Could you bring people together?

For some the last General Synod meant that they simply crashed out of the Church of England.

For others it has created a crisis such as they have never faced before.

Still others feel that they have got to at least form a contingency plan.

And some are deeply concerned but do not feel it is the time for decisive action.

Whether crashed out, in crisis, contingency planning or concerned each faces a range of options many of which appear undesirable, unsustainable, or too risk laden. Alternatively, what might suggest itself seems insufficient, irresponsible, or too mild. But whatever the case most want to do something purposeful.

This blog suggests one step that perhaps might be taken in most of those varied situations: become a “rallying point”.

In short, become someone around whom the like-minded can coalesce. Anyone who understands the range of present feeling can stand as the centre of a new little network.

Such a person can use private and existing contacts, social media, letters to the secular or Christian media, even local publicity (notices in libraries, shops and the like) to let it be known that they exist, which can itself call people from the vicinity together.

Becoming a rallying-point might be as simple as emailing Anglican Futures and letting us know of a willingness for your existence and details, to be shared privately, with those who want 'to be rallied' in a particular part of the country.

There are of course Diocesan Evangelical Fellowships and the like which serve an important purpose but being a rallying point is something less formal and something anyone can do, just where they are. These are informal arrangements, that allow lay people and clergy to meet in whatever way suits them.

Such new acquaintances may pray and provide support for each other; they might consider their options together; or agree some combined action. In due course, they may form the nucleus (or more!) of a new more substantial fellowship of some type. Such coalitions might be online or in person or just in a Whatsapp or Signal group.

There is no need to be steeped in knowledge or have all the answers - perhaps the most important thing that the presently embattled need is just to know that they are not alone. They need someone willing, however informally or timidly, to be a catalyst.

So, what might it take this weekend, sometime next week or the week after, in a church hall, on zoom, in a coffee shop, via a Signal group, at home or a pub to unite the brothers and sisters who have crashed out, are in crisis, contingency planning or just concerned? It takes just one thing- the person prepared, however quietly, to stick their head above the parapet and becoming the rallying point.

Such humble societies, small meetings and bands of two or three might seem a pusillanimous response to the Church of England’s abandonment of the faith but tell that to John Wesley!

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