honest-anglican:

dear friends,

i extend a sincere welcome to my fellow brothers and sisters not only in the episcopal church and the anglican communion, but also to the wider christian community. it is my hope that this blog (and the conversation  that will hopefully emerge) will build the Body of Christ in love. Amen!

This evening, i wish to share some reflections on being anglican.

i grew up roman catholic, and still audaciously emphasize the anglican communion’s rightful place in the one holy catholic and apostolic church. Why did I make the pilgrimage from Rome to Canterbury? After coming up with the title of this blog, i dwelled over my understanding of the anglican identity, and its role in my ‘conversion’. 

The Anglican Identity is Parodoxical. This is perhaps one of the most defining characteristics of an Anglican; we rarely agree. While the Communion is on the verge of schism, conflict has existed in the past. Indeed, true Anglicanism is the offspring of conflict. Though we may bicker with one another and even ‘reject’ other anglicans (the humanity of our church), we are still one body tied together in prayer and mission whether we like it or not (the holiness of our church). 

The Anglican Identity is Sacramental. Regardless of theological tidbits (is it the actual body? is it a symbol?) of the Eucharist, holy communion is the centre of our liturgy. We are all called around Christ’s table to share in God’s  mystical presence in the bread and wine, and we take Him into us. Anglicans have a very real understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ.*

The Anglican Identity is Inclusive. And I don’t just mean this in a gay friendly way. Similar to the first point, Anglicans don’t have a set of strict rules or ‘cookie cuts’—we encourage healthy debate and affirm each believer’s convictions. Of course, we’re not all about mixing and matching—or liberal, ‘feel good christianity’ as i like to call it; The Nicene Creed is our foundation of faith (though some may argue with me on that….). 

But underneath all this, there is a greater identity to be found; one which we should all have in common: the christian identity. An identity that should be based on love, humility, justice and mercy.