First Steps Toward Reconciliation

And Why I Decided to Stay in Rwanda By Thaddeus Rockwell Barnum On August 31, I heard a word I never dreamed Id hear. I was on a monthly AMIA Council of Bishops (COB) phone call when our Chairman presented us with options. He asked, 1- if we wanted to stay in Rwanda; 2- if we wanted to go to ACNA or, 3- if we wanted to start a new Missionary Society. He asked each of us to respond. Option? I shot back. There are no options. Were in relationship with Rwanda and Rwanda with us. Just a year before, we announced to our brothers and sisters in ACNA that we chose to be a Missionary Partner with ACNA because our identity was clear. We are Rwandans. We cant be in two provinces. We cant have two archbishops. We belong to an Anglican jurisdiction. Its how we started. Its who we are. For ten years I have served in the episcopal office. On the document of my consecration, it states that I was chosen a bishop for the Province of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda. As I traveled the country helping to start new churches, preaching, confirming, ordaining, I did so as a missionary bishop in the Anglican Communion under this Rwandan authority. And now, for the first time, I was faced with the word, option and the possibility the real possibility -- that division was just around the corner, crouching at the door. * * *

A month prior, in our July conference call, Id learned that the June House of Bishops (HOB) meeting in Rwanda was difficult and chaotic. Their own House was negotiating change in leadership. There were new bishops and a new Archbishop. It was clearly confusing for our AMIA Chairman to witness this unrest but the plan forward seemed both clear and helpful: 1- for our Chairman to return to the next HOB meeting in Rwanda in September and, 2- for the Rwandan bishops and the AMIA bishops to meet together for a time of fellowship and prayer after the Winter Conference, January 2012. But even more helpful was the miraculous gift that came in mid-September. Before their HOB meeting, the Rwandan bishops came together in a retreat to seek the face of God. Led by retired Bishop John Rucyahana and focused on the biblical theme of reconciliation, the Lord did a powerful work in their midst. He brought them together in such a profound way that Archbishop Rwaje would later write, in a

letter of December 9, our House of Bishops continues to enjoy an unprecedented level of unity and fellowship in the Holy Spirit during this time. The Lord had faithfully seen them through a most difficult time of transition a time no different than many of us experience in our local churches with the change of a new rector and new vestry members. It was my hope that this meant the word option was off the table. It wasnt. * * *

On December 5, my last COB conference call, I learned of a conversation that would eventually take root and change the course of AMIA altogether. Our Chairman reported that in June, at some point during or after the turbulent House of Bishops meeting in Rwanda, retired Archbishop Kolini said to our Chairman that he believed it was time for AMIA to leave Rwanda. And with that, vision was born. By mid-summer, our Chairman met in London with AMIAs retired and founding archbishops. It was here, as I understand it, that the concept of a new AMIA Missionary Society took shape out of a perceived concern that AMIA was suddenly vulnerable to the leadership changes in Rwanda. As this meeting took place, the vision of the Missionary Society -- a real, tangible option -- was as yet completely unknown to, and outside the counsel of, our own Rwandan Archbishop, Onesphore Rwaje. But it had momentum and strength. It connected the AMIA with our past because our three retired founding archbishops now put their full weight of support behind the vision. And I realized then, even when I first heard of this plan in late August, I knew that the possibility of leaving Rwanda and starting a new Missionary Society was more than just an option. To me, it felt like a done deal. A deal I knew would divide us. Or at least me. For I actually believed that we, in AMIA, at our very core, were more than canonically resident in Rwanda. We were in relationship with them, and them with us, and if the day ever came for us to be released into something different, something new, it would be have to be done together in prayer, over time, and by the unity and peace that comes from the Holy Spirit. No, for me, I personally could not take the journey out of Rwanda.

