GAFCON to meet in London to discuss future

The controversial conservative Anglican group GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) are set to meet in London this April.

GAFCON in Jerusalem 2008

More than 200 delegates from 30 Provinces of the Anglican Communion will gather together – with the aim of helping to turn "the present crisis moment into a visionary future".

The Most Rev'd Eliud Wabukala, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON Primates Council, said: "We are committed to building networks and partnerships of orthodox Anglicans, strong in their witness to Jesus Christ and the transforming power of His Spirit, to face the challenge of mission around the world."

The five-day conference is the first leadership gathering since their landmark meeting in Jerusalem in 2008, during which they approved the Jerusalem Statement.

GAFCON is seen by some British Anglicans as controversial because of its traditional stance on homosexuality. GAFCON, in turn, believes that it "provides a way to share Biblical Anglicanism that is concert with what Anglicans have always believed, taught, and practiced" and that it exists to help those remain Anglican who have "been unable, for conscience, to remain in their Province".

The theme of the conference is the uniqueness and sufficiency of Christ, which will be explored through worship, testimony, Bible study and plenary sessions on how to apply Christ's lordship over the world, the church and the individual.

There are also interactive seminars planned on spiritual leadership, family, evangelism, development and aid, the nature of the gospel and the theology of the Church.

Spiritual leadership under pressure and the experience of living in the Communion in crisis will also be tackled. Towards the end of the conference there will be a time of prayer for those living in Britain to keep preaching the gospel.

Speakers include Bishop Michael Nazir Ali, the Rev. Dr. Ashley Null and Bishop John Akao.

Last week the majority of the dioceses in the Church of England voted against the Anglican Communion Covenant. In response Bishop Michael Nazir Ali said: "I am disappointed that the Anglican Communion Covenant, even in its watered down version, has failed to gain the support of the Church of England. This now means that the Jerusalem Statement is now 'The only game in town'."