REMOTELY WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Woefully out of touch and with falling congregations, the Church of England faces a crisis of leadership, as well as theology

David Scullion

THREE STATE SECURITY VANS pulled up outside the church. Officers got out and began pounding on the door, threatening to break it down. Inside the pastor knew they’d come. Church gatherings had just been made illegal in his country but pro-regime neighbours had spotted people entering and had informed the authorities, to the applause of government media. Elsewhere Christians met more discreetly. One church gave the location of services only to trusted people by word of mouth. Once assembled, hymns were sung, the Bible was read and prayers were offered to God. More unusual was the location: the worshippers sat on hay bales in a barn, the service occasionally interrupted by livestock. These are not examples of the underground church in China, but from Britain last year. Wade McLennan, who…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, December 2021

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