doctrines and had wasted opportunities in
leadership and mission. Valiant and sustained efforts to renew ECUSA from
within had, unfortunately, not provided enough impact to slow the church's
dramatic slide deeper into false teachings and practices.
In 1999 in Kampala at a meeting hosted by the First Promise movement, bishops of
the American Anglican Council along with First Promise made a direct appeal for
intervention from nine archbishops and/or their representatives-a number, by
the way, that did not include the Archbishop of Canterbury. These
American leaders publicly admitted that the Episcopal Church, USA was in a
deplorable state theologically, that it was incapable of self-correction, and
that it needed an "intervention." While no clear consensus emerged
among the Primates as to what, specifically, to do, the Primates of Rwanda and
S.E. Asia thought that the time was right for action-and that action came two
months later in Singapore with the consecrations of Chuck Murphy and John
Rodgers to serve as "missionary bishops" to the United States from Rwanda and
S.E. Asia . Developments in the Episcopal Church since that time, which were
already in motion then, serve to underscore the reality that the timing for
this intervention was right, and opportune to provide an orthodox Anglican
alternative in the United States.
Since the summer of 2004 the Anglican Mission has energetically partnered with
other orthodox Anglican groups in this hemisphere in the Common Cause
alliance. In a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury leaders of the Anglican
Mission (AMiA), along with the leadership of the Anglican Communion Network
(ACN), Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), Forward in Faith North America (FIFNA),
Anglican Province in America (APA) and the American Anglican Council (AAC)
affirmed a commitment "to make common cause for the gospel of Jesus Christ and
common cause for a united, missionary and orthodox Anglicanism in North
America."
The Rt. Rev. Chuck Murphy, Chairman of the Anglican Mission in America,
welcomed the new day of cooperation, "Even as we watch with some sadness the
painful yet necessary realignment in the Anglican Communion, I am encouraged by
the willingness of a growing number of orthodox groups and voices to work
together to shape a new Anglican witness for the 21st Century." This
represents a new level of cooperation and mutual appreciation that is
honouring to the gospel, and consistent with the missionary values of the AMiA.
We are pleased to participate in this important 'roundtable' of
orthodox Anglican groups.
What About Mission?
The Anglican Mission in America is focused on reaching out to the 130 million
un-churched that are around us. This is our vision and the thing that
engages most of our resources in the Mission.
The Anglican Mission in America exists to glorify God and to serve, grow and
multiply local churches that love Jesus Christ and reach the world He died to
save by glorifying God by building an alliance of congregations in America
which are committed to gathering, planting and serving dynamic churches in the
Anglican tradition. The AMiA is united in the essentials of the Christian
Faith-obedient to Jesus Christ as the unique Son of God Who through His
sacrificial death and resurrection provides the only way to the Father and is
diversified in the expression of the Faith-evangelical, catholic and
charismatic-as three streams flowing as one river in Jesus Christ-to reach the
world in Jesus' Name through evangelism, discipleship and service.
A look at AMiA's roster of churches reveals that a full 60% of our
congregations did not emerge from the Episcopal Church, but are new
works-planted with the goal of evangelizing people with the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. To consider our new churches in just the last 18 months reveals
an even higher percentage of new church starts. We're grateful to God for
this increase, and know that this is our true calling. This does not mean
we only receive and affiliate new church starts, but it does mean that every
church coming into the Anglican Mission must have a 'missional' orientation and
passion. As we move forward, our eyes are on the call to evangelize those
that God is calling, and to be about the business of building the 'one, holy,
catholic and apostolic church' in our time.
To facilitate the release of mission the AMiA is establishing networks, rather
than dioceses. These networks may be organized around a particular
geographic region, such as Chicago, or they may be widespread, with churches
joining together over long distances on the basis of affinity. Whatever
the model, churches in the Anglican Mission are encouraged to be actively
involved in a network in order to grow and deepen, and plant other new
churches.
Why do Anglicans use the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)?
There are three reasons:
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To be Biblical. To ensure that the worship of the Church is biblical in its
language. Praying in a group teaches. The BCP has more Bible in it than any
form of Christian Worship.
