| |
Times of Crisis in the Anglican Church
Never before has the Anglican Church (of which the Church of England
is a very small part), been so talked about – occupying front
page news in the newspapers, and featuring in so many news reports and
interviews on television and radio. So what’s it all about? There
are basically two major issues which have been running alongside each
other for several years, and which, coincidentally, have both reached
decision time this Summer. One is the issue of making women bishops,
which was discussed at length at the General Synod (C of E’s “Parliament”)
meeting in York earlier in July. The other is the even more vexed issue
of the Ordination of practising gay priests and bishops, which is being
debated (again) at the current Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, Every
ten years the Archbishop of Canterbury invites all the prelates and
bishops of the Anglican Communion around the world to meet in England
to share worship, to unite in studying the Bible, and to discuss issues
facing the Anglican Church. 670 bishops have now gathered for the conference.
Another 150 have declined.
The Consecration of Women Bishops
The decision to ordain women to the priesthood was made in 1993 after
much discussion, prayer and heartache. At that time, questions like
“Is it biblical?” “Why were none of Jesus’ disciples
female?” and “Doesn’t St. Paul underline the supremacy
of men in his epistles?” were all raised, and countered with arguments
that the Bible was written in a different day and age when women were
considered inferior. But, it is pointed out, things are different today,
when women take leading roles in many professions and businesses. God
made male and female different, but equal. After hours of debate and
prayer, the decision was eventually made in favour of female clergy,
although some people, ordained as well as lay, left the Church of England
as a result.
Many of the same arguments have been exhumed over the consecration of
female bishops, but after much time, tears and heart-searching, the
decision was eventually taken in favour of women bishops, which, after
the necessary due legislation should be consecrated by 2012. Again,
this will also force some clergy of both genders, and laity too, to
leave the Church of England on principle.
The Consecration of Gay Bishops
The far more vexing issue that has now reached the Lambeth Conference
is one which has led at least a quarter of Anglican bishops throughout
the world to decline the Archbishop of Canterbury’s invitation
to attend on conscientious grounds, one of whom is our own Bishop of
Rochester, Rt Revd Michael Nazir-Ali. He explained that his difficulties
in attending Lambeth arose from the problem of sharing “Eucharistic
fellowship with people (bishops) who have gone against the common mind
and received teachings of the Church”. Bishop Michael was one
of an assembly of 1,200 “conservative” Anglicans, 300 of
whom were bishops from all quarters of the globe, who met in Jerusalem
for an alternative to Lambeth, entitled the “Global Anglican Future
Conference” (Gafcon), whose aim is to purge and revive the ailing
Anglican Communion from within; NOT to form a new Anglican Church. I,
personally, am very drawn to Gafcon and its aims.
The background to all this stretches back to the last Lambeth Conference
in 1998 when all prelates and bishops present agreed to a statement
(“The Windsor Report”) condemning the ordination of practising
homosexual clergy, be they bishops or not. In spite of this agreement,
the Churches of North America ignored this agreement, and under the
leadership of their presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori, ordained
practising gay clergy, principally Revd Gene Robinson who was consecrated
as Bishop of New Hampshire. The Archbishop of Juba and Primate of the
Sudan, The Most Revd Daniel Deng, has called for Bishop Robinson’s
immediate resignation if there is to be any hope of preventing the Anglican
Communion from irreparable fragmentation. There is an urgent need for
prayer for the Lambeth Conference, which will be well over by the time
this article is published, but not its consequences.
I believe in Christian Unity, but not in “unity at all costs”.
We will never be a united Church if we have different foundations. Either
we all return to the foundation of God’s Word, the Bible, or we
have to go our separate ways, however regrettable and painful that may
be.
All this comes at a time when we as a benefice face our own uncertainties
and changes. They seem small in comparison with issues facing General
Synod and the Lambeth Conference of Bishops. But God cares as much for
us as He does the Anglican Church throughout the world. Can I urge you
to make prayer a high priority at this time in the Church’s life,
and in our life as a benefice, shortly reaching a crossroads? Let us
pray that the Bishop, Archdeacon, Patrons, Churchwardens and PCC may
read the signposts carefully and accurately, that all involved will
be moving in the right direction, God’s direction.
Your fellow-traveller, friend and Vicar
Chris
Collins
PS. If you are interested in following up these thoughts about obtaining
the “Passport to Heaven”, read on about our next “Alpha”
Course in September.
“ALPHA”
2008
ALPHA means beginnings, large and small. It’s the first letter
of the Greek alphabet. It’s also a course for people to steer,
thinking about a fresh approach to life. The ALPHA Course is run by
churches of every denomination, including Roman Catholic, Baptist and
Salvation Army.
But it’s not about sermons and “repeat after me”.
It is for “inquiring minds”, says TV presented Diane Jordan,
who has completed a course and was impressed by the impact it made on
her life.
- ALPHA costs nothing except time – one evening a week for 10
weeks.
- Our next ALPHA Course will be starting in Cobham in September (Tues
Sept 9), on Tuesdays at 'The Leather Bottle' pub. “It’s
a lovely atmosphere to meet, share a meal and exchange ideas,”
says the coordinator, Chris Collins, vicar of Cobham and Luddesdowne.
“We begin about 7.00 pm with dinner supplied by the pub. People
are welcome to contribute to the cost of that, if they wish. We then
listen to a talk on an issue relating to the Christian faith, and after
a coffee break we pose questions and possibly find a few answers. ALPHA
is a way to make friends and perhaps find a new way ahead.” Topics
on the ALPHA “menu” include: “How can I resist evil?
How does Christianity explain the evil we see in the world?”
At least 12 members of Cobham Church came to faith through previous
“ALPHA” Courses Others are now wanting to join. Actor David
Suchet is another who praises ALPHA for covering “core beliefs
of the Christian faith in an accessible and relevant way.”
Chris Collins says anyone wanting to know more can contact him on 01474
814332 or click
here to email him. Booking Forms
are available from Cobham or Luddesdowne churches, or from the Vicar
at The Vicarage, Battle Street, Cobham.. “We still have spare
places on our next course in September. The main course, so to speak,
is a nourishing mix of inquiry and uplifting discussion. We look forward
to hearing what is in people’s minds and hearts, and consider
how faith in Jesus can change our lives.”
|
|
 |