The three-yearly meeting considered a lot of controversial and important issues. The General Synod ruled out the consecration of women bishops and homosexual clergy last week, which has further divided the Anglican Church. The meeting could prove to be one of the most divisive general synods in the history of the Australian Church.
In addition, the Archbishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen has highlighted the need to reform the Church in the midst of changing religious face in Australia. Archbishop Peter Jensen told the 235 delegates on the General Synod this was the most important issue before them, “Without radical reform, in 20 years the Anglican Church in Australia might be just a British experiment that failed.”
Going back in history, Christianity was likely to have been greatly transported to the Roman colony of Britain by soldiers and traders who shared their faith with the local inhabitants. The Anglican Church in Australia has therefore inherited the rich social and religious heritage of Britain. Until the World War II ended in 1945, the Church of England remained the most flourished denomination in Australia. Its position was however overtaken by the Roman Catholic Church in 1986.
Researcher Wayne Brighton said the Anglican pond was shrinking, and the Church was now third in attendance, behind the Catholic and Pentecostal churches.
“Although comparatively few churches have closed, many of our communities have just got older and smaller. Churches that 20 years ago had no teens, now have no one in their 30s or 40s either,” the synod reported.
In order to breakthrough the current crisis, Archbishop of Sydney Peter Jensen emphasised that Anglicans had to address the real Australia, which was multi-cultural.
“Australia is one of the hardest missionary fields in the world. We have to touch non-Anglos, otherwise we will be a British experiment that failed.”
The Anglican Church of Australia will now become the second which is urging the Anglican Communion for a radical reformation, after its British counterpart - the Church of England introduced the “Mission-shaped Church” report earlier this year.
The “Mission-shaped Church” report suggested a “fresh expression of the church” that “lives with variety so that everyone grows together in faith and in eagerness to learn about and spread the Good News.”
Similarly, the Synod in Australia agreed to make mission a top priority and to promote alternative-style congregations. Archbishop Jensen proposed Tuesday night gatherings in pubs, cafes and among niche groups where people could come to seek Christ. The Sydney diocese has expressed its desire to set them up all over the city.
Bendigo Bishop Andrew Curnow told the synod that no area, rural or city, was spared the decline in Christianity.
“We have to try anything that will work…Our existing churches are not answering the needs of the vast numbers of people in this country,” Bishop Curnow said.