Church Army: Risk Takers are Best for New Church Leadership

After the farewell service for the Archbishop of York Dr David Hope last Saturday, the preparation for a new appointment is now underway. The Archbishop of York, is the second most senior leader of the Church of England following the Archbishop of Canterbury. The new appointment, therefore, is a wide concern for members of the Church.

Church Army, part of the evangelical wing of the Church of England, has spoken about its expectations of the new Archbishop. As an advocator of the "Mission-shaped Church" report, the Chief Secretary of the Church Army Philip Johanson says an open-minded risk taker will be the best for the leadership of the Church.

Recently, Captain Philip Johanson wrote a series of major articles in the Church of England Newspaper evaluating whether the Church is up to the challenge of meeting the implications of Mission-shaped Church almost a year on from the report’s publication. According the Captain Johanson, the Mission-shaped Report is still far from making an impact on every dimension of church life.

"Without the money and leadership to make things happen it could be in danger of going the same way as the decade of Evangelism," he drew the conclusion, "It is time to be bold, risk taking and entrepreneurial and catch the spirit of what God is doing in the church and the world and join in by bringing resources and new friends to the party."

Looking forward to the next Archbishop of York, Captain Johanson said, "The future calls for clear visionary leadership." He urges those selecting the replacement for Dr David Hope should look beyond current diocesan bishops who are seen as "more of the same".

Captain Johanson mentioned that most of the trustees of the newly formed Foundation for Church Leadership are former or current servants of the church, he demanded the Foundation to consider to what extent they can think the impossible and think 'out of the box' for the future, otherwise they will not be able to meet the challenges and the opportunities ahead.

In addition, Captain Johanson has nominated three people for the post of Archbishop of York, namely the Bishop of Dorchester, Colin Fletcher; the Bishop of Jarrow, John Pritchard; and the Bishop of Maidstone, Graham Cray.

He said they all have recent proven experience of equipping people for mission, with experience of starting new churches and developing effective expressions of Christian community.

Bishop Fletcher, who was chaplain to the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has experience of theological education on the staff of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and leads cutting-edge ministries in the diocese of Oxford. He has demonstrated a willingness to take risks.

Bishop Pritchard is a former director of pastoral studies at Cranmer Hall, Durham, and assistant director of religious education in the diocese of Bath and Wells. He has extensive parish experience in Birmingham and Somerset.

Bishop Cray, who was principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, chaired the working group which produced the "Mission-shaped Church" report and is said to have a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities it faces.

"Mission-shaped Church" is a report drawn up by a working party included many evangelicals in the Church, addressing how the Church relates to networks, local communities and diversities of culture. It has been strongly supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury and bishops of dioceses.

Whilst at the release of the Church of England’s "Mission-shaped Church" report, there has been a gradual reformation undergoing among the churches in England. The rise of new Christian movements like 'Soul in the City', 'Newfrontiers', 'New Vine' across Britain has inspired many.