http://www.christianforums.com The forum for Anglican, Anglo-Catholic and Episcopal churches. en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:42:01 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.christianforums.com/style/misc/rss.jpg http://www.christianforums.com http://www.christianforums.com/t7419244/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:42:52 GMT Was wondering what the anglican position today is on anabaptists and puritans. Im reading up on church history....so yeah.... Was wondering what the anglican position today is on anabaptists and puritans. Im reading up on church history....so yeah.... ]]> RMDY http://www.christianforums.com/t7419244/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7419100/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:37:48 GMT Hey guys I am actually looking into a very local Anglican Church (Episcopal) I have sent the pastor an email before wanting to even go and really check it out because I want to know his churches stance on certain theological things (such as gay marriage, woman ordination ect.) What are things I... Hey guys I am actually looking into a very local Anglican Church (Episcopal) I have sent the pastor an email before wanting to even go and really check it out because I want to know his churches stance on certain theological things (such as gay marriage, woman ordination ect.) What are things I should look into? This church actually has some participating programs with the local Roman Catholic Church, and Mass is held every Sunday. Got any tips? does it sound like this Church might be middle to high Church? liberal in Theology? more Conservative in Theology? ]]> Searching_for_Christ http://www.christianforums.com/t7419100/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418877/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:12:10 GMT This is my first time venturing into this forum, so forgive me if this question has been asked before, but what does the circle or ring in the cross signify? (As represented in the CF Anglican faith icon.) I did some web searching, and some places said it is merely structural/decorative, and others... This is my first time venturing into this forum, so forgive me if this question has been asked before, but what does the circle or ring in the cross signify? (As represented in the CF Anglican faith icon.) I did some web searching, and some places said it is merely structural/decorative, and others said the ring represents the sun, and was an attempt to "meet halfway" with sun-worshipping pagans. My thought when I first saw it was that it might represent planet Earth. Anyone know? ]]> Chesterton http://www.christianforums.com/t7418877/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7418071/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:25:00 GMT Hey everyone! I've wanted to do a post for a while to ask the questions I have about the Anglican Church (well, the Episcopal Church, since I live in the US). First off, a bit of my personal history with the Church:
I was received into the Catholic Church last year when I was at the Marine Corps recruit depot at Parris Island, SC. I decided to join at THAT time because I really liked the Priest that celebrated Mass (Lt. Jay Kersten, who I am still friends with, and who's been a great source of strength). The thing is, I wasn't exactly ready. I came from a Seventh Day Adventist background (became SDA in 1997 when I was 8). Haha, I know, it's a tangled web of faith!! :P But anyway, I wasn't fully ready to embrace ALL Catholic doctrine, so I guess I already had a problem on my hands. As I progressed to my MOS (or job) school at Ft. Lee, Virginia, I attended an independent Baptist Church because a very, very kind old member would come on Sundays and offer free rides to Church. I enjoyed being there (though I am certainly not a Baptist in doctrine!). Around that same time, I met a fellow Marine named Simpson who was a Mormon. I already knew some about Mormonism, so I attended the LDS Church on base with him (more of the tangled web of faith! lol jk). I never believed Mormon doctrine, I went with him anyway.
Fastforward to this past April. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. I was being discharged out of the Marine Corps because of some very personal issues I was having. I didn't have many friends there at all, and I was struggling with some very bad depression. Praise be to God, I was blessed with a great Chaplain, Lt. Dupree. He was, I later found out, an Episcopal Priest. While being discharged, I worked with him (a period of about two months). We talked many times about the differences between the Catholic and Anglican Churches, but also the factors that unify us. He always reminded me of the fact that we are ALL Christians, we all profess faith in Him, we all partake of the Eucharist, etc. I attended an Episcopal church with him one Sunday off base, and very much enjoyed it (I was in for a shock though: a female priest on my visit!). Lt. Dupree was one of the finest examples of a Christian I have ever met, and he was, as Lt. Kersten, a source of strength during a horrible time in my life.
Fastforward (again) to now: I'm living in Louisiana (about to be going back home to SC this week!), and for the past seven weeks I've been here I have been attending an Episcopal Church (instead of the Catholic Church right down the street!). What kept me coming back after the first Sunday was how warm and inviting the people are. I certainly felt welcome, the Priest introduced himself to me and we talked for a while, and I was given a cool little 'welcome bag' with info on the Episcopal Church, the BCP, a pamphlet on 'Scripture, Reason, and Tradition', and (best of all) a coffee mug! Anyway, the people were such inviting Christians, so loving, it made an impact on me.

