A parishioner asked for help in identifying what was distinctive in the New Zealand Anglican Church, what we were proudest of, and what we would say to others in order to encourage them to come and see what we do. This led to a discussion about change in the Church, how it is managed, and whether we had any red lines that would need defending at all costs. We both cited cases of parishes that suffered from ill-managed change, sometimes driven by newcomers who felt a God-given mission to effect change. The phrase ‘hostile takeover’ was mentioned, and we agreed that a strong parish must agree upon, and sympathetically uphold, certain principles that were not up for negotiation. We both agreed that the church is not a cinema - changing the film in the projector just to attract new people was not a good idea.
What are your Red Lines? What is beyond compromise?
My own off-the-cuff contribution to that discussion concerned the queue down the centre aisle at the Eucharist. All are welcome, from the devoutest weekly believer to the idly curious. We no longer check for baptismal certificates or evidence of Confirmation Class attendance. No theological checks are imposed. We may take the Cup, the Wafer, simply lift the Cup, or come forward for a blessing. Our place in the queue, and what we do with the experience of approaching the Holy Table, is between God and the individual. The Church no longer imposes barriers. This is important because today’s curious taster may be tomorrow’s Server, Warden or Ordination candidate. We operate in a multi-cultural society, and we must operate an open-door policy. That is offered as a tentative Red Line. Others may offer different points to defend at all costs. Could this be a useful Parish exercise?
But it will need skill and sensitivity, with an emphasis on listening, hearing, and reading. Remember that many rejected the Ordination of women, folk who genuinely believed that that was a Red Line. Such an exercise would require some personal research time. We would need to distinguish between God’s will on the one hand, and ‘but the Church has always done it this way’, on the other. What distinguishes us from all the other denominations in our city? An ability to compromise must go hand-in-hand with certainty about who we are. We need to discern the difference between these two virtues. Let us hear your thoughts.
