(ZENIT News / London, 08.22.2024).- In a recent shift within the Church of England, Anglican dioceses have moved away from using the term «church» to describe the new faith communities emerging within their parishes. This development raises significant questions about the underlying theology that is guiding these changes, according to a new independent report.
The report, titled “New Things: A Theological Investigation of New Church Initiatives Across 11 Dioceses of the Church of England,” reveals that approximately 900 new communities have been established over the past decade across 11 dioceses. However, none of these dioceses used the word «church» as the primary descriptor for these new entities. This trend highlights a broader shift in ecclesiological language and practice within the Church of England.
Commissioned by the Centre for Theology and Community at Cranmer Hall in Durham, the report is based on research conducted between November 2022 and June 2023. The author, Reverend Will Foulger, who serves as the Vicar of St Nicholas’s in Durham, notes that each of the 11 dioceses surveyed is developing what he describes as a «unique ecclesiology.» The study found that six dioceses primarily used the term “worship” to describe these new initiatives, two referred to them as “congregations,” and seven used the term “community.” Only one diocese relied on terminology explicitly rooted in Anglican tradition.
This divergence in language and practice has led to a fragmented understanding of what constitutes a church within the Church of England, raising concerns about the potential for unity among its local churches. The report questions whether the Church can maintain cohesion if there is a fundamental difference in how its congregations understand their own identity. It also critiques the vague definitions and fragile theological underpinnings of these new terms.
One of the most significant shifts identified in the report is the rapid adoption of this new ecclesiastical language, which is already shaping the mission and ministry of the dioceses involved. This change prompts a broader reflection on whether the emergence of these new forms of Christian communities is compelling the Church to redefine what it considers to be a church within the Anglican tradition.
The report also contextualizes its findings within the broader framework of the Church’s national Vision and Strategy for the current decade. One of the strategy’s key priorities is to foster a “mixed ecology” of church communities across England, aiming to provide everyone with access to a vibrant faith community. This includes the creation of new churches alongside traditional parish structures. The plan, which was announced in 2021, aims to establish over 10,000 new worshiping communities within the next decade, supported by substantial investment through the Strategic Development Fund (SDF).
However, the report suggests that the conversation around these new church initiatives has often been polarized between those who are deeply engaged in ecclesiological reflection and those focused on achieving significant impact. This division has left some parts of the Church, particularly those with a strong commitment to traditional ecclesial forms and practices, feeling excluded from the discourse on new church creation.
Another critical finding of the report is the minimal representation of Catholic tradition within these new communities. Of the 900 initiatives, only five could be considered to align with Catholic practices. This imbalance, according to the report, reflects the evangelical drive behind much of the new church planting activity, which may alienate those from more Catholic backgrounds due to the inherently vague definition of what constitutes a church in this context.
The report concludes by emphasizing the need for a deeper theological reflection on the purpose and goals of these new church initiatives. It argues that without a robust theological foundation, the current conceptual frameworks are vulnerable to being influenced by secular business and management theories rather than rooted in Anglican tradition. The Church of England, it suggests, must critically examine its approach to church planting to ensure that its practices align with its theological convictions.
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