Anyway, hope everyone enjoyed the story of my journey of faith! My faith in Christ Jesus is stronger than ever, but I've had the same question in my mind that comes back over and over: What Church should I be in?!! (I've asked God this so many times in prayer!). I love liturgical worship, and celebration of the Eucharist is a must. And believe me, I still admire so much about the Catholic Church, but I do have my doubts on issues such as:
1. The (very) high exaltation of Mary; no doubt she deserves honor, but I always feel uncomfortable praying the 'Hail Mary'
2. Unmarried priesthood is, honestly, a dumb idea; it keeps out so many good Catholic men who love the church but want to get married too (I myself would love to serve the Church, but I really want to get married; I like women a little too much to be celibate all my life I think! :D)
3. Indulgences has always bothered me; the idea is just, well, strange
Ill end it there, but there's more. Now to my questions about the Anglican (Episcopal) Church:
1. I believe the Catholic position on issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and the like. I think they hold the Biblical view. Is it possible to be Episcopalian and hold these views? Does the Episcopal Church have OFFICIAL declarations of what an individual needs to accept, deny, etc?
2. Because of my SDA background, I still have a reverence for the Saturday Sabbath, but I attend Mass on Sunday (much like a Jew in the early Church). Can I be Episcopalian and still keep the seventh day Sabbath holy (I know it sounds weird, but you have to understand my background!)?
I have more questions, but I'll leave it here for now. The others will come along!
Thanks everyone and looking forward to some interesting posts! God bless,
-CJ ]]> CJtheCatholic http://www.christianforums.com/t7418071/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7417970/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:32:49 GMT I was looking at a website which was speaking of incorporating "...the rhythm of the Church Year into their worship and devotional life...". What is this? Is there a website with a calendar marking days of fasting and feasting? I would say it is the Ordo calendar the church puts up, but it should also be online, no?

Thanks :) ]]> ProdigalSeeker http://www.christianforums.com/t7417970/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7417868/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:37:02 GMT Hey, again. I'm really not trying to stir up any debates, but I was looking at a trashy tabloid at the market and it was talking about Chastity (a lesbian), going for a sex change to become a man named Chas.

This got me to thinking....

There are (of course) many peoiple who don't feel homosexuals should be clergy. O.k. I won't offer any comments pro or anti, because that isn't what this post is about.

