“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4&5
Christianity is diverse, there are thousands of Christian denominations, and within the Anglican denomination there are widely differing understandings of how to best worship, and how to best live as a Christian. People sometimes ask me what Anglican tribe I belong to? High Church or Low church? Evangelical or Anglo Catholic? Liberal or traditional? I usually don't answer. It took me years to accept the idea of being Anglican, and I don't care to narrow my Christianity down any further.
I found Anglicanism acceptable because it understands you to be a Christian first, and an Anglican second, and so recognises there are many other valid Christian denominations. Also, Anglicanism endeavours to maintain a wide range of traditions within it's borders, it is a 'broad church.' I find it odd and disappointing that there are Anglicans who don't understand this, who think every other Anglican ought to be like they are. Personally, I think that there are insights and wisdom in all the different traditions, be that High Church or Low church, Evangelical or Anglo Catholic, Liberal or traditional. I can agree with any of them, or pick an argument with any of them, any day of the week. I'm glad they are all there, together we might reach a diverse world with the good news of Jesus.
In cities churches can be strongly of one tradition, and if there is a church of a different tradition in the city, then people have a choice, but in rural parishes the village church is often the only show in town. We have to accommodate a wide variety of ways and understandings, which often means being 'middle of the road' so everyone can feel accommodated. There is also such a thing as 'rural parochial churchmanship', which bares little relation to any of the main urban Anglican traditions. So even if I wanted to be High Church or Low church, Evangelical or Anglo Catholic, Liberal or traditional, I would find myself running against the grain of rural parish ministry.
I much prefer people think for themselves. The Church is about the good news of Jesus, not about supporting one 'ecclesiastical team' or another. We are richer for our varied traditions, lets try to be inspired by them. Although, having said I don't claim any church label as my own, I have at length found one I am willing to identify with. In the 17th century a group of theologians and clerics started to argue that the Church of England should be as inclusive as possible, allowing toleration of dissent, and permitting varied forms of Christian worship. They became known as 'Latitudinarians', because they wanted people to be given latitude in worship and doctrine. I must remember next time someone asks what kind of Christian I am, if they won't accept plain 'Anglican', then I should declare I am a Latitudinarian, and see what they make of that.
Rev'd Stephen Gamble
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