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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Surviving small Christian denominations
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Niminypiminy
Shipmate
# 15489
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by OhSimone:
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Many of the groups we've mentioned so far are biblically based groups. Do any more esoteric churches, on the edge of Christinaity, as it were, still exist. I know there were not ever many, but I wonder if there is a remnant.
We have a Christian Community church just up the road from us - I think it'd be fair to describe them as well towards the edge of Christianity. It's proving difficult to find an estimate on Adherents.com.
There's also a Steiner school close by. We must be the anthroposophical hub of the West Midlands.
Some friends of mine who are mad keen (I use that word advisedly) on all things Steiner send their children to a Christian Community church in Stroud (also near a Steiner school). I notice they don't go themselves, however. From the literature they showed me it seems to have a fairly tangential relationship to Christianity.
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Lives of the Saints: songs by The Unequal Struggle
http://www.theunequalstruggle.com/
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Jengie Jon:
Actually the interesting thing is the more extreme Presbyterians in Scotland have much the same sort of attitude. I once characterised it as they saw no need for publicity, such things as noticeboards are heretical. If the Lord was calling someone to be among the elect they would know the time of service and the whereabouts of the building by divine inspiration.
The thing is if anything they are slightly growing.
I once detected one of their churches, it was a combination of the symbol on the ordnance survey map and the time the cars turned up that gave the game away. Given that they are also pretty strict Sabbatarians the use of cars must have been a concession to the distance some of them had to travel.
Jengie
Very interesting! Are they independent churches or do they group together in a denomination? I guess it's too much to ask if they have a website, after all that would be advertising ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
They are Presbyterian, they are grouped into several denominations, often very tiny, but I suspect there is at least half a dozen of them around the place. They fracture and merge at a speed I can not keep up with not being in Scotland but they at least to some extent have not decreased as rapidly as mainstream denominations. Indeed there rate of decrease may be more closely allied with the ongoing depopulations of the areas where they are strongest.
Jengie
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
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Clodsley Shovel
Apprentice
# 16662
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Posted
The fact they tend to breed fairly prolifically also helps keep the numbers up ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Clodsley Shovel:
The fact they tend to breed fairly prolifically also helps keep the numbers up
That can't be the case for small church movements, or else they wouldn't be small. Also, if they're strict and expect their children to marry people who share the same beliefs, this must become increasingly difficult in a small or declining movement. People either marry out, which means their children probably aren't socialised into the movement and so don't join as adults, or else they simply don't marry at all.
It's often said that religious people have more children, but in some places that must be undermined by the difficulty of finding a spouse who shares the same, or similar, religious beliefs.
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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chive
Ship's nude
# 208
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Posted
The result of breeding in our small presbyterian family ended with one agnositic married to an agnositic with two children who have never been to a church, one gay Catholic and one humanist. Not sure that's going to increase the membership by much.
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'Edward was the kind of man who thought there was no such thing as a lesbian, just a woman who hadn't done one-to-one Bible study with him.' Catherine Fox, Love to the Lost
Posts: 3542 | From: the cupboard under the stairs | Registered: May 2001
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by FreeJack:
quote:
Originally posted by Yerevan:
quote:
On holiday near Blackpool a few years ago I remember going into that great northern town and coming across a church which described itself as
Independant Methodist.
It seems this is a small denomination. Mainly found up north.
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that a group of Independent Methodist churches in the north-west had recently opted to join the Baptist Union. IIRC they had gradually moved in a credobaptist and congregationalist direction over time. I don't know much about their origins though. I'm presuming they were just Methodist congregations who opted out of the various mergers which created the current Methodist Church. In the US Savannah, Georgia has a very impressive Independent Presbyterian Church in the old centre (oxymoron surely?)
Do you mean Free Methodist?
There are quite a few in Lancashire and the surrounding area, which were historically on the evangelical or charismatic side of English methodism. They joined us with a US-based led FMC with apostolic oversight from bishops, but are mostly credobaptist.
The Freem's are numerous enough in Canada. They get their name not from being "free" of oversight but from the fact that they forbade pew rents, hence their churches were "free". The other Methodist churches in Canada used the practice of pew rents extensively. Any church that has pews with numbered tags on the back is set up for the practice.
