Some of you have asked me about the recent appointment of Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury and the impact of this appointment on the worldwide Anglican church.
In her role as Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally was heavily involved in the process to allow prayers of blessings in the Church of England for couples in same-sex civil unions. This was a lamentable departure from the clear teaching of Scripture that marriage is the union of a man and a woman, and that any sexual activity outside the context of marriage is sin. The majority of Christendom, including the majority of global Anglicans (which includes the Anglican Church of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui), resists such a change and continues to hold to the Bible’s teaching on marriage. In contrast, the Church of England authorized the blessing of sin and declared that sin is no longer sin.
When these prayers of blessing were introduced in the Church of England two years ago, I noted the two-fold impact on the church.
First, it does damage to the mission of the church. Holding to the truth of Scripture is intimately associated with the mission of the church. Jesus prayed for his disciples that they would hold to the truth of his word, being sanctified in that truth, so that the world would know the Father (John 17:17-23). Our faithfulness to the truth of God’s word binds us in unity and directs us towards mission. When we waver on the truth of Scripture we do damage to the mission of the church.
Secondly, it devalued faithful discipleship. In following Jesus, we’re called to put aside sin and self in order to live in response to what Jesus has done for us. This includes living according to the Bible’s teaching on marriage and sexuality. The Church of England’s decision devalued the obedience of many by communicating that sex outside of marriage is not sinful but something for which they can receive blessing.
churches are to be communities centred on God’s word
Archbishop Sarah Mullally’s appointment continues the revisionist trajectory in the Church of England. GAFCON, a movement representing the majority of the world’s Anglicans, quickly declared a reordering of the Anglican Communion. This includes a rejection of the “so-called instruments of Communion”, declaring an end to the primacy of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Instead, the Bible “translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense” is the only foundation of true communion.
So, what’s the way forward?
First, we need to remember that churches are to be communities centred on God’s word, built on the foundation of Jesus, seeking to declare his gospel to the world. We need to work hard at being safe and welcoming communities. All of us are sinners in need of forgiveness and grace, called to find our identity in Jesus, walking in obedience to him.
Second, we need to pray for the faithful witness of the church. Pray for Archbishop Mullally, all bishops, and ministers that they would hold fast to sound doctrine and be ruled by God’s unchanging word in this changeable world.
We acknowledge that these issues raise real questions and concerns. If you’d like to speak to someone, please reach out to the pastoral staff.
