A very profound statement by Bp. Peter Robinson
If you have not been in the habit of reading it, The Old High Churchman by Bishop Peter Robinson of the UECNA is worth checking on every now and then. And he has a post on More Thoughts on Central Churchmanship that I think is something that truly needs to be said. In particular this statement is something that a lot of clergy (both in the “Continuing Churches” and in any remaining orthodox churches in communion with Canterbury) need to take to heart:
However, there is another point that I need to get across, and that is the need for someone in the Continuum to stand unequivocably for the Central Churchmanship tradition. At the moment, the Anglican world is dividing into three noisy armed camps – one Revisionist, one Anglo-Catholic, and the other Evangelical which neglect the essential balance and moderation of the Anglican tradition. I am not sure we can do much about the Revisionists as they seem to be passing out of Christianity altogether into some sort of new age mish-mash, but there is a need for the old Central Churchmanship with its belief in a reformed catholicism that encompasses both High Churchmen and Evangelicals to act as the glue to hold Anglicanism together.
I can say I have benefited greatly from the discussions on the Continuum blog and at the moment I would actually see the Anglican Catholic Church (although I’d prefer a different name for that Church) as perhaps the best hope for such a “central churchmanship”, although I also have hopes for the Reformed Episcopal Church and the Anglican Province in America. One thing for sure – I’ll have to do some research on the names for the different parties in Anglicanism; for example, does “Central Churchman” roughly equal “Evangelical High Church”?
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Prydain 
The conservative Central Churchman of England more or less carry forward the tradition of the moderate High Churchmen in that they adhere to the 39 Articles — and do so without Evangelical gloss or revisionism — as well as the tradition editions of the Book of Common Prayer, without need for interpolations from the Tridentine Mass–i.e., no use of the various “Anglican Missals.”
Todays ACC seems particularly unsuited to carry on Old High or Conservative Central Churchmanship, as its Constitution and Canons essentially commit it, not to classical Anglicanism, but rather to an English-Language Version of Old Catholic Movement. Why this is so should be apparent from Bishop Robinson’s more recent blog post.
Thanks for pointing out Bishop Robinson’s latest post on his own blog, which I had not yet read. It would seem the UECNA might be better, after reading that post, than the ACC because of the canons of the ACC – but the UECNA is so small, relatively speaking. All I can say is that based on anecdotal experience I do see there is at least some hope for the ACC to move towards a “central” churchmanship that would at least tolerate classical Anglicanism.
I would commend Bishop Robinson’s latest post, The Affirmation of St. Louis – Some Thoughts to everyone; it sheds a great deal of light on the situation in Continuing Anglicanism.
The ACC certainly does have some High Church parishes that are not Anglo-Catholic. And some of the Bishops are supportive of this historically senior Churchmanship. A similar situation exists in the Anglican Province of Christ the King. So, despite substantial opposition, perhaps the Continuum can yet be the host for a revival the proper Anglicanism of the Caroline Divines!
Some of the strongest supporters of classical Anglicanism in the ACC don’t make a huge thing of it publicly. They prefer to work behind the scenes where they can accomplish more without exciting those who long ago learned how to bury those who chose not to agree with them.
Thanks to both of you for those comments. I do see the wisdom in the course of action described by Bishop Poteet; perhaps that is going on in the APCK as well, although I don’t see any discussion there (from what I can see online) like there seems to be in the ACC. Perhaps discretion is the better part of valor!
Hi Will,
The possibility of an Old High Church resurgence can be viewed from two angles– ‘ethos’ and ‘law’. What is ironic, the ACC has perhaps more priests of a central churchman ‘ethos’ than UEC. This may be true of PCK as well. Fr. Hart is tryig to elevate Anglican formulas (law) by advancing this ‘ethos’. The question is how to do this when ACC ‘law’, forged under Bp. Mote, leaves you with a romano-revisionist take on Anglicanism?
Contrast the above to ACNA#2. The ACNA constitutionally (in the preamble) is much closer to Anglican tradition. But, the liturgical and theological diversity of ACNA retards practice/’ethos’.
Comparing ACC to ACNA, there is an inverted relation between what is said on paper and what people practice. The question is, between ethos and law, “which is more important”? These are hard things to measure, but in the final analysis both need to exist and work together.
UEC canons are on spot, and there is bishopric support for central churchmanship. More or less both conditions exist. But the denomination needs to rebuild itself, so anyone who shares this vision must grab the bull by the horns. If rapid merger continues, the UEC may end up being a kind of leaven inside the ACC, and will certainly find many friends there.
