The Bishop of Stafford has suggested that churchgoers celebrate Anglicanism and to make known what God has done and is doing for them in Jesus Christ, but to also agree to an honest self-assessment of where they stand with Jesus.
In a letter, Bishop Mursell says that the church only has itself to blame for media reports giving the idea that mainstream churches in the UK have ‘lost it’, or are in ‘lethal decline’. “We English Anglicans are extraordinarily good at talking down our church,” says Bishop Mursell in his letter. “It’s terrifying to ask yourself: how often have I been in a conversation with non-churchgoers during which I’ve criticized ‘the Diocese’ or ‘the Evangelicals’ or ‘the Prayer Book groupies’ - or simply botched the use of opportunity to say what I really value about my church and my faith?” He also took a jab at the bitter fight between liberals and conservatives in the wider Anglican Communion over homosexuality. Saying that Anglicans are “unfathomably obsessed with sex - or at least that’s the impression we often give”. “Perhaps we’ve never really got over the fact that one of our founders (Henry VIII) had serious problems in his marriage,” says Bishop Mursell. “But all this is years away from the real principle and vision of our church, which is to decree and celebrate what God has done and is doing for us in Jesus Christ, who died for us and now lives and reigns as Lord and King.” The Bishop goes on to claim that “Anglicanism has not lost its way”, pointing to countries where Anglicanism is thriving, such as Nigeria. “There are already twenty times as many practicing Anglicans in Nigeria as there are here. I myself witnessed Anglican churches in Malaysia and Hong Kong that are vigorous with life and faith and engaging with justice and peace issues in their area. And there are countless signs of hope and new life here in our own diocese,” he says, before suggesting individual Anglicans to check up on their personal walk. “If you don’t see them in yourself, or your church, ask yourself the hard question: how Christ-centered is my church, and my faith? Or does your church really behave like an institution or like a movement, fervent about its goals and values?” He concludes his letter with a challenge to Anglicans to celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ: “Anglicanism is a living branch of the Jesus Movement,” he says. “We stand for a Bible-based faith that is both life-changing and thoughtful, both enthusiastic and challenging, rooted in tradition but deeply engaged in contemporary life and culture. A contradiction in terms? Nonsense. It’s the faith Jesus came to teach and to live. So let’s celebrate it. For nothing less is good news for our world.”
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