Far from being a faith of the past, Anglicanism presents a rich spiritual tradition that has matured into a worldwide movement of Christians on every continent. The Anglican tradition offers a refreshing alternative to our postmodern world by helping us reconnect to the historic Christian faith in a way that speaks to our present age….
Real Presence: Reclaiming the Legacy of Anglo-Catholic Church Planting
When it comes to Anglican church planting, we often think of modern evangelical or charismatic examples such as Holy Trinity Brompton in London. But what about the Anglo-Catholic movement that has its roots in the “Oxford Movement” of the nineteenth century? Are Anglo-Catholic Church Planters a Thing? Let’s be honest, when you hear think of…
Putting the Fire in the Fireplace: Anglicanism & the Holy Spirit
A fireplace exists to hold a fire. Without fire, a fireplace merely becomes a cold ornamental shell. Likewise, a fire without a fireplace can easily become a wildfire, having no container. The Anglican tradition is akin to a fireplace that is meant to provide a structure or foundation for a lively faith. It allows us…
Scripture in the Anglican Tradition
Charles Simeon once said, “The Bible first, the Prayer Book next, and all other books and doings in subordination to both.” Anglicans love the Bible. In fact, when most people attend an Anglican church, the first thing they notice is the central role of the Bible. Each Sunday, there are usually four readings of Scripture:…
Whatever Happened to the Anglican Via Media?
The via media stands as one of Anglicanism’s greatest gifts to the world: a middle way. However, in the North American context, much of Anglicanism has lost its via media in recent years. Too often, contemporary Anglicanism feels politicized and polarizing, leaving little room for those of us in the middle. Yet as we look to both the past and…
Encouraging Family Discipleship
Having children is one of life’s most wonderful privileges, and it carries with it an amazing responsibility to shape their hearts and lives. In fact, I can’t think of any greater responsibility than being entrusted with a human life. We have been made stewards of the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our children. Grace…
Fasting for Lent: How to Fast for Lent and Why You Should Do It
Lent is a time for prayer and fasting. It is a season of spiritual preparation in which we remember Christ’s temptation, suffering, and death. Historically, the Church has celebrated Lent as a 40-day period beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding the day before Easter. It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to…
Family Discipleship
We need a revival of family discipleship that begins in the home. Parenting is an amazing responsibility. I will never forget February 25, 2004. It was the day our first daughter was born. It was the day that I became a parent, which was a very emotional day. After a long day of labor, my…
Cranmer and the Book of Common Prayer
Author and theologian J. I. Packer says of the Book of Common Prayer‘s influence on the British people, Long before the age of fish and chips, the Book of Common Prayer was the Great British invention, nurturing all sorts and conditions of Englishmen and holding the church together with remarkable effectiveness. Before the Book of…
Five Signs of Clergy Health & Longevity
The road to ministry is filled with pastors who burned out, committed moral failure, or walked away from the ministry. For many, what began as an exciting adventure became a nightmare. Peter Drucker, who Business Week has called “the man who invented management,” said the four toughest jobs in America (in no particular order) were:…
Catechesis & Anglican Church Planting
What do Anglican church planting and catechesis have in common? The answer is a lot. As Fr. Lee Nelson recently and masterfully pointed out, Christians have used catechesis to teach the essentials of the faith for centuries, and Canon Dan Alger pointed us recently to sacramental church planting. One of the biggest challenges church planters face…
Meditative Prayer
We have some idea, perhaps, what prayer is, but what is meditation? Well may we ask; for meditation is a lost art today, and Christian people suffer grievously from their ignorance of the practice. Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things…