Very well said, indeed. Spot on.
Charles,
You have indeed said something very well worth considering. Indeed, I would ask now: how can we assist the UECNA now – even if we are not in UECNA parishes? I begin to think this is something well worth a concerted effort. I may post something on this later.
I have a lot of ideas but nothing super definite.
I’d say start with the authority found within your particular participation in Christ’s priesthood as a lay person.
1. intercessory prayer for those Ordinaries who keep Anglican covenant (faith, order, worship) as well as those who have abandoned the patrimony. The ideas found inside John Keble’s National Apostasy sermon are great for starters. Keble exhorts prayer first and foremost. We often don’t notice His invisible workings, but as you know God is good to answer prayer.
2. teaching faith in our own households. Catechize. As a household head, instruction begins with you. Baptize yourself in Anglican tradition, and then teach it to your family. We have this obligation with or without the assistance of clergy. The Articles are excellent because they conveniently and concisely sum the theology behind the prayer book. Be as theologically minded as possible. Read every exposition and salient book of divinity from the Settlement and Restoration periods you can get your hands upon. Spread around.
3. As a lay person, don’t be shy to use your voice. Blogging is a very effective way to speak in and beyond your parish. Network and support other lay and priest bloggers who want a return to Central churchmanship. I have linked Fr. Hart, Bp. Robinson, and the Prayer Book Society USA to my website.
4. Ask your rector their opinion on pre-Tractarian High Churchmanship, and if they would support a book stall promoting the Prayer Book and Articles. Perhaps something could be set up in the fellowship hall or narthex? Purchase cheap, photocopy, or republish copies of key expositions on the Articles as well 16th and 17th century books of divinity, and leave them there for sale or free if tracts.
5. Help promote specific Anglican liturgical days like Jan. 30 or Nov. 5th. Assist making memorials like the ‘foundation of the American Episcopate’ or greater anniversaries for the Prayer book (or in May 2011 the 400th KJV) a big deal where you live. This strengthen Anglican identity.
6. Ask the rector if Morning Prayer could be done with Litany before Mass. If not, come early and do it with your family in the pew. Try to help get evening prayer with catechism on Sundays started.
7. Study Alcuin Club tracts and works by Percy Dearmer. This can help with correct, ‘high’ liturgical celebration– the upper envelope of the BCP.
8. There isn’t really a single, ideal church to join, but spreading the idea(s) of BCP conformity between Anglican churches is probably more important. Start with yourself, your family, then your parish, and, if you have the opportunity to go beyond this, then promote orthodox bishop(s). If your parish, family, or diocese is successful, then these ideas will be too.
9. To reiterate– pray, use the offices of the Prayer Book regularly. Direct people to good texts that teach specific, Anglican theology. Try to understand Anglicanism as a system of thought (justification, adiaphora, and sacraments working together).
Charles,
This is truly a great post, and your list of actions we can take would make any church stronger, to say nothing of families. About the only thing I could add at the parish level would be to stress the importance of having a concerted effort made towards a true Bible study for the church. Teaching Biblical truth can only strengthen the evangelical aspect and diminish the dead ritualism of which Bishop Ryle warned.
If it is OK with you I may post later today and list your suggested actions.
Hello Will,
I am glad you like the suggestions. I am mainly suggesting we build ethos where law lacks (I think ethos comes before law, but it cannot stand alone forever) through strong catechesis. The Prayer Book already has all the keys for ‘revival’ or ‘method’. It provides family prayer and morning/evening offices w/ lectionary to be done at home. Every Sunday ministers are exhorted to catechize after evening prayer. There should be weekly catechizing in the church for both advance and beginning christians. Sermons and offices of instruction should help Anglicans understand their prayer book ‘theologically’, and I believe this is one reason the articles are bound together. We should always be prepared to give a defense, hence tracts, booklets, and republishing the ‘greats’ for both our own churchmen and for mission.
Please change #7. I was trying to get at the need for ‘proportion’ in public worship. Ornaments should have some sensitivity to scale. Dearmer mostly explains how public worship works for all churches, but goes into extra detail for the larger type. Most Anglicans today minister what chapel-size congregations, not catedrals and often not mid-sized parishes. etc. Just leave it at the need to re-read Alcuin Club writings good for both 1928 and 1662 BCPs.
thanks, Will…maybe others have more ideas. I was only considering what we can do and exercise with respect to our lay priesthood.