Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Mission in England (Amie)
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Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Preface ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Section 1: Constitution ....................................................................................................................... 4 Article 1: The Identity of the Anglican Mission in England ................................................................. 4 Article 2: The Mission of the Anglican Mission in England ................................................................ 4 Article 3: The Scope of the Anglican Mission in England .................................................................. 4 Article 4: The Doctrinal Basis of the Anglican Mission in England .................................................... 4 Article 5: The Membership of the Anglican Mission in England ........................................................ 5 Article 6: The Governance of the Anglican Mission in England......................................................... 5 Article 7: The Powers of Synod ......................................................................................................... 6 Article 8: Synod Meetings .................................................................................................................. 6 Article 9: The Convocation Bishop .................................................................................................... 7 Article 10: Standing Committee of Synod ............................................................................................ 7 Article 11: Discipline ............................................................................................................................ 8 Article 12: Local Church Organisation ................................................................................................. 8 Article 13: Ownership of Property ........................................................................................................ 8 Article 14: Amending the Constitution ................................................................................................. 9 Article 15: Winding Up ......................................................................................................................... 9 Article 16: Interpretation ....................................................................................................................... 9 Schedule of Founding Churches ........................................................................................................... 11 Section 2: Canons ............................................................................................................................. 12 Canon 1: Membership of the AMiE Convocation ............................................................................. 12 Canon 2: Member Church Organisation Requirements ................................................................... 14 Canon 3: Licensing for Ministry in the Convocation ......................................................................... 15 Canon 4: Public Worship .................................................................................................................. 16 Canon 5: Ordained Christian Ministry - Deacons, Presbyters and Bishops .................................... 18 Canon 6: The Convocation Bishop and Assistant Bishops .............................................................. 21 Canon 7: Standing Committee of Synod .......................................................................................... 24 Canon 8: Standing Orders for the Conduct of Synod ...................................................................... 26 Canon 9: Officers of the Convocation .............................................................................................. 33 Canon 10: Church Discipline .............................................................................................................. 35 2 Preface The Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) is committed to proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations. We are immensely grateful for our recognition by Gafcon in its communiqué after the Nairobi conference in 2013, for the renewed affirmation in the Letter to the Churches that emerged from its 2018 conference in Jerusalem, and our recognition as an Extra-Provincial Convocation in 2020. We praise God for the faithful, visionary and costly leadership of those within the Gafcon movement. We treasure the doctrinal unity, the joint commitment to mission and the cultural diversity represented by the Gafcon family. We aim to learn from and contribute to this gospel movement. Our desire is to share the gospel of the triune God in our Churches and in all the world. God’s gospel is the life-transforming message of salvation from sin and all its consequences through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is both a declaration and a summons: announcing what has been done for us in Christ and calling us to repentance, faith and submission to his Lordship. It involves the restoration and reaffirmation of God’s original creative purposes. It is addressed to men, women and children and it is our only hope in the light of the final judgment and the reality of hell. God’s gospel concerns his Son (Romans 1:1–3). Jesus Christ is the centre of the gospel message, and all that he has done through his perfect life, atoning death, triumphant resurrection, and glorious ascension. The uniqueness of Jesus Christ lies at the heart of the eternity-changing message: “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The gospel confronts us in the midst of our confusion and sin but it does not leave us there. It includes a summons to repentance and a call to believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15), which results in a grace-filled life. The ascended Christ gave his Spirit to empower his disciples to take this gospel to the world. We have received the gospel through the faithful witness of previous generations. Yet there are still billions of people who are without Christ and without hope. Jesus taught his disciples: “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations” (Matthew 24:14). We repent for the times and seasons when we have only preached to ourselves and not embraced the difficult task of reaching beyond our own cultural groups in obedience to God’s call to be a light to the nations (Acts 13:47). Our desire is not simply to exist for ourselves and for now. We are passionate about the future. We aim to be a haven for orthodox Anglicans and a home where rescued sinners can know and love their Saviour. The task before us is both glorious and enormous. But, with the help of God, AMiE will play its part in proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations. 3 Section 1: Constitution This Constitution is intended to provide an ecclesial summary of AMiE’s theology and praxis. Its governing documents as a matter of charity and company law are its Articles of Association and any resolution passed by Synod, including the Canons. Article 1: The Identity of the Anglican Mission in England 1.1 The Anglican Mission in England ‘AMiE’ is an Extra-Provincial Convocation recognised by the Gafcon Primates’ Council. 1.2 AMiE is joining the Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE) as one of its two founding Convocations. 1.3 Under God and subject to 1.4, AMiE intends to develop and mature its structures and membership to enable AMiE to become an Extra-Provincial Diocese recognised by the Gafcon Primates’ Council. 1.4 Under God, ANiE intends to develop and mature its structures and membership to enable ANiE to become a Gafcon sponsored Province. AMiE will seek to join with other Convocations and/or Dioceses as members of that Gafcon sponsored Province. Article 2: The Mission of the Anglican Mission in England 2.1 AMiE is a fellowship of faithful Anglican Churches committed to gospel mission by planting Churches, strengthening Churches and partnering with other gospel-centred Christians for the salvation of many and the glory of God. Article 3: The Scope of the Anglican Mission in England 3.1 The primary focus of the Anglican Mission in England is mission activity within England. This does not preclude provision of oversight and support elsewhere if circumstances require. Article 4: The Doctrinal Basis of the Anglican Mission in England 4.1 AMiE receives and accepts as its Doctrinal Basis the Canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, containing all things necessary for salvation, and the final authority and unchangeable standard for Christian faith and life. 4.2 It also accepts as faithful expression of this doctrine: 4.2.1 The Christian faith as declared in the creeds known as the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed; 4.2.2 Such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the Holy Scriptures; 4.2.3 The Book of Common Prayer as set forth by the Church of England in 1662, together with the Form and Manner of Making Ordaining and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and The Articles of Religion agreed in 1562; 4 4.2.4 The Jerusalem Statement and Declaration of 2008.