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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 January 2009
The paper explores the rise of Reform in the Church of England, and critically examines some of the reasons why (theologically and sociologically) the movement has also developed an aggressive side to its character. After briefly considering the history of Reform (now ten years old) the paper deploys some methodological perspectives drawn from the late James Hopewell's contribution to congregational studies, before turning to some of the key issues that define Reform's agenda. Some further analysis examines the prospects for Anglicanism, where the Communion is bound together less and less by a common form of governance, and increasingly by a shared ethos and moral affinity. A conclusion discusses the relative strength of Reform within the context of the Anglican Communion as a whole. The paper is exploratory in nature: an exercise in testing a methodology within the broad penumbra of modern ecclesiology. The paper is not intended to be a definitive account or interpretation of Reform. From the outset, the author recognizes that the movement itself merits far more attention than one academic paper can possibly give it.
1. For example, the Revd Philip Hacking, the former Chair of Reform and a former Vicar of Christ Church Fulwood, Sheffield, estimates that some 60 members of his congregation joined Reform out of a possible 1200 regular attendees. But he maintains that the vast majority of attendees, while not being members of Reform, would be fully supportive of its agenda.
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