by Jeffrey Walton, Juicy Ecumenism
The chief governance body of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) took steps to admit a new diocese, advanced a comprehensive re-write of its disciplinary canons, and posted attendance growth during its annual gathering June 17-19 at Cornerstone Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“We meet in a season that has tested our young province,” Bishop Julian Dobbs acknowledged in an opening address, citing litigation, departures, and “searching public scrutiny, some of it deserved, some of it not,” a reference to a Washington Post investigative series that cast a critical eye towards several of the denomination’s leaders, Dobbs among them.
Dobbs, who serves as Dean of the Province, functionally exercises the responsibilities of the denomination’s top official while Archbishop Steve Wood is inhibited from ministry awaiting a church trial scheduled for October 26.
New Growth
Provincial Council is ACNA’s main governing body and meets annually to adopt a provincial budget and to elect from its ranks members of the Executive Committee and provincial courts. Council consists of two elected laity, one elected clergy and a bishop from each of 27 dioceses, alongside a handful of delegates from recognized ministry partner organizations.