In a series of major articles running in three consecutive issues of The Church of England Newspaper, Church Army’s Chief Secretary, Philip Johanson, asks if the Church is up to the challenge of meeting the implications of   almost a year on from the report’s publication.
 
Colin Blakely, The Editor of The Church of England Newspaper, is clear about why he ran the series of thoughtful and provocative articles: “Apart from the debates over women bishops and gay priests, the last year has seen a major engagement with the future of the Church. The report , has caught the imagination of churchgoers up and down the country.Philip has addressed the issues in a direct and captivating way and our readers have greatly appreciated his comments. I feel sure that these articles will help further the debate on the future of the Church in the UK.”
 
The articles cover a wide range of issues including: Resourcing the commitment to mission; a call for the church to travel light and appoint “new types of Bishops” as it learns to think different, act different and be different.
 
Johanson is a strong supporter of , but claims that after almost a year, the jury is still out on the impact the report will have on every dimension of church life. He adds: “without the money and leadership to make things happen it could be in danger of going the same way as the decade of Evangelism. It is time to be bold, risk taking and entrepreneurial and catch the spirit of what God is doing in the church and the world and join in by bringing resources and new friends to the party.”
 
Copies of The Church of England Newspaper carrying the articles (issues Dec 17th, Dec 24th and January 7th can be obtained by calling 020 7417 5800 or emailing cen@churchnewspaper.com )
 
For a summary of the text of Philip Johanson’s paper Mission Shaped Church - will it make a lasting difference? Click here.