As a relatively new Episcopalian and former Roman Catholic, I say a resounding AMEN to what you have written. Our own small parish has a long history of being and doing the Gospel but has fallen into a lost sense of identity founded in the Gospel and in formation. We are now struggling to re-find ourselves and our role in our community. Thanks for reflecting this so well. I’m sharing this with our Vestry and others in our congregation.
Well written and expressed, but doesn't catechism and doctrinal literacy necessarily assume, and require, more agreement on what the Church is and believes than is found in contemporary Anglicanism?
I've not found that to be the case in my own ministry as Canon Theologian. If there's any truth in the old adage that those who teach, learn. It may be that if we did more teaching, we might learn to agree more than we do through all our pontificating.
Your series has inspired me with a coauthor to put together a formation program that can be used in smaller congregations without the clergy or resources to help create the identity we need to survive in this age as you have so well defined it.
As a relatively new Episcopalian and former Roman Catholic, I say a resounding AMEN to what you have written. Our own small parish has a long history of being and doing the Gospel but has fallen into a lost sense of identity founded in the Gospel and in formation. We are now struggling to re-find ourselves and our role in our community. Thanks for reflecting this so well. I’m sharing this with our Vestry and others in our congregation.
Well written and expressed, but doesn't catechism and doctrinal literacy necessarily assume, and require, more agreement on what the Church is and believes than is found in contemporary Anglicanism?
I've not found that to be the case in my own ministry as Canon Theologian. If there's any truth in the old adage that those who teach, learn. It may be that if we did more teaching, we might learn to agree more than we do through all our pontificating.
Your series has inspired me with a coauthor to put together a formation program that can be used in smaller congregations without the clergy or resources to help create the identity we need to survive in this age as you have so well defined it.
I would love to see that when it's done.
Sure thing 😊