Holding on to the Good

So, Christ Community is a traditional Anglican church. What does that mean? If you are asking for a definition of Anglicanism, there are numerous good sources. We recommend our Missionary Society web site at msjanglican.org . However, when we say that we are "traditional" we mean something quite different than "Traditional Anglican," which typically refers to a continuing Anglican jurisdiction. Okay, You're right. It is hair splitting. For all practical purposes we fall in line with Continuing Anglican jurisdictions if that helps you. The difference is that the continuing Anglicans were nearly all formerly Episcopalians. This is not the case with Christ Community. Christ Community Church has never been part of the Episcopal Church in the US. In fact, the Missionary Society of St. John did not separate from the Episcopal Church. Our history lies elsewhere. Where, you might ask? You name it. Lutheran, Methodist, Nazarene, Roman Catholic, and maybe even some Episcopalians. In the same respect, Christ Community Church is composed of people from many different traditions, most of them not Episcopalian. So it is really a misnomer to say that we are continuing Anglicans, but it provides us a great place to begin a more significant conversation, namely to answer the question, "Then why are you Anglican?"

This is where I get excited, because we have found in the Anglican tradition, a solid spiritual foundation for growth and discipleship in the Christian faith. Allow me to speak biographically. My journey with the Lord Jesus, began in conservative evangelicalism. I found Jesus there. I learned reverence for God's word, and zeal for evangelism. Later in life I was introduced to the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in a Charismatic church. This presented a dramatic shift in my life, as my relationship with the Lord became much more intimate, and my confidence and expectation of His power at work today, increased dramatically. It was in the liturgical/sacramental tradition that I learned of the availability and efficacy of God's grace through the sacraments, and the stability and growth that is enhanced through the use of the historic liturgy and episcopal oversight. Liturgical worship has been around since the church's foundation in Acts chapter 2 and has faithfully, preserved the faith of Jesus' Apostles for nearly 2000 years. Here is the beautiful part of this story. In coming to the Anglican tradition, I didn't have to give up any of these treasures that I gained in my previous experiences. The Anglican tradition provides for me, and many others an historic, liturgical and sacramental foundation, for evangelical and charismatic belief. I have kept all the good, all the significant parts of my prior Christian experiences.

The seeds that God has sown in our lives can be nurtured and come to full blossom in the soil of Anglicanism. And as an added bonus, we find ourselves one step closer to the unity of Christ's church envisioned by Jesus in John 17. Come, see for yourself what God is doing in Anglican Churches across America. If you live in Casey or any of the surrounding counties, come worship at Christ Community Church this Sunday.

The Call of Fishermen

February is upon us, and believe it or not, the minds of many have already turned to the lakes. I remember as a young boy braving blustering cold in an attempt to catch the first crappies as they begin to feed. Now much older, I generally try to hold off until the water temperature gets into fifties. But as that mercury inches its way up the anticipation builds. It's still going to mean braving some chilly weather. The determination of Kentucky crappie fishermen is second of course to the heroic ice fishermen of the northern country. Its not for the faint hearted. Some might ask, "Why would you spend hours sitting in a boat in bone chilling cold?" While motives differ widely among fishers, for me it is the thrill of fishing, combined with the anticipation of the freshly cooked crappie fillet on my plate. No, I wouldn't die for it, but I'm willing to brave the elements. The strength of the motive, determines how much we are willing to sacrifice.

One time, Jesus was walking along the lake (Galilee) and he saw some fishermen, James, and John the sons of Zebedee, and Andrew and Simon (Peter). He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." The amazing thing is that all four of them dropped what they were doing and followed Jesus. What we see in their example is of course their courage and obedience, but at the deeper level we see a measure of motivation. What they were willing walk away from, signifies the greatness of what they were walking into. What we are willing to sacrifice, demonstrates the significance of what motivates us.

Jesus came to us bringing light to our darkness, the good news of the kingdom. For those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death new light has dawned. What Jesus brought to us, perhaps more important than the miracles, healing, or fixing our problems, is motivation, a purpose for living. A purpose so great that Christians through out the centuries have been willing to suffer abuse, persecution, abandonment, even death to pursue. The purpose and meaning that Jesus brings to our lives, affords us joy in the midst of pain and suffering, and a willingness and determination to endure to the end. It is as it should be, for we are following in the footsteps, of the man who for the Joy set before him endured the cross. Come to Jesus. Let him show you what abundant life is.