Evangelical Futures: What’s the future for Anglican evangelicals?
A new book to be published in June by IVP called God’s Church for God’s World brings together voices drawn from all major Anglican evangelical networks in the UK, demonstrating a commitment to the gospel being proclaimed and a unity both throughout and beyond the Church of England.
With a number of young contributors, it also offers a glimpse of possible futures for the Anglican Church. This extract (with some very minor adaptations for publication here) not only summarises the book’s contents but also gives a flavour of the situation Anglican evangelicals face – a useful overview both for them and also for non-Anglicans to whom the whole Anglican ‘thing’ can sometimes seem understandably perplexing and exasperating.
pastoral care
Ministry’s dark feelings
Helen Thorne-Allenson
Date posted: 1 Jun 2022
Ministry is a privilege. It’s a hugely high
call. And whether we’re full time and paid,
or volunteering a few hours within the local
church, we can all know we have a part to
play in the greatest mission the world has
ever known.
It’s wonderful
to help people come
to
Christ and grow in their faith, in all the
circumstances of life. The process of pointing
people to Jesus can be a joy. The relational
depth, a delight. When we glimpse the fruit
God is bringing into people’s lives, we can be
stirred to praise. But, just between you and
me, that’s not how we always feel, is it?
Ten Questions: ‘More than a conqueror’
Geoff Thomas
My name is Geoff Thomas and I was the pastor in Alfred Place Baptist Church (Independent) in Aberystwyth for 50 years. I retired five years ago. My wife Iola died after having Alzheimers for four years. Two years after Iola’s death I married our old friend Barbara and came to live in Chiswick, London. For someone who loves history, London is a most interesting place for an old man, though I do miss the seaside and friends in Aberystwyth. There are many gospel churches in London and it is surprisingly religious. I am a member of Amyand Park Chapel in Twickenham and thank God for the congregation and its pastor, Gerard Hemmings.