In response to the decision of the new incumbent of St Selpulchre without Newgate, London, known as the Musicians' Church because of its long history as a rehearsal and performance space for classical musicians, as reported in the Church Times on 18th August, our new General Secretary Jonathan Draper has issued the following statement which was published on the Church TImes letters page on 1st September.

Andrew Brown in his Press column (Church Times, 25th August) referred to the recent events at St Sepulchre Without Newgate – the "national musicians’ church" where apparently bookings are no longer welcome from choirs and orchestras because their music is not religious, after a church-plant from Holy Trinity, Brompton — as a significant act of “disevangelism”.

Modern Believing cover

Modern Believing is the journal of Modern Church. It publishes articles in theology and related disciplines to promote theological liberalism.

Published quarterly by Liverpool University Press. Students in Universities, Colleges and Theological Institutions which subscribe to the EBSCO database, can access Modern Believing online.
Editor: Revd Dr Steven Shakespeare
Reviews Editor: Revd Dr Michael Brierley
Assistant Editor: Dr Katharine Sarah Moody

Current issue:

Vol 58:3 July 2017 - Editor: Steven Shakespeare

2018 Annual Conference of Modern Church

Ritual, Worship & Culture

Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th July 2018

at High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Herts

SAVE THE DATE: Online booking available soon

Chair: Revd Canon Dr Jo Spreadbury

Chaplain: Revd Ian Mobsby

Following a competitive selection process, the trustees of Modern Church are pleased to announce the appointment of the Very Revd Dr Jonathan Draper as General Secretary of Modern Church.

Jonathan Draper, currently the Dean of Exeter Cathedral, announced his retirement from that role in March this year. He is currently on sabbatical, and will formally begin his new role with Modern Church on 1st September 2017.

This is a new opportunity for Modern Church as this will be a paid part-time post for the first time in Modern Church’s 119 year history.

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