Anglican Mainstream

By David Lindsay

The present title derives, not from its conferral on Henry VIII by the Pope, but from its conferral by Parliament on Henry's son, Edward VI. Not that it has ever been peculiarly British or English; various monarchs have used it in various times and places, and Popes have conferred it on a number of people, so that, for example, Catherine of Aragon was a Defender of the Faith in her own right.

Some Commonwealth Realms retain it, and several have done so in the past, abolishing it only in abolishing the monarchy itself. Perhaps most strikingly, it was retained throughout the existence of the Irish Free State.

If and when the Paramount Chief of the Great Council of Chiefs of Fiji is once again Queen there, then this title should certainly be included as a formal reassertion of the Christian character of the place by the indigenous Melanesians, most of whom are Methodists, as the society in which Hindus and Muslims have chosen to settle and are welcome to make a contribution, but which in its fundamentals they must as accept as it is. No wonder that most people also wish to retain it here.

Defence against what? Most obviously Islam. And defence of what? The status of the monarch as Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith was a key reason why even Tony Blair was unable to legislate for the extension of legal marriage to same-sex couples. In that capacity, the Queen simply could not have signed such a Bill into law.

But would not Islam be a very secure barrier indeed to such a change? Yes, but this is a very secure barrier against both of them. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, the Queen could no more sign into law a Bill legalising polygamy, or otherwise giving effect to Sharia, than she could sign into law a Bill legalising marriage between persons of the same sex.

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In Acts 1:13–14 we are told that the Apostles with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus devoted themselves to prayer with one accord. They had just witnessed Jesus’ Ascension and were waiting for the Holy Spirit.

Between Ascension and Pentecost this year, the House of Bishops meet together. During this time they will decide what amendments to make to the draft legislation to enable women to be ordained as bishops in the Church of England in the hope of enabling the highest possible degree of unity for all in the Church of England, and for all to be able to thrive equally.

As the bishops approach this important meeting, and members of the General Synod prepare for the July Synod where this will be debated, perhaps for the final time, parishes and individuals are invited to dedicate time to prayer during the period between Ascension and Pentecost for the House of Bishops and for a positive outcome for all at the July Synod.

NOVENA 2012 gives suggestions for prayer, but each person or group can choose how to do this. We believe that it is important to try to build graciousness, sensitivity, and generosity, leading to the highest degree of unity possible and praying that, in the midst of differing views, we might desire one another’s flourishing in the Church of England.

Daily: 

In the Name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction form above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love;
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight:

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace:
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art guide no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee, of Both, to be but One;
That through the ages all along
This may be our endless song,

Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Take a moment to pray either silently or aloud, alone or with others. Make use of the Scripture suggestions for the day if
you find these helpful. Then, when you are ready, pray as Jesus taught us:  Our Father…

Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles:
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you;
Look not on our sins,
But the faith of your Church,
And graciously grant her peace and unity
In accordance with your will.
Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all.
Amen.

(ASCENSION DAY) THURSDAY MAY 17
For the unity of the whole Church:
That they may be one, even as we are one. John 17:22

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By Alex Strangewayes-Booth, BBC News

Almost 80% of people in England support a religious role for the Queen, a BBC poll suggests.

In a poll by Comres to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, 79% of respondents said she still had an important faith role.

Meanwhile, 73% said she should continue as supreme governor of the Church of England and keep the Defender of the Faith title first given to Henry VIII.

Comres polled 2,591 people about links between the Church and monarchy.

But while only 15% of people disagreed with the suggestion the Queen still had an important faith role, when those polled were asked if future monarchs, as well as the Queen, should have a faith role only 25% agreed.

The Queen's first Jubilee engagement of the year was at a multi-faith reception at Lambeth Palace, where she defended the role of the Church of England.
“
She said the Church was often misunderstood and under-appreciated.

"Its role is not to defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of all other religions, instead the Church has a duty to protect the free practise of all faiths in this country," she said.

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By John Bingham, Telegraph

The decision to admit women to the priesthood was always expected to change the face of the Church of England forever.

