The Future Of Anglicanism

"A fascinating read about a future fraught with challenges and buoyed by hopes." –Michael F. Bird Anglicanism is currently the fastest-growing Christian communion in the world. Evangelicals hungry for connection to the early church's mystery, sacraments, and liturgy are being drawn to this historic Protestant denomination. But what sets today's Anglicanism apart from its own history as well as that of other Christian denominations? Eleven essays by prominent Anglican scholars and leaders representing diverse perspectives from East Africa, North Africa, and North America explore the rich legacy of the Anglican Church—grounding readers in the past in preparation for the future.

Current debates over a host of issues, particularly those relating to homosexuality, have left the 70-million-member Anglican Communion straining to understand what it means to be a communion -- and even wondering whether life as a communion is possible. In this timely book two priest-scholars, Ephraim Radner and Philip Turner, examine the future of the concept of "communion" as a viable church structure, tracing its historical development as a self-conscious Anglican third way between Protestant congregationalism and Catholic centralism. In examining this essential issue, Radner and Turner relate the specific challenges of the U.S. Episcopal Church to the unity of the worldwide communion, touching on such divisive subjects as the place of Scripture, liberal theology, and episcopal authority. Their discussion is at once measured and impassioned, erudite and practical. Compelling reading for Episcopalians and those in other traditions who are searching for a truly Christian approach to these thorny topics, The Fate of Communion is a forthright, direct examination of a church in turmoil.

This volume, endorsed by Anglican bishops and scholars around the world, is important reading for those preparing for the Global Anglican Future Conference in Jerusalem in June 2018 - and for those in other traditions too. Author Stephen Noll has been a watchman and participant in Anglican affairs over the past quarter century, as a priest and educator in the USA and Uganda. This highly readable anthology of his writings, often written in the heat of the battle, chronicles the departure of the Anglican establishment in North America and England from classic Christian teaching on Scripture, marriage, and church order. Professor Noll concludes: "I want to commend to readers the vision of a renewed and reformed Global Anglican Communion, a communion of churches that builds on the heritage of the Church of England and represents the emerging leadership of formerly colonial Anglican churches, whereby the oversight of doctrine and discipline has shifted from Canterbury to the Global South."

Examines current issues facing the Anglican Communion through the prism of the history of the Southern African church and people. Through this combined narrative of the global and local church, the author offers a remarkable story combining history, race, class and culture in Africa. He traces the paradigm shift in Anglicanism as its vitality moves beyond the borders of England and America to the global South, with all the theological implications. Today, South African Anglicanism attempts a middle way through crucial issues like HIV/AIDS, poverty, and human sexuality. Ideal for those interested in "inculturation" - the intersection of church, culture, and ethnicity.

A new generation of leadership is emerging within the Anglican Communion. This book examines the challenges and opportunities facing these young leaders and Anglicanism more broadly. It explores the nature and shape of Anglican ministry in the new millennium. Designed for those who are considering ordination and those who are in training for the same, it is of appeal to lay leaders as well. Donald M. Lewis (DPhil, Oxford) is Professor of Church History and Academic Dean at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. An active Anglican, he is also the secretary of Regent College's Anglican Studies Program.