"Living the Faith" was a little booklet that I produced for the church bookstall in 1999. Selling at £1 or £1.50, it contained some notes on the basics of Christian belief, a catechism, the text of the creeds, a list of the books of the Bible, a list of the provinces in the world-wide Anglican Communion, and two lists - one headed "What can I expect from an Anglican Church?" and the other "What would an Anglican Church expect of me?"
I am now revising the text for a new edition. I don't recall the origin of the list headed "What can I expect from an Anglican Church?" As with so much that I use, it probably began with someone else's list, perhaps an article in Episcopal Life, and I reworked and developed it. What interests me is whether it should still carry this title. I know that this is what you can expect at St Bartholomew the Great. I'm sure that you shouldn't expect it at either St Helen's, Bishopsgate, or St Michael's, Cornhill. Here is the list anyway:
1. A local Anglican Church will be a community of believers which accepts others as they are and does not attempt to force them into a pre-determined mould or model.
2. It accepts and tolerates a wide range of beliefs and attitudes both inside and outside the Church.
3. What is authoritative for Anglicans is discerned from within the church, taking account of Scripture, the tradition of the Church, and the use of reason. Authority does not come from outside, from an infallible book or an infallible teacher.
4. The focus of the Church is liturgical forms of worship which celebrate and express the faith of the believing community and facilitate God’s action within it, rather than dogmatic teaching.
5. Anglican teaching has more to say about the goodness of God’s creation than about the sinfulness of humankind. Rejoicing in the creating and saving work of God, it takes sin seriously without becoming neurotic or despairing.
6. Anglicans are, usually, able to laugh at themselves, at their traditions and at the pomp and trappings of church life, while being serious about the need for God and the way in which the Church brings us closer to God.
7. Doubting and questioning are legitimate and acceptable parts of being Anglican.
8. Belief in God and love and concern for neighbour go hand in hand and are equally important.
Life at the Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great - by The Revd Dr Martin Dudley
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1 comment:
If only all Christian churches were adhering to these very wise, tolerant and Godly principles, the world would surely be a much better place... sadly, most don't, and prefer absolutist dogma, fundamentalism of belief and an emphasis on a wrathful, difficult to please, and, quite frankly, unfriendly God. Which is why it is refreshing to be part of a church community which has not abandoned the very best of Christian liturgical tradition and yet found ways of connecting meaningfully with the world and our lives in it as they are lived today.
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