Evangelicals and the Church of England

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publishing the article from a non-conformist, addressed to many Anglicans. The person writes seeking to be a good neighbour. It is evident they are trying to be friendly with their comments. In the same spirit of conversation, here is an offer of a cup of tea and a gentle, but firm, response.

The article displays ignorance of the way people come to Christ (we don’t choose our denomination) and grow. Most come to Christ through friendships, and almost all through their local church. Our unbelieving hearts neither choose the faithful Christian friends nor wisely select a perfect church (who can?). It is good that the path to maturity continues within that same fellowship, which will include bearing with others where there is disagreement on secondary matters, and (please God) rebuke and correction where there is error. Paul assumes there will be error in the church of Colossae and instructs them to teach and admonish one another, not leave. He also tells Timothy to instruct gently those who oppose him whilst having nothing to do with those who have a form of godliness but deny its power. Both need to be lived out, but we may disagree on how.