I have served with our Chairman, Bishop Chuck Murphy, for fifteen years. The brilliance of his leadership to me is the way he sees and casts vision. Time and time again, Ive watched him gather leaders, present vision, and then break us into groups. Hed get us to talk it out and then come back and share our reflections. One of his most captivating and memorable lines is that, God speaks to His people through His people. And Ive watched him listen to the people around him, take counsel, and move forward with his leaders with impeccable timing, great risk, and in obedience to the Lord. For some reason, this fall was different. After Bishop Murphy shared the vision of the Missionary Society with the Rwandan bishops in their September meeting, the African response was clear. Archbishop Rwaje wrote, the Missionary Society was a new concept that was still a confidential matter in the process of conception. The agreement was that we would have a joint design group to prepare a presentation to the December 21 House of Bishops (letter from Archbishop Rwaje to Bishop Murphy, October 31). The vision wasnt off the table. They just wanted to take it slowly, step by step. Bishop Murphy wanted to press forward. He packed the fall with meetings to cast the new vision. He met again with AMIAs retired archbishops (sans ++Rwaje) in early October. He met with the AMIA Network Leaders in Arkansas and again in South Carolina with senior rectors from all over the Mission. This time, he decided, he didnt want to break the leaders into groups and get their feedback. He would, he said later, down the road, but not yet. The feedback came anyway; feedback that would hit the internet and rock the Anglican world with fact, speculation, confusion and opinion. Like a wild virus, the internet took on a life of its own and often led, in a number of cases, to slander, accusation and bitter gossip primarily directed against our Chairman. The result wasnt for us to step back and slow down as our Archbishop advised. Instead, the frenzy of the internet somehow became our frenzy and everything sped up with speed way beyond control. * * *

It was clear the Rwandans were troubled by what they were hearing. Retired Bishop John Rucyahana wrote an open letter to Bishop Murphy in late October urging him to slow down, take counsel with the Province of Rwanda, and to be assured that Rwanda remains committed to AMIA. But even Rucyahana

couldnt explain how his retired Archbishop Kolini who led AMIA as a mission of Rwanda and now moves with AMIA out of the Province during his retirement. Archbishop Rwaje wrote once, then a second time, to halt the advancement of the society. But the Chairman chose to ignore the Archbishops directives. This was proven at the November AMIA Council of Bishops meeting in Myrtle Beach as the new Missionary Society took center stage. Except for Bishop Terrell Glenn and me, all the bishops declared their enthusiastic support of the Society, our Chairman, and our most respected retired archbishops. But for me, I announced, Id not be going into the Society. I knew thered be clergy and congregations that would want to remain in the Province of Rwanda, under the authority of our Archbishop, and would not want this change. I asked my colleagues to support me in pastoring these churches. Although my proposal was accepted, another story, a bigger story had emerged. For it was at this meeting Bishop Terrell Glenn submitted his resignation from the AMIA Council of Bishops citing a broken and unreconciled relationship with the Chairman. This resignation became the headline news coming out of our November COB meeting. A story of an unreconciled relationship among leaders. A prophetic story. For in less than a months time, more relationships were about to break. * * *

Archbishop Rwaje and Bishop Murphy met together face to face in November. It seemed, on the surface, that this meeting went well and that these two men were walking together. But deep, unresolved issues lay underneath the surface. On November 30, after taking counsel with the House of Bishops, and in unity with them, Archbishop Rwaje decided to release two letters. The first was to all AMIA clergy and congregations. He wanted to re-assure you of our firm stand with you and to exhort us to stand firm in this difficult and trying times. The second letter was a godly admonition sent to Bishop Murphy and copied to our Council of Bishops. It was a strong rebuke stating: You have misused the authority given to you by the Archbishop in advancing your New Missionary Society interests. We wrote you a letter twice to halt the advancement of the society, and you have ignored us If only this letter had been private. It wasnt. An unknown source had released it to an Anglican journalist who was about to take it public. And once again, what was

meant to be done in private was now exposed for all the world to see. But worse, far worse, it seemed to some to color the way the Archbishops letter of godly admonition was received. Was it possible Rwanda released it? some asked. And if that was true, how could the admonition be, in itself, godly? But surely an orthodox Archbishops godly discipline cant be ignored, and ruled ungodly, simply because it was leaked to the press? We were suddenly at the crossroads those rare moments in life when a decision is required that will impact the lives of many and define us for years to come. * * *