In the 1870's there were five Methodist streams in Canada, the Wesleyan Methodists, the Methodist Episcopals, the Primitive Methodists, the Bible Christians and the Free Methodists. The first four merged to form the Methodist Church of Canada in 1885 and merged again to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. The Freems stayed out of both mergers. They had hopes the United Church merger would boost their numbers but it didn't.
There is a US-based church which now goes by the name Wesleyan Methodist Church with churches in Canada. I call copyright infringement, that is the name of one of the United Church's parents and former Wesleyan Methodist congregations are a dime a dozen in this part of Ontario.
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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
In the 1870's there were five Methodist streams in Canada, the Wesleyan Methodists, the Methodist Episcopals, the Primitive Methodists, the Bible Christians and the Free Methodists. The first four merged to form the Methodist Church of Canada in 1885 and merged again to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. The Freems stayed out of both mergers. They had hopes the United Church merger would boost their numbers but it didn't.
That's interesting. Is there any sign that the Canadian 'Freems' are now looking to merge with another institution as a way of boosting their numbers? Since Canada obviously has a long tradition of ecumenicalism, is there any advantage for them in remaining small and independent?
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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Corvo
Shipmate
# 15220
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
For example the Catholic Apostolic church has gone.
The Catholic Apostolic Church in Maida Avenue, London still has a service every Sunday morning.
I remember the death of the last Muggletonian in 1979. Everyone thought the sect had died out centuries before until his books and papers were donated to the British Library.
Posts: 672 | From: The Most Holy Trinity, Coach Lane, North Shields | Registered: Oct 2009
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Campbellite
Ut unum sint
# 1202
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
Apparently the last Sandemanian (or Glasite) congregation in the UK was located in London in the 80s, and it closed during that decade.
Sandeman and Glas taught at Ediburgh in the late 18th Century. Alexander Campbell studied under them and was strongly influenced by their ideas, which still echo in the practices and beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
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I upped mine. Up yours.
Suffering for Jesus since 1966.
WTFWED?
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argona
Shipmate
# 14037
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Corvo:
I remember the death of the last Muggletonian in 1979. Everyone thought the sect had died out centuries before until his books and papers were donated to the British Library.
That would be Phil Noakes, a distant relative of mine. The last Muggletonian I know of was my mother (died 2001). There was also my grandmother (died 1985). But yes, most people thought the sect was extinct, hence the excitement when the Muggletonian library was found in Phil Noakes' possession on his death. There was eventually a Timewatch about it and though she wasn't mentioned, it was clear they knew about my mother.
I don't know much about their faith. Muggletonians of my family were fiercely anti-clerical, and wouldn't evangelise. They would simply offer people things to read, which they either believed (and were saved) or not (and weren't). They believed that this would determine whether you were of the good seed (Adam's) or the bad seed (Eve's, of course!) When I was eventually given some reading matter, age about 12 I think, each item began with a curse, damning eternally anyone who read further and didn't believe. Immediate panic on my part, until I thought, if I don't believe it, I don't believe that curse either. I read a couple of pages then left the books on the sideboard without comment, and nothing was ever said again.
One day, I'll take a look at that library!
Posts: 327 | From: Oriental dill patch? (4,7) | Registered: Aug 2008
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geroff
Shipmate
# 3882
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Posted
There is a Moravian church near here. Its congregation settled in 1750 and the original church and school still function. It looks quite busy and the website is quite interesting.
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"The first principle in science is to invent something nice to look at and then decide what it can do." Rowland Emett 1906-1990
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
Yes that Moravian church does seem alive and well. How interesting.
I see on the website that the minister lives at 'the settlement' and I have come across that term before in relation to them. I take it to me a group of them lived in neighbouring houses?
By the way isn't the Muggletonian info so interesting!
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
Not quite have a look at the on I am more familiar with Fairfield, it involved separate men's and women's houses for instance for single people and further info
Jengie
[ 06. September 2012, 09:52: Message edited by: Jengie Jon ]
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
Thank you to pointing to that very interesting link Jengie. I enjoyed reading about the Fairfield settlement.
