An Anglican perspective

As we focus on our fundamental purpose of proclaiming Christ afresh to our generation, rather than keep an institution running merely for its own sake, what should our priorities be? Let me suggest four areas which should be commanding our highest attention. We need to: recover our confidence in the good news which changes lives, refresh our love for God's Church which exists to glorify Him, renew our vision for a nation and society which God loves and remain faithful to the charge which we have received.

Archbishop George Carey 'To Proclaim Afresh' 1995

So the most significant question I can ask myself in your presence about the work ahead is, 'What do I pray for in the Church of the future?' Confidence; courage; an imagination set on fire by the vision of God the Holy Trinity; thankfulness - and we don't solve our deepest problems just by better discipline but by better discipleship, a fuller entry into the intimate joy of Jesus' life.

Archbishop Rowan Williams Enthronement Sermon 2003

It is clear that a theme throughout the history of the Anglican Church has been the capacity to draw a distinction between those things that are necessary and those that are not. With proper authority, there is freedom to make change which results in edifying the Church of God.

It is not necessary that the Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like; for at all times they have been diverse, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's Word. Whosoever, through his private judgment, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, (that others may fear to do the like,) as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren. Every particular or national Church hath authority to ordain, change, and abolish, Ceremonies or Rites of the Church ordained only by man's authority, so that all things be done to edifying.

Article 34, Book of Common Prayer, 1662

In the Anglican Church this freedom to make change has given those in authority the capacity to guide the Church so that it relates relevantly to its mission setting.

Five Marks of Mission were adopted by the Anglican Consultative Council in 1990 to express the mission of the Anglican Communion worldwide. God calls us to -

  1. proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God
  2. build welcoming, transforming communities of faith
  3. stand in solidarity with the poor and needy
  4. challenge injustice and oppression
  5. protect, care for, and renew life on our planet

If we believe in God's Church, two things are more likely to happen. We shall find more courage to explore new styles of Church life and the patterns and protocols we need to keep communication going with and between them. And we shall be freer to communicate with each other.

Archbishop Rowan Williams, General Synod, York 2003

A healthy Church will be a risk taking community. I encourage you to take some risks.

I encourage every member of the Anglican Church to encounter God as the focus of their entire life and to express the Lord Jesus Christ in every aspect of their life. To be guided by the Holy Spirit and to recognise His voice by looking to both the witness of the bible and the tradition of the Church.

I am willing to take the risk to release God's people into new beginnings. There are a host of creative options open to us. I look to our clergy and lay leaders to explore such options as alternative service models; the formation of new congregations; Church planting and the development of home groups.

Bishop John Harrower, Synod Address 2003

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