“In 1833, the historian Thomas Arnold declared: “The Church of England as it now stands no human power can save.”
Yet that same year John Keble’s Assize Sermon in Oxford launched what became known as the Oxford Movement. It reminded the church of its true identity as not merely a religious organisation but the mystical, apostolic Body of Christ. From this rediscovery flowed new life in worship, theology and mission. Lay people were called into social action, beauty was restored to neglected places of prayer, and the church rediscovered its calling to embody holiness in public as well as private life. Out of crisis came growth.”
The above words were written by Bishop Michael Marshall in the Credo column of The Times on Saturday 18th October 2025, a few days ago. It is an article full of hope and yet also reality, and well worth reading if you can.
For two thousand years, give or take, the Church has lurched from crisis to renewal to crisis. We may try to look back at some mythical time of peace and prosperity and clarity, but that would be utterly delusional. Bitter battles over theology have raged for centuries; the key differences now in the Church of England are that we have 24/7 media, we cannot assume any kind of Christian faith (or sympathy) in the majority of the population, and we’re not likely to be arrested or put to death for believing the “wrong” things.
Gen Z have seen the impact of non-belief on their parents – the emptiness, the addiction, the ecological and economic decline and spiral. They may not be religious, but they understand the value of and need for the spiritual. They are returning to faith and church, seeking Jesus, seeking God. I sometimes wonder if Gen X and the Millennials are the most godless generations of the past two millennia – including the Enlightenment.
In 1833, the Church of England seemed moribund. Now, certain factions seem intent on tearing it to pieces, in the name of purity and faithfulness. It would be funny, if it were not so hideously painful. People in the pews, and clergy throughout the Church are weeping at the actions of a noisy and opinionated minority in General Synod, who are threatening the Church with legal obstacles and ultimately the withdrawal of money.
I suppose my response is twofold: the Church belongs to God, and God will do what He will do. The Church has survived many schisms and battles in the past, and we must pray and stay faithful, living out our faith each and every day, loving those around us.
Which leads me to my second response: Jesus was found among the ordinary people, not the powerful, important, and opinionated. Jesus touched the excluded with compassion, and brought them in, telling them of God’s love for them as they are. In Jesus God came to be with us, to be one of us, to love us, to teach us how to love and accept and include and be compassionate, even as he is. And he had short shrift for those who used religious rules and teachings to hurt, exclude, or cripple others.
What kind of church do you believe in? The people who believe in a narrow church are taking action publicly and in synods to keep it narrow. Those of us who believe in a church of love and inclusivity need to take action too, to ensure that Jesus’ message of inclusive love is not drowned out in all the noise and news of exclusion and “not good enough”.
Revd. Talisker