The Dean

Scrabble addicts be aware there is a possible 9 syllable word floating around the church at present. – Postdenominationalism (some might insist it is two words!). Whatever the preference, it is an interesting and serious concept for the church. Many still proudly wear distinctive denominational labels –“I’m a Methodist.” “They are C of E.” “He’s RC.” At least we think we know where we are using these descriptions. The contemporary question is whether we can safely use these labels any more. The majority of non church goers in the west, particularly the younger generation just couldn’t care less.

Ironically, judging by the number of different Christian groups, each with their distinctive denominational labels, meeting week by week in St Christopher’s Cathedral compound, denominations are still very much alive. The Church of God seems intent on being fractured into a thousand pieces. Power struggles within congregations lead to splits and the formation of new groups.

The Church of England has, over the passed 20 years, nearly torn itself apart over the issue of the ordination of women to the priesthood. Since 2003 the wider worldwide Anglican Church, of which the C of E is a part, has been in torment over the consecration of Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop. To top it all (for some) ECUSA (the Anglican Episcopal Church in the USA) has elected a woman bishop as a senor bishop or Primate over a Province. The implications reverberate around the world where threatened divisions are not so much down denominational lines as between those who face matters of doctrine and scripture as conservatives or liberals. The vast majority seem to fall somewhere in the middle in vague bewilderment at these polarized positions.

Numerically, in many parts of the world, the Christian church has been in decline for decades. In some places, and for some denominations, this decline is reckoned to be terminal. Is there any wonder? No one willingly wants to join a conflict or an argument! There is more than enough conflict and aggression in the world. Surely of all institutions the Christian church should be the one body which exemplifies unity. If the church is to be of any use to humanity and fulfill its God given vocation it should blaze a trail for all other institutions, Ideologies, corporate bodies and, dare I say it, faith groups to follow, in overcoming division, conflict and difference.

The Acts of the Apostles is a prime example of how the embryonic church worked through its differences and learned to live in harmony with difference and variety. Subsequent history to the present day is littered with shameful examples of how Christians insult and abuse each other. Perhaps the church in all its wonderful God given variety should together study in depth St Paul’s’ words in his letter to the Philippians 2:1-4
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Yours very sincerely,
Alan Hayday