One consequence of what has been dubbed ‘the Anglican realignment’, as it took place in North America and elsewhere and as it now takes place in the UK, is dislocation.
In short, as lay people leave their churches because of the unfaithfulness of their leaders and/or denomination they have to look for new shepherds. Likewise, as faithful clergy cannot in conscience remain in the Church in Wales, the Scottish Episcopal Church or the Church of England, they lose some or all of their flock.
How to match sheep without pastors to shepherds without sheep is one of the challenges of this time in Anglicanism’s history. Such tasks are just one of the things that Anglican Futures exists to address. A lonely layman here, a leader willing to be a local ‘rallying point’ there, a female NSM* in search of people to care for, a bishop who has left the Canterbury-aligned structures, and so on. All have needs, and things to offer.
St Helen's Bishopsgate, asking questions, and the danger of metaphors
A recent comment piece in Evangelicals Now suggested that while questions are 'generally good', 'we would be wise to be …