The diversity of the Anglican Communion is breathtaking. Indeed, it is probably the second-widest global fellowship of churches. It encompasses the Arctic, equatorial Africa, the emerging cities of Asia, and the secret Anglicans of Iran. In the Church of Nigeria there are as many dioceses as the strong diocese in the United States has parishes. How Anglicanism came to be in all these places is a story far too long for an essay. Amid such diversity and breadth, could one hope to find a single, common lesson about mission in the Anglican way? My answer is yes, because a shared string of DNA runs through most of it.
First, however, let me offer some general observations on Christian mission. The resurrected Jesus says to his disciples in what is called the Great Commission: “go into all the world, teaching and making disciples of all nations.” Jesus is Lord, and so this idea ought to be basic to a Christian church. But actually mission, by which I mean the spreading of the gospel, especially across cultures, has been sporadic. In the early centuries it was mostly accomplished by individuals, along trade routes or by the example of martyrdom.
Read Full Article »