ACN and Diocese of Singapore Advance Mission Partnership

Source: Anglican Communion Network

The Anglican Communion Network (ACN) and the Diocese of Singapore have taken the next step in their mission partnership which began last spring. The partnership is intended to spur on mission work in Nepal and Indochina countries. The idea was originally presented by then Bishop John Chew, Diocese of Singapore, while attending the Annual ACN Council meeting and received the enthusiastic support of the Council to move forward.

A more formal agreement was drawn up in early February 2006 by representatives of the Network and the Diocese during meetings held in Singapore just before the installation of the Most Rev. John Chew as the new Archbishop of Southeast Asia. Bishop Robert Duncan, Network Moderator, and the Rev. Canon Daryl Fenton, Chief Operating Officer, were in attendance as the invited representatives of the Network.

“The vision for this partnership is to assist the Diocese in extending the missionary enterprises it has already begun in these countries,” said Canon Fenton, “We’re not imposing a program, but rather responding to the leadership of Archbishop Chew by joining in this missionary work which has enormous potential.”

Canon Fenton expects the Anglican Global Mission Partners (AGMP) will be heavily involved in the implementation of the plan to support Anglican mission efforts in Southeast Asia. “There are many details to be worked out, but in the AGMP, we have the expertise of some 30 active mission agencies and ministries to draw on,” he explained.

The agreement lays out a system matching each nation where the Diocese of Singapore has a missionary deanery in place with a “mission advocate” in the United States. The mission advocate will mobilize prayer, financial backing, short and long-term mission trips and other support through individuals, parishes and dioceses that want to partner in the work in a particular country. Kevin Higgins of Global Teams, also an AGMP member, will be working with Singapore to help the Diocese of Singapore coordinate efforts from there.

Local parishes are already poised to begin this new work in earnest. Network-affiliated Truro Church located in Fairfax, VA is sending an exploration team next month. Truro’s interest springs from a relationship that Rector Martyn Minns formed with the Diocese of Singapore, during a Mission Roundtable Meeting in 2004. “The Roundtable meetings are designed to build relationships and ignite new mission initiatives,” said Minns. “We’ve been praying and planning for this partnership to blossom for two years and we’re very excited that it is now beginning to take real shape.”

“One of the hopes we have is that eventually every Network parish will have an ongoing affiliation with a diocese or missionary effort worldwide,” said Bishop Robert Duncan. “This partnership with the Diocese of Singapore reminds us that we have Christian brothers and sisters everywhere. We are not an American denomination. We are part of the church worldwide.”

    Comments & Responses

  1. This is a perplexing situation for me. We, in the Church of the West, are told by the Church of the Global South that western missionary traditions are biased and must be overcome by the non-western churches. We are told that western colonial traditions, structures and practices are no longer needed by the new churches in non-western nations. We are told that the Churches in North America are in error and full of false teachings. We are told that our House of Bishops and General Convention is unrepentant of its’ sin and misguided in its’ practice.

    Why then is ECUSA being asked to carry on missionary work in Asia? Are the Churches in Asia to immature to expand without ECUSA assistance? Is it ECUSA money and resources that motivates such cooperation? We (ECUSA) are in error in our teachings and practice but, our money is certainly useful for the work of God in Asia (and Africa). How very expedient of the Churches of the Global South.

    Posted by  on  03/03  at  11:44 AM

  2. William,

    I am sure that your comment was directed to this note. You posted your comment under the Nigerian religious violence article. I posted a prayer for the end of conflict there. I really don’t think you object to the prayer or my posting one.

    I have no respect for Bishop Duncan or his kind. His actions weaken the very ‘unity’ and ‘discipline’ of the church that he is sworn to uphold. He is an oath break. If he were a true man of honor and faith, he would resign his office and follow his conscience.

    As for the Anglican Network, I am sure that the Holy Spirit works in every organization that sincerely calls for His inspiration.

    Remember:

    “Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may
    perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.” from the Book of Common Prayer ECUSA

    Posted by  on  03/04  at  12:44 AM
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