Lambeth 'reflections document' released
Episcopal News Service. August 3, 2008 [080308-01]
The final text of a "reflections document," developed by 16 "listeners" selected from the Indaba groups at the 2008 Lambeth Conference, is now available here. The "listeners" formed a reflections group, chaired by Archbishop Roger Herft of Perth, Australia, and in a series of hearings the group presented its work and received feedback from the bishops.
The full document is available here. A PDF is available here. The Notes of the Reflections is available here.
A release from the reflections group follows.
From the Reflections Group Lambeth Indaba 2008
Capturing the conversations and reflections from the Lambeth Conference 2008: Equipping bishops for mission and strengthening Anglican identity.
Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and forget not all his benefits.
The Reflections Group has been privileged to serve the Lambeth Conference in their capacity as Listeners in and for their indaba. Face to face conversations, often exchanging conflicting and challenging points of view, have led to deeper understanding and new insights. The task of the Listener has been to capture the spirit of these encounters.
This document is not the primary outcome of this Conference. Written words can never adequately describe the life-changing nature of our time together. We have gained a deeper appreciation of the worldwide Anglican Communion and of our common calling as disciples of Christ.
Each listener has tried to prayerfully reflect the conversations that have taken place in the sixteen indaba groups mindful of the mandate given to them to be faithful to the gospel, the indaba process, the bishops gathered at Lambeth Conference and the Anglican Communion.
The status of the document is that of a narrative. It seeks to describe our lived experience and the open and honest discussions we have had together on the daily themes of the conference. We acknowledge that the most powerful narrative that accompanies us on the journey back to our diocese is in the transformation that has taken place in our lives through the renewal of our faith in Jesus. Friendships formed, pain and brokenness experienced, gestures of generosity, and the testimonies of those who live out the gospel daily in costly acts of discipleship remain etched in our hearts.
The indaba must go on in our lives, in our diocese and in our communities, as we continue the process of purposeful discussion. This document may be used in appropriate ways to tell forth the good news of Jesus Christ and to strengthen our common life in the Anglican Communion.
I am grateful to the group of Listeners and to the Revd Canon Gregory Cameron and Miss Katrina Stevens from the Secretariat who worked together with dedication modelling through many hours of work the spirit of indaba. We thank the bishops who participated in their indaba and in the hearings for their wisdom and comments that have enhanced the Reflections document.
Our prayer is that God may teach us to continue our indaba with reverence, to go forth in obedience, to finish our conversations with love, and then to wait patiently in hope, looking joyfully to Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose promises are faithful and rewards infinite.
Roger Herft
Archbishop of Perth and Metropolitan of Western Australia
Chair, Reflections Group
3 August 2008