But while the political, social and theological implications were hotly debated, few will have predicted one very practical change it would bring – in the field of fashion.

Now, almost 20 years after the first ordinations of women even the traditional dog collar is changing with new ranges of clerical dress incorporating floral designs, paisley patterns and even touches of leopard print.

Some of the latest designs were put on display in a catwalk show at Sandown Park racecourse in Surrey this week at a massive trade fair for all things clerical.

Other unlikely ecclesiastical innovations on display at the Christian Resources Exhibition International included a new design of pulpit lectern to fit an iPad, enabling priests to store their sermons on screen – or Tweet.

The Revd Michael Gooch, the UK representative of African Praise Vestments, which has transformed the traditional clerical shirt, said that the influence of women priests had even helped male clergy to “branch out” and inject a hint of colour.

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From CEN

PARISHES IN the Diocese of Southwark discontented at the direction they perceive the diocese to be taking are being invited to contribute to the Good Stewards Trust as an alternative to paying quota to the diocese.

The trust is to be launched in June. Parishes contributing to the trust are encouraged to continue playing a full part in the life of the Diocese through synods and committees. Organisers of the new trust point out that participation in the diocesan quota scheme is voluntary and claim that opting out of the scheme does not mean leaving the diocese or the Church of England.

However, Southwark evangelicals, including the Rev Stephen Kuhrt, have disassociated themselves from the new Fund.

It is claimed that the trust will not be separatist because it will not be open to just evangelicals. Applications can be made to the trust from any priest in the Diocese of Southwark who can sign the Jerusalem Declaration.

As well as contributions from parishes, the trust will be able to receive income from other sources because it will be a registered charity.

According to a list of Frequently Asked Questions that has been produced for members of the Diocese of Southwark, the emphasis of the trust “as its name implies, is that members should be ‘Good Stewards’ of the monies that the Lord has given us, and be ‘Good Stewards’ of the Gospel which has been entrusted to us”.

The organisers of the trust say that a “proportion of funds will be available for churches that apply for assistance in promoting evangelistic events and ministry.”
 

In Acts 1:13–14 we are told that the Apostles with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus devoted themselves to prayer with one accord. They had just witnessed Jesus’ Ascension and were waiting for the Holy Spirit.

Between Ascension and Pentecost this year, the House of Bishops meet together. During this time they will decide what amendments to make to the draft legislation to enable women to be ordained as bishops in the Church of England in the hope of enabling the highest possible degree of unity for all in the Church of England, and for all to be able to thrive equally.

As the bishops approach this important meeting, and members of the General Synod prepare for the July Synod where this will be debated, perhaps for the final time, parishes and individuals are invited to dedicate time to prayer during the period between Ascension and Pentecost for the House of Bishops and for a positive outcome for all at the July Synod.

NOVENA 2012 gives suggestions for prayer, but each person or group can choose how to do this. We believe that it is important to try to build graciousness, sensitivity, and generosity, leading to the highest degree of unity possible and praying that, in the midst of differing views, we might desire one another’s flourishing in the Church of England.

Be part of it – pray NOVENA 2012 from 17-27 May

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From Christian Today

A prayer movement is being launched to coincide with a meeting of bishops in the Church of England.

The House of Bishops are due to meet in two weeks’ time, when they will decide amendments to the draft legislation on allowing women in the episcopate.

Draft legislation approved at the February General Synod sought to provide women with equal status in the episcopate while ensuring adequate provision for those who cannot in conscience accept women bishops.

The bishops have been tasked with deciding what changes, if any, to make to the draft legislation before it is presented to the General Synod for debate in July.

Novena 2012 is inviting parishes and individuals to dedicate time to prayer from 17 to 27 May, and “for a positive outcome for all” at the July Synod.

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LEAD ARTICLE – New Directions, May 2012

Andrew Presland offers reflections from Evangelicals in the Church of England

New Directions' front cover strapline reminds us that it is “Serving Catholics and Evangelicals seeking to renew the church in the historic faith”. Whilst much attention is focused on views of traditional catholics with regard to the likely impact of the current draft legislation on the Church of England, less prominence is given to conservative evangelical concerns. Many conservative evangelicals believe that having women in positions of authority in the church is contrary to the Bible’s teaching on headship, so what practical concerns does this lead to? This article provides a chance to hear from some such conservative evangelicals.

