“Do we have the imagination for entering the world of unchurched American’s and experiencing things from their point of view – while keeping our bearings in Christ?” This was Anglican Mission bishop-elect, the Rev. Dr. Todd Hunter’s challenge to the final plenary session of the Anglican Church in North America’s provincial assembly in Bedford, Texas.
Hunter – a past president of ALPHA USA – is currently focusing on church growth through reaching unchurched Americans in the western states. He committed, God willing, to start 200 of the 1000 churches newly installed Archbishop Robert Duncan said he wanted established during his five-year term leading the Anglican Church in North America.
“Why would God create a new Anglican province?” Hunter asked rhetorically. Not to relieve the pain and angst of the past, he responded, but to help build “the Kingdom of God”. Our loyalty, he said, cannot be in denominations or “church brands;” no one cares about our “brand” or our internal disputes. It isn’t about creating more Anglicans, he said. However, Anglicanism provides a “treasure chest” of tools for introducing people to Jesus Christ – tools such as the Prayer Book, the Eucharist, the ancient rhythms of church calendar, the Lectionary (selected daily Scripture readings), and daily prayers.
People are asking if there is any reality beyond ourselves, Hunter said. Our Anglican heritage offers what post-modern North Americans are looking for – especially the growing number who identify themselves in surveys as “spiritual but not religious”.
Hunter’s prepared remarks will be posted to his website: www.c4so.org.
“I’m loving this new Anglicanism!” one attendee at the Anglican Church in North America was heard remarking.
