By Lloyd Mackey

THERE ARE Anglican churches in British Columbia which, in most respects, would resemble those that have separated from the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and aligned with the theologically conservative Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC). The major difference is that these churches are still in the mainstream Anglican body.

One such is St. Philip’s, a parish in Oak Bay which has had a long-standing and well-earned reputation within its communion, for both evangelical and charismatic emphases.

Christopher Page, rector for the congregation of 250 for the past 20 years, is firm that the church will remain part of the ACC. While it is, perhaps, less obviously charismatic than it was in its earlier years, it retains the energy engendered by that part of the Christian spectrum.

He said he believes his parishioners, for the most part, are happy with the parish’s spiritual vigour, fellowship “and allegiance to scripture, in the Old and New Testament, to be the Word of God.” It is that allegiance, he pointed out, to which every Anglican minister pledges at ordination.

“On Easter Sunday, around 240 attended our 9 am family service. At 54, I was one of oldest. There was energy and vitality. There were balloons and an Easter egg hunt. And there was the presence of God and Light.”

There is a pattern of young family attendance at St. Philip’s, especially at 9 am, Page said.

He is aware that in two churches in the Victoria area, large parts of the congregations have moved into the ANiC. That is the body which has placed itself under the authority of more conservative Anglican bishops in the southern hemisphere, mainly on sexuality and scriptural authority issues.

Page said he has not been involved in discussions regarding those parishes, one way or another, except as they occur when Anglican clergy in Victoria meet to fellowship or explore diocesan business.

He knows the remaining members of St. Matthias, a congregation in the Fairfield district, just outside Oak Bay, were invited to a joint service of support by the historic parish of St. Mary the Virgin, located near Oak Bay Village.

He noted that the interim priest at St. Matthias, Robert Arril, was a colleague with him at Little Trinity in Toronto, whose rector had been legendary evangelical, Harry Robinson.

In speaking of the willingness of St. Philip’s to stay within the ACC fold, Page pointed out that the permission for clergy in certain parishes in Vancouver to grant same-sex blessings is not an issue in Victoria.

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Vancouver parishes are part of the Diocese of New Westminster, which covers the Lower Mainland. Victoria is part of the Diocese of British Columbia which takes in Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

And Page explained that the urban communities served by Anglicans on the mainland are much more diverse, creating pressures for change that do not exist on the Island.

And he maintained, as well, that the place of scripture is not an issue in his setting, although he recognizes that it has been in other Victoria area parishes.

Page referred, though, to “my deepening appreciation for the complexity of scripture and its use as the powerful word of God. I have respect for people that might apply it differently, and [maintain] that there is more than one way to apply it.”

He continued: “It is my heartfelt conviction that no one has ever been forced out of Anglican Church in Canada. True, some have felt forced out.” And responding to a question about how same-sex Anglican couples might feel when they are denied blessing services, he allowed that the church is “getting hit from both ends of spectrum.

Regarding those leaving the ACC, he said “the Anglican church is being impoverished of diversity. If the world needs anything, it is that people can transcend their differences. The church used to be that place. Now it is fracturing into smaller interest groups.”

But Page looks forward to more encouraging days. He said he believes the present Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, is giving outstanding, biblical and thoughtful leadership in a difficult situation. That will lead, in time, to greater understanding, he hopes.

May 2009