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{{short description|Christian denominations without much ritual}}
{{short description|Christian denominations without much ritual}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{multiple issues|
{{Refimprove|date=November 2009}}
{{Technical|date=April 2010}}
}}
{{Anglicanism}}
In [[Anglican]] Christianity, the "'''low church'''" wing of one of the Anglican churches includes those who give relatively little emphasis to ritual, [[sacraments]], and sometimes the authority of [[clergy]]. The term is most often used in a [[Christian liturgy|liturgical]] context. "Low church", in a contemporary Anglican context, denotes a [[Protestant]] emphasis, and "[[high church]]" denotes an emphasis on ritual, often as [[Anglo-Catholic]]ism.


{{update|date=July 2017}}{{Anglicanism}}
The term was initially intended to be pejorative. During the series of doctrinal and ecclesiastic challenges to the [[established church]] in the 17th century, commentators and others—who favoured the theology, worship, and hierarchical structure of [[Anglicanism]] (such as the episcopate) as the true form of Christianity—began referring to that outlook (and the related practices) as "[[high church]]". In contrast, by the early 18th century, those theologians and politicians who sought more reform in the English church and a greater liberalisation of church structure, were called "low church".
In [[Anglican]] Christianity, '''low church''' refers to those who give little emphasis to [[Christian liturgy|ritual]], often having an emphasis on preaching, individual salvation and personal [[religious conversion|conversion]].<ref>[https://www.episcopalchurch.org/glossary/low-church/ Episcopal Church website, Glossary section, ''Low Church'']</ref><ref>[https://www.compellingtruth.org/high-church-low-church.html Compelling Truth website, ''What are 'High Church' and 'Low Church'?'']</ref> The term is most often used in a [[Christian liturgy|liturgical]] sense, denoting a [[Protestant]] emphasis, whereas "[[high church]]" denotes an emphasis on ritual, often [[Anglo-Catholic]].


The term was initially pejorative. During the series of doctrinal and ecclesiastic challenges to the [[established church]] in the 17th century, commentators and others - who favoured the theology, worship, and hierarchical structure of [[Anglicanism]] (such as the [[episcopate]]) as the true form of Christianity - began referring to that outlook (and the related practices) as "[[high church]]",<ref>[https://www.anglican.ca/ask/faq/high-low-church/ The Anglican Church of Canada website, '' “High” and “Low” Church '']</ref> and by the early 18th century those theologians and politicians who sought more reform in the English church and a greater liberalisation of church structure, were in contrast called "low church".
Though Anglican in origin, and most commonly used in that context, the "low" and "high" terms may be used by extension of other denominations, hence [[High Church Lutheranism]] (but not the opposite "low" version, taken as the Lutheran default).

To an outsider, the difference between high-church and low-church may not be immediately obvious. There is a strong tradition of spiritual flexibility in Anglicanism, and many churches do not wish to exclude those who prefer one or the other. Most churches do not identify as one or the other, and may try to accommodate many forms of worship. Churches that are more lax in ritual generally do not advertise as such, and the vast majority of Anglican churches, including most “low-church” congregations, follow some kind of fixed liturgy. Low-church congregations, however, typically have plainer-looking churches, prefer modern language, have some aspects of [[contemporary worship]], and include more roles for laypersons during service. One definite indicator of a low-church parish are infrequent services for performing sacraments such as the [[Eucharist]]. Many low-church parishes are strongly influenced by [[evangelicalism]] and individual [[religious experience]], resulting in a tradition called [[Evangelical Anglicanism]].


==Historical use==
==Historical use==
[[File:A British Janus (BM 1868,0808.3424).jpg|thumb|1709 satirical [[Broadside (printing)|broadside]] with an [[engraving]] showing a [[Janus]] figure preaching, the left half showing a bishop in a pulpit, the right half a puritan in a tub.]]
[[File:Adolph Tidemand - Low Church Devotion - Google Art Project (9QGXjFzX4Caijw).jpg|thumb|"Low Church [[Anglican devotions|Devotion]]" ([[Adolph Tidemand]], 1852)]]
The term ''low church'' was used in the early part of the 18th century as the equivalent of the term ''[[Latitudinarian]]'' in that it was used to refer to values that provided much latitude in matters of discipline and faith. The term was in contradistinction to the term ''[[high church]]'', or high churchmen, which applied to those who valued the exclusive authority of the Established Church, the episcopacy and the sacramental system.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911 |wstitle=Low Churchman |volume=17 |page=72 |inline=1}}</ref>
The term ''low church'' was used in the early part of the 18th century as the equivalent of the term ''[[Latitudinarian]]'' in that it was used to refer to values that provided much latitude in matters of discipline and faith. The term was in contradistinction to the term ''[[high church]]'', or high churchmen, which applied to those who valued the exclusive authority of the Established Church, the episcopacy and the sacramental system.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911 |wstitle=Low Churchman |volume=17 |page=72 |inline=1}}</ref>


