Embracing Our New Name Together
A letter from Bishop Dan about the update of our diocesan name to the Anglican Diocese of Canada.
Dear members and friends of our diocese,
As you have likely heard, many of us gathered at our recent annual synod where one of the items we considered was a proposed change to our diocesan name. Through many years of joys, challenges and changes our family of churches have gladly laboured in Gospel ministry together as the Anglican Network in Canada. And so, it was with a mix of emotions that we all considered this proposed change of our name to the Anglican Diocese of Canada. But after much prayer, consultation, and consideration it seemed to us as a House of Bishops and our Diocesan Council right and timely to commend this update to our synod. The change was duly discussed at our synod gathering and then passed by a great majority. I was humbled and grateful for the way we listened to one other in the process and then were able to vote together on the matter with a high degree of unity.
Personally, I am hoping and praying that this name change may be fruitful across the diocese for a variety of reasons:
Clarity in the Communion
First, I hope it will help clarify to others in the Anglican Communion who and what we are. The word Network was at times a source of confusion when interacting with other GAFCON dioceses and provinces and our new name may help us to forge relationships, partnerships and credibility among others around the world.
Rooted and Committed
Secondly, I hope and pray this update to our name may convey to the people of our own parishes more deeply that we are indeed a well-established Anglican diocese within our province of the Anglican Church in North America, and firmly committed to long-term mission and ministry across our country. We are not simply “in” Canada but we are now also “of” Canada. We are rooted and committed to building faithful churches from sea to sea.
Faithful and Missional
Thirdly, would you join me in praying that this name change may be used by God for new opportunities in sharing His Gospel of grace across Canada.
For those who are familiar with the term 'diocese', perhaps with Anglican or Roman Catholic, Orthodox or Lutheran backgrounds, I pray the Anglican Diocese of Canada would sound to them a safe, stable and strong group of churches to partner with, or at times to consider joining and being discipled within.
For those who are not very familiar with the word we hope it would not be a barrier, but convey our connection and faithfulness to the Christian faith and mission throughout the church’s history. We are aware that the word diocese can be heard by some as a purely institutional term. However, the institution within Christ’s church is always meant to serve the mission as well as the people of His church. We believe the Anglican ministry structure is an excellent platform for the work of the Gospel for our churches, and that by clearly and intentionally embracing that structure we may further our pursuit of mission.
A diocese is an historic connection between churches to facilitate faithfulness to the Gospel, care for one another, accountability, guidance and cooperation in order to better form disciples of Christ who make disciples of Christ.
A diocese is an historic connection between churches to facilitate faithfulness to the Gospel, care for one another, accountability, guidance and cooperation in order to better form disciples of Christ who make disciples of Christ. Yes, the word 'diocese' will require some unpacking at times, but in the process may it sharpen our vision for who we are as a body and where our purpose and mission truly lies.
Hope and Expectation
Friends, with every change there is loss, and I will in many ways miss our much-loved former name of ANiC (and will likely revert accidentally to referencing it for a long, long time in conversation!). But I am also full of hope and expectation for how the Lord will work through our new name and this new season of life for us as the Anglican Diocese of Canada. May He continue to guide and refine us. May He bless us and keep us faithful to His Gospel. And may He continue to use us to make disciples of the nations as we seek to build Biblically faithful, Gospel sharing, Anglican churches.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
+Dan
The Right Reverend Dan Gifford
Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canada