HTB and the Beginning of the End

All over the Western world, once-dynamic movements are drifting into decline and decay. Here’s one recent example.

Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) is a 3,000-strong charismatic-evangelical Anglican Church in London’s West End. For a generation, HTB has been at the forefront of church renewal in Britain and worldwide. Under Nicky Gumbel’s leadership, the church birthed the Alpha cause that spread to 130 countries and resulted in the conversion of hundreds of thousands of people.

A few months ago, Nicky Gumbel stepped down from the leadership of HTB and endorsed the appointment of Archie Coates as his replacement.

In 2009 Coates was sent out by HTB to replant St Peter’s Brighton. Today around 1,000 people attend each Sunday.

The seaside town of Brighton is the unofficial gay capital of England and hosts the annual Pride Festival. As vicar of St Peters, Archie Coates was “very supportive” of the parade and noted that the church has many LGBT people who attend.

Coates believes sexuality is a secondary issue like Britain’s exit from the European Union (Brexit). He refuses to preach or teach about his own views on sexuality for fear of causing disunity in the church.

Movements that multiply disciples and churches rise and fall depending on whether they are moving towards or away from the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus lived his life and fulfilled his mission through obedience to his Father’s Word.

The culture has shifted, but Jesus’ Word will never pass away. Once we place our word above God’s Word all hope is lost. Movements drift, then decline and then decay. The only way back is to deny our fear of rejection and restore the supremacy of God’s Word above our fickle opinions.

The story of HTB is being played out all around the Western world as church leaders, denominations, seminaries and mission agencies are deciding whether to place the culture’s word about God’s Word. We can decide, but we can’t choose the consequences.