The Church of England will not be the same after July 6th
Chris Sugden – Evangelicals Now – August 2009
So said Vinay Samuel after the launch of the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans in UK and Ireland at Westminster Central Hall on Monday July 6th. 1600 people from 400 parishes attended. The basis was the Jerusalem Declaration from the Global Anglican Future Conference, Jerusalem in June 2008.
The Church of England will not be the same again because the meeting brought into the open through video ( including an interview with Dr James Packer, and available for £1.50 from Anglican Mainstream below) and live interviews what many have been experiencing in the Church of England for years: the growth of secular humanism within the Church of England; unfair discrimination in selection, training and ordaining of ministers; the official restraints on church planting in a world that has long since burst through geographical boundaries of the parish. It was real world Anglicanism.
Strong energy and activity resides in fast growing churches, to grow themselves and to plant churches in other areas. They are mission driven.
Often the idea that an expression of Christian faith is confined to the parish is a real constraint. Pagan Britain is a vast mission field, and people are highly mobile.
Because of the impact of their mission activity, these churches produce many excellent candidates for ministry. They believe they have the resources to train them and funds to deploy them.
These churches are seeking release from unnecessary constraints on their mission vision and activity. The concern of such “churches on the edge” is a mission concern, not a concern for autonomy or unaccountability. Their request for oversight is itself a request for accountability.
Dr Chik Kaw Tan of Malaysia said that “ History will show that yesterday was a landmark in the fightback in Britain (and worldwide) against the liberal and secular tide threatening to overwhelm the country.”
Peter Jensen was clear: “The FCA exists to keep Anglicanism united, to enable those whose spiritual existence as Anglicans is threatened to remain Anglicans with integrity.”
“It exists to keep orthodox, biblical Anglicanism inside the fold at the highest level possible; to gather up the fragments, to unite them. It exists so that evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics and mere Anglicans can continue to be Anglicans without compromising Biblical truth. The question for you is: will you join us, will you help us keep our Communion one, holy, catholic and apostolic.”
Very warm applause was given to Archbishop Bob Duncan, the newly installed archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America. The gathering was ecumenical – bishops and senior leaders were present from the Christian Brethren, the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, the Church of Scotland, the Free Church of England, and the Church of England in South Africa.
Lord Carey of Clifton sent the following message
“You are already facing suspicion and hostility from various quarters because of the launch of FCA in England. Nevertheless, attempt to build the strongest bonds of communion with the rest of the Anglican family.”
Charismatic Anglicans were represented. Fifteen of those giving input were charismatic – plus the stewarding and technical teams. John Coles, the director of New Wine, in his New Wine newsletter, said:
“It’s important for us to show solidarity with orthodox and persecuted Anglicans in North America; to show that there is a strong group of orthodox Anglicans in the Church of England; and to stand together against the slow but steady conforming influence of secular humanism within the Church of England.”
Speakers brought vision and concerns from the anglo-catholic , charismatic and evangelical traditions. Everyone liked something and was offended by something. It is only the start of a journey in mutual understanding. When a ship is launched, much remains to be done before it puts to sea.
If you have stumbled onto this blog and are not a Christian, get yourself a hot drink, pull up a comfy chair and then tuck into the following article written by one of the best in the business:- All Of Grace by Charles Spurgeon
Tags: Church Life