Low churchmen wanted to tolerate [[Puritan]] opinions within the Church of England, though they might not be in agreement with Puritan liturgical practices. The movement to bring [[Separatists]], and in particular [[Presbyterians]], back into the Church of England ended with the [[Act of Toleration 1689]] for the most part. Though ''Low church'' continued to be used for those clergy holding a more liberal view of [[Dissenters]], the term eventually fell into disuse.
Low churchmen wished to tolerate [[Puritan]] opinions within the Church of England, though they might not be in agreement with Puritan liturgical practices. The movement to bring [[Separatists]], and in particular [[Presbyterians]], back into the Church of England ended with the [[Act of Toleration 1689]] for the most part. Though ''Low church'' continued to be used for those clergy holding a more liberal view of [[Dissenters]], the term eventually fell into disuse.


Both terms were revived in the 19th century when the [[Tractarian movement]] brought the term "high churchman" into vogue. The terms were again used in a modified sense, now used to refer to those who exalted the idea of the Church as a catholic entity as the body of Christ, and the sacramental system as the divinely given means of grace. A low churchman now became the equivalent of an [[Evangelical Anglicanism|evangelical Anglican]], the designation of the movement associated with the name of [[Charles Simeon]], which held the necessity of personal conversion to be of primary importance.<ref name=EB1911/>
Both terms were revived in the 19th century when the [[Tractarian movement]] brought the term "high churchman" into vogue. The terms were again used in a modified sense, now used to refer to those who exalted the idea of the Church as a catholic entity as the body of Christ, and the sacramental system as the divinely given means of grace. A low churchman now became the equivalent of an [[Evangelical Anglicanism|evangelical Anglican]], the designation of the movement associated with the name of [[Charles Simeon]], which held the necessity of personal conversion to be of primary importance.<ref name=EB1911/>
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==Modern use==
==Modern use==
In contemporary usage, "low churches" place more emphasis on the [[Protestant]] nature of Anglicanism than broad or high churches and are usually [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] in their belief and practice. They may tend to favour the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'' services of Morning and Evening Prayer over the Eucharist, though the [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Diocese of Sydney]] has largely abandoned the Prayer Book and uses free-form evangelical services. Some contemporary low churches also incorporate elements of [[charismatic (movement)|charismatic]] Christianity.
In contemporary usage, "low churches" place more emphasis on the [[Protestant]] nature of Anglicanism than broad or high churches and are usually [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] in their belief and [[wikt:conservative#Adjective|conservative]] (although not necessarily ''traditional'') in practice. They may tend to favour liturgy such as the ''[[Common Worship]]'' over ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'', services of Morning and Evening Prayer over the Eucharist, and many use the minimum of formal liturgy permitted by church law. The [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Diocese of Sydney]] has largely abandoned the Prayer Book and uses free-form evangelical services.


Some contemporary low churches also incorporate elements of [[Charismatic movement|charismatic Christianity]].
More traditional low church Anglicans, under the influence of [[Calvinist]] or [[Reformed]] thought inherited from the Reformation era, reject the doctrine that the [[sacrament]]s confer [[divine grace|grace]] ''[[ex opere operato]]'' (e.g., baptismal regeneration) and lay stress on the [[Bible]] as the ultimate source of authority in matters of faith necessary for salvation.<ref name=EB1911/> They are, in general, prepared to cooperate with other [[Protestant]]s on nearly equal terms.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} Some low church Anglicans of the Reformed party consider themselves the only faithful adherents of historic Anglicanism and emphasise the [[Thirty-Nine Articles]] of the Church of England as an official doctrinal statement of the Anglican tradition.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

