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this page Frequently Asked Questions
Perhaps you’ve never heard of Lambeth Conferences before. Or you
know the name but aren’t really sure what they’re all about.
The questions and answers below should help you build up a picture of what
these important events are and how they work.
What is the Lambeth Conference?
It is the meeting of the archbishops and bishops of the Anglican Communion.
The Anglican Communion is a family of churches around the world. Most bishops within the communion look after a diocese, or a region of parishes. If every such bishop attends the Lambeth Conference, it is as if every diocese in the Anglican Communion is meeting with every other.
(Dioceses are grouped into provinces, which are overseen by Archbishops. A list of all Anglican provinces, is available here).
The conference is one of the ‘instruments of communion’ , which means that it is one of the ways in which churches in the Anglican Communion relate to one another and are held together.
The first Lambeth Conference was held in 1867 at Lambeth Palace (hence
the name), the Archbishop of Canterbury’s residence in London. One
takes place approximately every ten years.
Who attends the Lambeth Conference?
Bishops and archbishops within the Anglican Communion attend, as well as those in certain kinds of formal relationship with the Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury has sent out invitations for the 2008 Conference.
The Conference is not open to the public, but can access information
about what happens at the conference. Members of churches in the Anglican
Communion should be able to access information in a variety of ways (ask
your bishop!) and others can keep up to date via this web site or the media.
Why not keep a regular eye on our bulletins?
Who pays for it all?
The conference is expensive to stage and each delegate is responsible for their own transport costs, conference fees and accommodation costs. There is a bursary assistance programme available for those who are not able to meet the costs of the conference.
Costs are met, in one way or another, by conference delegates and the
churches of the Anglican Communion.
What is the Spouses Conference?
Many of the bishops coming to the Lambeth Conference are accompanied by their spouses, who attend a parallel event called the Spouses Conference. It has usually been convened by the wife of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
For more information on the next Spouses
Conference
Who decides what should happen at Lambeth Conferences?
Various people across the Anglican Communion are involved with putting the conference together, under the direction of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The principal groups who make decisions about it are the St
Augustine’s
Seminar, the Design Group and
the Spouses Planning Group.
What usually happens at the conference?
Each conference is very different, although there is always a need for continuity from decade to decade.
Conferences in the past have tended to pass resolutions on the governance of the church, its ministry and liturgy and its engagement with the world.
As the conference provides the only opportunity for the bishops of the member churches of the Anglican Communion to meet together, there is plenty of time for worship and prayer, bible study, mutual support and encouragement. There is also time for formal discussions and for church business to be done. A market place with stalls to inform, lobby and provide merchandise for the delegates is an important part of the conference.
At the 2008 Lambeth Conference, a particular focus will be on equipping the bishop as enabler and encourager of God’s people in their purpose and mission. It will look at the bishop’s particular tasks of leadership in the church.
The theme of the spouses’ conference will be Equipping the Whole
People of God for God’s Mission.
Who should we contact to find out more?
This website provides a lot of information. If, after browsing it, you
have more queries, there are various people you can contact. See
our staff and contacts page for
guidance.
Where does the Conference happen
Lambeth Conferences were originally held at Lambeth Palace, but they are now too large to meet there.
The current venue is the University of Kent in Canterbury, which provides
enough rooms for all conference delegates as well as meeting spaces of
all sizes. Canterbury is also the home of the ‘mother church’ of
the Anglican Communion, Canterbury Cathedral. Several conference events
take place in the Cathedral.
How long is the Conference?
The length varies slightly from decade to decade. In 2008, the conference will run from July 16 to August 4, beginning with a retreat.
Because there is a lot to discuss and because there are ten years between each one, Lambeth Conferences need to be fairly long to allow bishops to get to know one another and address all the topics requiring consideration.
Will there be a Marketplace?
Yes! And in 2008 it will be open to the public as well as to conference delegates. More information is available here.
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