A Response to the Public Statement Regarding Sam Allberry

In light of the recent public statement from the elders of Immanuel Church regarding Sam Allberry—who, though an ordained minister in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), is serving in a nondenominational congregation that is not itself a member of the ACNA—it is necessary to offer a clear, careful, and confessional assessment.

As a congregation within the ACNA, we are bound to uphold the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as received by this Church, including the authority of Holy Scripture, the catholic Creeds, the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and Ordinal (ACNA Constitution, Article I.1; I.6–7).

Because this matter involves an ordained minister of the ACNA, the public nature of both the allegations addressed and the response issued by Immanuel Church calls for a theological evaluation grounded in Scripture, the Reformed confessions, and the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA. As an ACNA congregation, we are articulating our own confessional convictions in response to a public matter involving an ACNA-ordained minister. In making these comments, we are not conducting our own ecclesiastical investigation, exercising jurisdiction over Immanuel Church, or rendering an independent judicial judgment, but responding to the public statement released by the elders of Immanuel Church.

Calling this merely an “inappropriate relationship” is not faithful to the clarity of Scripture, the Reformed confessions, or the ACNA’s own canonical standards.

The ACNA Canons speak plainly: “Clergy and lay leaders of this Church are called to be exemplary in all spheres of morality as a condition of being appointed or remaining in office” (ACNA Canons, Title II, Canon 8, §1). The Canons further state that this Church “cannot legitimize or bless same sex unions or ordain persons who engage in homosexual behavior,” and that “sexual intercourse should take place only between a man and a woman who are married to each other” (ACNA Canons, Title II, Canon 8, §2).

The Reformed confessions speak with the same clarity. Sexual relations outside of God’s ordained design for marriage between one man and one woman are sin requiring repentance and discipline. The Heidelberg Catechism condemns “all unchaste actions” (Q. 108–109). The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches that God’s moral law binds all, including ministers (WCF 19), and that discipline exists to preserve the purity of the church (WCF 30). The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion affirm that ministers are subject to discipline (Articles XXVI, XXXIII).

Scripture requires that an overseer be “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:6–7). The ACNA Canons explicitly apply these qualifications to presbyters, requiring that they be “above reproach,” “self-controlled,” “upright,” “holy,” “disciplined,” and “one who has a good reputation with outsiders” (ACNA Canons, Title III, Canon 2, §3). Those admitted to Holy Orders must also be “a wholesome example and pattern to the entire flock of Christ” (ACNA Canons, Title III, Canon 2, §1).

The Canons further identify “sexual immorality,” “violation of ordination vows,” and “conduct giving just cause for scandal or offense” as chargeable offenses (ACNA Canons, Title IV, Canon 2, §§1.3–1.6). Therefore, under the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA, allegations or admissions of sexual immorality involving an ordained minister necessarily raise questions of canonical offense and ministerial qualification, not merely matters of “unwise conduct” or an “inappropriate relationship.” For a presbyter, sexual immorality directly bears upon the biblical and canonical requirement that clergy be “above reproach.”

We give thanks where there is reported repentance. The gospel of Jesus Christ holds out real forgiveness: a fallen pastor may be restored to the fellowship of Christ’s Church and welcomed again to the Lord’s Table. The ACNA Canons themselves call the Church to show “Christ-like compassion to those who have fallen into sin,” encouraging repentance, forgiveness, and healing (ACNA Canons, Title II, Canon 8, §4).

However, forgiveness and restoration to fellowship are not the same as qualification for office. According to Scripture, the Church must not presume restoration to the pastoral office for one who has forfeited the requirement of being “above reproach.”

At the same time, our response must be governed by Galatians 6:1–5—with humility, recognizing our own susceptibility to sin: restoring in a spirit of gentleness, bearing one another’s burdens, and watching ourselves lest we also be tempted. The Church must hold together both realities—the holiness of Christ’s Church and the mercy of Christ for sinners—without softening sin on the one hand or denying grace on the other.