I’m getting in early on this topic in the August issue of Southern Cross. partly because it has already been dealt with in other threads. I have some thoughts which I would like to share. I have been going to church for over 40 yrs., mainly Anglican but also Catholic and Pentacostal.My observations are more like a fly on the wall as I am not on “the grapevine” for various reasons.
To put things into perspective, I might mention some observations. The Catholics are welcoming in a non-confronting way. They may not rush and gush over you, but you can go to communion in a pair of thongs or a dinner suit. So long as you are there. The priests are always professional and best in the business IMO, and they say the right things.Athough the approach is St Francis of Assisi like, you know they can put on a luxurious, stylish appearance like no other.
The Pentacostals do rush and gush over you, especially if you are a family and have a good job. Whether a megachurch or a tin shed in someone’s backyard, there is always easy parking.
The Anglicans IMO have a thing about appearances, strains of Mrs Boucket. There is no Pope to put the lid on Spong or Robinson or Akinola. So a lively open discussion follows with evolution of ideas. But like a ship without a Captain, this allows all sorts of enclaves to throw anchors overboard( sometimes bigger than the ship) so that their Doctrinal or Biblical ideas are not molested.  Most of us acknowledge and care for the past. AS Christians we are rooted to the past like no one else because of the Bible
This analogy is not in the Bible, but perhaps it could be. The roots of a tree are balanced by the branches and leaves above. One cannot exist without the other. There needs to be a balance.Similarly we should learn from the past, but live in the present , as people say.  I don’t think anyone would like to change the character of Anglicanism, but as a fly on the wall I would like to see more understanding from the front runners and discussions of present day situations.