It was fascinating to think of a quite small self contained residential area of a small denomination. It must have helped provide continuity in the denomination.
It made me wonder if the phenomenon is found in other ways in England. I know the Amish in the US for example, but what of the UK.
RCs in the nineteenth century often lived close together, and many Muslims do now.
I will need to research as to whether though something more settlement like was found among other denominations.
Does anyone have any ideas?
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Organ Builder
Shipmate
# 12478
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Corvo:
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
For example the Catholic Apostolic church has gone.
The Catholic Apostolic Church in Maida Avenue, London still has a service every Sunday morning.
For those who weren't here in 2004.
...and that would include me, but I had a vague memory of someone linking to this thread before, so when it turned up on a google search I thought I would share it.
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How desperately difficult it is to be honest with oneself. It is much easier to be honest with other people.--E.F. Benson
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
Yesterday I was on a bus that drove past a small, well-kept church that described itself as 'Liberal Catholic'. I've never seen one of those before.
[ 16. September 2012, 12:05: Message edited by: SvitlanaV2 ]
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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ken
Ship's Roundhead
# 2460
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
Yesterday I was on a bus that drove past a small, well-kept church that described itself as 'Liberal Catholic'. I've never seen one of those before.
A "liberal catholic church" was mentioned on BBC Radio 3 last week, in a programme about John Cage. They played a recording of him saying this:
quote:
During my last year in high school, I found out about the Liberal Catholic Church. It was in a beautiful spot in the Hollywood hills.
The ceremony was an anthology of the most theatrical bits and pieces found in the principal rituals, Occidental and Oriental. There were clouds of incense, candles galore, processions in and around the church.
I was fascinated, and though I had been raised in the Methodist Episcopal Church and had had thoughts of going into the ministry, I decided to join the Liberal Catholics. Mother and Dad objected strenuously. Ultimately, when I told them of my intention to become an acolyte active in the Mass, they said, "Well, make up your mind. It's us or the church."
Thinking along the lines of "Leave your father and mother and follow Me" I went to the priest, told him what had happened, and said I'd decided in favor of the Liberal Catholics.
He said, "Don't be a fool. Go home. There are many religions. You have only one mother and father."
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Ken
L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle.
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
Basically, or at least originally, Theosophists, I think.
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My beard is a testament to my masculinity and virility, and demonstrates that I am a real man. Trouble is, bits of quiche sometimes get caught in it.
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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ExclamationMark
Shipmate
# 14715
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
Basically, or at least originally, Theosophists, I think.
Yep, that's pretty much it. There's one in Bideford where the priest doubles as a Consultant Psychiatrist at the District Hospital. See http://www.lccgrail.org/
Posts: 3845 | From: A new Jerusalem | Registered: Apr 2009
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
The Liberal Catholic Church seems to be fragmented, and rather difficult to track down.
The Website of the LCC international province of GB mentions an archbishop - Most Revd E B Stuart, but no cathedral, or for that matter no churches. A bit of a puzzle.
It's also a shame too. What it stands for seems very good - Mystical, inclusive, intellectual, open, joyous. Sounds good to me But it doesn't seem to have members!
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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sandemanian1
Apprentice
# 17345
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Posted
The last Sandemanian or in Scotland Glasite Meeting House closed in 19089 when the caretaker retired. The last elder welcomed the few remaining people to services inn his home. He died in 1999, and there may be a few very old members still living. This was a small movement with extraordinary longevity--1730-1999!
Posts: 1 | From: scotland | Registered: Sep 2012
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poileplume
Shipmate
# 16438
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Posted
We rent out our Anglican church after our service to l’Église Chrétienne Catholique Traditionnelle. They appear to have around twenty members in Canada.
Services conducted each Sunday by the Archbishop and the Bishop. They are most charming and sincere. Seem to be centred on the Tridentine mass in Latin but not hard line like the Society of Pius X. Nice people - do very good business in weddings!