More traditional low church Anglicans, under the influence of [[Calvinist]] or [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] thought inherited from the Reformation era, reject the doctrine that the [[sacrament]]s confer [[divine grace|grace]] ''[[ex opere operato]]'' (e.g., baptismal regeneration) and lay stress on the [[Bible]] as the ultimate source of authority in matters of faith necessary for salvation.<ref name=EB1911/> They are, in general, prepared to cooperate with other [[Protestant]]s on nearly equal terms.{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} Some low church Anglicans of the Reformed party consider themselves the only faithful adherents of historic Anglicanism and emphasise the [[Thirty-Nine Articles]] of the Church of England as an official doctrinal statement of the Anglican tradition.<Ref>[https://www.reformedanglican.us/blog/2016/4/20/gleaning-what-is-reformed-anglicanism Reformed Anglican website, ''Gleaning - What is Reformed Anglicanism?'', article by H Barton dated April 20, 2016]</ref>


==Ecumenical relationships==
==Ecumenical relationships==


===United churches with Protestants in Asia===
===United churches with Protestants in Asia===
Several provinces of the [[Anglican Communion]] in Asia have merged with Protestant churches. The [[Church of South India]] arose out of a merger of the southern province of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican), the Methodist Church of South India and the South India United Church (a [[Congregationalist]], [[Reformed]] and [[Presbyterian]] united church) in 1947. In the 1990s a small number of [[Baptist]] and [[Pentecostal]] churches joined also the union.
Several provinces of the [[Anglican Communion]] in Asia have merged with Protestant churches. The [[Church of South India]] arose out of a merger of the southern province of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican), the Methodist Church of South India and the South India United Church (a [[Congregationalist]], [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] and [[Presbyterian]] united church) in 1947.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Church-of-South-India Britannica website, ''Church of South India'']</ref> In the 1990s a small number of [[Baptist]] and [[Pentecostal]] churches joined also the union.


In 1970 the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, the United Church of North India, the Baptist Churches of Northern India, the [[Church of the Brethren]] in India, the [[Methodist]] Church (British and Australia Conferences) and the [[Disciples of Christ]] denominations merged to form the [[Church of North India]]. Also in 1970 the Anglicans, Presbyterians (Church of Scotland), [[United Methodists]] and [[Lutherans]] of Churches in Pakistan merged into the [[Church of Pakistan]]. The Church of Bangladesh is the result of a merge of Anglican and Presbyterian churches.
In 1970 the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, the United Church of North India, the Baptist Churches of Northern India, the [[Church of the Brethren]] in India, the [[Methodist]] Church (British and Australia Conferences) and the [[Disciples of Christ]] denominations merged to form the [[Church of North India]]. Also in 1970 the Anglicans, Presbyterians (Church of Scotland), [[United Methodists]] and [[Lutherans]] of Churches in Pakistan merged into the [[Church of Pakistan]].<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Church-of-Pakistan Britannica website, ''Church of Pakistan'']</ref> The Church of Bangladesh is the result of a merge of Anglican and Presbyterian churches.<ref>[https://churchofbangladesh.org/about/foundation/#:~:text=Church%20of%20Bangladesh%20Evolved&text=Therefore%2C%20the%20Synod%20of%20the,of%20the%20Church%20of%20Bangladesh. Church of Bangladesh website, ''Who We Are'']</ref>


===Britain and Ireland===
===Britain and Ireland===
In the 1960s the [[Methodist Church of Great Britain]] made [[ecumenical]] overtures to the [[Church of England]], aimed at church unity. These formally failed when they were rejected by the Church of England's [[General Synod]] in 1972. In 1981, a covenant project was proposed between the Church of England, the Methodist Church in Great Britain, the [[United Reformed Church]] and the [[Moravian Church]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglican-methodist.org.uk/ |title=Church of England/Methodist Church Covenant}}</ref>
In the 1960s the [[Methodist Church of Great Britain]] made [[ecumenical]] overtures to the [[Church of England]], aimed at church unity. These formally failed when they were rejected by the Church of England's [[General Synod]] in 1972.<ref>[https://www.fulcrum-anglican.org.uk/articles/ministry-ecclesiology-and-theological-tidiness-reflections-on-the-history-of-anglican-methodist-unity/ Fulcrum Anglican website, ''Ministry, ecclesiology and theological tidiness: Reflections on the history of Anglican-Methodist unity'', article by Peter Webster dated February 7, 2018]</ref> In 1981, a covenant project was proposed between the Church of England, the Methodist Church in Great Britain, the [[United Reformed Church]] and the [[Moravian Church]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglican-methodist.org.uk/ |title=Church of England/Methodist Church Covenant}}</ref>


