Church Society

Church Society is a conservative, evangelical Anglican organisation and registered charityChurch Society Charity Commission entry formed in 1950 by the merger of the Anglican Church Association (founded 1865) and National Church League (founded 1906 by amalgamation of two earlier bodies).The central records of the Church of England: a report and survey ed. C. J. Kitching, Church of England, Pilgrim Trust (Great Britain) - 1976 - "1950 by merger of Church Association (f. 1865) and National Church League (f. 1906). NCL was an amalgamation of National Protestant Church Union (f. 1893) and Church of England League (f. 1904, formerly Ladies' League 1899)."Church Society: Our History In May 2018, Church Society merged with two other evangelical Anglican organisations, Reform and the Fellowship of Word and Spirit to provide a united voice for conservative evangelicals within the Church of England.Church Times report February 2018. 'Three of the largest Evangelical groups in the Church of England merge'

The journal of Church Society is The Global Anglican, formerly Churchman (established 1879Churchman archive). Editors have included Henry Wace, Philip Edgecumbe Hughes and Gerald Bray. The current editor is Peter Jensen.June 2025 issue of The Global Anglican

Anglicans associated with the society include J. C. Ryle, J. T. Tomlinson, W. H. Griffith-Thomas, Henry Wace, William Joynson-Hicks (Home Secretary), Geoffrey Bromiley, Philip Edgecumbe Hughes, J. I. Packer, Alan Stibbs, John Stott, Alec Motyer, Wallace Benn, and Rod Thomas.

History and predecessors

The original forebear of the Church Society was the Protestant Association (founded 1835). The forebears of the society were established in the 19th century to oppose the introduction of Anglo-Catholic doctrine into the Church of England through bodies such as the Oxford Movement and The Church Union.

The Church Association, founded in 1865 by Richard P. Blakeney stated in its first annual reportChurch Association that the objectives of the Association were:

As well as publishing information (including its Church Association TractsChurch Association Tracts and holding public meetings, controversially, this also involved instigating legal action against Anglo-Catholics. According to the Association this was intended to clarify the law.J. C. Whisenant, A Fragile Unity - Anti-Ritualism and the Division of Anglican Evangelicalism in the Nineteenth Century (Paternoster Press, 2003) p8 However, the ritualists refusal to comply with the courts' verdicts, coupled with the bishops' unwillingness to act, eventually led to such legal action not being pursued.

In 1928 the National Church League, led by its treasurer William Joynson-Hicks, was successful in Parliament, as home secretary, in resisting what were seen as attempted Anglo-Catholic doctrinal changes in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.Hansard 1803-2005: contributions in Parliament by William Joynson-Hicks: Prayer Book Measure, 1928

The society (and its forebears) have published theological literature since the 19th century, including the Church Association Tracts Church Association Tracts (several of which were written by J. C. Ryle), and its journal, Churchman. Most of the society's 20th-century titles, including works by W. H. Griffith Thomas, (pictured right) were produced under its publishing arm, Church Book Room Press (CBRP), and from 1976, Vine Books Ltd.CBRP titles referenced in AbeBooks.co.ukOpen Library entry for CBRP

In 1950 the Church Association and the National Church League merged to form Church Society.

At the AGM in 2018 a new council was elected to include leaders from Reform and the Fellowship of Word and Spirit, to work together to complete the agreed merger of the three organisations. The merged body continued to be known as Church Society.Evangelicals Now report April 2018

Present day According to its website, Church Society is a fellowship contending to reform and renew the Church of England in biblical faith. These objectives are accomplished through campaigning, networking, patronage, publishing, conferences and partnership with other organisations, as well as the administration of charitable trusts and properties.Church Society website According to its memorandum of associationMemorandum of Association the main objective of Church Society is:

The society's interpretation of its declared objectives include opposing homosexuality and the ordination of women.

Campaigning The society issues occasional press releases on its views which its website says seek to present 'a clear biblical perspective on issues affecting both the Church of England and the nation.' The society has been active in opposing women's ordination as priests (it failed in its legal attempt to overturn the 1992 decision to ordain women) and consecration as bishops,Sunday Telegraph quote, 17 November 2012BBC News, 20 November 2012. 'Church Society welcomes vote against women bishops.' which included in November 2012 setting up the campaign group Together 4ward.BBC News website. 'Women bishops: Church of England general synod votes against'Channel 4 News website, 22 November 2012. 'Why I support the vote against women bishops.' By Pete MyersITV News website, 21 November 2012. 'No' campaign group pleased with Synod's decision.'