No definitive statistics exist on conservative evangelicals’ strength within the Church of England, because official church forms don’t ask about such things. Church statistician Peter Brierley comes as close as anyone, in projecting figures from three English Churches Censuses to estimate that 40% of Church of England attenders currently go to evangelical churches – up from 26% in 1989. He also says that 83% of the estimated 175 churches with a Sunday attendance of over 350 are evangelical, although these figures overshoot what we are looking for, in that they include all types of evangelical.

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By Madeleine Davies, Church Times

THE new Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, has praised the diocese for being “brave and bold” in nominating a traditionalist.

Downing Street have announced that The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner, currently Suffragan Bishop of Whitby in the Diocese of York, is to be the next Bishop of Chichester.

Dr Warner, 53, succeeds The Right Reverend John Hind who retired last month.

Dr Warner studied at St Chad’s College in Durham before completing his theological training at St Stephen’s House, Oxford. He was ordained deacon (1984) and priest (1985) in Exeter Cathedral whilst working as Curate of St Peter’s Plymouth.

He moved north to the Midlands in 1988 to be Team Vicar for five years in the Parish of the Resurrection, Leicester before being elected to be the Priest Administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham between 1993-2002. During his time in Norfolk he was also priest in charge of Hempton and Pudding Norton between 1998-2000. He was appointed Honorary Canon of Norwich between 2000-2002.

Dr Warner was then appointed as a residentiary Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral in London, firstly as Canon Pastor and latterly Treasurer where he made a big contribution particularly with regards to the Cathedral’s connection with the art world (2003-2010).

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From the Eastern Daily Press

The letter written by the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Alan Winton, Bishop of Thetford, and the Rt Rev Jonathan Meyrick, Bishop of Lynn, in response to the government’s gay marriage consultation.

Dear Colleague,

The current Government consultation on the introduction of same sex marriage presupposes the desirability of a change in the law. Marriage would be redefined as a union of two persons rather than being confined to a man and a woman. This letter considers some issues arising from the consultation.

The Government consultation document is available on line at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equal-civil-marriage The closing date for the consultation is 14th June and religious organisations are among those specifically invited to respond. There is likely to be an official response from the Church of England through the Archbishops’ Council but individuals and local churches may well wish to respond separately.

The consultation document says very little about marriage itself and does not seek to define it. Nevertheless, it does speak of civil marriage and religious marriage as if these were two entirely separate concepts. The Government has made it clear that the only option for same sex marriage will be in a civil ceremony whether at a Register Office or on approved premises. There is no provision for the Church of England (or any other church or religious denomination for that matter) to solemnise marriage for same sex couples in church. While this is intended to protect the conscience of those unable to celebrate a same-sex marriage, it may create an unhealthy and damaging division between civil marriage and marriages solemnized on religious premises.

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From Cranmer

All Saints Church in Sanderstead is part of the Diocese of Southwark. The parish says of itself: ‘We rejoice in our diversity as churches – but rejoice even more in our unity, as we seek to serve God and our neighbour together.’ But it seems that their rejoicing in diversity does not extend to differences over the Coalition for Marriage petition, for a Lay Reader of 50 years standing and loyal service has been suspended over the issue.

Peter Gowlland, 78, was due to meet with Barry Goodwin, acting Archdeacon of Croydon, on St George’s Day for his Reader’s licence to be renewed for a further year. To his surprise, he was presented with some nebulous charges (with no prior warning) which concerned an incident eight days earlier, when he dared to suggest that the congregation at All Saints might like to sign the Coalition for Marriage petition. He had been preaching about the boldness of the Apostles, and told the congregation that the C4M issue called for a contemporary manifestation of like boldness.

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As readers of Anglican Mainstream will be aware, there has been increasing concern over the last six months of the revisionist direction of the Diocese of Southwark.

