The Falls Church (Anglican)
The Falls Church (Anglican) | |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Denomination | Anglican Church in North America |
Website | http://www.tfcanglican.org |
Administration | |
Diocese | Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic |
Clergy | |
Rector | John W. Yates II |
The Falls Church (Anglican) is an Anglican parish in the city of Falls Church, Virginia near Washington, D.C.. In 2006, the congregation of The Falls Church divided over the question of whether or not to leave the Episcopal Church, effectively creating two congregations: The Falls Church (Anglican) and The Falls Church (Episcopal).
Following years of conflict within the Episcopal Church over issues surrounding Biblical authority and interpretation (including issues such as human sexuality, the role of men and women in ordained ministry, and liturgical reform) several congregations within the Episcopal Church discerned that the only way for them to remain faithful was to "walk apart" from the Episcopal Church, yet remain in communion with other Anglican Churches. The Falls Church was one of these congregations. In December 2006, a substantial majority of the congregation of the Falls Church voted to disaffiliate from the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a missionary effort headed by Martyn Minns, former Rector of Truro Church, and sponsored by the Church of Nigeria, a member of Anglican Church in North America.[1] In 2013, the Falls Church (Anglican) affiliated directly with the Anglican Church in North America.
History
Separation from the Episcopal Church
The decision by the Falls Church (Anglican) to break away from the Episcopal Church stemmed from increasing dissatisfaction within the majority of the congregation over the direction being taken by the Episcopal Church. Several episodes contributed to the widening split, including the failure of the 2006 Episcopal convention to "confirm Christ as Lord" and the consecration of Gene Robinson, a partnered gay man, as Bishop of New Hampshire. In the view of many congregants, the Episcopal Church by these actions had violated its own constitution. These congregants concluded that to stay true to their traditional beliefs, they must separate.[2] A vote was taken and 90% of the parishioners decided to leave the Episcopal Church to join the breakaway Convocation of Anglicans in North America, and 96% voted to hold on the property currently used.[3]
Following a lengthy court dispute around the property, ended in 2012, the Episcopal congregation was awarded ownership of the church property, and the Anglican congregation parish of 4000 people had to move to nearby rented locations.[4] In June 2015 the Falls Church Anglican purchased land near the original church, with the intention of building a new church in the next years.[5] The purchase will cost the parishioners $54 million ($31M for the acquisition and an additional $23M for new construction).[5]
Since the 2006 split from the Episcopalian church, the Falls Church Anglican has been able to expand, by being able to fund and staff three more independent “daughter†Anglican churches: the Christ Church in Vienna, the Restoration Anglican, Arlington in Alexandria, and Winchester Anglican in Winchester.[4]
Beliefs
The Falls Church (Anglican) affirms a belief in historic Christianity as revealed in the Scriptures and summarized in the three Creeds (the Apostles', the Nicene and the Athanasian) and the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, as found in the Book of Common Prayer. Further, according to their website, they recognize the need for reaffirming the following beliefs:[6]
The Holy Trinity. The one God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and has so revealed Himself to us in Scripture.
The Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ, God incarnate and fully human, is, by reason of His birth of the Virgin Mary, sinless life, atoning death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension and triumphant reign, the only Mediator between God and man.
The Holy Scriptures. The canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are trustworthy as "God’s Word written," sufficiently teach God’s will for His world, and have supreme authority for faith, life, and the continuous renewal and reform of the Church. They are inspired, infallible, and "contain all things necessary for salvation."
Justification and Sanctification. Repenting and believing sinners are (i) justified through faith alone by God’s gracious act of declaring us righteous on the ground of the reconciling death of Christ, who suffered in our place and rose again for us; and (ii) sanctified by the gracious, continuing activity of the Holy Spirit who perfects our repentance, nurtures the new life implanted within us, transforms us into Christ’s image, and enables us to do good works in the world.
The Christian Church. The Church is the Body of Christ. Its members belong to Christ's new humanity and are called and sent to live in the world in the power of the Spirit, worshipping God, confessing His truth, proclaiming the Good News of Christ, supporting one another in love, and giving themselves in sacrificial service to others, especially those in need. Its great mission is to make disciples of all nations and peoples.
Spiritual Gifts and Ministry. All Christians are called to exercise their God-given gifts to work, witness and suffer for Christ. The particular call of ordained ministers is to preach, teach and provide leadership and pastoral care to equip God's people for His service and present them mature in Christ.
The Gospel Sacraments. The sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace given to us and ordained by Christ himself as means by which we receive such grace and pledges to assure us of it.
The Return of Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ will personally return in glory at the end of this age for the resurrection of the dead, some to life and some to condemnation, for the glorification of His Church and for the renewal of the whole Creation.
Contemporary Implications of the Gospel
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ. While religions and philosophies of the world are not without elements of the truth, Jesus Christ alone is the full revelation of God, who through the Gospel judges and corrects all views and doctrines. All persons everywhere need to learn of Him, come to know and believe in Him, and receive forgiveness and new life in Him as there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.
Church and Society. Biblical social commandments and Christian ethical principles are foundational to the well-being of every society. Recognizing the call of Christians to be faithful witnesses and a challenging presence in society, we are committed to seek ways to express these commandments and principles in all spheres of life, including the public life of the nation.
Sanctity of Life. All human life is a sacred gift from God and is to be protected and defended from conception to natural death. We will uphold the sanctity of life and bring the grace and compassion of Christ to those who face the realities of previous abortion, unwanted pregnancy and end-of-life illness.
Fellowship. In grateful response to Christ Jesus, in whom there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, we will extend the welcome of the church to every man, woman and child regardless of race, social or economic status, sexual history or past behavior. We will oppose prejudice in ourselves and others and recognize that all have sinned and need to repent.
Marriage, Family, and the Single Life. God has instituted marriage to be a lifelong union of husband and wife, intended for their mutual joy, help and comfort; for the procreation and nurture of godly children; and for the blessing of society. Divorce is always contrary to God’s original intention, though in a fallen world it is sometimes an all-too-frequent and tragic reality. The roles of father and mother, exercised in a variety of ways, are God-given and profoundly important since they are the chief providers of moral instruction and godly living. The single life, either by call or circumstance, is honored by God. It is therefore important for unmarried persons to embrace and be embraced by the Christian family.
Human Sexuality. Sexuality is inherent in God’s creation of human beings in his image as male and female. All Christians are called to chastity: husbands and wives by exclusive sexual fidelity to one another, and single persons by abstinence from sexual activity. God intends and enables all people to live within these boundaries, with the help and in the fellowship of the Church.
References
- ↑ Ross Lindsay (August 2011). Out of Africa: The Breakaway Anglican Churches. Xulon Press. pp. 85–86. ISBN 978-1-61379-606-1. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
- ↑ Constant, Alicia (May 24, 2012). "The Costly Faithfulness of The Falls Church". The Gospel coalition. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ↑ Ekklesia.UK (18 Dec 2006). "Two US Episcopal congregations opt for anti-gay Nigerian oversight". Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- 1 2 "Congregation of The Falls Church must begin again". The Washington Post. May 11, 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- 1 2 "Expelled from Historic Falls Church, Anglican Defectors Buy New Site". FCNP. June 18, 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ↑ Beliefs according to The Falls Church Anglican Website