It has also taken a position against the acceptance of actively homosexual lifestyles in the Church of EnglandBBC News website, 19 June 2006. 'Anglican split has become necessary.' which led to it opposing the appointment of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams,Daily Telegraph article, 18 October 2002. 'Church Society pledges 'direct action' against Dr Williams.'Evangelicals Now, September 2008. 'Rowan William's' teaching on sexuality.' and also the appointment of Jeffrey John as Dean of St Albans.The Guardian website, 07 January 2004. 'New bishop unveiled after gay row' In 2012 the society, in conjunction with other organisations, campaigned against Government plans to implement same-sex marriage legislation.The Guardian article, 23 June 2012. 'Argument for gay marriage would also legalise incest and polygamy, claim bishops and MPs'Chairman of Keep Marriage Special quoted in The Daily Telegraph, 24 August 2012 Since 2017 Church Society has also been opposed to the Church of England's Living in Love and Faith process.Church Times article 31 October 2022. 'Living in Love and Faith authors defend report after Church Society criticism.'

The society has critiqued inter-denominational theological movements including theological liberalismChurch Society Conference talk (audio via The Theologian website) and some aspects of the charismatic movement.Churchman article on the Alpha Course cited in the Banner of Truth magazine

More positively, it was actively involved in requesting transparency in the John Symth case with regards the Archbishop of Canterbury, and in asking for more conservative-minded bishops to be consecrated in a way that better reflects the actual numbers of traditional evangelical churches and church members on the ground.

Patronage

Through its patronage body Church Society TrustChurch Society Trust (prior to 1950, Church Association TrustBritish History Online reference (under 'advowson')) the society is involved in the appointment of evangelical clergy in approximately 130 Anglican churches, including St John the Baptist, HartfordSt John the Baptist, Hartford Cheshire (pictured), and Christ Church Dusseldorf websiteList of Church Society Trust parishes

Publishing The society today publishes its journal Global Anglican (formerly Churchman),The Global Anglican journal edited by Peter Jensen; members' magazine Crossway;,Crossway magazine and a number of books and booklets such as An English Prayer BookAmazon.co.uk entry (a contemporary Anglican liturgy in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer); and a range of books on contemporary evangelical Anglicanism, such as Fight Valiantly.Amazon.co.uk entry In 2010 the society established the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Library (REAL)Anglican Church League, Australia - reference – a project to re-publish evangelical Anglican texts (including the sermons of George Whitefield,Evangelicals Now review, December 2010The Gospel Coalition review, April 2012 as well as producing a weekly podcast,Church Society podcast and regular videos introducing the lectionary readings. Other audio-visual and downloadable resources produced by Church Society are also on their website.Church Society resources

Administration The society administers a number of charitable trusts and properties.Church Society Funds and Trusts

The society holds an annual day conference, an annual residential conference (formerly the Fellowship of Word and Spirit conference), is a partner in the annual ReNew conference, and hosts the annual Junior Anglican Evangelical Conference.Evangelical Times report, October 2011Church Society Conference talk (audio via The Theologian website) Church Society also runs an online training course for women, the Priscilla ProgrammePriscilla Programme. Union School of Theology in partnership with Union School of Theology, led by the associate director.

The society is run by an elected councilChurch Society Council and staffChurch Society Staff (voted for by its members annually). the president of the society was Bishop Roderick Thomas, and the director was Revd Dr Lee Gatiss.Lee Gatiss Commissioning Report Evangelical Times After previously being located in central London, the society's headquarters moved to Dean Wace House, Watford, UK.

Leadership

Secretaries 1942–1949: Llewellyn Roberts (Nat. Church League) 1945–1952: Gordon Savage (Church Assoc. & Church Society) 1953–1956: Philip Hughes 1956–1962: Tom Hewitt 1962–1967: John Sertin 1967–1975: Michael Benson 1975–1982: Don Irving 1983–1991: David Samuel 1991–1998: David Streater

Directors 1998–2011: David Phillips 2013–: Lee GatissChurch Society staff

From 2017 Church Society has also employed an associate director, Ros Clarke.FIEC PeopleAssociate Director Announcement In 2019, two part-time Regional Directors were appointed.

See also

Forward in Faith

References