Towards the Acceptance of Diversity

A Brief History of the Mixed Economy of Church and Continental European Adaptations

Abstract

During the past fifteen years, the self-understanding of the Church of England, a traditional state church with its parish structure has changed. The mother church of the Anglican World Communion claims since 2004 to be a mixed economy church; one that supports and recognises innovative ecclesial spaces (fresh expressions of Church) as church, as well as parish churches. It is the goal to have an innovative diversity of churches in a pluralistic society. At the same time these churches should be recognisable and contextual. It is the concept of the mixed economy that manages a fair cooperation between parochial and fresh expressions of Church. In the meantime, the concept of mixed economy is not only received in the UK, but rather in different national and free churches in continental Europe. As of late the concept is taken up by the CPCE (Community of Protestant Churches in Europe).