Why does ES Adelaide seem a bit Anglican?

Answer 1

They are denominational

If you attend non-Anglican Church, leaders try to pursuade you to switch Church. In a way, Holy Trinity Church provide ES facility, supply pastor, but get you to their Church, so they get their money through your tithe and giving.

They aren't open to discussion with Islam/Lutheran/Spirituality/Athiest group

If you are from any other club - they will shut you out. The truth is that ES Adelaide is a very good Christian ministry in Adelaide, but because of its connections with Holy Trinity Church, who funds it, it is seen to be quite Anglican.

It is unfortunate no charismatic ministries have been established in the Universities in South Australia, but maybe some time in the near future, God will do something great. The above, as well as providing an answer to the main question, raises three particular issues I would like to address; other points were made that could be debated, but not without exceeding the bounds of the topic posting. To summarise my answer to the original question: I think that ES seems a bit Anglican because there are a significant proportion of members in it who are from Anglican churches. However, they do not form the sole driving force in the activities, organisation, membership or teaching of ES. First issue: the claim that ES is overbearingly Anglican. I study at Adelaide University, and have been involved with ES there for four years. I also come from a non-demoninational church with a strong Baptist bent, and I grew up in a Baptist church. I've not once at ES been asked by any of the staff or leaders to switch to any Anglican church. Rather, in the last four years I've been supported in my ministry at my home church, trained to be better at the exposition of God's word, and prayed with many ESers both for my church and for theirs. Moreover, non-denominationalism is frequently encouraged, and as I perceive it is one of ES' great strengths, and a continually growing part of its culture. While there are many Anglican students there, they do not take over the group, nor do they impose their denominational beliefs on other members. This ties in with the second question: Holy Trinity's involvement. While it is true that Holy Trinity do give significant financial support to ES, much of ES' funding also comes from past uni students and from parents, friends and churches of current students. This year (2008), three of the four staffworkers are associated with Holy Trinity, but there is one who is completely funded by AFES, the national body of which ES is an affiliate member. Next year a member of Mount Barker Baptist is coming on board. ES would be happy to take on as staff a member of any evangelical church. The question of interaction with other groups was also raised. Ironically, ES has a vibrant relationship with the atheist society; we often attend similar events and turn up at each others' meetings. For example, both clubs sent representatives to the questions club meeting on 'religion' earlier this year. We have debated them on a few occasions, notably during Week 4 of the second semester of 2008, in an event which was advertised for the entire preceding week and was attended by a couple of hundred students. As a general rule the members of both clubs get along well with each other, having respect for the care and thought each other have put into their worldview, although obviously disagreeing at a fundamental level. Similarly, many ESers have friends in the Lutheran group and vice versa, many ESers are friends with Muslim students, and so on. Certainly, the group does not isolate itself or paint itself as Anglican in the meetings with other student societies. In closing, I note that one answer stated that no charismatic ministries have been established. This is true, and I think it would certainly be inaccurate to label ES as such. However, ES has no intrinsic objection to a charismatic group and would welcome its formation, as a partner in Christian ministry at Adelaide Uni. === === ES (Evangelical Students) is a collection of interdenominational Christian university student groups in South Australia. There are ES groups in most South Australian university campuses, largely supported by local churches (see the link below). Each ES group typically has a slightly different character according to who its students and staff are. ES students come from a variety of denominations and are encouraged to support their local church. ES is part of a parachurch group called AFES, the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students. AFES does not attempt to transcend denominations but rather seeks to work within the local church context, as it does not consider itself to be a church in the fullest sense. AFES employs staff and trainees to work with each of its affiliate groups around Australia. Its staff are theologically trained and some are ordained ministers in various Protestant denominations.