Would a gay candidate be acceptable if they first have a sex change? They would no longer be gay, so that shouldn't cause any controversy, right? ]]> ProdigalSeeker http://www.christianforums.com/t7417868/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7417798/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:51:51 GMT So I was wondering if anyone is willing to bring me up to speed on all the drama that is going on with the Episcopal Church of America? I used to go to a Anglican forum and last I showed up (a little while ago) there was some HUGE stuff going on with the Episcopal Church..they had defied the... So I was wondering if anyone is willing to bring me up to speed on all the drama that is going on with the Episcopal Church of America? I used to go to a Anglican forum and last I showed up (a little while ago) there was some HUGE stuff going on with the Episcopal Church..they had defied the Anglican Communion in regards to ordaining homosexual clergy and such..and it really as from what I was able to see shook the boat A LOT! so whats going on with this all now? I remember hearing that there was even a possibility that it was going to get dropped from the Communion..and some more conservative denomination that had just formed might be picked up in its place...of course the Episcopal Church warned them not to...so anyone got some insight? I can never seem to find much info on the happenings of the worlds most diverse Communion. ]]> Searching_for_Christ http://www.christianforums.com/t7417798/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7416186/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:54:54 GMT Hi there, I was just wondering what the process is in the Anglican church for baptism, communion , and confirmation. Is it like the Orthodox (infant baptism, communion, and confirmation all done at the same time) or is it like the Roman Catholics (infant baptism, 6 to 8 years later first communion,... Hi there,
I was just wondering what the process is in the Anglican church for baptism, communion , and confirmation.
Is it like the Orthodox (infant baptism, communion, and confirmation all done at the same time) or is it like the Roman Catholics (infant baptism, 6 to 8 years later first communion, then a few years after that confirmation) or is it totaly different?
Just wondering:confused: ]]> GreekGrl http://www.christianforums.com/t7416186/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7416042/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:48:35 GMT I'm in a discussion with a guy who pulled a bunch of 'contradictions' probably from some athiest website and it included the mark of the beast as being 616 instead of 666. He's trying to discredit me preaching Jesus and I need help and understanding about this whole matter. Please help me. ]]> RMDY http://www.christianforums.com/t7416042/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7415788/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:38:58 GMT Happy St. Willibrord day! :wave: Happy St. Willibrord day! :wave: ]]> Dunstan http://www.christianforums.com/t7415788/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7414935/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:19:21 GMT Can anyone provide me with any information from secular or peer-reviewed sources that ties the four beasts of the book of daniel to their specific empires? Thanks. Can anyone provide me with any information from secular or peer-reviewed sources that ties the four beasts of the book of daniel to their specific empires? Thanks. ]]> RMDY http://www.christianforums.com/t7414935/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7414439/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:17:30 GMT I feel somewhat attracted to the Anglican/Episcopal church, and I've been twice to one. I want to like it but I am more used to, and prefer, a rather "high church" service. The service I've been to is referred to as a "choral mass" - and it has all kinds of things I find strange, an organ, a choir and flutes. I find it distracting and irreverent. They have another service before that which isn't "choral" and I'm think it might be more to my liking, I'm curious if it is normal for Episcopal churches to have a more formal service and a "choral" one? I am going to ask someone at the church but can't immediately.

I actually like the Orthodox divine liturgy, I feel it is the best kind of church service for me - and in addition to the mass at a Benedictine church I've been to, the only kind I can really stand. But I have some problems with Orthodoxy in addition to the nearest Orthodox churches being rather far away... so I'm hoping that I can find a reverent Episcopal/Anglican church.

I know, some people will say I should just 'get over' the externals, but to me it is important. So many church services have forgotten that a liturgy or mass is supposed to reflect an objective reality, the divine worship that takes place in heaven, and try to make it into a production or act of self expression when it seems like it's supposed to be the exact opposite. ]]> Aesjn http://www.christianforums.com/t7414439/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7413873/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:04:08 GMT I realize that the Anglican Communion began as a result of breaking away from the RCC, but looking at it logically, it would seem that Anglicanism is closer to Orthodoxy than Catholicism. After all, Orthodoxy has married priests and does not accept the doctrines of Purgatory and indulgences or... I realize that the Anglican Communion began as a result of breaking away from the RCC, but looking at it logically, it would seem that Anglicanism is closer to Orthodoxy than Catholicism. After all, Orthodoxy has married priests and does not accept the doctrines of Purgatory and indulgences or Papal infallibility. Hence, why are dissaffected Anglicans looking to Rome instead of the EOC? ]]> Basil the Great http://www.christianforums.com/t7413873/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7413871/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:52:57 GMT The Vatican newspaper warned on Friday that Halloween is tied to occultism and is anti-Christian. Perhaps Christians should avoid Halloween celebrations? The Vatican newspaper warned on Friday that Halloween is tied to occultism and is anti-Christian. Perhaps Christians should avoid Halloween celebrations? ]]> Basil the Great http://www.christianforums.com/t7413871/ http://www.christianforums.com/t7413755/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:30:45 GMT What does a person have to do to become Episcopalian or Anglican? I know Catholics and Orthodox make you take classes or learn from a priest. Is it the same for Episcopalians and Anglicans? What does a person have to do to become Episcopalian or Anglican? I know Catholics and Orthodox make you take classes or learn from a priest. Is it the same for Episcopalians and Anglicans? ]]> Fabiola http://www.christianforums.com/t7413755/