Kigali: Reflections from ANiE delegates
from ANiE:
Dave McCarthy, St Thomas Edinburgh (ACE).
Heartbreak & Healing: I came to Gafcon IV this time with great reluctance. A combination of all the travelling and a heavy heart at what might be the outcome of the conference did not fill me with enthusiasm! In the Lord’s providence, good lay leaders’ and our bishop’s gentle encouragement prevailed and I am so glad I came.
As we end our time together there comes time for reflection on all that the Lord has done and given us. Here are some very early thoughts on what I hope we are being called to be.
A serving church: A powerful expression of this was shown early on Monday morning when our much delayed flight (via Zanzibar!) arrived at Kigali at 3am. Imagine my astonishment on discovering that Laurent Mbanda, the Archbishop of Rwanda, was there waiting to greet us with a big hug. That set the tone of the conference for me. The welcome, care, and hard work of the mainly Rwanda volunteers has been humbling and serves as a powerful example of what we should all do and be all of the time.
A united church: People from fifty two nations spent five days praying, working, worshipping, and loving one another – Jesus’ bride has seldom been more beautiful. It has been delightful to see old friends made as long ago as Gafcon I in 2008 and also making many new ones. There is much difference in culture, worship styles, and personality, yet we stand shoulder-to-shoulder under the authority of Scripture and the love of God. There are frictions, occasional apparent selfishness (not everyone around the world gets queuing!), and misunderstandings, yet we are committed to stand firm together.
A faithful church: We have to choose to be faithful each day and in Kigali I have been reminded that whatever challenges I face, many of my sisters and brothers around the world have it much tougher, economically, politically, and spiritually. Whether it’s in the turmoil of Sudan and Myanmar, or the determined doctrinal drift of some in the Church of England, it is comforting to know that Gafcon offers support, encouragement and prayer. The final statement was received in lamenting silence as we realised the solemnity of the moment. I’d hope and prayed it would be so, so when it happened like that, it was a tearful moment. The Anglican Communion is being reset and it’s both wonderful and daunting to be a small part of that history.We now pray that there is repentance on the part of those provinces which have departed from the apostolic faith. Our hope for them is healing and reconciliation following that repentance.
Tomorrow I return to Edinburgh and the joy of serving the Lord who will build His Church.Thank you Lord, for the privilege of being part of this global family.
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