Contemporary Anglicanism stands at a critical crossroads. What was once a Communion with a clear identity now suffers from deep doctrinal and spiritual fracture. The immediate causes are well known: since 2003, decisions such as the consecration of bishops in same-sex relationships and the blessing of same-sex unions have cast doubt on the authority of Scripture within several provinces. But beyond the symptoms, the real question remains: what governs our faith and practice? The revealed Word of God, or the shifting pressures of contemporary culture?
In response to this crisis, the essay Quo vadis, Anglicanism? identifies four types of reaction:
- Cultural accommodation, which reshapes doctrine to suit current trends, thereby losing its biblical foundation.
- Escape to other traditions, such as Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy, in search of doctrinal stability.
- Complacent denial, choosing to ignore the crisis and carry on as though nothing were wrong.
- Faithful renewal, the only hopeful path, calling for deep reformation grounded in Scripture, historic doctrine, and mission.
The call is clear: not to abandon Anglicanism, but to rediscover it in its most faithful form. To that end, five concrete steps are proposed:
1. Reaffirm the authority of Scripture
Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles teaches that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation. If this is true, then it must shape our preaching, ethics, pastoral decisions, and synodical discernment. As Paul taught, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). A renewed Church begins with an open and obeyed Bible.
History shows us that this return to the Word is not novel. In the sixteenth century, Thomas Cranmer understood that reformation must begin with Scripture. He did not merely translate it; he placed it at the heart of liturgy, prayer, and ecclesial life, as Peter Adam reminds us. Cranmer did not simply seek to evangelise a nation; he aimed to form a Church saturated with Scripture. Today, our challenge is not to evangelise England, but to re-evangelise Anglicanism. The principle remains the same.
2. Recover our doctrinal foundations
Anglicanism has been blessed with a deep theological heritage: the creeds, the Thirty-Nine Articles, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, and the Homilies. These are not relics of the past, but living sources of teaching. Restoring their use in catechesis, ministerial formation, and ecclesial life will help rebuild our lost identity. There is no faithfulness without doctrine, and no firm doctrine without confessional roots.
3. Revitalise biblical worship and prayer
Classic Anglican worship is not merely aesthetic but profoundly formative. Prayers such as “Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open…” or the confession that “there is no health in us” teach us repentance, faith, and humility. Our liturgies should reflect the theology of the Gospel, not the values of secularism. Recovering reverent worship, centred on the Word and the grace of Christ, is essential for the Church’s renewal.
4. Rekindle mission and evangelism
Doctrinal drift has distracted our energies from mission. Yet Anglicanism was born as an evangelistic movement. From Cranmer and Ridley to missionaries like Allen Gardiner, our history is marked by evangelistic zeal. Today, we must return to that passion: to make disciples, plant churches, and preach Christ crucified. When the Gospel is faithfully proclaimed, even in times of confusion, the Church flourishes.
5. Strengthen global communion
Division has led to new alignments. Provinces of the Global South—represented by GAFCON and the GSFA—are leading the way in biblical fidelity. Joining with them is not an act of division, but of walking in the truth. Regional synods, theological training partnerships, and pastoral support networks can help sustain a renewed Communion—not defined by Canterbury, but by Christ and his Word.
Conclusion: faithfulness and hope
This essay ends on a pastoral note: this crisis is not the end. Christ is still building his Church. The call is not to human success, but to faithfulness. Wherever a parish prays sincerely, wherever a preacher proclaims the Word, wherever a layperson lives out their faith with integrity—there, true Anglicanism is reborn. May our answer to Quo vadis? be clear: to return to the Bible, to sound doctrine, and to the mission of the Church. That is the only way forward.
Soli Deo Gloria.
A longer version of this essay is available. Click here to read it.
