When we observe the world—the sin and disbelief and conflict surrounding the church, together with the sin and disbelief and conflict within the church—it is easy to grow weary of the “changes and chances of this life” (BCP, 60). But take heart: our Lord Jesus Christ is on his throne, his Kingdom is at hand,…
Let’s talk about Baptism!
Last week in The Curate, we took a look at what Anglicans have to say about the meaning and number of “sacrament/s” in general. This week, let’s take a closer look at what Anglicans believe about the first of the two “sacraments of the Gospel,” Baptism! Article 27: Of Baptism Article 27 of the 39…
What Do Anglicans Believe about the Sacraments? (Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Ordination, Marriage, Absolution, Anointing of the Sick)
From The ACNA Catechism The following is an excerpt from the Anglican Church in North America’s catechism, To Be a Christian: An Anglican Catechism (Crossway, 2020), pp. 55–63. You can download a PDF of the entire catechism here. Concerning Sacraments 121. What is a sacrament? A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an…
The Incarnation: What is It? Why Does it Matter?
This post is a part of Rookie Anglican, a blog dedicated to Making Anglicanism Accessible. It was first preached as a sermon by Fr. Steven Lanclos on January 3, 2018 at Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in Pelham, AL. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with…
Getting Over the Hurdle of Infant Baptism: An Atonement Argument
Like many current Anglicans, I grew up as a Baptist, a Southern Baptist in fact. I even went to a Baptist college on the campus of a Southern Baptist seminary and got an excellent foundational education in the Scriptures and Great Books. When I married an Anglican, we started attending Baptist churches but never found…
Listen to the Word & Table Podcast to Learn More about Liturgical and Sacramental Christian Worship
I don’t know about you, but I’m quite possibly addicted to podcasts. Right now, NPR’s UpFirst, The Tim Ferriss Show, and The Art of Manliness are some of my favorites. However, it’s been a bit of struggle for me to find great Anglican podcasts. Granted, perhaps that’s due to my own ignorance, but when you…
Why Do We Worship The Way We Do? – by Gerald R. McDermott
As Anglicans, we use various forms of ancient worship called “liturgical.” This is the major thing that distinguishes us from “low” churches that do not have a traditional liturgy. Liturgy: The Work of the People Liturgy comes from a Greek word which means “the work of the people.” In this ancient custom of worship, we…
Anglican Worship: The Focus is Not My Experience
At the heart of every church tradition is one priority which shapes the identity of the community. This central aspect is the source of its energy and vision, and becomes the first of all other priorities. This aspect determines much, if not all, of its distinctive traits and eventually becomes the touchstone for every other…
Ministry, Not Magic
So now, Father, we ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Holy Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine, that we may partake of his most blessed Body and Blood. What happens to the bread and wine in and through this prayer of epiclesis, when the priest invokes the Word and Holy…
Dangerous Things
Is it dangerous, as some claim, to believe that God would mediate his grace to us through his creation? Would God touch us through the hands of another person, or feed us his very presence in bread, or cleanse our souls through water? Will it lead to “magical thinking” or idolatry? Yes, it is dangerous….
