It’s Sunday in England, and across the country many traditional stone churches are struggling to get people into their pews.
But not C3, the Cambridge Community Church, one of the country’s many evangelical groups. Its mostly white, middle-class congregants crowd a rented school auditorium with their arms outstretched to the heavens and their hands fervently clapping to evangelical sermons.
“I don’t need an old church with stained glass windows where a few people show up out of obligation, not inspiration,” said Ruth Chandler, a former member of the Church of England.
In England’s last census, 72 percent of people identified themselves as Christian. Many are Anglicans affiliated with the Church of England, which was created by royal proclamation during the 16th century after King Henry VIII ”“ who married six times ”“ broke ties with the Roman Catholic Church in a dispute over divorce.
But the Church of England has said that less than 10 percent of its members are regular churchgoers…
I anticipate that when orthodox parishes are forced out of their church buildings by revisionist/progressive bishops, that many of those orthodox congregations will demonstrate strong growth in their membership.
My personal experience, gleaned from those I know who have chosen the ‘Anglican way’ by joining Episcopal churches, is that there is a strong body of potential Anglicans in the United States.
My personal opinion is that many of these potential Anglicans have not affiliated with ECUSA parishes because ECUSA is seen as an elitist, ultra-political, theologically confused and non-Scriptural church.
When Anglicans start meeting in high school gymnasiums, these detriments to evangelism may cease to be aspiritual repellant to Anglican affiliation.
The Church of England’s problem is that it relies on its state monopoly rather than outreach. It’s a dying church, the only parts still vibrant are those (such as Holy Trinity Brompton and its Alpha spawn) that have been scorned by the establishment.
After years of living in England and watching the hypocrisy, I must say that I welcome the death of English statist Anglicanism, and pray for the resurrection of its mission in its biblical form.
Your take on how the CofE is doing depends on where you are but to be sure evangelicals are growing across the country, including the CofE. There are many booming newer non-CofE evangelical churches which shows that the thirst has never been stronger. Interestingly as well, the more traditional and the high church ends are also holding their own despite predictions.
I am pleased to report that the Church here, like Christ, is Alive!!
There are some pockets of life, I don’t deny that. However, as the article states, and I found it to be true, these are exceptions. The younger generations are overwhelmingly found in the pubs, not churches. The children have no idea about Christianity — they are no longer even characterized by a hostility to God, but by a total unfamiliarity with the Bible. Unless England is rescued by the South, or some miracle occurs, it will be a pagan nation within a generation.
My parents for years ran a kids club for inner-‘village’ kids whose parents were in jail. They held their meetings in a CofE school whose administrators debated whether to kick them out (the children were unruly), and instead made them pay rent. Pay rent! For using an empty school hall at night, and fulfilling the mission to which the school itself was called — and was so abysmally failing. CofE schools don’t even teach undiluted christianity. Since they are state-funded, they must and do present all religions as equally valid.
More power to you, Pageantmaster, but judgment day has arrived on the CofE system, and it has been found wanting.
I think you make some really important points Justinmartyr. Over on Standfirm, David Ould has been talking about the church in the pub idea in Australia that they have been running to allow people who have no church background the chance to talk about the sort of issues that might come up in an Evangelism course such as Alpha or Christianity Explored in a non-threatening comfortable environment. This is real unchurched territory and the feedback is extraordinary. It is cutting edge in its challenge for those running these ideas but potentially rewarding for everybody.
Your point about the ignorance rather than hostility of the youngsters now is well made and sadly true. On the positive side the negative imagery is not there either and the overwhelming feedback is that there is great interest when these youngsters are invited to participate.
I don’t minimise the issues or problems but think that we are having to challenge ourselves about the barriers we have and ideas of what ‘church’ is. This is an opportunity if you think about it and we are being shown what can be done by newer churches who have engaged the younger audience.
We have in the past been found wanting and your school hall example is a good one. From what I hear we are well aware of the problem and the need to go out into the fields rather than expect the harvest to reap itself.
I think that your comments on alternative locations of outreach such as pubs is spot-on. Hard as it is for us Anglicans who view the world through the lens of a stained-glass window, it’s important to meet people where they are at.
As the fabric of families and society has broken down, people in England are crying out for meaningful relationships. The Christian movements that have addressed this are overwhelmed by the response they have received.
Grace and peace.
Research suggests that many would come to listen and come to church if invited – which says a lot. We used to offer community, support, cynically a marriage bureau and so much more so yes a focus on how we come across to the outside world and what we are prepared to offer of ourselves is crucial. Very interesting and thanks for your thoughts justinmartyr.