Is the Church of England Really for Today?
· What is the Church of England?
· How does the Church of England impact upon my daily life?
· How does the Church of England speak for us today in the 21st century?
· What difference can I make in the Church of England?
These are only a few of the many questions that may go through somebody’s head when they have cause to think about the Church of England today. This short booklet aims to be a springboard from which people can explore (either for the first time or as a refresher) the distinctiveness of the Church of England in the 21st Century.
What is the Church of England?
At its simplest level the Church of England is the state church of the nation. It is unique in enjoying a position of influence and authority that churches of other denominations do not have. It often acts as a lens through which great state occasions are seen, and could be said to have a unifying effect at such times. The church considers itself to be both “Catholic” and “Reformed”. Its beliefs and practices are based upon a three-fold formula of Scripture, Tradition and Reason. It is a church of diversity, embracing those with very different approaches under the same umbrella. It is catholic in the sense of being part of the one universal church[1], and of sharing a heritage that can be traced through Apostolic Succession to the very beginnings of the church itself. It is reformed in the sense of having “embodied Protestant insights in its theology and in the overall shape of its liturgical practice”[2]
The strapline of the Church of England website is “A Christian Presence in Every Community”[3], and that sums up the church very well. With the parish system that the church operates every part of the country is included in its pastoral care. There are no “no-go” areas where the church does not operate. It is a church that is wide and broad enough to embrace all who seek to understand the Christian message, and often those outside the Christian faith too. It has roots that are very firmly planted within the community in which it is based. As well as being a national church it is also very much a local church, often being at the centre of the communities in which it finds itself, something that finds expression in things like church schools, which for many are the first link they may have with their local church.
How does the Church of England impact upon my daily life?
According to the Church of England website, approximately one million people attend services each Sunday. Many more claim at least a passing allegiance to the church, with occasional attendance or in receipt of pastoral care[4]. In many towns and villages the local church is often the focal point of activity for the community, not all of which is overtly Christian in nature. It is very much part of the church’s mission to simply be an incarnational “presence”, sharing Christ simply by being where people gather together. Far from being a long forgotten, if much loved relic of past generations the church is actively influencing the lives of all under its care.
On a national level, through the presence of Bishops in the House of Lords the church has the opportunity to influence decisions that affect the lives of all. For many this is an important balance to the political machine that otherwise operates.
How does the Church of England speak for us today in the 21st century?
As we have seen the church has an important role in shaping our society today. Even though they may not be regular attendees of services, people often look to the church for guidance in all kinds of areas. Sometimes these can be quite controversial and divisive matters, yet it is still important that people are given the space to listen and to be heard by those with whom they disagree. Many contemporary issues that were once considered taboo in certain circles, such as women bishops, human sexuality, and public ethics are now widely discussed in wider society, and it would be unreasonable to expect the church not to have an opinion on these matters.
The topic of women bishops is one that has recently been the subject of much debate, with very strong views being held by those on either side of the argument. The church commissioned “The Rochester Report”[5] in order to explore in a balanced a way as possible the diversity of opinion on the subject. Much of the current discussion concerns what (if any) provision can be made for those who wish to remain in the Church of England, yet cannot for reasons of conscience accept the validity of female bishops. As mentioned earlier there is much to be said for the diverse range of views within the church, which, unlike the Roman Catholic Church has no central body that has the power to enforce a rigid obedience to a set catechism of accepted belief and practice.
At times the church seems to struggle between following behind a society that has moved on from issues of equality or sexual identity and taking a lead by providing clear direction. The anti-capitalist protests based at St Paul’s Cathedral has shown how the church does sometimes struggle to strike the right balance, yet the Archbishop of Canterbury has said in response “that the Church of England had a “proper interest in the ethics of the financial world”[6]. So it is clear then that people do often look towards the church to be a voice for them, even if at times that voice is rather shaky.
What difference can I make in the Church of England?
To an outsider the church can at times appear to be quite hierarchical in nature. With its governing structure of PCC’s, Deanery Synods, Diocesan Synods and General Synod, each one seems to lead to the next step up in importance. Yet it is through these structures that the voice of those in the church is heard. The Church of England places equal value on the opinions of all within the church, and this is shown by the way that the synods have representation from not only Bishops and ordinary clergy, but also from lay people as well.
As well as the three-fold ministry of bishop, priest and deacon there is an increasing acknowledgement of the role of the lay person in areas of public ministry. In the Church of England this can take a number of forms such as Reader, Church Army Officer or Evangelist. Each has their own distinctive characteristics, yet they bring a richness to the life of the church by helping to emphasise that ministry is not the sole preserved of those who have been ordained. It is normal in most areas of life to work collaboratively with one another. The church is no different in this respect, and there has been a move in recent years in that direction as team ministries and shared responsibilities have begun in places to be the norm.
It is worth considering our own role in the church. In what way can we each make a difference? For some that may lead to exploring the possibility of ordination to the priesthood. Others would perhaps see their role more as that of a preacher or teacher and lean towards Reader ministry.
Even if no formal training in ordained or licensed ministry is undertaken there is still a role for all who are part of the church. Each person has something unique of themselves to give. It may be something as seemingly simple as serving at the altar or welcoming people at the door. It may be by standing for the PCC and speaking out about issues that affect the church and community. The strength of the church is in its diversity and openness to all.
I have tried in this short piece to show how the Church of England, rather than being a dull, irrelevant, ancient institution with nothing to say to contemporary society, can in fact be quite the opposite. Is the Church of England for today? It certainly is!
WORD COUNT 1386
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Avis, P; The Anglican Understanding of the Church, SPCK, 2000
Edwards, D. L; What Anglicans Believe, Continuum, 2004
Ramsey, M; The Anglican Spirit, Seabury Classics, 2004
Rowling, C & Gooder, P; Reader Ministry Explored, SPCK, 2009
www.churchofengland.org/media/39784/gs1557.pdf (Rochester Report)
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