Presiding Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Dominic Stockford.

Assistant Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Arthur Bentley Taylor

General Secretary

The Rev. Michael John Smithson

This magazine  is called ‘The Connexion’ and its main aim is to positively add to the debate that is happening in Anglicanism in its broadest sense. I believe that God is doing a significant work in shaking up Anglicanism at the moment as he did in the days of the Evangelical revival. In the days of the Wesley’s and Whitefield the gospel spread with great power. Their work was condemned by those in Episcopal Office, although there were notable exceptions, the word Methodist was a condemning word for those Anglicans who took seriously the Bible and being ‘Born Again’. But the work spread in spite of the Church. Chapels were built for the proclamation of the Gospel by these great evangelical preachers and the Countess of Huntingdon whose theological roots the Free Church of England is connected to.

I believe that God is doing a significant work amongst those Evangelical Christians who value the doctrine found in the 39 articles and the Book of Common Prayer in standing for the gospel truth against liberalism, ritualism, significant events are also taking place at Dundonald Church in South London where Bishops from the Church of England in South Africa ordained three Deacons for ministry because there local Anglican Bishop was unwilling to Ordain    http://www.co-mission.org/ordination.php

Some would ‘shout’ Schism, including the Bishop of Southwark. Nobody wants schism and it should be avoided if at all possible. But there are times in all conscience it must happen, it must be never done for our own ‘ego trip’ or to build up our own little empire but only for Biblical principles and the proclamation of the gospel.

The Free church of England came into being because bible men and women saw the unbiblical tractarian movement of the day. Sadly today there is a school of thought that Anglo Catholics and Evangelicals have the same essential theology and can be in partnership together in the cause of the gospel. To me Anglo Catholism is a different gospel and by joining forces with such groups is a denial of what the Free Church of England stands for. I have recently been enjoying reading the autobiography of William Haslam. The Cornish preacher Rev. was described as ‘ just an old Puseyite’ by Billy Bray before he was converted in his pulpit while preaching ,he describes it as moving from ‘death to life’. ‘One Sunday in 1851 following a period of deep conviction of sin, Haslam ascended into the pulpit of Baldhu church near Truro with the intention of telling his congregation that he would not preach again to them until he was saved and to ask them to pray for his conversion. However, when he began to preach on the text 'What think ye of Christ' he saw himself as a Pharisee who did not recognize that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. At that moment, the Holy Spirit breathed new life into him and the effect was so obvious and marked that a local preacher who was present stood up and shouted 'the Parson is converted' and the people rejoiced 'in Cornish style'. Others were also converted on that day, including members of his own household, others fled from the church in fear. A revival followed that blessed Sunday that lasted for three years during which time souls were saved weekly, often daily.’ http://www.williamhaslam.org/

After his conversion Haslam had great opposition from fellow clergy, he was called a dissenter because he would follow the Methodists in preaching wherever he could. Bishop Philpots of Exeter made his life difficult by not giving him a living ( the same Bishop who caused problems with the Rev. James Shore). But God blessed his ministry and supplied richly his need.

To maintain the Evangelical truth can be costly, and those who seek to ‘preach Christ Crucified’ will always be criticized by the world but it is the thing we have been called to do. In bible ministry there will always be sufferings and setbacks but that is our calling until Christ returns.

St. Giles Christian Mission.

62, Bride Street. London N78AZ 020 7690 9143

Worship Times

11-00. 12-30. 4-00 (first Sunday) 6-30 (other Sundays)

www.sgcm.co.uk