Unexpected unity part 2: The Gifts of Being Anglican
“All revivals are preceded by three features. Extraordinary prayer, unexpected unity... and heightened expectation.” Dr. Stuart Piggin, Australian Christian Historian.
In the spirit of unity, CATCH has reached out to several denominational leaders around Aotearoa to share with us what’s special about the place they call ‘home’. After beginning with Dr. Rev Malcolm Gordon, a Presbyterian Minister from Dunedin, we now hear from Anglican Priest Ana Fletcher, recently installed as the Assistant Bishop of Wellington.
I don’t believe in ecclesial superiority – but in the process of taking holy orders within the Anglican church, I have had to seriously wrestle with choosing a particular denomination. There are many things that I love about being Anglican, but here are three gifts I believe Anglicanism brings to God’s church and world.
It is global
One of the gifts that the Anglican church has to offer is that it is both local and global. It consists of a diverse global community that strives to work together in unity across huge difference, whilst finding expression in local contexts. As Anglicans, we have not always been successful in our endeavours - but this ideal of catholicity is so important in a fractious world where we are increasingly polarised. To be able to demonstrate that those who are different from one another can remain in relationship and hold integrity amongst differing viewpoints is a testament to the world that Christ is the head of the church. Part of the beauty of the Anglican Communion is that across the world the church finds contemporary local expression whilst inhabiting a tradition that connects back through the ages and throughout the globe. While it is hard and it is messy, there is richness in belonging to a worldwide movement and giving tangible expression to being part of the global church in all its God-given diversity.
It is local
The smallest of local contexts (a Parish) is geographically defined – and it speaks to what we believe about the church and its mission. The focus of the Parish is the flourishing of all within its bounds, not just those already within the boundaries of the church. Inherent to how we understand ourselves, is that we exist for the wellbeing of our community not for the sake of the church. This means that alongside a commitment to being present in every community, there is a commitment to connect deeply with the whenua and with the people of that place to foster its flourishing in every facet of life.
For the past six years, my whānau have been part of renewal within our local Parish in Whanganui. Our measure of “success” is not how many people have come in the doors of our churches, but how many lives have been impacted by the good news. Yes, we have been forming people in the way of Jesus – but this has come alongside developing deep friendships with neighbours, being involved in our schools and community groups, offering advocacy and safe spaces, responding to the climate crisis and partnering locally to respond to felt needs and systemic injustices. The Kingdom of God offers life in abundance – and we have the privilege of being ambassadors and advocates of that good news in our local communities.
It is liturgical
The pattern of each of our lives is a liturgy, whether we are able to articulate what it is or not. Our desires are shaped by the practices that we participate in; and what we desire affects what we love and how we love. At the heart of Anglicanism is an alternative liturgy for our lives that forms us around the person of Jesus Christ. Used well, the annual church calendar and its accompanying liturgy and lectionary recentres the rhythm of our lives around Jesus’ life, death and resurrection; causes us to wrestle with the entirety of scripture; regularly reminds us of what we believe and why; and offers us the opportunity for spiritual formation multiple times a day in both private devotion and corporate worship. Long before I would have considered myself Anglican, I was drawn to its liturgical practices. At the time I was part of a missional community with young adults: living and working in our local neighbourhood. Life was intense, marked by both incredible joy and crushing disappointment. The daily rhythms of prayer that bookended our day held space for us, redirected our focus to the God who makes all things new, and helped us to celebrate and lament well. We have never felt bound to using A New Zealand Prayer Book | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa as our only source of prayer, but it is a beautiful resource and a reminder that our habits around prayer are foundational to how we are being formed in the world. What constantly surprises me is how life-giving it is when people “discover” the ancient practice of daily prayers and I am reminded once again that this is how we are wired as human beings. That we need rhythms of life that hold and sustain us. What could be more important than habits that hold our relationship with the Divine and with one another?
These three offerings from the Anglican tradition are, I think, gifts for the whole church and opportunities for renewal of not just the church but all creation as we pray and work for God’s Kingdom to come in all its fullness.
Rt Rev. Ana Fletcher
Anashuya (Ana) is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up; but she's totally sold out on Jesus and serving His church and world. Alongside her husband Paul, she's helped kickstart missional communities, faith spaces, social enterprises and community services. They're companions of Urban Vision, and are part of the team behind Common Good Coffee. Ana has recently become the new Assistant Bishop of Wellington.
Ana and Paul are also parents to Ishmael and Eilidh who bring joy, curiosity and sleepless nights into their lives.