Anglican Congregationalism – a new form of the Anglican Way

To put the word “Anglican” (meaning the Christian faith, worship & Church polity emanating originally from the ECCLESIA ANGLICANA – the C of E) and “Congregationalism” (meaning that worship, doctrine, discipline and polity are wholly in the hands of the local congregation) is odd, very odd. But Anglican Congregationalism exists now and will, I expect, exist more and more during the next decade.

As the Episcopal Church of the USA and the Anglican Church of Canada (not to mention the Churches in Britain and Ireland) become more progressive and less orthodox, more innovatory and less traditional, and more earth-bound and less heaven-bound, there will be a continuing exodus of parts and wholes of congregations in order to set up new congregations outside the old borders, seeking thereby to be more faithful to the norms of the historic Anglican Way.

When each one exits it becomes by its own act a congregational church, an independent group, and it has to decide, whether it likes to do so or not, whether or not to join one of the existing jurisdictions or fellowships or links to overseas bishops (of which three possibilities there are probably forty or so options in 2005) or to join none at all. Until it joins and submits to outside rule, it remains congregational and independent in its governance.

As an independent congregation it may decide for a variety of reasons (e.g., waiting for the creation of a new province of the Anglican Communion in North America) that it will stay independent for a season to give the membership time to discern what is the best way forward for this congregation in their place and circumstances/ If it does this then, supposing that it continues to have “Anglican” worship and follows traditions of Anglican churchmanship, spirituality, devotion and activity, it will be participating in the form of church government that we may call “Anglican Congregationalism.”

Now necessity, it is said, is the mother of invention and so in this circumstance creative ways will need to be found, if the leadership and membership are godly and faithful, of preserving the Anglican Way without being under the pastoral care and rule of a Bishop and his assisting officers like archdeacons. After all, the churches in the American colonies before 1790 or so managed without Bishops for their Bishop was in London and did not come to see them. And we may say that not a few Episcopal parishes have functioned practically over the last twenty or more years as congregational churches, because the bishop has not been invited to visit and they have not sought his/her advice or counsel (even though they paid their membership fee to keep her/him away!).

In the present crisis of Anglicanism, with all the divisions in America, it is most important that when an exiting group decides to be independent for a season that they act with wisdom and prudence. In particular, I suggest that such an independent church adopts by majority vote and keeps to the following basics:

1. That discussion to review the situation as to any change in status and relations only be allowed once every two years (better every three years) at the annual meeting. (The reason for this is that it is always VERY unsettling for all to keep on discussing what to do next.)
2. That it be agreed at the start that independency would not last more than ten years, by which time the future state of Anglicanism would surely be obvious if not very clear. After all, this is an emergency situation not a permanent position and so ten years in these days of fast action seems reasonable.
3. That friendly associations be created with similar churches and that there be fellowship regularly. This will help prevent the creation of idiosyncrasies and of majoring on minors in isolationism.
4. That from the beginning a small panel of wise persons outside the congregation be set up to give advice from time to time and to keep the people informed about important developments within Anglicanism.
5. That the leaders who were influential in leading out the people should stay with them for the duration so that there is stability and continuity. A clergyman or warden should not lead a people out if he does not intend to stay with them!
6. That a friendly bishop be invited from time to time in order to do confirmations and any other special ecclesial things. But he come as asked by the congregation and his role be very limited.
7. That property only be leased and not bought so that the congregation can experience the presence of the Lord with his people wherever they meet and not be burdened with money- raising for property.
8. That the people follow the advice of Rick Warren and be a purpose-driven church, committed to the Anglican Way of keeping the Two Great Commandments and obeying the Great Commission.
   

And may God heal and revitalize the Anglican Way in North America during the decade of waiting!

petertoon@msn.com November 16, 2005