6. The Rev Dr John Bunyan asked -

(a) What is the origin of the Anglican Youthworks "Statement of Faith" and by whom was it authorised?

(b) Has that Statement of Faith been approved by any other diocesan department, and are there any employees of diocesan or parochial organisations or members or officers of any diocesan bodies, organisations and councils including school councils who are required to accept that Statement, and if so, which categories of employees, members and officers are they, and on what grounds is such requirement made?

(c) Did those responsible for drawing up and those responsible for any imposing of this Statement consider whether the Statement itself and the manner of its imposition were in accord with the Constitution of the Anglican Church of Australia and the ordinances of this Diocese and, if so, on what grounds?

(d) Were those responsible for drawing up this Statement and establishing it, for example, as the Statement of Faith of Anglican Youthworks aware if in whole or in part the Statement would be considered by a significant number of Anglican theologians of the past and present as contrary to the teaching of the Anglican Church and contrary to the balance of Scripture?

(e) Why of 24 references to Scripture selected for this Statement of Faith are there only two references to the Gospels and why is there no reference to our Lord as the Word of God revealed in man, and why is there no reference to the actual life, ministry, example and teaching of our Lord Jesus other than words ascribed to him in Matthew 16:18?

(f) Without adjustments being made for inflation, what was paid for superannuation, personal and parish insurances, long service leave contributions and other assessments by each separate individual named parish existing in (i) 1990 and (ii) 1998?

To which the President replied -

(a) Anglican Youthworks is constituted by the Anglican Youth & Education Division Diocese of Sydney Ordinance 1919 and its Objects are defined in clauses 3 and 4.

The Council of the Corporation has no policy or Statement of Faith other than the requirements referred to therein.

The Anglican Youthworks "Statement of Faith" referred to in the question under reply is probably a draft management document authorised by the Rev Dr Lindsay Stoddart, CEO of Anglican Youthworks.

Anglican Youthworks as an Anglican organisation has certain management policies in place as to the faith commitment of its employees. Most of those employees are members of the Anglican Church but some are communicant members of other denominations.

Anglican Youthworks is also the leading evangelical publisher of children's and youth Bible and curriculum resources in Australia, employing a large team of employee and contract writers. The said publications and resources are committed to values of being biblically reliable and educationally sound.

The so called 'Statement of Faith' notes: "Youthworks, as an Anglican organisation is bound by the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, found in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. This Statement of Faith is to be read in conjunction with these articles and with the three creeds, the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed and Athanasian Creed."

The so called 'Statement of Faith' is a short explanation for staff and is available in the induction process of new staff. The proposed Anglican Youthworks Children's and Youth Ministry Training College has tentatively adopted the so called 'Statement of Faith', although this has yet to be formally adopted by the proposed teaching staff, Board of Reference and Board of Studies.

The so called 'Statement of Faith' in addition to the constituting matters reads:

We believe in …

The Triune Godhead: There is one God in whom there are three and equal persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is the one true and living God - Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Ruler of all that is. He is infinite, eternal, faithful, all powerful and good and reveals himself in his Word.

The divine inspiration of Scripture: The whole Bible is inspired in that holy people of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21) to write the words of Scripture and "all Scripture is inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is our supreme authority in all matters of faith and godly living.

Humankind unique in Creation: God created humankind in the image of God. In the Fall we sinned and were cut off, lost from God and estranged from neighbours. By nature we are sinful, guilty and deserving God's wrath and condemnation. (Genesis 3, Romans 1-3, 5:12-14, Ephesians 2:1-5)

The Atonement for sin: The Lord Jesus Christ, God born a man, willingly died for sins as our representative and substitute and his sacrificial death alone redeems us from the guilt, penalty and power of sin. (Mark 10:45, Romans 3:21-26, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter)

The bodily resurrection: Jesus, crucified and dead, rose in bodily form, the first fruits of those who have died and ascended to the right hand of the Father where he intercedes for us as High Priest and advocate. (Romans 6:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58)

Salvation by grace: Salvation is the free gift of God. It cannot be earned or made more secure by works but God justifies the sinner by grace through faith in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 1:10-11)

The Church: There is one holy, apostolic, church which God is building. ( Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:24; Revelation 21:2)

Christian living: The Holy Spirit lives in and regenerates us, convicting of sin, guiding into truth and declaring Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies believers, gifts for service and empowers us to lead lives pleasing to God. Believers are called to walk in God's way. But the old human nature is never eradicated in this life. (Romans 6:11-13, 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-23; Colossians 2:6-8; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8).

(b) No. Not so far as I am aware and in any event, so far as I am aware, not by other than Anglican Youthworks employees.

(c) Yes. Anglican Youthworks is bound by Ordinance, the Fundamental Declarations, the Book of Common Prayer, the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion and the matters referred to above.

(d) The persons drafting the Statement of Faith were certainly aware of the said matters and considered the same.

(e) The so called 'Statement of Faith' affirms the whole of Scripture as originally written as authoritative in all matters of faith and godly living. In addition to Matthew 16:18, Mark 10:45 "For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" is stated which refers to the actual life ministry, example and teaching of our Lord Jesus.

(f) The information requested is held in files categorised by person, not by parish. Secondly, all information prior to 1993 is held in archives offsite. Thirdly, the question is not clear whether it refers to clergy costs only or lay costs as well. For these three reasons, after extensive research in the time available, we are unable to provide a complete answer to the question.