An Examination

What is the Anglican Covenant and what does it have to do with us?What does Anglican mean?What does Covenant mean?

What does Anglican mean?Churches that grew

out of the Church of England, sharing a theology, worship and structure

In relationship (in communion) with the Archbishop of Canterbury

What does Communion mean?Full communion

means there is mutual agreement on essential doctrines and full participation in sacramental life

Are all “Anglican” churches part of the Anglican Communion?No. Some have a shared tradition

(continuing churches) but are not part of the Anglican Communion.

How does “Episcopal” fit into the Anglican Communion?After the Revolution, Anglican sounded too

EnglishThe term “Episcopal” means “having bishops”

What does Covenant mean?A covenant is a

solemn promise to engage in or refrain from a specified action (it establishes a relationship)

In the Bible, God enters into covenants with people when he has a relationship with them

Connection and AutonomyConnection:

An agreement to define better the boundaries of what it means to be part of the Anglican Communion

A mechanism for settling serious disagreements

AutonomyEach church is

independent and has its own peculiar variations of structure

Each church does its ministry in a different context

Differences in the Anglican Communion

AmericaInfluenced by the

American Revolution (reorganized in 1789) with a more democratic structure

No Archbishop

Other Anglican ChurchesCloser to the

structure of the Church of England

A stronger episcopal power structure

Why have a Covenant now?The conflict over the

consecration of Gene Robinson

A suggestion by the Primates Task Force even before Gene Robinson’s election

The recommendation of the Windsor Commission

What kind of accountablity do we have now?

No PopeArchbishop of

CanterburyLambeth ConferenceAnglican

Consultative CouncilPrimates Meeting

What does the Anglican Covenant look like?

Four draftsFour sections plus an

introductionThe introduction and

the first three sections are mostly descriptive

The fourth section addresses how to deal with disagreements

IntroductionWhy is Christian

unity important?The life of the Holy

TrinityThe work of

reconciliationWhat are the

responsibilities of our unity with other Christians?

Our Inheritance of FaithWhat we believe

One, holy, catholic and apostolic Church

Holy ScripturesCreedsTwo Dominical

SacramentsThe historic

episcopate

From this faith each Church, helped by the Holy Spirit, commits itselfTeach and actGrounded in

ScriptureSpread the gospel

and seek reconciliation

Listen to the Spirit

The Life we share with others: Our Anglican Vocation

Communion in Christ is a gift from God

God’s grace and providence through the ages has formed us into what we are today

We are all called to repentance, as we all fail in recognizing Christ in one another

All churches are connected to the imperative of God’s mission in Christ

Though the Body of Christ is the Church, still we are called to full visible unity

All this means action

Our Unity and Common Life We are one Body in the

Church of Jesus by baptism and eucharist.

Each church has responsibility to its local context with autonomy and accountability

We seek to affirm this common life through the Instruments of Communion

The role of bishops is as guardians and teachers of faith, leaders in mission and as signs of unity.

Instruments of Communion are: Archbishop of Canterbury Lambeth Conference Anglican Consultative

Council Meeting of the Primates

Each Church commits to have regard to the common good

Respect autonomy of all the Churches with upholding mutual responsibility and interdependence

To listen, pray and study together

To act with diligence, care and caution with controversy

In conflict, participate in mediated conversations.

Our Covenanted Life Together Each Church commits:

Adoption of Covenant Not represent submission Each Church join according

to its own procedures Covenant becomes active

when adopted Participation in Covenant

means balancing local essentials with accountability to the other Churches

Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion shall monitor the Covenant

Questions may arise from within a Church or from another covenanting Church or from the Instruments

When shared mind is not reached, matter shall be referred to Standing Committee

Standing Committee may request a deferral of a controversial action. If refused, may recommend a limitation in participation

Standing Committee may declare any action “incompatible with the Covenant”

Recommendations go to Instruments of Communion

Participation in decision making shall be limited to Churches adopting the Covenant

Any Church may withdraw from the Covenant