In 1982 the United Reformed Church voted in favour of the covenant, which would have meant remodelling its elders and moderators as bishops and incorporating its ministry into the apostolic succession. The Church of England rejected the covenant. Conversations and co-operation continued leading in 2003 to the signing of a covenant between the Church of England and the Methodist Church of Great Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglican-methodist.org.uk/ |title=Church of England/Methodist Church Covenant}}</ref> From the 1970s onward, the Methodist Church was involved in several "Local Ecumenical Projects" (LEPs) with neighbouring denominations usually with the Church of England, the [[Baptists]] or with the United Reformed Church, which involved sharing churches, schools and in some cases ministers.
In 1982 the United Reformed Church voted in favour of the covenant, which would have meant remodelling its elders and moderators as bishops and incorporating its ministry into the apostolic succession. The Church of England rejected the covenant. Conversations and co-operation continued leading in 2003 to the signing of a covenant between the Church of England and the Methodist Church of Great Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglican-methodist.org.uk/ |title=Church of England/Methodist Church Covenant}}</ref> From the 1970s onward, the Methodist Church was involved in several "Local Ecumenical Projects" (LEPs) with neighbouring denominations usually with the Church of England, the [[Baptists]] or with the United Reformed Church, which involved sharing churches, schools and in some cases ministers.


In the Church of England, [[Anglo-Catholics]] are often opposed to unity with Protestants, which can reduce hope of unity with the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Accepting women Protestant ministers would also make unity with the [[See of Rome]] more difficult.
In the Church of England, [[Anglo-Catholics]] are often opposed to unity with Protestants, which can reduce hope of unity with the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Accepting women Protestant ministers would also make unity with the [[See of Rome]] more difficult.<ref>[https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2024/02/02/anglican-catholic-christian-unity-summit-247105 America Jesuit Review website, ''A short history of Catholic-Anglican relations - and the last roadblocks to unity'', article by Gerard O’Connell dated February 2, 2024]</ref>


In the 1990s and early 2000s the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] (Anglican), the [[Church of Scotland]] (Presbyterian), the Methodist Church of Great Britain and the United Reformed Church were all parts of the "[[Scottish Churches Initiative]] for Union" (SCIFU) for seeking greater unity. The attempt stalled following the withdrawal of the Church of Scotland in 2003.
In the 1990s and early 2000s the [[Scottish Episcopal Church]] (Anglican), the [[Church of Scotland]] (Presbyterian), the Methodist Church of Great Britain and the United Reformed Church were all parts of the "Scottish Churches Initiative for Union" (SCIFU) for seeking greater unity.<ref>[https://www.christianpost.com/news/scottish-churches-first-steps-to-union.html Christian Post website, ''Scottish Churches' First Steps to Union'', article by Albert H Lee]</ref> The attempt stalled following the withdrawal of the Church of Scotland in 2003.<ref>[https://www.scotsman.com/news/kirk-rejects-move-to-form-super-church-2460893 The Scotsman website, ''Kirk Rejects Move to form Super-Church'', article dated May 20, 2003]</ref><ref>[https://oxford-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013-6-kingston.pdf Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies website, ''The Notion of Covenant as ecumenical instrument'', article by Gillian Kingston (2013)]</ref>


In 2002 the [[Church of Ireland]], which is generally on the low church end of the spectrum of world Anglicanism, signed a covenant for greater cooperation and potential ultimate unity with the [[Methodist Church in Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ireland.anglican.org/archives/pressreleases/prarchive2002/covstmt2.html |title=Church of Ireland/Methodist Church Covenant}}</ref>
In 2002 the [[Church of Ireland]], which is generally on the low church end of the spectrum of world Anglicanism, signed a covenant for greater cooperation and potential ultimate unity with the [[Methodist Church in Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ireland.anglican.org/archives/pressreleases/prarchive2002/covstmt2.html |title=Church of Ireland/Methodist Church Covenant}}</ref>
{{update|date=July 2017}}