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Please note I am quite severely dyslexic
Posts: 319 | From: Quebec | Registered: May 2011
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jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
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Posted
Welcome, sandemanian1! We're glad to have you join us here in Heaven for your first post. You can be sure of an especially warm welcome here, if you would like to say hello there.
jedijudy
One of the Welcoming Heaven Hosts
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Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
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Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
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Posted
There is a Liberal Catholic Church at Gordon - 3 suburbs and about 6 km close to the city than home. They seem to be settled into their own building, and have a full programme of services.
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Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
Posts: 7028 | From: Warrawee NSW Australia | Registered: Jun 2008
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the long ranger
Shipmate
# 17109
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by argona:
That would be Phil Noakes, a distant relative of mine. The last Muggletonian I know of was my mother (died 2001). There was also my grandmother (died 1985). But yes, most people thought the sect was extinct, hence the excitement when the Muggletonian library was found in Phil Noakes' possession on his death. There was eventually a Timewatch about it and though she wasn't mentioned, it was clear they knew about my mother.
I don't know much about their faith. Muggletonians of my family were fiercely anti-clerical, and wouldn't evangelise. They would simply offer people things to read, which they either believed (and were saved) or not (and weren't). They believed that this would determine whether you were of the good seed (Adam's) or the bad seed (Eve's, of course!) When I was eventually given some reading matter, age about 12 I think, each item began with a curse, damning eternally anyone who read further and didn't believe. Immediate panic on my part, until I thought, if I don't believe it, I don't believe that curse either. I read a couple of pages then left the books on the sideboard without comment, and nothing was ever said again.
One day, I'll take a look at that library!
How bizarre - and interesting - that your own mother didn't tell you about her faith. Hard to get my brain around that one.
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"..into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” “But Rabbi, how can this happen for those who have no teeth?”
"..If some have no teeth, then teeth will be provided.”
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Karl: Liberal Backslider
Shipmate
# 76
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
The last Muggletonian died in 1979. As they didn't hold with evangelism, that was a possibly foreseeable outcome.
Oh I don't know. The good ol' CofE is still here
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Might as well ask the bloody cat.
Posts: 17938 | From: Chesterfield | Registered: May 2001
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John Holding
Coffee and Cognac
# 158
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by poileplume:
We rent out our Anglican church after our service to l’Église Chrétienne Catholique Traditionnelle. They appear to have around twenty members in Canada.
Services conducted each Sunday by the Archbishop and the Bishop. They are most charming and sincere. Seem to be centred on the Tridentine mass in Latin but not hard line like the Society of Pius X. Nice people - do very good business in weddings!
I don't know whether that's the same lot, but the Primate (world-wide) of the Catholic CHurch - Tridentine RIte (I believe that's its name) hangs his zuchetto in an Anglican CHurch in London, Ontario. A friend of mine was until recently the rector there, and he tells me that the group's rites are in Latin, with all the smoke and bells. The said primate is constantly ordaining new bishops to send into mission fields -- apparently the church is expanding wildly in parts of Africa and Latin America.
The said Primate reproached me gravely (but with a twinkle in his eye) for not serving him the chalice at a recent Anglican celebration of the eucharist in the church -- he was there "in choro". I was misled by the outfit, and didn't see him offered the bread, so passed him by. I have since been told that if he is present at an Anglican mass, he does communicate in both kinds.
John
Posts: 5929 | From: Ottawa, Canada | Registered: May 2001
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the long ranger
Shipmate
# 17109
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Posted
John, would that be the Old Roman Catholic Church - Latin Rite? If so, I think they might be in full communion with the Anglican communion..
[ 25. September 2012, 19:16: Message edited by: the long ranger ]
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"..into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,” “But Rabbi, how can this happen for those who have no teeth?”
"..If some have no teeth, then teeth will be provided.”
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Kyzyl
Ship's dog
# 374
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
The distribution map on the UK Moravian website is interesting. I had thought they had gone to mining communities, and maybe they have to a degree - but it looks like coal mining. There are none in Cornwall, for example. But nor are there any In south Wales.
I do know there used to be a congregation in Crook in County Durham.
Moravian congregations are rather thick on the ground in here in S.E. Minnesota. There are 8 Moravian churches within no more than 10 to 30 minutes from me. It is odd to me to think of them as a small denomination!
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I need a quote.
