What’s “Maundy Thursday?” Has there ever been a child who didn’t think I was saying Monday Thursday during the Holy Week announcements? Growing up, I thought today was Monday Thursday until about age 14. No one could explain why it was called Maundy Thursday when I finally learned it was Maundy rather than Monday! Friends,…
The Blessed Virgin Mary: A Rookie Anglican Guide
March 25th is the feast day commemorating the Annunciation, the announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Son of God. See Luke 1:26-38 for the beautiful story. We observe this day because it is nine months before Christmas Day. Mary: The God-Bearer, or Mother of God Mary’s faith lives on, and many generations have…
What Do You Call an Anglican Pastor?
“Hello, Father…er…I mean Pastor…sorry, I meant Reverend…. Canon…” “So are you a priest, a presbyter, a minister, a pastor, or a reverend?” What Should I Call You?
Good Friday and the Language of Sacrifice
Shouldn’t Good Friday be called “Bad” Friday? After all, it’s when Jesus was crucified. Radical Sin, Radical Savior It was a horrible thing that we human beings killed our creator. He came to us in lowly form, as a poor baby in a manger. He taught, he healed, he preached, he loved, he forgave. And…
Sacramental Theology
Sacramental theology emphasizes that God utilizes his creation to convey grace to humanity. During the Reformation and the period known as the “Settlement,” the Church of England maintained the concept of the Sacred and the transmission of God’s grace through elements of creation. Today, sacramental theology is integral to Anglican thought and practice.
What do Anglicans Believe about Holy Baptism?
All Christians, not just Anglicans, should trust their baptism. If they believe that Baptism is something God does in and for us, not something we do. And that is exactly how the early Church and the Reformers saw this sacrament! God brings people to the water of baptism. He sends his Holy Spirit into their…
After Communion: A Rookie Anglican Guide to the Post-Communion Liturgies
What happens when a worshipper approaches God with faith in Christ through the liturgies of Word and Sacrament? What happens after we come by faith to receive Holy Communion? Anglicans believe that the worship experience has a transformative effect on the worshipper. The people of God change as they spend time together in the presence…
Infant Baptism: Why do Anglicans Baptize Babies?
Why baptize infants? The Anglican theme verse for children would have to be, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19.14 Starting very early in the life of the Christian Church, Christian children were seen as members of the covenant community…
How to Read Scripture
In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus pictures God investing in us. The investments are gifts of his grace that empower us to bear fruit for his kingdom. One of those great gifts we enjoy is the wide accessibility of the Bible in English, with high literacy rates, and the ability of pastors to be educated…