Early Monday morning, December 5, I wrote Bishop Chuck and copied two of my colleagues as witnesses. I begged him to comply with the Archbishops admonition. I wrote, If we have any authority as bishops to bring godly discipline then weve got to model being under and complying to godly discipline Model being under authority for us, for the Mission. Dont let us divide For the sake of the Mission, for the sake of all who look to you as a model of godly leadership, come under the discipline of your Archbishop. A half hour after sending this letter, I was notified that the COB was about to have an emergency conference call and that each of us (except Bishop Terrell who had formerly left the COB) was being asked to issue our formal resignation along with our Chairman as bishops of the Province of Rwanda. This was it. The moment of decision. AMIA bishops were being asked to leave a paper trail of their decision. Not once did any of the bishops ask to take time in prayer over this momentous decision or to consult their Network leaders, clergy and lay leaders. The time was now. At noon, during the call, the formal letter of resignation was read out loud. In the letter, apologies were made and gratitude was extended for years of relationship. But, at the end of the letter, the brokenness of the relationship was exposed as our Chairman compared AMIA to the nation of Israel leaving the Egyptians (Africa). The implication, I knew, would be devastating for our African brothers to hear. How would they bear being compared to the Egyptian nation under the judgment of God? And with that, I listened as all my colleagues resigned all but me. * * *

Two days later, I had opportunity to speak with Archbishop Rwaje. I apologized to him that we were unwilling to comply with his godly admonition. I apologized for the insulting words of the past months none which hurt more than the phrase

reverse colonialism (implying AMIA wasnt going to be controlled by Africa) and then for the hurtful comparison of being compared to the Egyptian nation. News went everywhere: AMIA was no longer under Rwanda. The subtle implication was that the Rwandan House of Bishops brought this on themselves with internal strife and divisions and that there were forces in the Mission that were simply out to get the Chairman. Spin spun and spun again. The only thing that mattered was the tragedy itself. The Mission was bitterly divided. Christians who have labored in the gospel vineyard for years were now turning ploughshares into swords. Sides were being taken. Some to remain in AMIA. Some to remain in Rwanda. Some to make the move to ACNA. Mark Galli, senior managing editor of Christianity Today and a member of an AMIA church, called it simply what church history has always called division in the Body of Christ that is not over foundational Christian doctrine. He called it schism. * * *

For the sake of the gospel and for the unity of the Body of Christ, Archbishop Duncan of ACNA has taken a leading role in beginning steps toward reconciliation. He has assured Archbishop Rwaje of his support as a fellow GAFCON primate and has committed himself and ACNA leaders to a process of restoration with the AMIA bishops who resigned from Rwanda. These are beginning steps. I want you to know, wrote Archbishop Rwaje in his Christmas letter, that we grieve with you over the resignation of our friends, brothers in Christ and fellow bishops in AMiA. I am thankful for the support shown to the Province of Rwanda by my friend and colleague, Archbishop Robert Duncan. I share the same confidence that with God nothing is impossible. (Luke 1:37). We are brokenhearted, he continued, over the shame that this division has brought to our Lord and to his bride. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is the power to heal all our wounds, and we trust that he will repair and restore what has been so badly broken. Forgiveness and reconciliation are Gospel imperatives for all Christians, and especially for us here in Rwanda. As you continue to move forward in mission in 2012, please do so with mutual respect for one another, fostering open communication, trusting relationships, and accountability to those whom the Lord has called us to serve and lead.

With that, he announced that he would fly to Raleigh, North Carolina in January 2012 and meet with the clergy and congregations whod like to come together for a time of worship, confession, prayer and study of Gods word. Because he knows thats where reconciliation starts. By coming together. By confessing our sins. By asking the Lord to do what we ourselves cant do for the sake of His great name; for the blessing of His Church; and for our witness of the peace and unity of Christ to a world in desperate need of Him. These are the first steps. (for more information about Mission Rwanda and the Moving Forward Together conference with Archbishop Rwaje, stay tuned to www.missionrwanda.org)