== Church of England ==

=== Notable parishes ===
* [[All Saints Church, Peckham]]
* [[All Saints Church, Ecclesall|All Saints Church, Ecclesall, Sheffield]]
* [[All Souls Church, Langham Place]]
* [[Busbridge Church|Busbridge Church, Surrey]]
*[[Christ Church, Walshaw|Christ Church, Walshaw, Bury]]
* [[Hambledon Church|Hambledon Church, Surrey]]
* [[Holy Trinity Brompton]]
* [[Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge]]
* [[Jesmond Parish Church]]
* [[St Ebbe's Church, Oxford]]
* [[St Helen's Bishopsgate]]
* [[St Matthew's Church, Millbrook]]
* [[St Mark's Church, Kennington]]
* [[St Martin in the Bull Ring]], [[Birmingham]]
* [[St Mary's Church, Islington]]
* [[St Nicholas' Church, Durham]]
* [[St Nicolas Church, Newbury]]

=== Notable organisations ===
* [[Alpha course]]
* [[Anglican Mainstream]]
* [[Christianity Explored]]
* [[Church Army]]
* [[Church Society]]
* [[Crosslinks]]
* [[Reform (Anglican)]]

=== Notable Bible colleges and theological colleges ===
* [[Oak Hill Theological College]], [[Southgate, London|Southgate]], [[London]]
* [[Ridley Hall, Cambridge]]
* [[St John's College, Durham]]
* [[St John's College, Nottingham]]
* [[Trinity College, Bristol]]
* [[Wycliffe Hall, Oxford]]
* [[Moore College]] (Sydney)
* [[Ridley College (Melbourne)]]

== Notable churches and dioceses ==
* [[Anglican Episcopal Church]]
* [[Anglican Orthodox Church]] and the formerly [[Traditional Protestant Episcopal Church]]
* [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney]]
* [[Anglican Diocese of Tasmania]]
* [[Anglican Diocese of North West Australia]]
* [[Anglican Diocese of Armidale]]
* [[Free Church of England]]
* [[Church of Ireland]]
* [[Church of England (Continuing)]]
* [http://igrejaanglicana.com.br Igreja Anglicana Reformada do Brasil]
* [[Extra-provincial Anglican churches]]
* [[Church of England in South Africa]]
* [[Church of South India]]
* [[Church of North India]]
* [[Diocese of the Great Lakes]]
* [[Diocese of the Carolinas]]
* [[Reformed Episcopal Church]]
* Reformed Anglican Church (USA)
* [[United Episcopal Church of North America]]

== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Evangelical Anglicanism]]
* [[Anglo-Catholicism]]
* [[Anglo-Catholicism]]
* [[Broad church]]
* [[Broad church]]
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* [[Conservative Evangelicalism in Britain]]
* [[Conservative Evangelicalism in Britain]]
* [[Church of England]]
* [[Church of England]]
*[[Church of England (Continuing)]]
*[[Evangelical Anglicanism]]
* [[High Church]]
* [[High Church]]
* [[Methodism]]
* [[Open Evangelical]]
* [[Open Evangelical]]
*[[Provincial episcopal visitor]]
* [[Ritualism]]
* [[Ritualism]]


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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09399a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Low Church]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09399a.htm "Low Church"] in the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]''
* [http://anglicansonline.org/special/highlow/ High Church vs. Low Church: Documentary Narrative of an Ecclesiastical Joke] compiled by Richard Mammana and Cynthia McFarland
* [http://anglicansonline.org/special/highlow/ High Church vs. Low Church: Documentary Narrative of an Ecclesiastical Joke] compiled by Richard Mammana and Cynthia McFarland for [[Anglicans Online]]
* [http://igrejaanglicana.com.br Igreja Anglicana Reformada do Brasil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502044033/http://igrejaanglicana.com.br/ |date=2010-05-02 }}


{{Christian theology by tradition |Protestant}}
{{Christian theology by tradition |Protestant}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Low Church}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Low Church}}
[[Category:Anglican Churchmanship]]
[[Category:Anglican Churchmanship]]
[[Category:Protestantism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Evangelical Anglicanism]]
[[Category:Evangelical Anglicanism]]
[[Category:Evangelicalism in the Church of England]]
[[Category:Evangelicalism in the Church of England]]
[[Category:Protestantism-related controversies]]

Revision as of 04:05, 20 August 2024

In Anglican Christianity, low church refers to those who give little emphasis to ritual, often having an emphasis on preaching, individual salvation and personal conversion.[1][2] The term is most often used in a liturgical sense, denoting a Protestant emphasis, whereas "high church" denotes an emphasis on ritual, often Anglo-Catholic.

