GAFCON’s ‘missionary bishop’ – the spark to blow up Anglicanism?
by David Baker, Christian Today:
The fuse has been lit – and all we now have to wait for is the explosion which will mark the end of Anglicanism as we know it in the British Isles and Europe.
That, at least, is how some in the media and some in the church might well have us understand it, following the decision by the conservative Anglican movement GAFCON to appoint a ‘missionary bishop’ for the UK and Europe.
The decision by the GAFCON leaders – who claim to represent the majority of the world’s Anglicans – is in response to two developments. Firstly, what they see as the imminent and inevitable ‘rejection of Jesus’ teaching on marriage’ in the Scottish Episcopal Church. And secondly, the establishment of new Anglican congregations outside existing Church of England structures.
No doubt the prevailing narrative in some sections of the press and elsewhere will be something along the lines of traditionalists plotting to undermine Justin Welby, and the imminent death rattle of the denomination he leads.
And it would be so easy for us all to follow this media-led agenda and mindlessly climb aboard our automated hobby horses. Depending on our perspective on the major theological issues of the day we would then either be saying, ‘It’s outrageous and schismatic!’ or ‘It’s long overdue and the Church of England has been doomed for years anyway’
But may I suggest a different way? Firstly, in the New Testament, we are reminded: ‘Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,’ (James 1v19). And if there’s one thing many Anglicans (including me) have not been very good at in recent years, it’s the ‘quick to listen and slow to speak’ thing.
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