What’s the Go with GAFCON?

In November last year, the date and location of the next GAFCON conference were announced – 17-22 June 2018, in Jerusalem. It is expected that over 2000 will attend. But how did GAFCON start? What is it and what does it do? And why is it such a big deal? In this series of three articles for ACR Online, we’ll examine exactly that.

GAFCON: The trigger....

Every ten years the Archbishop of Canterbury invites bishops from the Anglican Communion to attend the Lambeth Conference. In 2008 many bishops from the Communion declined the Archbishop’s invitation. Many felt that the authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Christ were being rejected. The presenting issue was the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson in 2003 by the Episcopal Church of America (TEC). At the time of his consecration Bishop Robinson was living in a sexual relationship with another man. There were protests against his consecration in North America and around the world as many saw his consecration as endorsing behaviours contrary to Scripture. The consecration of Bishop Robinson was seen as an unrepentant rejection of Scripture. Furthermore, it was a rejection of Scripture by those who had been called upon to guard the good deposit and shepherd the flock. Read More