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.”