Lambeth Conference 'reflections' process announced
Episcopal News Service. July 3, 2008 [070308-01]
Matthew Davies
The process for the Lambeth Conference bishops to communicate what they wish to share with the wider church at the conclusion of their July 16-August 3 gathering in Canterbury, England, has been announced by the Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion and secretary of the Lambeth Conference.
In a letter to the more than 650 bishops expected to attend the Lambeth Conference, Kearon outlined the form of discussion that will lead to the development of a "Reflections Document," expected to be made public on the last day of the conference.
In his letter, Kearon says, "Among the desired outcomes anticipated by this diverse group from across the Communion was not so much debates, position papers, votes and resolutions but participation on an equal footing, listening as well as speaking and the emergence of wisdom and a common mind."
The main conference days are split into four sections: group Bible study, expanded meetings called "Indaba" groups, self-selecting groups and optional "fringe" events.
The reflections document will arise out of the Indaba groups' insights.
The Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba, primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, proposed to the Lambeth Design Group and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams the concept of Indaba. It "was readily adopted by Williams and will form the way the bishops will work together during their time in Canterbury," says a news release from the Anglican Communion Office (ACO). The release quotes from Kearon's letter.
Indaba is a Zulu word meaning purposeful discussion "and is both a process and method of engagement, and offers a way of listening to one another concerning challenges that face the Anglican Communion," the release says.
Each Indaba group will nominate one member whom they believe to be most capable of carrying their views and the fruit of their discussion into the "Reflections" process, the release says. Their "Listener" will join a Listening Group under the chairmanship of Archbishop Roger Herft of Perth, in Western Australia.
"Working with the summaries of the fruit of Indaba arising from each group, it will be their duty to generate a common text which reflects authentically the Indaba," says Kearon in his letter.
The Listening Group is expected to meet in four sessions when all bishops can comment on the developing text. "It is envisaged that in this way every bishop attending the conference will be given the opportunity to 'shape the reflections' from what emerges," the ACO release says. Those sessions will be closed to the public.
Kearon says in his letter that the Lambeth Design Group hopes "that this process will permit the development of a Reflections Document which will meet the objectives set out for it, and be available on the last day of the conference to be received as an authentic account of the engagement of the bishops together in the service of Christ."
The Lambeth Conference program includes themes including gender violence, human sexuality issues, environmental concerns, the Anglican Covenant and mission and evangelization.
The ACO release notes that the Lambeth Conference is neither a synod nor a convention, but a gathering of bishops and spouses meeting under the theme "Equipping Bishops for Mission."
The Lambeth Conference will include some 650 bishops and their spouses for the every-ten-year conference at the University of Kent in Canterbury, southeast England.