By The Rev. Dr. Duane Miller
AFM Cross-Cultural Worker to Spain

Some time ago I was asked to write a (lengthy) appendix to Stephen Neill’s important book Anglicanism. Turns out this is one of the main books that has been translated into Spanish that is used for historical education throughout the Spanish-speaking world. But, the book had not been reissued in decades and is hard to find. A new edition was in order.

One of the most important and dramatic events I noted in my research was the incredible expansion of Anglicanism during the period in question—roughly 1970 through today. Many new provinces were added to the Communion. Furthermore, Anglicanism grew through the addition and foundation of other networks and convocations outside of the official structure of the Anglican Communion.

Africa is a striking example of how Anglicanism has been re-centered. Today, the largest province in the Communion is Nigeria, then comes Uganda, then Kenya, then England. And by largest, I mean active members, not hypothetical members in some computer file somewhere. Writing now in 2023 it’s quite possible that another province has surpassed England in terms of active membership—perhaps Rwanda.

Another example of vibrance and growth in Africa is the recent formation of a new (Portuguese-speaking) province called the Anglican Church of Mozambique and Angola.

Anglican Frontier Missions (AFM) is part of this story of expansion and growth. It’s not my place here to give examples, but if you pay attention to AFM’s blog and read our newsletters, you’ll already know. In the days of the British Empire there were missionaries and chaplains who went to the frontiers of those days. Mission societies were founded to expand the gospel to unreached areas of the world in, among other places, South America. And today there are growing Anglican communities in many of those regions.

It’s not all about success, though. Anglican Christians, to our credit, have never claimed to be the “true” or “best” Christians. But when we are committed to our biblical and historical foundations, and when we resist our greatest weaknesses, we are a great force for God’s mission to the world, and especially to those peoples and regions where there is no Church.

You can read the full article in Global Missiology and contact Duane at drdamiller1232@gmail.com.