Anglicanism

This focused concentration and celebration of Anglican life could not be more timely. Debates on sexuality and gender (including women bishops), whether or not the church has a Covenant, or can be a Communion, and how it is ultimately led, are issues that have dominated the ecclesial horizon for several decades. No book on Anglicanism can ever claim to have all the answers to all the questions. However, Martyn Percy’s work does offer significant new insights and illumination - highlighting just how rich and reflexive the Anglican tradition can be in living and proclaiming the gospel of Christ. These essays provide some sharply-focused snapshots of contemporary Anglicanism, and cover many of the crucial issues affecting Anglicans today, such as the nature of mission and ministry, theological training and formation, and ecclesial identity and leadership. Church culture is often prey to contemporary fads and fashion. Percy’s work calls Anglicanism to deeper discipleship; to attend to its roots, identity and shape; and to inhabit the world with a faith rooted in commitment, confidence and Christ. Contents: Introduction: contexts, challenges and the Church; Part I Confidence in Formation: A flight of starlings: Cuddesdon and the forming of Anglicanism; Sacred sagacity: formation and training for ministry; Yeast and salt: ministerial formation for rural contexts; Pitching tents: formational sketches on sacred space. Part II Commitment and Mission: Many rooms in My Father’s house: the parish church; Mind the gap: mission, youth and generational change; Opportunity knocks: Church, nationhood and establishment; Old tricks for new dogs: a critique of fresh expressions. Part III Communion and Polity: Herding cats: leadership in the Church of England; Context and catholicity: and Anglo-American dilemma?; Know surrender: from Ulster to Windsor; After Lambeth: plotting the future; Conclusion: the nature of the body and the blessing of leadership; Bibliography; Index.