The leadership of the church is changing, Harry Goodhew points out.
"As this century progresses he does not see world Christian leadership emanating from the “North”, rather it will come more and more from the “South”. In the Anglican Communion we have become particularly conscious of this. It was ‘Southern’ leadership at the 1998 Lambeth Conference that produced the overwhelming conservative vote on the issue of homosexuality. It is “Southern” leadership that is providing much of the present dynamic for maintaining faithfulness within the Communion."
Peter Jensen, Archbishop of Syndey, was in New Zealand in May for the National Latimer Conference.
He has spoken of a "... crisis in the communion ... (that) goes back to the authority of scripture and our willingness to be subservient to its teaching despite the unpopularity which this may bring in the world and in the church. In order to be obedient under pressure we are going to have to attend more that we have done up until now to the issue of depth in theological education in parishes and in the denomination. Especially we are going to have to care for each other, to encourage and strengthen each other and to support each other in unpopular stands, if these need to be taken."
His public address in the cathedral in Christchurch one Sunday evening, and messages to the Latimer conference in the follwing days, were helpful and well received.
Message at 2006 conference Evangelicals, have we a place?
Message at same conference Evangelicals, have we a plan?
This year's thought-provoking, informed lecture by Lord George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, was entitled ' Islam and Christianity'
He asked if a clash of religions must occur, or if true dialogue is possible. And answered optimistically, saying we should look forward to the day when we would not talk about faiths colliding, but about Islam and Christianity converging in a common desire to create a world of tolerance and peace and building communities on those shared values that make us human and capable of giving and receiving God's gift of love.
Harry Goodhew, former Archbishop of Syndey, gave the William Orange Memorial Lecture in New Zealand late last year.
In his outstanding, "A consideration of Christianity’s global future and of evangelical witness within it" he said:
"The world in which we live is a complex place. Its peoples are multitudinous: 6 billion and more and counting. The dynamics of its international relations are volatile, and the needs and aspirations of its individual inhabitants are many and enormously varied. Awful cruelty and grinding poverty can stand cheek by jowl with both heart-warming displays of compassion, and with opulence and plenty that by comparison invites the use of the word obscene. Yet we know that this is the world God loves. He created it and its people ... "
The two-part lecture was delievered in a number of centers on a tour of the country, and was well received. Excellent content.
Both lectures were recorded on video and are available on DVD, or as a PDF document you can print and read.
Right click to download any of these papers, at no charge. (Need help to download?)
Latimer Focus issue 13 - December 2003
Latimer Focus issue 8 - August 2002
Latimer Focus issue 7 - July 2002
Download the following papers, from the series "Christians in the Work Place"
A Practical Theology of Work by Peter Stuart
Major Ethical Issues in the Workplace by Dr Gareth Jones
A Practical Guide to Ethics in the Workplace by BJ Wakelin
Thinking Biblically About Work by Alistair McKenzie-Bridle
The Witness of a Christian Lawyer inthe Business World by Kate McKenzie-Bridle
The Post Christian Work Ethic by Peter Thirkell
Faith and Work: from Jesus to the Reformation by Alistair McKenzie
Faith and Work: from The Puritans to the Present by Alistair McKenzie
Evil in the Workplace by Peter McKenzie QC
Download the following addresses from earlier William Orange Memorial Lectures
Evangelical - a Forgotten Wor(l)d? by David Pickering (2001)
The Bible For The Post Modern World by Tom Wright (1999)
The Gospel's Mission To Culture in New Zealand by Harold Turner (1992)
Breaking Through Barriers Of Faith Today by Brian Carrell (1991)
Beyond Polarisation by Stephen May (1990)
Download President's Addresses
When The Church Loses It's Way by Brian Carrell (2003)
Issues Facing the Anglican Church in NZ Today by Brian Carrell (2002)
Latimer's Vocation in the 21st Century by Brian Carrell (2001)