Posts: 668 | From: Wapasha's Prairie | Registered: Jun 2001
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poileplume
Shipmate
# 16438
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Posted
The quick answer to Godrick at al. is that l’Église Chrétienne Catholique Traditionnelle does not appear to be related to anyone else except some obscure connection in the Congo.
Their web site gives a very convoluted history about a bishop fleeing from communist Hungary to Quebec.
What I have been told is that there are Old Catholics and Old Catholics. One group has intercommunion with the Anglican Church the other does not.
The ‘one that does not’ group apparently is composed of a series of splinter catholic churches. Apparently someone and sometime ordained a lot of priests, bishops etc. and thereby created all these splinter catholic churches.
Sorry to be vague and also please correct me if I am wrong, just passing on what I was told.
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Please note I am quite severely dyslexic
Posts: 319 | From: Quebec | Registered: May 2011
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John Holding
Coffee and Cognac
# 158
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by the long ranger:
John, would that be the Old Roman Catholic Church - Latin Rite? If so, I think they might be in full communion with the Anglican communion..
That's them -- and the Primate certainly is in full communion with us.
John
Posts: 5929 | From: Ottawa, Canada | Registered: May 2001
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John Holding
Coffee and Cognac
# 158
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Posted
I should have added -- this lot are not at all associated with any of the "Old Catholic" groups that are running around Canada. The last time I looked (but it was a long time ago) the Anglican CHurch is in communion with an "Old Catholic CHurch", which I take to be one with ties to Utrecht. There are apparently other groups which use the name. And I have a memory, which may well be wrong, that we are also in communion with a "Polish National Catholic CHurch".
I'm sure Augustine will be along shortly to correct any of my erros.
John
Posts: 5929 | From: Ottawa, Canada | Registered: May 2001
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Sober Preacher's Kid
Presbymethegationalist
# 12699
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by SvitlanaV2:
quote:
Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
In the 1870's there were five Methodist streams in Canada, the Wesleyan Methodists, the Methodist Episcopals, the Primitive Methodists, the Bible Christians and the Free Methodists. The first four merged to form the Methodist Church of Canada in 1885 and merged again to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. The Freems stayed out of both mergers. They had hopes the United Church merger would boost their numbers but it didn't.
That's interesting. Is there any sign that the Canadian 'Freems' are now looking to merge with another institution as a way of boosting their numbers? Since Canada obviously has a long tradition of ecumenicalism, is there any advantage for them in remaining small and independent?
Sorry, left that hanging. In short, no. The Freem's have a solid connection with their direct counterpart, the Freem's in the US. They aren't merging with anybody.
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NDP Federal Convention Ottawa 2018: A random assortment of Prots and Trots.
Posts: 7646 | From: Peterborough, Upper Canada | Registered: Jun 2007
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Light User
Apprentice
# 14254
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
There are, apparently, two surviving members of the Panacea society - thus says their website. I would describe them as charmingly barking, and well worth reading up (and were you aware that the second coming would be in Bedford?)
AG
Strangely enough, three days after you posted that, the death of Ruth Klein, the last surviving member of the Pancea Society, was announced.
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Vita brevis, ars longa
Posts: 49 | From: Devon | Registered: Nov 2008
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SvitlanaV2
Shipmate
# 16967
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by the long ranger:
How bizarre - and interesting - that your own [Muggletonian] mother didn't tell you about her faith. Hard to get my brain around that one.
I've read that for several decades, one of the reasons for church decline is that many Christian parents have become reluctant to talk to their children about their faith, for fear of trying to influence them instead of letting them make up their own minds. It's also a sign of the extreme privatisation of faith. The Muggletonian position is perhaps a very early and formalised version of this tendency....
[ 29. September 2012, 21:03: Message edited by: SvitlanaV2 ]
Posts: 6668 | From: UK | Registered: Feb 2012
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Kaplan Corday
Shipmate
# 16119
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sandemaniac:
were you aware that the second coming would be in Bedford?
