The Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) is on its way to planting 25 churches by 2025 after conducting its first ordination. Nine men were ordained by the Missionary Bishop to Europe, Andy Lines, in December in London.
AMiE is a network of English churches which are Anglican by conviction. They are not part of the central structures of the Church of England but are connected to global Anglicanism through the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
“Up until now, AMiE’s clergy have either come from the Church of England, or have been ordained by overseas bishops,” the mission said in a news release. “Now, for the first time, nine men have been ordained by an English bishop who can give them regular oversight as they begin their ministries.
“A new generation of ordained leaders will be essential if AMiE is to achieve its gospel desire of planting 25 churches by 2025 and 250 by 2050.”
One of the men was ordained as a presbyter, the other eight as deacons. The service in December took place in the Baptist East London Tabernacle Church. The Rev Rico Tice, associate minister at All Souls’ Church, Langham Place, preached from Matthew 28 on Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations”. Archbishops and bishops from Australia, Africa and Latin America sent video messages of support.
The Church of England, through a spokesman, stressed the AMiE “is not part of, nor affiliated with, the Church of England, nor is Bishop Lines's parent denomination part of the Anglican Communion” – referring to the Anglican Church of North America, which took the lead in consecrating Bishop Lines in June.
“Under our Canon law, Church of England clergy are unable to participate actively in the group's services,” the spokesman said. “Our prayers are, of course, with all those seeking to proclaim Christ.”
At the moment AMiE has 10 parishes in England but its mission director the Rev Lee McMunn said, “We are convinced that England needs many new Anglican churches that are sharing the great news about Jesus our Saviour and Lord – and forming communities of his loving disciples, who base their lives and worldview on Scripture and are empowered by his Spirit. We want to play our part in the spreading of the gospel in England.”
