Based on his consultancy experience with churches and dioceses over the last three years and further research on the causes of church growth, Bob Jackson's new book shows how the Church at parish, diocesan and national level can overturn its old cycle of decline and begin a new cycle of growth. At its heart this book is about how local churches can thrive and grow in the early twenty-first century. Part 1 outlines the current context, offering a sharp analysis behind the reasons for church growth and decline. Part 2 describes churches which are already experiencing growth both in numerical and ministry strength. It looks at lessons learnt and what is at the heart of a resurgent, thriving Church. Parts 3 and 4 set out workable strategies and unpacks ways in which human and financial resources can be deployed to support and sustain the growth of the local church. This is not about glib, short-term solutions promising quick results. The goal of this book is to help transform fragile signs of hope for the Church into a solid road to growth.

English author and philosopher, Bishop Thomas Burgess lived from 1756 to 1837. His early career was concerned with advocating for the emancipation of slaves and evangelistic work among the poor. In 1803, he was appointed Bishop of St David's where he remained for the next twenty years, and in that position he founded and liberally endowed St. David's College, now the University of Wales, Lampeter. This book gathers together essays that use Bishop Burgess' life as a starting point to uncover the links between the academic, religious and social cultures of Britain, Europe and North America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The essays in the volume comprise papers read at two conferences in 2003 and the St David's Day lecture delivered at Lampeter in 2004.

First published in 1938, this book presents a selection from the papers of Nicholas Ferrar (1592-1637), intended to provide a detailed illustration of 'the life and work of a saint of the Church of England'. The text keeps as much as possible to the spelling and punctuation of the original manuscripts and editorial notes are kept to a minimum. Illustrative figures and an introduction are included, together with a bibliography and genealogy. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the writings of Ferrar, Anglicanism and British history.

Anglicanism arguably originated in 1534 when Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, which transferred papal power over the Church of England to the king. Today, approximately 550 dioceses are located around the world, not only in England, but also everywhere that the British Empire's area of influence extended. With a membership estimated at around 80 million members the Anglican Communion is the third largest Christian communion in the world This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Anglicanism covers the history of Anglicanism through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, concepts and institutions, rituals and liturgy, events and national communities. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Anglicanism.

Christopher Craig Brittain offers a wide-ranging examination of specific events within The Episcopal Church (TEC) by drawing upon an analysis of theological debates within the church, field interviews in church congregations, and sociological literature on church conflict. The discussion demonstrates that interpretations describing the situation in TEC as a culture war between liberals and conservatives are deeply flawed. Moreover, the book shows that the splits that are occurring within the national church are not so much schisms in the technical sociological sense, but are more accurately described as a familial divorce, with all the ongoing messy entwinement that this term evokes. The interpretation of the dispute offered by the book also counters prominent accounts offered by leaders within The Episcopal Church. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts-Schori, has portrayed some opponents of her theological positions and her approach to ethical issues as being 'fundamentalist', while other 'Progressives' liken their opponents to the Tea Party movement.

A primer or refresher on the sacrament of Baptism for new parents, new members, and godparents. This book is about preparing for Christian baptism in the Episcopal Church. While we may hear people say, "I was baptized a Methodist," or "I was baptized Catholic, or "I was baptized Episcopalian," people are not baptized into a denomination; they are baptized into the Christian faith. While various Christian denominations differ both their theology of baptism as it is understood and practiced in the Episcopal Church following the rite found in the Book of Common Prayer 1979. "This short book is full of helpful information, solid history, sound theology, and thoughtful reflection. It is the perfect book to give to adults or to parents of young children seeking baptism through the Episcopal Church. I am happy that I will be able to offer this book to my students for their future use when guiding baptismal candidates. A truly welcome resource."-The Reverend Dr. Nathan Jennings, associate professor of liturgics and Anglican studies, Seminary of the Southwest

This report is the result of a study and consultation of the House of Bishops, asking how firmly grounded is the Church of England's inherited tradition that the person who presides at the Eucharist must be an ordained priest. It discusses the ministry of the whole people of God, the distinctive ministry of the ordained, the place of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, and the role of the person who presides at it.