The term was initially pejorative. During the series of doctrinal and ecclesiastic challenges to the established church in the 17th century, commentators and others - who favoured the theology, worship, and hierarchical structure of Anglicanism (such as the episcopate) as the true form of Christianity - began referring to that outlook (and the related practices) as "high church",[3] and by the early 18th century those theologians and politicians who sought more reform in the English church and a greater liberalisation of church structure, were in contrast called "low church".

To an outsider, the difference between high-church and low-church may not be immediately obvious. There is a strong tradition of spiritual flexibility in Anglicanism, and many churches do not wish to exclude those who prefer one or the other. Most churches do not identify as one or the other, and may try to accommodate many forms of worship. Churches that are more lax in ritual generally do not advertise as such, and the vast majority of Anglican churches, including most “low-church” congregations, follow some kind of fixed liturgy. Low-church congregations, however, typically have plainer-looking churches, prefer modern language, have some aspects of contemporary worship, and include more roles for laypersons during service. One definite indicator of a low-church parish are infrequent services for performing sacraments such as the Eucharist. Many low-church parishes are strongly influenced by evangelicalism and individual religious experience, resulting in a tradition called Evangelical Anglicanism.

Historical use

1709 satirical broadside with an engraving showing a Janus figure preaching, the left half showing a bishop in a pulpit, the right half a puritan in a tub.
"Low Church Devotion" (Adolph Tidemand, 1852)

The term low church was used in the early part of the 18th century as the equivalent of the term Latitudinarian in that it was used to refer to values that provided much latitude in matters of discipline and faith. The term was in contradistinction to the term high church, or high churchmen, which applied to those who valued the exclusive authority of the Established Church, the episcopacy and the sacramental system.[4]

Low churchmen wished to tolerate Puritan opinions within the Church of England, though they might not be in agreement with Puritan liturgical practices. The movement to bring Separatists, and in particular Presbyterians, back into the Church of England ended with the Act of Toleration 1689 for the most part. Though Low church continued to be used for those clergy holding a more liberal view of Dissenters, the term eventually fell into disuse.

Both terms were revived in the 19th century when the Tractarian movement brought the term "high churchman" into vogue. The terms were again used in a modified sense, now used to refer to those who exalted the idea of the Church as a catholic entity as the body of Christ, and the sacramental system as the divinely given means of grace. A low churchman now became the equivalent of an evangelical Anglican, the designation of the movement associated with the name of Charles Simeon, which held the necessity of personal conversion to be of primary importance.[4]

At the same time, Latitudinarian changed to broad church, or broad churchmen, designating those who most valued the ethical teachings of the Church and minimised the value of orthodoxy. The revival of pre-Reformation ritual by many of the high church clergy led to the designation ritualist being applied to them in a somewhat contemptuous sense. However, the terms high churchman and ritualist have often been wrongly treated as interchangeable. The high churchman of the Catholic type is further differentiated from the earlier use of what is sometimes described as the "high and dry type" of the period before the Oxford Movement.[4]

Modern use

In contemporary usage, "low churches" place more emphasis on the Protestant nature of Anglicanism than broad or high churches and are usually Evangelical in their belief and conservative (although not necessarily traditional) in practice. They may tend to favour liturgy such as the Common Worship over Book of Common Prayer, services of Morning and Evening Prayer over the Eucharist, and many use the minimum of formal liturgy permitted by church law. The Diocese of Sydney has largely abandoned the Prayer Book and uses free-form evangelical services.

Some contemporary low churches also incorporate elements of charismatic Christianity.