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Spirit approved and anointed language. These are prayers that have commended
themselves to the Saints of God over long periods of time. Bishop Ryle said,
"if all of the people could pray all of the time the way some of the people
pray some of the time, we might not need Prayer Books."
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Participation. Common prayer is best entered into together if there are common
prayers that can be prayed together.
What are the Sacraments of the Church?
There are two chief Sacraments of the Gospel: Baptism and the Lord's
Supper or Eucharist. These have been instituted by Christ directly.
Sacraments are outward and visible signs and spiritual grace, given by Christ,
as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace by faith. Since we are
embodied spirits it is good that the whole person is involved in the worship of
God.
Why do Anglican clergy dress differently during different seasons
and events?
Not all Anglican clergy dress alike. Anglican clergy have dressed
differently at different times in history and in different places. Some clergy
today dress just like the laity with the addition of a stole worn during the
celebration of the Sacraments. Most Anglican clergy dress in one of three ways:
as pre-reformation clergy.thereby stressing the traditional lineage of the
Church; like the clothing worn after the Reformation of the 16th
Century.thereby stressing the reformed character of the Anglican Church; or
they dress in the commonly worn white alb that has become popular in many
denominations today. The alb simply points out who is leading the worship of
the congregation and the solemn nature and importance of the worship of the one
true God.
Why do Anglicans stand, sit and kneel throughout worship?
Since we are not bodiless spirits but rather embodied spirits it is important
to get the whole of our person involved in worship. The body impacts the
spirit. In many Anglican churches we stand to praise and sing; we sit for
instruction; and we kneel to pray. This is still followed in large measure
except that now many stand to pray at various times as well. Simply keep an eye
on the leader and those in front of you and do likewise.
Why celebrate the Lord's Supper so often?
The Lord's Supper is the central act of Christian worship. It is
central because it centers on the Cross which is central in the Gospel. The
centrality of the Lord's Supper has led some congregations to celebrate it as
the chief act of worship of the congregation each week. Other congregations
celebrate the Lord's Supper only once or twice a month as the chief service of
worship on the Lord's Day in order to give the congregation opportunity for
longer preparation. Most Anglican congregations have an early celebration of
the Lord's Supper or Eucharist every Sunday.
What is Apostolic Succession and why is it important?
Apostolic Succession in the broadest and most basic sense refers to the passing
along the Faith and Fellowship of the Apostles in the life of the Church in
history. This succession is carried on through a variety of means. The
Scripture of the Old and New Testaments, the historic Creeds, the Gospel
Sacraments, and the lineage of Bishops, Priests and Deacons all assist the
Church to pass on the Apostolic Faith and Life.
Sometimes people refer to Bishops as being in Apostolic Succession. This means
being in an unbroken line of consecration from the time of the early undivided
Church. This speaks of continuity in ministerial order.But it is important to
keep in mind that it means only those who are truly faithful in apostolic
succession.who are believing and teaching the Faith of the Apostles.and who are
reaching out to the lost in the mission given to the Church through the
Apostles.
Why Bishops, Priests and Deacons?
At the Reformation of the 16th Century the Anglican Church retained in
the life and witness of the Church that which was good and in accord with
harmony with the Scriptures. Bishops, priests and deacons were an early form of
Church Orders raised up in the history of the Church under the leadership of
the Holy Spirit; and many of these bishops, priests and deacons were proponents
of the Reformation and Biblical in their Faith. Thus, the ancient orders were
kept as a blessing and an expression of continuity with the historic Church. In
some parts of the world, bishops, priests and deacons resisted the reform of
the Church under God's Word and so another form of ordained ministry had to be
adopted.
Why do Anglican churches provide healing services?
Anglicans hold healing services because of the many who need
healing.because God heals through the laying on of hands and prayer and
anointing in the name of Christ when and where he chooses.and because Christ
commended the Church to do so. Healing services are not in opposition to the
healing God works through the medical profession, but are complementary to it.
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