As I reflect on yesterday’s events and review news reports already posted, I am conscious of not simply repeating the same description of “what we did” the day before.  The ENS accounts provided by reporters and Bishops who most often are approached randomly for comments offer basic information and insights that seem to serve well.  I do commend the ENS updates for your reading.

My intention in daily updates is to share my experience and perspective in a way that I hope will be informative and meaningful for our diocese.  I do recommend reading the Presidential Address by Archbishop Williams given Sunday evening.  It represents well both the tone and focus of the conference design group in the Archbishop’s own style which is a strong influence on our work.

And it continues to be clear that the intention is for every voice  here to be heard, among bishops and spouses in their respective settings.  The effort of conference planners to make this happen have been extensive and so far is proving to be effective well beyond past Lambeths, according to those who have previously attended.

Through the daily Bible study sessions (75 minutes), followed by Indaba groups (2 hours) of 30-40 bishops each, we participate in exercises that make it impossible for anyone to sit it out.  Most encouraging is the readiness of all to speak and to engage actively in discussion topics and questions.  The language differences have not been a great obstacle, thanks to the pre-planning and translation equipment available - and the fact that most speak English at some level, even if their fourth or fifth language.

The Bible study group I lead is composed of two bishops from India representing two difference dioceses, one bishop from the Sudan, another from Tanzania, and a Bishop Suffragan from England, Two ecumenical representatives who have not yet been able to attend.  The groups are inentionally small for everyone to speak.

I am daily struck by the readiness to speak and the openness to discuss not only the Bible passages and questions, but also how the issues that surface in studying John’s Gospel, focusing on Jesus’ “I am . . .” sayings translate into our respective contexts for ministry and relate to complex and challenging issues facing the Anglican Communion today.

It is heartening to hear freely offered candid comments and insights on scripture passages.  The study sessions have exceeded expectations timewise, quickly fostering honest and respectiveful interaction that is not at all always comfortable for any of us.  In the commitment to candid  communication I find real hope.

The Indaba groups that follow the Bible study and last for two hours follow a well designed model of constantly changing the makeup of small groups which vary in size within the 30-40 bishops in each.  The spirit of Indaba is being lived out.  While I at first suspected using Indaba as just another way to facilitate the same old group stuff, I have learned that it isn’t.  Below is a brief description - the essence —  of Indaba as a serious instrument for communication and community building.

Indaba is a Zulu word for a gathering for purposeful discussion. It is both a process and method of engagement as we listen to one another concerning challenges that face our community and by extension the Anglican Communion.

An Indaba first and foremost acknowledges that there are issues that need to be addressed effectively to foster on-going communal living. Originally, in the Zulu context, these would include issues which affected the whole of the community. In our case it is issues which affect the whole Communion as reflected in our daily themes.

In Indaba, we must be aware of these challenges (issues) without immediately trying to resolve them one way or the other. We meet and converse, ensuring that everyone has a voice, and contributes (in our case, praying that it might be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) and that the issues at hand are fully defined and understood by all.

The purpose of the discussion is to find out the deeper convergences that might hold people together in difference and come to a deeper understanding of the topic or issues discussed. This will be achieved by seeking to understand exactly the thinking behind positions other than our own.