There exists in the Anglican Church, at least in North American, some very deep, fundamental problems that have been pervasive for some time. Among them are:
1. Anglicans in the pew do not know their Bible. They rarely read their Bibles or take them to church services. I know, as I was one of them for years, until I began studying with Bible Study Fellowship International. It is shameful that very few Anglicans can even find their way around the Bible or know what it says exactly. The leaders and shepherds of the church have failed in this regard to teach the Scriptures to the congregants; therefore, they need to encourage Biblical knowledge and study.
2. Anglicans do not hear the Gospel message; they are just served up cute homilies by their rectors. It wasn’t until I went to an evangelical camp one summer as a youth that I heard the gospel message that I was a sinner, that Jesus died for those sins, and that I could have eternal life through Him. I had never heard that truthful but simple message before from my Anglican church or camp experiences, yet that message opened to me a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, the gospel message needs to be proclaimed in Anglican churches on Sundays throughout our nation, as this has eternal consequences.
3. The Anglican church is too worried and too focused on being politically correct instead of being concerned about being Biblically and Spiritually correct. Culture changes, swinging from left to right, but the Word of God does not change. We are to please God and not society, listen to God and not other voices, and be open to the movement of the Spirit and not the movement of others’ agendas. God’s wisdom is far superior to our wisdom, and we do not have the right to rewrite His commands as we so please or as is convenient for us. The church, then, needs to focus on following God and preaching the gospel message instead of following cultural and social philosophies.
This contribution correctly speaks to some current weaknesses in the Anglican CHurch of Canada. Can you imagine a study bible being published for our denomination, the way that a Lutheran oriented one is currently being prepared?
http://www.cph.org/cphstore/pages/resources/tlsb/
Can you imagine “The Primate’s Bible Memorization Challenge Award” given to the church whose Sunday School students learn the most verses? Can you dream of the Primate preaching an entire sermon that is only Scriptural exposition, without reference to the state of the church?
Can you imagine all clergy being called to give an “altar call” to the congregation, inviting sinners to repent — call it “Conversion Sunday.”
Dream this dream… The Primate calls for Anglicans to write to politicians, radio show hosts and media columnists to help them understand the Christian understanding of Christmas — That “God Saves” is with us, and that Santa Claus is a lie. Call it the Incarnational Initiative.
Good note there Doug. I concur!
[...] from the grassroots level – that’s where God is working among the people. (Check out this honest entry from Jenna J., for [...]
Anglicans do not hear the Gospel message? That may be so in Jenna’s parish in Burlington, but it is not true about Anglicans in general. The church that Jenna envisions has been around since 1549, when Cranmer wrote the Prayer Book. What Jenna propounds is a Calvinistic approach, focus on the words of the Gospel and not the intent. Our model is Jesus Christ who called us to love God and our neighbours, and that means seeking justice for all. And please note Jenna that it is Jesus, not the Bible, that is the Word of God.
As for Brian’s response with its suggestion that we should give prizes for Bible Verse Memorization – does he know that even the Devil can quote scripture. It’s meaning less to know what the words are if one is not acting on the instruction. Better to give Sunday Scholl students prizes for examples of ways in which they can put the Gospel into action! Moreover, Brian seems unaware that our Primate is in contact with media and politicians, propounding the message of the Gospel!
Rene Jamieson, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Very true Jenna! We needed to hear that.
I believe what Jenna has said is indeed true. The ACoC is quickly replacing the gospel with “political correctness” and neither the Primate or the House of Bishops seem to be ready to deal with this fatal disease. Apostate bishops that deny the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and place all religions on the same level need to be removed from office. True Anglican accept the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life . . .”