Adapting, Relating
Anglican Church no longer as staid as it used to be: Primate
By Stuart McKinnon
The Guardian Express
21 June 2005
The new Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft says traditional churches have much to learn from the growing Christian charismatic movement
The 56-year-old, who replaces outspoken liberal Archbishop Peter Carnley, has been careful not to compare or contrast his style with that of his predecessor, but agreed the church needed to adapt to relate to people living in a variety of circumstances.
While the Anglican and Catholic churches have struggled for relevance in contemporary society and church attendance has dwindled, modern charismatic churches -- often operating from industrial-style buildings in the suburbs -- are attracting record numbers.
The growing popularity and influence of the movement was highlighted when Treasurer Peter Costello accepted an invitation to speak at Sydney's Hillsong Church on the campaign trail for last year's Federal election.
The Most Rev Herft said the growing popularity of charismatic churches revealed people's need for intimacy and individualism.
"It reflects the fact that people are strongly moved by feelings, rather than concepts," he said.
"I think there are several ways we can learn from the contemporary church in how we communicate the eternal truths of the gospel."
The Archbishop said the Anglican Church had already undergone huge changes to make worship services more relevant to contemporary society such as adopting modern music.
"It's not all as said as it used to be," he said.
On the question of moving Sunday services to other days to make them more accessible and convenient to people, the Archbishop said the church needed to consider all options to communicate the gospel.
"Sundays will always remain the most significant display of Christ's resurrection for Christians," he said. "But how does it relate to people during the week?"
However, he said the church already offered Bible studies and worship opportunities at other times of the week besides Sundays.
The Archbishop said a significant number of people still claimed adherence to Christianity despite falling church attendances.
"In some places the church has a home-ground advantage, but we need to be adaptable in the places and times that we are playing away matches," he said.
The Archbishop was born and educated in Sri Lanka. He has moved to Perth from Newcastle where he was bishop for 13 years.
He said he was in awe of the Perth community for choosing someone of his background. It reflected a deep yearning to embrace difference, he said.
The Archbishop has been an outspoken supporter of allowing women to become priests and hold positions of leadership in the church. "I'm committed for women to take up fully their opportunities for leadership in the church, not because of any social movement but because I believe it's a gospel imperative," he said.
On the controversial question of same-sex marriages and gay and lesbian priests, he said the church needed to examine the far more central question of where the integrity of a human being lies.
"Any relationship that is abusive or exploitative should be negated but same-sex relationships can have integrity, be healthy and wholesome," he said.
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