by Martin Davie
Part 2 of Created for Love is entitled ‘Church.’
The first essay in this part is by Bishop Stephen Croft and is entitled ‘Living well with Difference: A Primer in Anglican Ecclesiology. ‘
Croft begins his essay by declaring that:
‘As a church we face many challenges – just like the Church did in every generation and every place. In our generation one of these challenges will be undoubtedly living with our very different views on human sexuality. But facing those challenges will require, of all of us, a deeper understanding of what it means to be the church and what it means to be the Church of England. Without this deeper understanding there is a real danger that some of the insights that undergird our very identity might be lost. This chapter explores that deeper understanding of what it means to be church and to be the Church of England.’ (p.27)
He then moves on to explain that his experience of engaging in mission has led him to realize that:
‘… For Anglicans, the basic unit of the Church is not the parish served by the priest but rather the diocese served and led by the bishop. This is no accident of history but a deep missional framing of our understanding. No local church can minister to the whole of a community. The diocesan structures we have inherited are shaped by, and serve, the mission of God.’ (p.29)
With regard to the challenges posed by different understandings of human sexuality, Croft suggests that there is a roughly 60/40 split in the Church of England between those who favour change in a more inclusive direction and those who are opposed to this. Of those who come into the latter category, there are those who:
‘…hold a traditional view of marriage but are accepting that change is needed and are very willing to work alongside and with others who take a more inclusive view to retain the maximum degree of fellowship, collaboration and unity.’ (p.30)