Originally published in 1934, this book contains the text of two lectures delivered that year on the subject of unity in the Anglican Church by the Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, James Bethune-Baker. The third section of the book is given over to explaining certain recent divisive developments in Anglicanism, including attitudes to evolution and the literal truth of the Bible, which necessitated these lectures. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Anglican theology.

Charles Gore (1853-1932) is a towering figure in Anglicanism. His independence of mind and prophetic spirit model a way of doing theology with rigour of thought, clarity, deep devotion and practical pastoral concern. An influential leader in the Anglo-Catholic movement, his writings and lectures on the incarnation, the doctrine of God, revelation, faith and reason, the nature of the church and sacraments, ecumenism, authority and biblical inspiration, shaped theological discussion for decades. Today, they still offer a comprehensive vision of the Christian faith in dialogue with modern thought, and provide a platform for exploring key contemporary issues in social and economic justice. The first Bishop of Birmingham, he founded the Community of the Resurrection (now at Mirfield) and actively supported the emerging trade union movement. His writings on the responsibilities of employers have a biting relevance today. This collection of his writings draws on his published and unpublished works, letters and archive material held at Mirfield.

Originally published in 1940, this book contains the text of the Birkbeck Lectures for 1937-8. Smyth assesses the contributions that Cambridge cleric Charles Simeon made to the Evangelical Revival in Cambridge in the eighteenth century, and includes correspondence between Simeon and other evangelical thinkers of the day among his sources. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in religion in Georgian England and the Evangelical Revival.

Originally published in 1902, this book contains the edited text of two biographies of William Bedell, Bishop of Kilmore, who was martyred for his Anglican faith during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. One biography in the collection was written by Bedell's son, and the other by the Rev. Alexander Clogie, a Scottish clergyman who was imprisoned with Bedell. Also included in the volume is a meditation by Bedell on the efficiency of grace, as well as several of his letters and extracts from State Papers that contain mentions of him. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in seventeenth-century religion and the life of Bedell.

Contains all the advice, guidance and resources a church needs to discuss admitting children to Holy Communion before confirmation Includes a ready-to-use preparation course for the whole family Also includes answers to the most common objections from parishes and an outline admission service Authors have many years' experience of advising and resourcing parishes on this issue

In periods of recession, churches frequently respond to social need in practical ways. These responses are often driven by pastoral concern rather than a theology of church and society. But without theological roots, such social action can be vulnerable and episodic. This volume, commissioned by a group of Bishops in hard-hit dioceses, looks to develop strong theological foundations for local social action initiatives by churches, especially for activists who are not familiar with the Church of England's tradition of social theology, developed by William Temple and others a century ago. In exploring what a renewed Anglican social theology might look like, this also draws on the impact of Catholic Social Teaching and focuses on the core topics of multiculturalism, economics, family patterns, ecology and other key issues.

Is the Church of England in terminal decline, as some have forecast, or does it have a vigorous future? Reports of dwindling congregations, and waning influence, contrast with stories of motivated leadership, and solid growth. The Church Times decided it was time to give the C of E a thorough medical. Thirty-five specialists, including academics, researchers, parish priests, missioners and commentators, were asked to take the Church's temperature. They looked at its congregations, leadership, governance and social influence. And then they were invited to prescribe some remedies. Not everyone agreed, either about what is wrong or what needs to be done, but a serious, and alarming consensus has emerged - the patient does needs treatment, and it needs it urgently.

Anglican Church School Education explores the contribution of church schools and considers how they might contribute to education in the future to allow for a better standard of understanding of church schools. Drawing together some of the leading writers and thinkers in church school education, this volume is divided into five parts: The Historical StoryCurrent Policy and Philosophy Reflection on Current Practice Instrumental in Shaping the Future Reflections and Recommendations This unique collection celebrates past achievements and informs the future engagement of the Church in education.

