General Synod Debrief
CATHEDRAL NEWSLETTER - 19 May 2022
Dear friends in Christ,
I write with what appears to be the flu (and not COVID) after a week away at the General Synod. I was sorry to miss the AGM, and will report further next week. However, at Synod, I enjoyed the fellowship with a variety of orthodox Anglican believers from across our nation, faithfully serving in big cities and the regional and remote areas.
The General Synod devoted time to many important matters that the media have ignored almost entirely, including commending chaplaincy to the Defence Force and receiving the results of the National Anglican Family Violence project and establishing a Family and Culture Commission to facilitate implementation of recommendations.
I was gratified to receive unanimous support for resolutions calling on both state and federal parliaments to get serious on reform for harm minimisation on problem gambling.
Likewise there was unanimous support for my motion reminding us of the centrality of the Great Commission or 'mission priority' Jesus has given us (see Matthew 28:16-20), to make disciples of people from all nations. I was moved to bring this motion because of the complete absence of discussion about evangelism or disciple-making on the business papers of Synod. But one likely reason the priority for gospel-preaching lacked all weight nationally is because Anglicans sadly do not all agree on the gospel we preach.
As I said in my speech, in such a case, it's a bit like people in a drug company discussing the best packaging and marketing and delivery methods for a product without any agreement on whether or not the active ingredient is present in the medicine they are selling.
And the active ingredient is the biblical gospel!
So whatever else we do in church governance and national Anglican politics, we must not get diverted from preaching and trusting Christ Jesus, crucified for our sins, and risen as Lord of all – the only name known to mankind by which we can be saved. (See for example, Acts 4:8-14, Romans 1:1-5,16-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 and 1 Corinthians 15, especially vv1-11 & v58!)
To the matter that attracted all the media attention – the question of marriage and the blessing of same-sex marriage in the Anglican Church – I was deeply distressed by the failure of a majority of the House of Bishops to uphold the teaching of Christ on this matter. It was a deep breach of fellowship. It is possible to respect those with whom we disgree on this matter, and even to recognise the civil validity of same-sex marriages – this love for others is fundamental to the example of Christ. There is no place for aggression or abuse or behaviour that is deliberately demeaning of others. But that does not have to mean revising biblical doctrine to fit in with the ways of the world.
For those who are interested, you can read more here:
An interview with Archbishop Kanishka on marriage and the General Synod;
An opinion piece from Rev. David Ould on Synod's denial of the Anglican basis for unity (he's General Synod member and Associate Minister at St John's Parramatta).
And for those still grappling with the biblical material on human sexuality, may I recommend "Why does God care who I sleep with?" by Sam Alberry, who will preach at the Cathedral at the end of July.
You would be welcome to arrange a conversation with me or one of the pastoral team if you'd like to discuss such matters further.
May I also recommend that we all repeatedly pray the Prayer Book collects for the 3rd and 4th Sundays after Easter. These were the Sundays which surrounded the General Synod. They are printed below. But remember to pray them for yourselves, before you pray them for others!
In Christ,
Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney