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Christianity Today, December (Web-only), 2008 |

Conservative Anglicans Create Rival Church

Top leader Duncan expects to see Episcopal Church 'displaced.'

Timothy C. Morgan in Wheaton, Illinois | posted 12/04/2008 10:52AM

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On a snowy Wednesday evening, about 1,000 worshipers, mostly from the U.S. and Canada, gathered in Wheaton, Illinois, for a worship service to celebrate the creation of the new entity, which comprises ...

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Anonymous

Posted: December 16, 2008 1:37 PM


Not just a parallel Anglican province - but a whole parallel Anglican Communion!! Read about it here: http://www.liturgy.co.nz/blog/true-anglican-communion/246

Mike Morrell

Posted: December 13, 2008 1:58 PM

First off, it's not a 'split.' It's a splinter. TEC has 2.4 million members, and this "100,00" people seem to have already been out the door. And does this article wish to be considered journalism? I dunno with an opener like "In a history-making gesture, conservative evangelical Anglicans...sounded a shofar"... If they literally sounded a shofar that'd be one thing, but this just sounds a little grandstanding. I'm not Anglican/Episcopal so I don't have a dog in this fight, per se, but I'm just sad that those accepted by God can't seem to accept each other. 'Tis grievous.

Jeffrey Miller

Posted: December 12, 2008 2:15 PM

What is sad about this - and for those of you unfamiliar with Anglican ways, this may sound like nit-picking - is how watered down the "Fundamental Principles" of the ACNA's constitution really are. Supposedly there is room for both Anglo-catholic and evangelical Protestant in this church body, but the fact is that all the dysfunction of an incoherent churchmanship - as well as much of the social snobbery which infects Anglicanism in this country (your typical Episcopal parish is hardly the "greatest expression of Christian faith" [paraphrased] that you will find; in fact, there are a lot of small-town restaurants that are more welcoming to the stranger than St. Joseph of Arimathea's just down your block) - is being brought into the new province whole-cloth.

ounbbl

Posted: December 10, 2008 3:46 PM

No, it's not arrogance. We have to keep clean ourselves continuously. When the stem is getting rotten, the branch has to get grafted to the original biblical and apostolic root. Congratulations. I believe, they did rightly, deserved, and courageously so. My question is: Why they retain 'Anglican' in their name? Has there been a lingering nostalgia? "Anglican" in the name would keep those outsider confused about it with the current Anglican, which has been taken over by cultural compromise and tolerance.

David L

Posted: December 08, 2008 8:50 PM

It is sad to see such a historic Christian institution (TEC) become so apostate. I am hopeful for my Anglican brethren but I fear the idea of via media is only going to lead to more schisms down the road over issues of Womens ordination, the sacraments, etc. Unity has to be based not on truths but the truth. The strength of my church (Orthodox) is not that it is a communion but a church with a common faith and practice. That was once also a strength of Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism. I pray for faithful orthodox anglicans, I wonder how they will be able to live amongst Calvinist and pentecostal anglicans who do not adhere to the same faith and practice of the pre-schism West. I think this is a good first step. I pray that like in the early 19th century Anglicans and the Orthodox can start talking about unity again.

Ed	Posted: December 08, 2008 12:16 PM

As a conservative anglican who didn't feel at home in the TEC, I'm overjoyed by the creation of this new home for like-minded worshippers. I can't understand why the TEC feels threatened by this. We have in essence seperated siblings into their own rooms in the same house. Time will tell who God chooses to bless and prosper. That which is not "of the vine" will wither and die. If you believe that strongly in your interpretation of faith, live it, and let God decide how he will bless it. Now each group can work on the plank in their own eye instead of spending all their time worrying about how big the one in the other person's eye is. Let us celebrate that this is motivating some to "preach Christ crucified" with passion and not worry about how it impacts our earthly power-base.

David

Posted: December 08, 2008 11:25 AM


Run, don't walk from liberal humanist philosophy! Walking that road leads to Hell. Now if only the Presbyterian Church USA that I left several years ago would wake up and preach the bible rather than their liberal hogwash. Casting pearls before pro-homosexual minister/pastor/bishop pigs is against what Jesus warned against.

Jeff	Posted: December 07, 2008 9:39 PM


As a staunch Anglican/Episcopalian Christian, I am sad to see them leave but their departure is not unexpected. I guess those of us who are "displaced" will find a way forward. Displaced? Really? Wow! What arrogance!

Paige

Posted: December 06, 2008 8:13 PM

HOORAY for the exodus of Anglican members who refuse to be bullied into accepting and supporting darkness parading as Light and for recognizing they do indeed have choice! The evil, filth-laden forces among them know their own sorry state - damnation by GOD ALMIGHTY and eternal death. In their preference for satan as their lord, such have sworn allegience to their god of lust, feverishly working to enslave and usher as many others into that writhing, fiery pit as possible - possible due to knowingly and willfully rejecting God's Word and Will - preferring rather to have their, "itching ears" satisfied.

Clem	Posted: December 05, 2008 7:09 AM

Looks like a good fresh start for the Anglican Church. Time to - Phi 3:13 to 16 Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward--to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision--you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (MSG)

Jim in Australia

Posted: December 05, 2008 2:04 AM


Anglicanism began in Schism. How then can anybody within the Anglican church say that this newest schism is "wrong". It's happened, get over it.

Fluteman

Posted: December 05, 2008 12:02 AM


Excellent---more bishops to argue about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin while feathering their own nests. Stunning in its simplicity.

Fred Miller

Posted: December 04, 2008 8:03 PM


It's too bad Christianity Today cannot try to be more objective in its reporting. Some of us still love the Episcopal Church and believe it is the greatest revelation of Christ's love in Christian fellowship.

Fr. Phil Swickard

Posted: December 04, 2008 7:19 PM


"Anonymous" Couldn't be more wrong. Proclaiming the Kingdom of God is precisely what we [Anglcan Church in North America clergy] are doing.

Anonymous

Posted: December 04, 2008 7:12 PM


Sounding a shofar? How about performing a requiem? A sad day in the history of the Anglican Communion.

Ngallendou Dieye

Posted: December 04, 2008 7:07 PM

The entire history of every social movement has been one of cycles of enthusiasm, growth, consolidation, corruption, decline, schism and renewal. Big ecclesial organizations provide ample opportunity for ignorant and evil power seekers to rise politically, allowing sincere followers no option but schism and renewal. Instead of a "rival" church, call it a "revival" church. There is no virtue in unity that mixes light and dark.

Anonymous

Posted: December 04, 2008 6:31 PM

I am tired of hearing that this schism is about faithful adherence to the Bible. If this were the case, then these conservative leaders should have been up in arms a long time ago about our nonchalant attitudes toward marriage and divorce--about which Jesus had far more to say than he did about homosexuality. Neither side in this sad division is free to cast the first stone. Certainly there are issues with the direction and future of the Episcopal Church, but so many reports that I read in this and other sources neglect or ignore the thousands and thousands of its members who in different ways are simply trying to follow Jesus.

Peter S

Posted: December 04, 2008 6:27 PM

What everyone fails to state is that God loves EVERYBODY! In fact he loves them so much he is willing to hobble them in order that they obey. While we are all guilty of sin, eventually our consciences convict us, when we quit struggling with that and realize their is something greater at work than our own wants and desires, our consciences are relieved. How many billions over the centuries have come to realize this? Hard as it is to admit, we are just flat out wrong sometimes. We must trust the wisdom of philosophers who over centuries have worked out our actions and repercussions, and realized we need guidance into the human spirit. Personally I would say freedom of choice, but if that leads you to unhappiness, I have sold you short. Jesus has given us the fullness of truth, though we slip and backslide, it is still truth. Read your bible and discover truth, then pray forgiveness and perhaps the division you feel will turn into unity.

Padre Dave

Posted: December 04, 2008 5:05 PM

This Evangelical-Catholic, high-church conservative Lutheran continues to pray for this new, but at the same time "old" Church. TEC has strayed so far from the norms of Christianity, and while they may view this new Church as schismatic, in reality it is a restoration of a once-great Church to her rightful place in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I continue to praise God and give thanks for this movement!

Anonymous

Posted: December 04, 2008 5:03 PM

This is nonsense, and is more evidence that these rebels are mere puppets of the African bishops. The reason this will fail is that it is a top down rebellion and not one from the hearts of the people they serve. The ECUSA will survive, and better so without these men who say they speak with some scriptural authority. If I heard them proclaiming hte Kingdom of God I might give them a listen, but I don't and so will ignore them and let them fade away.

The Rev. George Kacena

Posted: December 04, 2008 4:37 PM

I think that something needs to be noted regarding the formation of the new Province, and that is, some of the churches, like the one that I am the Rector of, have never been a part of TEC. We are a church that began as an independent church, with no ties to TEC, which joined AMiA in 2004 and wishes now to be a part of the new Province. There are other Anglican churches like us. So this new Province should not be seen as merely churches and clergy who have left TEC to form a new church.

Peter

Posted: December 04, 2008 3:03 PM


Isn't to say that any manifestation of the Anglican Church is "schismatic" is to restate the obvious, gratis Henry VIII and progeny?

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