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evangelical charismatic anglians in london
What an experience, being with these evangelical-charismatic Church of England believers, mostly young–early twenties–in central London for a few days. To be lifted out of one’s own context and set down in another’s, having so much in common with these people, and yet, the twist of a different context. Fascinating. The first thing you notice is the complete absence of a dominant religious right in their field of vision. We’re defined by what we’re differentiating ourselves from, at least in part.
And these evangelical-charismatic Church Englanders have no particular need to differentiate from a form of Christian faith that has been powerfully shaped by political and cultural conservatism. Instead, they are differentiating themselves from a perceived to be powerless or at least weak form of Anglican faith that’s lost its nerve, or it’s spiritual vibrancy, at least.
So, for example, their Sunday morning worship service hadn’t the slightest resemblance to a Church of England service. Opening worship, followed by “notices” (announcements) then more worship, and extended prayer ministry (people invited to come up from to receive prayer with laying on of hands as the band played on.) Not so much as a gloria or doxology or Lord’s Prayer–let alone communion. Priest in blue jeans and tee shirt, completely undifferentiated from anyone else.
I had to chuckle, because at our early service back home, I knew that we would be having a pre-service showing of the Nicene Creed, and most likely a rendering of the gloria in musical form (Brad Humpries, one of our bass players has written one of the most lovely and long-lasting glorias that I’ve heard), and communion mixed with prayer ministry and likely involving the praying together of the Lord’s Prayer. So here we had an American Vineyard Church in Ann Arbor with more “liturgical” (albeit with a twist) elements than this C of E church in central London.
I’m hoping to hear from one of these evangelical-charismatic Church of Englanders about their response to reading Jesus Brand Spirituality: He Wants His Religion Back. Because this book was obviously written in a different context–the trademark infringement on the Jesus brand being of a different sort here than there. I think. A very thoughtful vicar named David mentioned that he read the book but I didn’t have time to speak at greater length with him about this issue of context: what applies, what doesn’t. I think the book isn’t actually out there yet, just a hundred copies or so floating around from the conference, which seems to have gotten an advance shipping from the publisher. Something to be learned from these Brits, just don’t yet know what it is. If anyone is listening across the pond, talk to me.
April 30th, 2008 at 1:33 am
Hi Ken
It was good to meet you last week (I’m the one you spoke to on Friday morning – I came along as a result of a mailing.)
Just started reading you book, and finding it very helpful.
Obviously the context is different here (UK); but I do see an increasing awareness of the religious right here among Christians of all evangelical shades, but that isn’t yet dominating the cultural scene in the way it is in the USA. But I fear it is on the rise.
I think here what’s interesting is the way the Church Of England has always been a broad church – both its greatest blessing and its biggest weakness. So we find Anglican churches – like my own – that contain an element of all 4 of the dimensions you mention in your book. But I’m not sure how widespread that is among the ‘average’ churchgoer; they would tend to, I think, see themselves as ‘charismatic’ or ‘evangelical’. Certainly the theological college I trained at and the debates I hear around me bear all the worrying hallmarks of groups drawing lines in the sand; worrying about maintaining the ‘purity’ of their party at all costs.
Initial thoughts – more to come as I progress with your book!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Dave, Oh good! I was hoping to hear from you an the other vicar David. Yes, it’s not a good sign when the urge for ideological purity prevails–as it wasn’t in the gospels, where it was one of the blinding factors to miss what the Father was actually doing. Ken
May 20th, 2008 at 10:39 am
We visited a Vineyard in Bury St Edmond last year, and were blown away by the spirit of hospitality there! My husband is British and so we had expected a much more subdued Vineyard than we were used to. Not so at all! They were so friendly, so warm, so charming–and boy was the Spirit moving there! England can be such a dark, sarcastic place. I love watching Hope and Freedom come to the people. I love watching what God is doing in the burgeoning movement over there!
May 30th, 2008 at 6:08 am
As a member of St. Marys, I attended the recent Refresh conference. Ken, I admired your humour and breadth of insight and left, shook down properly by the Holy Spirit, with convictions that i needed plough the contents of your book more thoroughly. And having done so, and taken what my limited mind could take I must say ‘Thankyou’ and ‘Well done’. I can’t help but smile at the previous Missknowitall comment. I wonder if the perception of this nation’s personality deserves a second glance. I’d dare suggest that England is a place far from the notion perpetrated by bad Hollywood films. Old-fashioned, charmingly, frightfully, frightfully well-mannered, rude and hostile with our sarcasm, dark with our quietness. The tea and damp biscuits variety. Instead what I see running riot from my level is the visceral, creative and –oh so hungry and thirsty! spirit which fed the music of Pink Floyd, The Who and The Clash. Does it sound cliched, teen angsty to apply the word ‘Raw’? I quote Bruce Springsteen as he inducts U2 into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. London is amok with the kind of individual who’s soul – “…searches for the same kind of combustible force that fueled the expansion of the universe after the Big Bang. You want the earth to shake and spit fire. You want the sky to split apart and for God to our pour out”. (of course London is not unique in this, but I am across the pond and do heed your summons for someone to ‘talk to’ you. How marvellous to see and know ‘neath very traditional vaulted arches and stained glass the Holy Spirit kicking holy hell out of us! And this happening as more and more claim and reclaim loudly the lost acceptance that we are all spiritual beings. Inside the church of course but, of course, outside also – in the night clubs, dancehalls and pubs. The conversation over coffee! the slurred conversation over a pint! Ken, this is the golden motif that i found so refreshing in your book- that being our shared ‘wiring’. Our shared plight as humans. Once recognised, the dialogue flows with so much more grace into-’Who then do you plug into?’ Who gives you the juice?’. Once we have layed our arms down, then Jesus comes up. And that Sir, is a fine thing any day and any way.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Chris, You’ve got a way with words! I too had the revelation about the English when I first went to bournemouth, expecting what missknowitall did and finding almost exactly the opposite! I’ve been curious to see if the book scratches the English itch. Being an American and therefore parochial despite knowing it, the book has an leading edge sharply critical of some of the American trademark infringement, much of it lately, from the religious right. In an older era it came from the opposite direction. Anyway, since that isn’t much of an influence (impression check needed here) in the U.K. I wondered if the book would resonate there. Your thoughts on the angle appreciated….