A comment on my original post from an ACoC priest who claims to be orthodox prompted me to consider this further and, rather than cram my response into the comments, I thought I’d reply in a post. Here is the comment:
I keep hearing about the ACOC and the TEC in this pit of Apostasy and that conservatives staying for the money and pension . Well can’t speak for all conservatives but the ones I know are staying because they can preach the gospel without repercussions.
This is a common argument given by conservatives who remain in the Anglican Church of Canada. Between 2008 and 2010 I chatted with George Sumner, principal of Wycliffe college, John Bowen who taught evangelism at Wycliffe and Alan Hayes, professor of church history at Wycliffe. One way or the other, they all justified their continuing in the ACoC because they were still allowed to preach the Gospel.
The undercurrent here, of course, is the unstated follow-on, which begins: “in spite of”. I would claim in spite of the ACoC no longer being a Christian denomination. They would not have gone that far but, I think, all would concede that the ACoC had strayed from the Gospel.
However one characterises it, it is akin, to borrow an idea from Malcolm Muggeridge, to being a piano player playing hymns in a whorehouse in the hope that it might distract the clientele from the business at hand.
I think Messrs. Sumner, Bowen and Hayes were deceiving themselves.
The problem is this. Their continuing presence in the ACoC lends a legitimacy to the enterprise which it does not deserve. The fact that there are still some orthodox Christian priests in the denomination might lead the unwary to conclude that the denomination itself is still a Christian Church – an illusion it is desperate to maintain.
There is no polite or easy way to address or remedy the rot which is eating away at the ACoC. I recall a synod in my former diocese where a number of priests walked out over the decision to allow same-sex blessings (at the time, assurances were given that same-sex marriages would never happen). A liberal priest – a rather pompous and bombastic specimen, I might add – stood up, spluttering that, by walking out, the conservatives were declaring him not to be a Christian. Well, I know that was not their intention, but I think the histrionic cleric was on to something.
If our decision in this life for or against Christ is what determines our eternal destination, if, as C. S. Lewis said, we are all, every moment, helping each other to a place of either unending glory or horror, why persevere in belonging to an organisation that has not only lost sight of this but is actively encouraging its followers along the road to the wrong destination?
To all those claimed conservatives who state they can still preach the Gospel, I can only ask where were they when genuine orthodox Christians were either evicted or had their properties legally stolen? The answer is obviously self determined — they considered their jobs and pensions more important than standing up against the apostates. Until firm action is taken by the claimed “conservatives” the ACoC will continue in its rapid descent into the mire of apostasy. Tragically even the ABC continues in his attempt to satisfy the civil government that supported his appointment rather than taking a firm stand for the Gospel and witnessing to society. The Anglican Communion cannot possibly continue any attempt at unity until the orthodox priests and bishops make a positive and firm stand.
“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point that the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages is where the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” – Charles Spurgeon
I don’t think it’s as simple as that. I recently talked to a Bible believing member of ACoC who is in truly devastating pain over this very issue. One of the questions posed was, “If I leave, what happens to my clergy and to my people?” Those who could not leave with as few lumps as I got have my most fervent prayers. I am not sure what I would do in their situations. In retrospect, I am so sure I was really following my Lord’s will. Pride and self-righteousness are perennial temptations.
“They can preach the gospel without repercussions.”
I doubt that. I think they can preach “a” gospel without repercussions but it had better be a gospel confined to certain subject areas and avoiding others – much like the media in certain countries is free to express any opinion at all as long as the message conforms to certain understandings. Self censorship I think we call that. It is understandable why some A C of C clergy accept these limitations – understandable but not admirable.
Yes, it is difficult.
I know have known a number of people over the past few years who have justified staying by narrowing their allegiance to a particular parish and trying to ignore the diocesan and larger connections. In some parishes, it is possible to put on those blinders and ignore what is not immediately obvious. I have a harder time with this because I know that a big chunk of my tithe to the local parish is getting grabbed by the diocese and going to fund projects to which I am strongly opposed. Moreover, the bishop exerts authority over which priests may become candidates when the local church is in transition. In this way, strategically, those hold-out parishes are being seeded with wolves in sheep-clothing.
The more we love the places where we have made our spiritual homes, the harder it is to leave. And there *is* a lot to love. But the crisis moves forward and at each crucial milestone, we are again confronted with the question, “What is the Church?” Do I find here a fellowship of disciples who are encouraging me to live in newness of life? A place where I can offer that same encouragement to others? And if I do not find these things in my local parish, then I must concede that in spite of all those things that I have come to love, this has somewhere along the way stopped being Church.
I know I’m preaching to the choir. I agree with the post. I guess my point is simply that it is a really grueling discernment process for those who still feel they have reasons to stay and are struggling to find a vision for their future outside of the ACoC.
“What is the Church?” “The supernatural society called the church is the family of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is the community of believers, justified through faith in Christ,…” (Anglican Essentials, p. 38). Most of us agree with the Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials in 1994. I believe that there are true believers in Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Evangelical churches, etc. There are no perfect churches on earth. Our children were raised Anglicans, but their children attend Alliance and Baptist congregations now. I believe God has a job for us to do in our place of worship. If God wants me to leave the Anglican Church tomorrow, He will tell me.
It is a great mission field,as in the world we are in it not of it. In times past we used to have to go to great lengths to the mission field not now ,its right before our eyes. We are called to preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. Granted this audience is not as receptive to the message any more for their ears have become dull. We must just stay true to the word but if there came a time that we could no longer preach the truth freely then it is time to go.
A few non-stipendiary ones stayed to provide pastoral care to the seniors left behind.
Remember the nation of Judah fell into gross idolatry. God brought the nation of Babylon against in judgment. The Babylon captivity lasted for 70 years. Perhaps the Anglican Church of Canada will continue to become smaller and smaller before God will raise it up again by the remaining faithful 70 years from now!