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.