Global South's final statement calls for greater holiness, purpose and discipline

England: April 23, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The "Fourth Trumpet" statement from the Global South to South Encounterhas called called for greater holiness, purpose and discipline afteracknowledging two decades of conflict and controversy has affected theirability to fulfil the Great Commission.

Delegates at the Fourth Anglican Global South to South Encounter meetingsaid today that for two decades they have been "distracted by conflictsand controversies" that had kept them from effectively fulfilling theGreat Commission. However, they stated a "renewed determination" toassist each other "...to make disciples of all nations and to do allthat Christ has commanded."

In the meeting's "Fourth Trumpet" statement, the more than 130 attendeesfrom 20 Provinces at the Singapore meeting called for a "new quest" forpersonal and corporate holiness in the Communion. They also encouragedProvinces to both develop plans and structures for Church growth intoday's post-Christendom context and to find ways to better understandand reach out to young people.

"The future of the Communion lies in winning the next generation forChrist," said the statement. "We urge each region to adopt initiativesto better understand the needs and characteristics of this newgeneration so that we might better communicate the Gospel and Christianvalues to them. It is essential that the ethos and traditions of theChurch be imparted to the youth in creative and dynamic ways so thatthey will be equipped to live for Christ for their generation andbeyond."

The group said that during their plenary sessions, bible studies andsmall group discussions they were "drawn back to a fresh vision of God,of the Church and of Christian leadership."

"We saw God in His stunning holiness and absolute sovereignty throughIsaiah's vision (Is 6: 1-13), and correspondingly saw our own ingrainedsinfulness and utter foolishness in trusting man rather than God alone.We caught a " big" vision of the Church from her role as 'servant of theLord' (Is 42: 1-9) to bring God's justice or 'right order of living' tothe nations of the world. This established the absolute necessity andpriority for the Church to disciple her members under the authority ofthe inspired Scriptures so that they may transform their societies andreach the nations with the Gospel. The fresh call upon the Church'sleadership, from the Servant of the Lord's costly obedience (Is 50:4-9), is to be courageous and fully confident of the Lord's sustaininggrace and final vindication."

The final statement from the Encounter also underscored the group's"grief" regarding decisions made by The Episcopal Church USA, and theAnglican Church of Canada. In particular they said the election andintended consecration of a priest in a same-sex relationship as a Bishopin Los Angeles demonstrated a "total disregard for the mind of theCommunion". There then followed a call for Provinces in the Global Southto reconsider their communion relationships with the aforementionedchurches.

The statement concluded with a call to review the entire AnglicanCommunion structure, in order to achieve what they believed would be,"an authentic expression of the current reality of our AnglicanCommunion."

To read the entire statement visit www.globalsouthanglican.org