Archbishop Rowan Admits Church Army Evangelists at Sheffield Cathedral

Archbishop Rowan Calls For New Evangelists “not to be domesticated by the church”

Hundreds packed Sheffield Cathedral to see The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd and Rt Hon Rowan Williams formally admit ten graduates of Church Army’s Sheffield based Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism into the Office of Evangelist within the Church of England.

This was the first time Archbishop Rowan, Vice- President of Church Army, has conducted the service and he used it to stress the importance of the work and role of the evangelists in society today. In a thoughtful and encouraging sermon that quoted Oscar Wilde as well as scripture, he challenged the newly admitted evangelists to make good their calling and “continue to surprise and astonish the church with the need for urgency in sharing the Gospel.” Each evangelist was encouraged by the Archbishop who outlined that their vocations “show that God is at work to spread the Gospel through his church.”

Earlier this month, at a Church Army sponsored conference, Dr Williams had called for Christians to look afresh at the "remarkable transforming nature of the first century church" and allow structures to be "more permissive than prescriptive" in order to inform approaches for the delivery of fresh expressions of church. The Archbishop continued this theme with his challenge to the newly admitted evangelists not to “domesticate the gospel or be domesticated by the church.” He warned evangelists that they could be forgiven for thinking that sometimes they were simply to be “wound up and let go by the church … preferably as far away as possible.” Reminding evangelists of the great commission he added that their role was to make the church “more mature and grown-up by reminding it of the astonishing and life-transforming power of the Gospel.”

The ten newly commissioned Church Army evangelists include a former police officer; faith adviser to the Home Secretary; youth worker; taxi driver and district councillor and they will be working in a variety of roles across the UK in places such as Oxford, Derby, Manchester, Huntingdon, Carlile, Sunderland, Nottingham. Steve Maina, General Secretary of Church Army Africa was a guest at the event and was impressed by the commitment the Archbishop showed to evangelists. Steve commented: “In Africa we have around 400 workers operating within the Anglican Communion and I am delighted that the Archbishop so strongly affirmed the role of the evangelist with such passion.”

Newly commissioned evangelist Anne Williams, who is also a member of the General Synod of the Church of England was thrilled at the event and outlined how her personal experience has strengthened her resolve to encourage more laity to step out and become full-time evangelists. As Anne points out, “I never imagined that at 56, I would pack up and go to college to become an evangelist. I am learning so much, being challenged in God’s name daily and feel very privileged. In my role in Sunderland I will be working in parishes experiencing major community regeneration and would like to see the Church having a real positive impact during this time when people are feeling anxious and apprehensive about change. I will be offering my support through listening, developing relationships and sharing my faith as the opportunity arises.” The youngest evangelist to be commissioned, Steve Simmonds (25), added “I came to college after working as part of the Shrewsbury Churches Youth Project focussing on outreach and detached work in churches, council-run youth clubs and a homeless centre. I will be working as evangelist and community outreach worker at the Malt Cross Project in Nottingham, with a view to reaching out to young adults from different walks of life, and making links with the help and support of the local church community. “

Philip Johanson OBE, Church Army’s Chief Secretary said: “If the Gospel is to have any impact in 21st century Britain, it is going to be as people see it lived out in communities. This is the challenge for both the Church and Church Army today. These evangelists join 350 others working out in the field to share faith through words and action and I am delighted that the Archbishop spoke so warmly today about the important role of evangelism and evangelists in the church .”

William Brown (7) whose father Philip was one of the evangelist commissioned was impressed by the whole event. “I am so proud of my dad. I especially liked the bit where he knelt down and the Archbishop put his hands on him. It was like he was welcoming him into a family. I know he is doing a very important job for God”, he said.

For a full transcript of the Archbishop’s speech click here

For a full transcript of the Philip’s sermon click here