Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (2 Timothy 1:14)
I am writing to let you know that I have decided to step down as Chair of the Gafcon Australia Board on 21 April 2023 at the conclusion of GAFCON IV in Kigali.
Gafcon Australia was formed in 2014 but had been in the process of development since the first GAFCON Conference in Jerusalem in 2008. The Board has worked very hard over that time to fulfil its two main aims: to promote the orthodox Anglican doctrine in the Anglican Church of Australia, and to provide fellowship and assistance for those who feel they can no longer remain in the Anglican Church of Australia.
We have sought to pursue the first aim by holding a number of conferences, some in partnership with EFAC Australia and one on our own. We pursued the second aim by establishing the Diocese of the Southern Cross which is now operational and independent of Gafcon Australia. Along the way, as the work has increased and the number of our supporters have grown, we have employed an Executive Officer to help this work. It has been my privilege to the lead the Board during this period.
I believe Gafcon Australia needs to focus its attention on what is next, in helping unite and support orthodox Anglicans across the Anglican Church of Australia, regardless of their strategies. I believe that a new Chair will be best placed to lead that next phase of our organisation’s life. I remain committed to our aims and will remain on the Board.
I am pleased to tell you that the Board recently elected The Revd Peter Smith, Rector of Dalkeith Anglican Church in Perth, as the next Chair of Gafcon Australia. Peter has been a Board member since our inception and will lead the movement with great courage and conviction. I commend him to you.
Thank you for the opportunity of leading Gafcon Australia in this significant period, and for your support of it. It will remain as one of the great privileges of my ministry.
I commend Peter to your prayers as we continue to guard the good deposit entrusted to us.
Warm wishes in Christ,
Richard Condie