Seven senior appointments have been filled solely by liberal catholic clergy (including one former and one current Trustee of Inclusive Church), leaving no representation amongst the bishops of evangelicals who make up about one third of the Diocese. This culminated in an extraordinary meeting of the Diocesan Evangelical Union where over 100 people, both clergy and laity, met with the Diocesan Bishop to express their deep concern. The response of the Bishop at what is now known as the Holy Week Meeting was perceived to be unsatisfactory, engaging little with the widespread concerns, offering no apology and no assurances for the future.

As a result, the Southwark Good Stewards Trust has been established, to provide an alternative funding mechanism for churches within the Diocese of Southwark, so that orthodox ministry and mission can be preserved and can flourish.

The Trust will be launched in June at an official presentation and reception. In the meantime, some Frequently Asked Questions have been produced, both for members of Southwark Diocese, and also for other Dioceses who may be interested in a similar arrangements for their own situations.

Details of how to apply for an invitation to the presentation are included in the Frequently Asked Questions.

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by John Richardson

If you follow this link to the Thinking Anglicans website, you will find a summary of the message the Bishop of Salisbury delivered to the 'Cutting Edge Consortium' last weekend (as discussed here).

It is as clear, and as absolute, an endorsement of same-sex marriages as anyone could hope to find. Indeed, according to the Bishop, "there is an evangelical imperative for the Church to recognise that covenantal same sex relationships can be Godly and good for individuals and society".

What the Bishop seems to mean by an 'evangelical imperative' is that the maintenance of its traditional stance is making the church's message difficult to get across. And yet, as those of us engaged in evangelism will know, this is nothing new. The message that people are sinners for whom Christ died, and that having been raised by God from the dead, he is Lord of their lives who is coming again in judgement, has scarcely ever been easy to get across. (Although when it is received, the subsequent individual transformation testifies to the truth of what has been proclaimed and believed.)

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By Hilary White, LifeSite News

Despite government assurances to the contrary, concerns continue to grow that religious institutions will be forced to participate in “gay marriages” in the UK under soon-to-be issued rules. Secularist campaigners are openly questioning the right of Christians to be involved in the debate, while one Catholic bishop warns that the pressure is growing to keep Christianity strictly a private matter.

By Maev Kennedy, Guardian

By Andrew Carey, CEN

It is shameful that the appointment of Nicholas Holtam as Bishop of Salisbury didn’t inspire the same sort of reaction as the 2003 fiasco over Jeffrey John. It was known that Holtam is a man of radically liberal views and so it has proved.

To the Cutting Edge Consortium he gave a speech at the weekend, ‘Making Space for an Honest Conversation’. In it he elevated innovative and marginal Christian support for homosexuality to the level of tried and tested traditional and Biblical views on marriage held by the vast majority of churches and Christians.

Furthermore, like many liberals, his views turn out to be illiberal. To take one example he condemns the church’s exemptions from equality legislation. The only presumption can be that if he had his way, the churches would be compelled to marry homosexuals under equality legislation if gay marriage is enacted.

Is it too much to ask of liberal Anglicans that they defend the right of other Christians to their conscience and convictions and allow these controversial matters to be decided by theological debate rather than compulsion and coercion?

By Norman Tebbit, Telegraph

By Edward Malnick, Telegraph

A senior bishop has accused the Church of England of making a “disastrous” error in its opposition to same-sex marriage.

The Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, the Bishop of Salisbury, compared bishops opposing marriage reforms to 18th century Christians who believed slavery was “God-given”.
 
His intervention will be seen as an attack on traditionalists, including the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who forcefully oppose the Government’s move to change the legal definition of marriage.
 
It comes as the Church prepares its formal response to David Cameron’s proposals to permit marriage between same-sex couples, before the close of the Government’s consultation in June.
 
Speaking on Saturday at a conference in London on homophobia in the Church, Bishop Holtam said: “Experience might lead us to be cautious about the certainty with which moral positions are built with Biblical support.
 
“Before Wilberforce, Christians in this country saw slavery as having Biblical support for what was the God-given in the ordering of creation.

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