Expert: Rev Steve Parish - 12/18/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Steve, I am a member of the PCC for my local Anglican Church, I have gradually moved away from the fixed points of belief as espoused in the Creed. I am  best described as a devout sceptic- one intensely attracted by the ritual but not necessarily fully signed up to miracles, virgin birth etc. I am thinking of becoming a Quaker but still attending the church in order to serve the community, and for my children who love the Sunday School. I am also disturbed by the growing trend towards evangelical anglicanism as championed by our new curate with the full Kendrick songbook. That stuff makes me shiver. In short, should I confess to my doubts and resign from the PCC? What would you want if I was on your Council?

ANSWER: He that is not against me is with me.

If the church itself has not got an established evangelical tradition (which PCC members might be expected to uphold) then staying on the PCC may be tenable - but when you are up for election would people vote for you if they knew where you stand in terms of your faith?

I think I'd want to know which bits of the Creed you can still espouse.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It's not necessarily the contents of The Creed, although beautifully written, it's the fact that we say a Creed of which we don't necessarily believe in its entirety. How many Christians actually believe in, for instance, the Virgin Birth or the Ascension? We don't need Creeds. We should be free to believe as we please. Personally I think Jesus had the light of the Divine within Him more intensely and powerfully than the rest of humanity. I think his miracles were symbolic as parables and i think his resurrection was in the hearts of men rather than in physical form. That is perhaps why the witnesses did not recognise Him. I don't think my Vicar would agree and I'm sure the curate wouldn't. I was aghast at the last sermon that stated that only Christians would be admitted to Heaven- all others, no matter how holy, would be turned away. i cannot accept that. I wonder if he mentions that at ecumenical events that he so fervently believes in, of which i do too. There are many pathways.

Answer
I'm a bit surprised that you're aghast at the idea that only Christians would be admitted to Heaven. That's hardly novel teaching ("No-one comes to the Father but by me"). The Catholic Church has of course gone further and said that there is no salvation outside the Church (though as a dogma it's been fairly well compromised since Vatican Two). But does it matter? Does Heaven even exist? If you don't believe the Creed in its entirety, is it necessary to believe in any of it?

Plainly you are likely to be aghast quite often in an evangelical church and particularly with the new curate. There are liberal Anglican churches (though maybe not near you) sitting fairly loosely on the Creed, but it would be awkward for your children if you didn't attend where they're happy.

Your original question was not about moving churches but whether you should stay on the Church Council. If you decide to resign, you'd have to be prepared to say why (or ignore the question why). If your term of office expires, you don't have to stand again, with less need to explain. That does not really solve the underlying problem that you don't accept a lot of traditional Christian teaching, but there are plenty of people serving in churches who don't, and whether it's realistic to continue serving in that church may depend on how you (and its leaders) regard my opening remark from Jesus, "He that is not against me is with me" (if of course you think he really said it...).