More traditional low church Anglicans, under the influence of Calvinist or Reformed thought inherited from the Reformation era, reject the doctrine that the sacraments confer grace ex opere operato (e.g., baptismal regeneration) and lay stress on the Bible as the ultimate source of authority in matters of faith necessary for salvation.[4] They are, in general, prepared to cooperate with other Protestants on nearly equal terms.[citation needed] Some low church Anglicans of the Reformed party consider themselves the only faithful adherents of historic Anglicanism and emphasise the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England as an official doctrinal statement of the Anglican tradition.[5]

Ecumenical relationships

United churches with Protestants in Asia

Several provinces of the Anglican Communion in Asia have merged with Protestant churches. The Church of South India arose out of a merger of the southern province of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican), the Methodist Church of South India and the South India United Church (a Congregationalist, Reformed and Presbyterian united church) in 1947.[6] In the 1990s a small number of Baptist and Pentecostal churches joined also the union.

In 1970 the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, the United Church of North India, the Baptist Churches of Northern India, the Church of the Brethren in India, the Methodist Church (British and Australia Conferences) and the Disciples of Christ denominations merged to form the Church of North India. Also in 1970 the Anglicans, Presbyterians (Church of Scotland), United Methodists and Lutherans of Churches in Pakistan merged into the Church of Pakistan.[7] The Church of Bangladesh is the result of a merge of Anglican and Presbyterian churches.[8]

Britain and Ireland

In the 1960s the Methodist Church of Great Britain made ecumenical overtures to the Church of England, aimed at church unity. These formally failed when they were rejected by the Church of England's General Synod in 1972.[9] In 1981, a covenant project was proposed between the Church of England, the Methodist Church in Great Britain, the United Reformed Church and the Moravian Church.[10]

In 1982 the United Reformed Church voted in favour of the covenant, which would have meant remodelling its elders and moderators as bishops and incorporating its ministry into the apostolic succession. The Church of England rejected the covenant. Conversations and co-operation continued leading in 2003 to the signing of a covenant between the Church of England and the Methodist Church of Great Britain.[11] From the 1970s onward, the Methodist Church was involved in several "Local Ecumenical Projects" (LEPs) with neighbouring denominations usually with the Church of England, the Baptists or with the United Reformed Church, which involved sharing churches, schools and in some cases ministers.

In the Church of England, Anglo-Catholics are often opposed to unity with Protestants, which can reduce hope of unity with the Roman Catholic Church. Accepting women Protestant ministers would also make unity with the See of Rome more difficult.[12]

In the 1990s and early 2000s the Scottish Episcopal Church (Anglican), the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), the Methodist Church of Great Britain and the United Reformed Church were all parts of the "Scottish Churches Initiative for Union" (SCIFU) for seeking greater unity.[13] The attempt stalled following the withdrawal of the Church of Scotland in 2003.[14][15]

In 2002 the Church of Ireland, which is generally on the low church end of the spectrum of world Anglicanism, signed a covenant for greater cooperation and potential ultimate unity with the Methodist Church in Ireland.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ Episcopal Church website, Glossary section, Low Church
  2. ^ Compelling Truth website, What are 'High Church' and 'Low Church'?
  3. ^ The Anglican Church of Canada website, “High” and “Low” Church
  4. ^ a b c d  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Low Churchman". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 72.
  5. ^ Reformed Anglican website, Gleaning - What is Reformed Anglicanism?, article by H Barton dated April 20, 2016
  6. ^ Britannica website, Church of South India
  7. ^ Britannica website, Church of Pakistan
  8. ^ Church of Bangladesh website, Who We Are
  9. ^ Fulcrum Anglican website, Ministry, ecclesiology and theological tidiness: Reflections on the history of Anglican-Methodist unity, article by Peter Webster dated February 7, 2018
  10. ^ "Church of England/Methodist Church Covenant".
  11. ^ "Church of England/Methodist Church Covenant".
  12. ^ America Jesuit Review website, A short history of Catholic-Anglican relations - and the last roadblocks to unity, article by Gerard O’Connell dated February 2, 2024
  13. ^ Christian Post website, Scottish Churches' First Steps to Union, article by Albert H Lee
  14. ^ The Scotsman website, Kirk Rejects Move to form Super-Church, article dated May 20, 2003
  15. ^ Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies website, The Notion of Covenant as ecumenical instrument, article by Gillian Kingston (2013)
  16. ^ "Church of Ireland/Methodist Church Covenant".

Further reading

  • Cross, F. L. (ed.) (1957) The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. London: Oxford U. P.; Low Churchmen, p. 824