The Anglican Church in the United States of America,Inc. |
| Unitas |
| ACUSA |
| Background. First use of the name The Anglican Church in the United States occurred in 2005 when Bishop Larry W. Johnson, the first bishop, begin laying the foundation of ACUSA. Worship services using the name the Anglican Church in the United States {ACUSA} first were conducted in Virginia at Bethlehem Chapel in Front Royal, Virginia in 2005. The first man ordained an ACUSA priest was Dr. Ralph Gardiner at George Washington's birthplace at Pope's Creek, Virginia in March of 2006. The Ven. Dr. Gardiner is now an Archdeacon serving ACUSA at Holy Redeemer Anglican Church in Montross, Since that time a number of men have been ordained and services conducted daily and weekly in Virginia and other states. ACUSA was officially incorporated by the State Corporation Commission of Virginia in November of 2006 to serve churchmen throughout the US, and is comprised of traditionalist only in the United States. We are all very aware of the division, splintering, factions, and the general disorganization of the Anglican movement that began in the in the United States in the 1960s. Since then many new dioceses have developed; some well organized and some not. There are in the United States more than sixty continuing bishops and scores of “denominations.” This does not count the growing number of foreign jurisdictions which are being established to serve ethnic groups consisting of arriving immigrants who use the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Additionally there are the charismatic churches which call themselves Anglican but use no liturgy. A recent development is Orthodox Church denominations that are using the Anglican liturgy but lack education and experience and are seeking leadership, episcopal relationships and oversight. This loosely constructed “do it yourself” churchmanship is a challenge if we are to pass our Anglican faith on to a new generation. The time has come for the bishops of continuing churches to come together organically and administratively. Presently the continuing Anglican movement is fractured and void of unified direction The Anglican Way is common prayer and communion among Anglicans. |
| The Problems. 1. The Anglican movement in the United States is comprised of many “pieces” and is disorganized and leaderless. There is little communication, cooperation, and information sharing; a total absence of a comprehensive mission. The laity longs for bishops who will do more to foster unity of purpose and practice in the United States. 2. Our bishops are aging as are the people in our congregations . 3. Missionary developments in the US by the continuing church have been less than satisfactory due to lack of unity, funds, and leadership. 4. We have bishops and jurisdictions in the US with overlapping diocesan boundaries, a variety of names confusing to the public and even to the leadership. We can count in some cities as many as six to seven churches and each under a separate bishop and jurisdiction. Neither communicants nor bishops can wrap their arms around this and properly explain it in a manner to excite newcomers about the “benefits” of membership. 5. We do not have an aggressive program to attract newcomers to help them to understand Anglicanism and what it means to live a sacramental life as an Anglican Christian. The problems enumerated here are frustrating to all as we strive to serve Him as clergy and laity. In the United States, there are disturbingly few converts. The numbers of men seeking vocations has fallen and the number of women seeking vocations as nuns and religious workers is almost non-existent. Students who want a religious education are going to secular schools where the word “Anglican” does not exist except in a dictionary and certainly not in a course of study. School guidance counselors most likely have not received career opportunities information on Anglicanism in a generation and certainly, there are no or few bishops or priests attending school or college career days to talk to students. |
| Offering Orthodox Worship for Americans and Uniting Continuing Anglican Denominations and Churches in the United States. |
| Our Mission. Missions of the Anglican Church in the United States of America [ACUSA] are:
churchmen will lay a foundation for another thousand years of Anglican Mission. The “seed” planting of unity and a strong Communion will serve the future generations of Anglicans in the United States and set an example for the world. May God give us the courage to move forward in this Mission! |
| The Solutions. We must begin to communicate with one another and approach the challenge with fervent prayer and missionary zeal! 1. Bishops must acknowledge the great dilemma of the Anglican Faith in the United States and take action. 2. Bishops need to come together under a single name and organizational structure with each state serving a diocese. 3. Nomenclature must be the same from diocese to diocese. 4. Overlapping jurisdictions must have future planned structures lending themselves to permanence but with an objective to morph into an understandable and strong traditional structure which is Anglican: a morphallaxis. 5. Structures for future growth and organization will apply and be followed by all bishops. 6. Incardination standards and guidelines for bishops and clergy are essential to prevent wondering vagantes and rogue bishops. 7. Finances must be increased by showing our people we have potentially powerful programs which need assistance and leadership to implement uniting of our movement. 8. Reduction in the duplication services required by multiple dioceses is a waste of labor and financial resources. Outreach efforts and missionary work can be positively facilitated by the coordination of reassigned personnel when the duplication of efforts are brought under control. 9. Improvement and expansion of religious education is critical. Seminary and educational programs will be improved and expanded by exchange and utilization of our best scholars across boundaries for the purposes of achieving eschatological excellence. The development of more seminaries would be possible under these circumstances and the development of distance learning opportunities can be accomplished by pooling scholar knowledge, man-hours, and skill. |
| Fulfilling the Mission. It is the Mission of the Anglican Church in the United States of America, ACUSA, to lead the way in bringing together continuing church movements, dioceses, and bishops. The plan for the amalgamation is the first for continuing churchmen and with ACUSA leading the way and the Blessing our Father it shall succeed. Under this plan, present bishops are planting seeds that will grow strong and serve the future generations of Anglicans in the US for generations to come. We have not much more than ten years to accomplish this mission based on current demographics of the continuing church movement. May God give us the courage to move forward in His Holy Name and Mission. How to join in the founding of this New Church? 1) Communicate your interest in this historic venture. 2) Request to be a Founding Bishop in your State or States where you have parishes. 3) Declare your support for the agreements set forth in the section entitled, “The Agreements.” 4) Request a founder’s packet of information. 5) Submit the Application for a Founding Bishop of the Anglican Church in the United States of American, Inc. These bishops will serve as the “steering committee” until a national council of advice is formed and a Presiding Bishop is elected. They will be expected to assist in the formulation of Canons. In taking this step, you have established an official relationship and will be given assignments to assist. You will be expected to provide leadership in your diocese and in districts to be organized. Importantly, • Pray for the unity of the continuing bishops. • Pray for the new fledgling Anglican Church in the United States of America, Inc. • Pray for wisdom as to what you as bishop have a responsibility to do in this time and place in history. • Express your desire to become a part of this historic effort by contacting the President's Office and request the documents to begin the process of coming into communion. If you have questions, or suggestions for accomplishing this make them known. If you would like to have me come to a meeting to talk to your people you have but to request. Expenses are requested. You are invited to Evensong to explore your role. You may order the first paper on the Amalgamation of Continuing Anglican Churches in the United States of America. To order please call 1.540.635.5521 or email. The Rt. Rev. Larry Wilson Johnson, Incorporating President larrywjohnson@embarqmail.com |
| The Church Tower of the first Anglican Church of America at Jamestown. |
| The Altar at the Historic Church |