This whole article is worth reading if only to reinforce the suspicion that when the ACoC uses the word “evangelism”, what it means has absolutely nothing to do with saving people from hell through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Instead, it is about market share: how do you entice more people into the church building.
Several years ago, Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente wrote about how much she enjoyed attending Christmas Eve worship. She was raised an Anglican.
She also said she didn’t believe a word of what was said.
What struck me was not that she didn’t believe the Christmas story, but that she still attended church on Christmas Eve. In fact, she even received communion.
As you can see, Margaret Wente doesn’t believe a word of what was said – just like many Anglican priests.
My parish breaks just about every one of those rules, and our Christmas services are all packed, including the 11 AM Mass.
The same is true at Easter. Nearly 200 people attended the 6:00 AM Easter service.
I wonder why? Maybe because what people like Margaret Wente, and younger people who don’t have memories experienced beautiful Anglican church services, are seeking something that is honest and beautiful–even if the sermon is long, the liturgy hard to follow, or the Eucharist is exclusive to baptized Christians.
It is an eye-opening article. The author – someone for whom I previously had a modicum of respect – goes on to advocate giving communion to all comers without ever saying anything that would in any way encourage those who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour to abstain.
He also suggests now is a good time to baptism people while they are intoxicated with the Christmas spirit – and perhaps check afterward to see if they actually have any idea what baptism means. (Of course these are my words… but, I think, not far from his meaning.)
I should say, 11 PM Mass, not 11 AM.
I attend an ACoC parish. Our priest has a sermon I call “nailing the colours to the mast” which he has preached variants of on a few occasions with lots of visitors. Essentially it’s a clear statement that he means exactly what the words say when he says the Creed and presides at the Eucharist. And we’re still ACoC.
Robert – I presume the rule you don’t break is “Be warm and welcoming to visitors.” It’s the only one I’d pay any attention to.
Yes Henry. But I’d be willing to bet you that your next priest won’t mean exactly what he says. Postulants who mean exactly what they say when they say the creed aren’t getting ordained in Ottawa anymore, unless they hide the fact.