Part of One Church offers a classical understanding of the Church of England's identity and its place as part of the 'One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church'. Though not opposed in principle to women's ordination to the priesthood, Roger Greenacre articulates with creative courtesy the ecclesiological reasons why so many cannot accept its implementation in the Church of England when it lacks the consent of the wider Church. In doing so he addresses issues that remain topical and significant. Roger's frame of reference is wide: his thinking and writing are deeply enriched by the Anglican tradition and his hope is that its distinctive heritage might be brought into communion with the Church Catholic.

This short history of Christianity in England since the close of the Middle Ages was first published for the Religious Book Club in 1953* It was immediately welcomed. The Church Times called it 'a miracle of accomplished comprehension', and the (Manchester) Guardian 'quite extraordinarily good'. The Times Educational Supplement commented on its 'abounding momentum and not a single dull page'. The author has now revised the book for this cheap edition, and an Epilogue continues the story of the English churches down to 1960.

Open the ancient door of an old church, says Ronald Blythe, and framed in the silence is a house of words where everything has been said: centuries of birth, marriage and death words, gossip, poetry, philosophy, rant, eloquence, learning, nonsense, the language of hymn writers and Bible translators - all of it spoken in one place. This work contains words spoken by Ronald Blythe in the churches he serves as a Reader in the Church of England, and as the local writer expected to add his own distinctive voice. Originating as addresses given at Matins or Evensong, they follow various paths into old and new liturgies, literature and the local countryside. They bring together the author's delight in language, his recollections of farming, his recognition of friends and neighbours, and the hopes he has found in faith.

First published in 1992, this book examines the intellectual confrontation between priest and Freethinker from 1660 to 1730, and the origins of the early phase of the Enlightenment in England. Through an analysis of the practice of historical writing in the period, Champion maintains that historical argument was a central component for displaying defences of true religion. Taking religion, and specifically defences of the Church of England after 1660, as central to the politics of the period, the first two chapters of the book explore the varieties of clericalist histories, arguing that there were rival emphases upon regnum or sacerdos as the font of true religion. The remainder of the book examines how radical Freethinkers like John Toland or the third Earl of Shaftesbury set about attacking the corrupt priestcraft of established religion, but also importantly promoted a reforming civil theology.

Originally published in 1906, this book presents an attempt 'to ascertain the office and position of certain Bishops in the Provincial Chapter of Canterbury, and likewise to trace the history of the Precedence of certain English Prelates'. Extensive notes and an appendices section are incorporated within the text. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the Anglican Church and the history of Christianity.

Originally published in 1932, this book contains Alexander Nairne's essay on the role of the Old Testament in the Church of England, with a suggested structure for a course of instruction for the faithful in the Testament's historical and theological context. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the use of the Hebrew Bible in Christianity.

This original and persuasive book examines the moral and religious revival led by the Church of England before and after the Glorious Revolution, and shows how that revival laid the groundwork for a burgeoning civil society in Britain. After outlining the Church of England's key role in the increase of voluntary, charitable, and religious societies, Brent Sirota examines how these groups drove the modernization of Britain through such activities as settling immigrants throughout the empire, founding charity schools, distributing devotional literature, and evangelizing and educating merchants, seamen, and slaves throughout the British empire-all leading to what has been termed the "age of benevolence."

Originally published in 1943, the aim of this concise book was 'to consider generally the theological principles involved in the relation of the Anglican Communion to non-episcopal churches, making clear the relevance of these principles to the issues raised in South India'. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the Anglican Communion and India.

This essay by C. H. Smyth won the Thirlwall and Gladstone Prize, awarded by the History Faculty in the University of Cambridge, in 1925 and was first published in the following year. The text looks in depth at the English Reformation under Edward VI, which was almost unique in the fact that it was primarily concerned with social and domestic considerations, rather than foreign policy, and emphasises the role of foreign figures such as Martin Bucer in working with Archbishop Cranmer to create an intellectually rigorous form of Anglicanism. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the English Reformation and Protestantism in England.