Why Anglicanism?
I’ve recently felt a drawn toward liturgy and the Anglican Church. It’s not completely foreign. I grew up attending an Episcopal grade school with chapel and liturgy. I didn’t understand why we did what we did but it became muscle memory over time.
Now, coming full circle, it’s like riding a bike. It feels natural. Since then I’ve been a part of Baptist, Presbyterian, and Non-denominational churches.
I’ve been attending non-denominational community-style church for the better part of my adult life. One consistent thing from church to church is that there are no consistent things. Theology may be consistent but the practice of the church is unique in each church we’ve attended.
In 2022, we left Grace Church after 22 years. I have many great memories of my time there. Most of my life-long friends were forged in those years. There are a number of reasons we finally made the decision to leave. I’ll leave that for another time.
Here, I want to briefly answer the question that I continue getting from well-meaning friends: “Why Anglicanism?”
Here are 10 reasons I’m moving in this direction.
1. Connecting to History
I want to be a part of the history of the church. What have Christians done together for thousands of years? I want connection over space and time rather than latest technology or church growth techniques.
Reading a prayer that other Christians are reading around the world draws me into a larger story. This is not just about my our personal relationship with God. I am a part of his people around the world now and throughout history. These prayers have been read for centuries upon centuries. They are proven, true, and tested by time.
The liturgical calendar, the colors of the season in the robes, and cloth hangings on the table tell a story. They reach beyond the here and now to a connect us to a larger perspective.
2. Reading scripture aloud
So little of a modern church service is actually the reading of Scripture out loud. There may (or may not) be a reading before a sermon as to what the next 45 minutes of teaching are supposed to refer.
In an Anglican service, similar to a Catholic Mass, there is an Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel reading. It is nourishing to the soul.
3. Engaging all of your senses
I love walking into the parish smelling the incense. It immediately arrests my thoughts and engages my body. I begin to experience worship and surrender long before there is music or preaching.
An Anglican service engages all 5 of your senses every time. It is not just singing and teaching. Your sense of smell and taste are just as much present as your sight and hearing.
4. Participating, not consuming
Unknowingly, I put myself in a position to judge each time I walked into a modern Non-denominational worship service. I know this because I would say things like, “That sermon was pretty good” or “I didn’t like that song” or “he really dropped the ball at this point in the message.” I didn’t know it but I was a consumer. Did the service measure up to my expectations?
Contrast a consumer mindset with participation. You are experiencing the means of Grace by being part of the body. You are being fed and nourished. You are doing. Liturgy means “the work of the people”. It’s God’s people together kneeling, confessing, praying, worshiping, and feasting on the body and blood of Christ.
5. Doing what Jesus said
From Matthew 6:9-15 (ESV):
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Jesus tells us how to pray. I can’t remember the last time I said the Lord’s Prayer in a non-denominational service. It is so refreshing to say this at least weekly as a body. I say “at least” because I’m also discovering the Daily Office in The Book of Common Prayer which guides you in morning and evening prayer. Each time you say these words they become more a part of you.
6. Coming as you are
This is interesting. I find myself looking forward to church recently since starting to attend an Anglican Church. It’s a weird feeling. I’m not used to it. At first, I wasn’t sure why. I spent some time thinking about it. I realized that historically, I had to get myself up for the challenge to attend church.
Am I ready to worship and learn? Will I feel pressure to experience emotional worship that feels forced at best and emotionally manipulated at worst.
In an Anglican service, I can come as I am and meet God. I know what it will be. I’ll confess my sin, assent to the the Nicene Creed, hear the Word read over me, hear some teaching, and celebrate the Eucharist.
I leave feeling nourished and full entering into the week ahead.
7. When you have no words
I don’t like being called on to pray. There is certainly a place for spontaneous prayer but, for me, it creates anxiety and awkwardness. Rather than humbly seeking God, I’m just trying to figure out the words to not sound dumb and get through it.
I often find that I’m without words. So I love reading prayers. Especially prayers that have been crafted beautifully and are time-tested as I mentioned in #1.
As I read, I can spend my energy offering to God beautiful words or praise and adoration. My mind is captured by beauty. I can rest in the words I am offering. Then, in quiet moments, I can commune quietly with God in my specific petitions and praises. This is so life-giving.
8. Teaching is the smaller part
The sermon or message is the centerpiece in a non-denominational service. Everything else is framing around it. You may have a few worship songs before and/or after it, but the sermon is the focus. 45 minutes to an hour. Ouch. Don’t get me wrong. I love the teaching but sometimes it’s an effort in endurance.
In an Anglican service, the sermon is generally 25 minutes and is just a small part of what you do together. Even if the message is leaves something to be desired, I leave feeling connected and filled from all the other parts of the service.
9. A rich experience at the table
Something else Jesus told his disciples to do. Take eat. Take drink. This is my body and blood given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. I love that there is bread and wine. I love the common cup. I love the reverence and ceremony around the table. The table is the center of the service. It’s something you do to partake in the Lord. It’s another action to move yourself toward the one who gave his life for you.
While I understand the convenience of providing a little prefilled communion cup with grape juice on one side and cracker nugget on the other, it just feels wrong, unholy. The richness of the experience moves me closer to one we commune with.
10. A small connected congregation
As we leave the service, I get to greet and connect with the priest. It has been decades since a pastor has been that available to me. If I wanted to talk to the teaching pastor, I would have to call the office and schedule a coffee 3 weeks from now. I forgot how nice it is to simply connect at church.
And the space is small in comparison. Instead of an auditorium with a thousand people, there are 150. It’s much more intimate. After being united in prayer and celebrating the Eucharist, we are connected. It is a different experience.
In summary, none of these points is specifically uniques to Anglicanism. They can exist in many different church contexts. I mention them here because that is where they are all colliding for me at this point in time. I’m thankful for that.
