The Shifting Landscape of Anglicanism

Decline in the West, Growth in the Global South

The Anglican Communion is undergoing a profound transformation. While the Church of England (CofE) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States experience ongoing decline, Anglican churches aligned with the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) are experiencing significant growth, particularly in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Global South. This shift raises critical questions about the future of Anglicanism, the role of doctrine and discipleship, and the spiritual vibrancy of different branches within the Communion.

Decline in the Church of England and The Episcopal Church

For decades, the Church of England and The Episcopal Church have faced significant membership losses, declining attendance, and a crisis of identity. Various factors contribute to this trend:

1. Declining Attendance and Cultural Secularization
   Both the CofE and TEC have seen dramatic decreases in church attendance. In England, average weekly attendance has dropped below 700,000, despite a population of over 56 million. The Episcopal Church has lost more than 60% of its membership since the 1960s, with Sunday attendance now below 500,000. These numbers reflect a broader secularization in Western societies, where traditional Christian faith is increasingly marginalized.

2. Doctrinal Drift and Theological Controversies
   Theological liberalism has played a significant role in the decline of these churches. Both the CofE and TEC have increasingly embraced progressive positions on issues such as human sexuality, gender identity, and interfaith relations, often at the expense of traditional Christian teachings. Many believe that this accommodation to secular culture has eroded confidence in the authority of Scripture and the historic faith.

3. Loss of Evangelical Zeal and Discipleship
   In many parts of the West, Anglican churches struggle with evangelism and discipleship. Rather than forming new believers or engaging in bold gospel proclamation, much energy has been spent on institutional maintenance and political activism. This inward focus has left many churches spiritually stagnant, leading to further decline.

The Rise of GAFCON and Global Anglican Growth

While the West experiences decline, Anglican churches in the Global South—particularly in Africa, Asia, and parts of South America—are experiencing remarkable growth. Much of this resurgence is driven by churches affiliated with GAFCON, a movement committed to upholding biblical orthodoxy and mission-centered Anglicanism.

1. Explosive Growth in Africa
   The Anglican Church in Africa has become the numerical and spiritual heart of the Communion. In Nigeria alone, the Anglican Church has over 18 million members, and Uganda and Kenya also boast millions of faithful Anglicans. This rapid growth is fueled by a strong commitment to evangelism, church planting, and discipleship.

2. Faithfulness to Scripture and Historic Anglican Doctrine
   GAFCON churches prioritize biblical authority, upholding the teachings of the historic creeds, the Thirty-Nine Articles, and the Book of Common Prayer. By maintaining a clear theological identity, these churches have avoided the drift that has weakened much of Western Anglicanism.

3. Bold Evangelism and Missionary Zeal
   Unlike the institutional decline seen in the CofE and TEC, GAFCON churches emphasize mission work, often sending missionaries to Western nations where Anglicanism is declining. The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), formed as a biblical alternative to TEC, continues to grow, planting new churches across the U.S. and Canada.

4. Standing Firm in the Face of Persecution
   Many Anglican churches in the Global South face persecution, yet they remain steadfast. Whether in Nigeria, where Christians are targeted by radical Islamist groups, or in parts of Asia, where government restrictions threaten religious freedom, these churches continue to thrive under adversity, demonstrating the power of the gospel.

The Future of Anglicanism

The trajectory of global Anglicanism suggests that the future belongs to those who remain faithful to Scripture, committed to discipleship, and focused on mission. As the Western branches of Anglicanism continue to decline, the Global South is emerging as the center of gravity for the Communion.

For those in the CofE and TEC who long for renewal, the success of GAFCON-aligned churches offers a model: a return to biblical authority, robust evangelism, and a commitment to Christ-centered mission. As history has shown, the churches that remain faithful to the gospel will ultimately endure, while those that compromise with the culture will fade.

The question now is whether Anglicanism in the West will heed this lesson before it is too late.