A stream of eschatological parochialism runs throughout Christian history, from the Montanists' choice for the Second Coming of a little town in the backblocks of Turkey, to George Fox's "Woe to the bloody city of Lichfield!", to the theory of some Australians that God sent the 1974 cyclone on Darwin because of its unique wickedness and its sharing of a name with the proto-evolutionist.
I have to admit that I also find difficult the dominical curses on Bethsaida and Capernaum.
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georgiaboy
Shipmate
# 11294
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Posted
'The Church of the Lord Jesus - Pentecostal Signs Following' is to be found in rather isolated communities in West Virginia, and in eastern Kentucky and Tennessee.
Their distinctive mark is the literal interpretation of Mark 16:17-18. The handling of poisonous snakes and (more rarely) the drinking of poison is a feature of their worship. As such practices are usually illegal in most ocmmunities, these churches are usually small and in rural areas.
The recent death of a 'Signs Following' minister following his being bitten by a rattlesnake during worship was documented in a photo essay the fall issue of 'Northwestern.'
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You can't retire from a calling.
Posts: 1675 | From: saint meinrad, IN | Registered: Apr 2006
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
I find this a very interesting thread - but then I would - I started it!
I have been reading through the posts and it makes, for me very interesting reading. What is interesting is how some of these small groups of Christians preserve their identity in the face of a rapidly changing world.
As I was thinking about it I remember hearing Orthodoxy has similar groups too - not surprisingly its probably a feature of faiths.
I seem to recall a group called the Milk drinkers, as a small Orthodox group, but can't yet find them throu our friend Google.
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Kaplan Corday:
... to George Fox's "Woe to the bloody city of Lichfield!", to the theory of some Australians that God sent the 1974 cyclone on Darwin because of its unique wickedness and its sharing of a name with the proto-evolutionist ...
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
... slightly worrying, in that I live in the sub-suburban 'city of lichfield' in the wider city of Darwin ![[Paranoid]](graemlins/paranoid.gif)
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Pomona
Shipmate
# 17175
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Posted
This is a fascinating thread. Regarding the Shakers dying out due to celibacy, don't the Jesus Army encourage (I don't think they enforce) celibacy? Yet they are not short of members, and judging by the presence of a young female member of my uni's Christian Union being one, they have plenty of youth presence.
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Consider the work of God: Who is able to straighten what he has bent? [Ecclesiastes 7:13]
Posts: 5319 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2012
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Albertus
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# 13356
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Posted
But I wonder how long people stay in the JA for? If it has quite a turnover of members then celibacy and maintaining a roughly level membership need not be in tension with one another.
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
I hadn't realised the Jesus Army still existed, I'd not heard about them recently so in a sense they maybe are a surviving small Christian denomination, even though I'd originally thought of groups that had been around for 50 years or more.
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
Definitely Jesus Army is still going, doing better than the Methodists in this area. They have taken over the former Methodist Church and turned it into a community centre.
Jengie
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
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Moo
Ship's tough old bird
# 107
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
I hadn't realised the Jesus Army still existed, I'd not heard about them recently so in a sense they maybe are a surviving small Christian denomination, even though I'd originally thought of groups that had been around for 50 years or more.
If you had been around a few years ago, you could not have avoided hearing about the Church Army.
Moo
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Kerygmania host
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See you later, alligator.
Posts: 20365 | From: Alleghany Mountains of Virginia | Registered: May 2001
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Percy B
Shipmate
# 17238
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Posted
I guess that's. typo for Jesus Army, Moo.
The Christian Community survives, although when it first came in the UK I am not sure.
I have only been to one of their churches in North Yorkshire, it was a curious and accepting place. In
Deed I am not sure whether or not they have another chur h building in the UK.
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Mary, a priest??
Posts: 582 | From: Nudrug | Registered: Jul 2012
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Enoch
Shipmate
# 14322
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Posted
I think the Jesus Army were originally Baptist. They may even still be in some way.
Somewhere near Ripley there is alleged to be a separate and minute Quaker Meeting that is committed to true fidelity to George Fox's original Quaker vision. It rejects all Quaker developments since. I suppose one might call them Primitive Quakers.
However, this may be a recent desire to return to the roots, rather than something that has come down unblemished from the C17.
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Brexit wrexit - Sir Graham Watson
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