Central Churchmanship
Encyclopedia
Central Churchmanship describes those who adhere to the middle way in the Church of England
, being neither High Church
nor Low Church
in their liturgical preferences.
The term came into use in the late nineteenth century when traditional High Churchmen decided to distance themselves from Anglo-Catholicism
and Ritualism. Central Churchmen value both the official liturgies of the Church of England
, which they clothe in a moderate amount of ceremonial and a characteristically Anglican way of doing theology that is rooted in the Bible, and the Councils and Creeds of the Early Church, whilst acknowledging the contribution made by the English Reformation. In their theological thinking they steer a middle course between the Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical parties, both of which are perceived as being extreme by Central Churchmen.
Perhaps the best known exponent of the Central Churchman position in the twentieth century was Geoffrey Francis Fisher Archishop of Canterbury 1945-61. Many other well-known English bishops, including Robert Stopford
, Henry Campbell
, and Mervyn Haigh also favoured a Central Churchmanship approach, as a way of defusing tensions within their dioceses, and as a way of promoting a "brand image" for the Church of England.
Since the 1970s Central Churchmanship as a distinct school of thought and practice within the Church of England has been in decline. This is mainly due to the closure or merger of some Theological Colleges that used to favour the Central position - namely, Wells, Lincoln, and Tenbury Wells - and a drift towards Liberalism, or Affirming Catholicism
in others. However, Central Churchmanship remains the mainstay of the Church of England.
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, being neither High Church
High church
The term "High Church" refers to beliefs and practices of ecclesiology, liturgy and theology, generally with an emphasis on formality, and resistance to "modernization." Although used in connection with various Christian traditions, the term has traditionally been principally associated with the...
nor Low Church
Low church
Low church is a term of distinction in the Church of England or other Anglican churches initially designed to be pejorative. During the series of doctrinal and ecclesiastic challenges to the established church in the 16th and 17th centuries, commentators and others began to refer to those groups...
in their liturgical preferences.
The term came into use in the late nineteenth century when traditional High Churchmen decided to distance themselves from Anglo-Catholicism
Anglo-Catholicism
The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism describe people, beliefs and practices within Anglicanism that affirm the Catholic, rather than Protestant, heritage and identity of the Anglican churches....
and Ritualism. Central Churchmen value both the official liturgies of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, which they clothe in a moderate amount of ceremonial and a characteristically Anglican way of doing theology that is rooted in the Bible, and the Councils and Creeds of the Early Church, whilst acknowledging the contribution made by the English Reformation. In their theological thinking they steer a middle course between the Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical parties, both of which are perceived as being extreme by Central Churchmen.
Perhaps the best known exponent of the Central Churchman position in the twentieth century was Geoffrey Francis Fisher Archishop of Canterbury 1945-61. Many other well-known English bishops, including Robert Stopford
Robert Stopford
Robert Wright Stopford KCVO CBE PC was a British clergyman.-Early life and career:He was born in Garston, Liverpool and educated at Coatham School in Redcar and Liverpool College, where he was Head of House . He continued his education at Hertford College, Oxford, where he graduated with a Master...
, Henry Campbell
Henry Campbell
Henry Colville Montgomery Campbell MC KCVO PC was a Church of England clergyman and Bishop of London from 1956–1961.-Early life and career:...
, and Mervyn Haigh also favoured a Central Churchmanship approach, as a way of defusing tensions within their dioceses, and as a way of promoting a "brand image" for the Church of England.
Since the 1970s Central Churchmanship as a distinct school of thought and practice within the Church of England has been in decline. This is mainly due to the closure or merger of some Theological Colleges that used to favour the Central position - namely, Wells, Lincoln, and Tenbury Wells - and a drift towards Liberalism, or Affirming Catholicism
Affirming Catholicism
Affirming Catholicism is a movement operating in several provinces of the Anglican Communion, most notably in the UK, Ireland, the United States and Canada...
in others. However, Central Churchmanship remains the mainstay of the Church of England.