Todd Hunter, Anglicans: Not for me

For those of you who may or may not know, Tod Hunter who was the National director of the Vineyard denomination. He took the mantel of John Wimber: which he shed pretty quickly. He then headed up the Alpha course in the USA. Now he has taken the Anglican plunge.
There is a pretty informative interview in Christianity today about his move over to Anglicanism, the emergent movement and the Vineyard. Much of the interview got me thinking about my own reflections on Anglicanism.
As a person that has moved from Anglicanism, there are things which I didn't understand when I was growing up about the liturgy. They were really never explained. I really struggled with a man wearing a dress, waving his arms around muttering things. Now probably have more appreciation liturgy and its meaning.
Yet the reason that Anglicanism annoyed me is the heirarcy, the institution. I would say the majorty of Anglicans in Australia actually enjoy it. Especially the ones I know. Yet from my observation it steals away what other christians within the church could be doing. There is an expectation that the minister does it all. Like it or not. It is the default setting, even if the minister in charge wants to change it. For me the wearing of vestments just emphasizes this. It is the reason that I could never go back.
Stangely I have more capacity to participate in liturgy (even out of the anglican prayer book), in our community, than I ever could within the Anglican Church.

Forge intensive, 2009, @ Northern Church of Christ

Just a few thoughts...

*I didn't meet anyone from the pioneering stream. Once upon a time there was only the pioneering stream.

*Most of the people who I met were getting accredited from bible colleges or just decided to do a one off intensive.

*It would appear that most people are in mainstream churches, that some are exploring the idea of transitioning.

*It was good to hear Alan Hirsch speak. I have this nagging question. Is Alan still a pioneering practitioner. Or has he turned his hand at helping churches mainly large, in transitioning. I suspect the latter. 

*It was good to hang out with people who are exploring mission and missional theory to an Australian context.

*Christina spoke well on sustainability, lots of positive feedback.

An evening with Deb and Alan Hirsch

Tonight myself and the girls went to an evening with Deb and Alan Hirsch. This post is done on the iPhone so sorry about the quality. I've just jotted down the main points.

Deb's reflections.

US

Sevice based. Can do. We can do ideas.

Aussie

Rather cynical, what you see is what you get. Authentic but a little bit rude.

A lot more competition with Australian Churches.
A negative spirit in the church, within Australia.

Alan thoughts

Warning against missional liberalism. (would have liked to have seen this unpacked a bit)

A synergy happening with larger churches and new missional thinking.

US will be where western church is turned around.

There were a lot more points, but these got me pondering.