Confused about the entire thing

[svdbygrace]

Here again I find myself completly confused in my Christian journey. I find myself at a crossroads in my life, between evangelical christianity and sacramental christianity. I found a love for the Anglican Church, however i'm having my doubts... should I proceed with anglicanism and take confirmation class, or should I look elsewhere.

I absoultly love the liturgy of anglicanism, and would hate, to loose that, as well as the Eucharist. The Episcopal Church is so welcoming, and well, that's a major plus... but on the other hand, we see all the major changes going on.

This is going to take some time to think over, and pray over. For now though, I will remain an Anglican at heart, even though i'm not official yet.

[ContraMundum]

Here again I find myself completly confused in my Christian journey. I find myself at a crossroads in my life, between evangelical christianity and sacramental christianity. I found a love for the Anglican Church, however i'm having my doubts... should I proceed with anglicanism and take confirmation class, or should I look elsewhere.

I absoultly love the liturgy of anglicanism, and would hate, to loose that, as well as the Eucharist. The Episcopal Church is so welcoming, and well, that's a major plus... but on the other hand, we see all the major changes going on.

This is going to take some time to think over, and pray over. For now though, I will remain an Anglican at heart, even though i'm not official yet.

What is the cause of the doubts?

[Father Rick]

Here again I find myself completly confused in my Christian journey. I find myself at a crossroads in my life, between evangelical christianity and sacramental christianity. I found a love for the Anglican Church, however i'm having my doubts... should I proceed with anglicanism and take confirmation class, or should I look elsewhere.

I absoultly love the liturgy of anglicanism, and would hate, to loose that, as well as the Eucharist. The Episcopal Church is so welcoming, and well, that's a major plus... but on the other hand, we see all the major changes going on.

This is going to take some time to think over, and pray over. For now though, I will remain an Anglican at heart, even though i'm not official yet.Whoever said that sacramental Christianity and evangelical Christianity were exclusive of each other?

[Fish and Bread]

The best advice I can give you is to pray about where God wants you. One thing I do want to note is that if you are confirmed Episcopalian, your confirmation will be accepted by the Old Catholics, Evangelical Lutherans, and most continuing Anglican groups. So, if events eventually make you feel morally obligated to leave after you join, you probably wouldn't have to be reconfirmed if you transferred to one of our "sister" churches. Maybe the Holy Spirit will even lead you in a direction you didn't plan, possibly even bringing you to an affirmation of some of the things that are troubling you, or an acceptance of diversity of opinion, thus allowing you to stay. All things are possible with God. :)

John

[Leonard]

Here again I find myself completly confused in my Christian journey. I find myself at a crossroads in my life, between evangelical christianity and sacramental christianity. I found a love for the Anglican Church, however i'm having my doubts... should I proceed with anglicanism and take confirmation class, or should I look elsewhere.

I absoultly love the liturgy of anglicanism, and would hate, to loose that, as well as the Eucharist. The Episcopal Church is so welcoming, and well, that's a major plus... but on the other hand, we see all the major changes going on.

This is going to take some time to think over, and pray over. For now though, I will remain an Anglican at heart, even though i'm not official yet.

May the Lord guide you on your blessed journey of faith! +

Fr. Onesimus

[svdbygrace]

Whoever said that sacramental Christianity and evangelical Christianity were exclusive of each other?

Fr. Rick, what I was meant by this was that i'm in a crossroads between my evangelical (baptist) roots, and that tradition, and sacramental Christianity (Anglican, Lutheran, ect.)... not intending to mean that Sacramental christianity is not evangelical, but that it surely is :).

[Aymn27]

Here again I find myself completly confused in my Christian journey. I find myself at a crossroads in my life, between evangelical christianity and sacramental christianity. I found a love for the Anglican Church, however i'm having my doubts... should I proceed with anglicanism and take confirmation class, or should I look elsewhere.

I absoultly love the liturgy of anglicanism, and would hate, to loose that, as well as the Eucharist. The Episcopal Church is so welcoming, and well, that's a major plus... but on the other hand, we see all the major changes going on.

This is going to take some time to think over, and pray over. For now though, I will remain an Anglican at heart, even though i'm not official yet.
I completely understand! Though I come from a RC background - I find Anglicanism very atttractive, yet don't want to jump in just yet - know what I mean? I will pray for/with you so that God will show us the way!!

[svdbygrace]

Thanks John.
The best advice I can give you is to pray about where God wants you.

Indeed. Prayer and the searching of the Holy Scriptures is what led me to the church in the first place.

So, if events eventually make you feel morally obligated to leave after you join, you probably wouldn't have to be reconfirmed if you transferred to one of our "sister" churches.

That's it, morally I think the Episcopal Church is headed in the right direction. The major changes the "problems" in the ECUSA. However, these things IMO don't amount to much, and morally I would be just fine being a ECUSA member.


Maybe the Holy Spirit will even lead you in a direction you didn't plan, possibly even bringing you to an affirmation of some of the things that are troubling you, or an acceptance of diversity of opinion, thus allowing you to stay.

Again, these events are not what is really bothering me. I respect, and love the diversity of opinion in Anglicanism. The big question for me is really, should I seek confirmation? Is the Episcopal Church the right place for me, and more importantly is this where God wants me to be.


All things are possible with God. :)
John

I love Anglicanism, but I guess I need to decide if I should embrace it. With God, all things are indeed possible.

[Lel]

Fr. Rick, what I was meant by this was that i'm in a crossroads between my evangelical (baptist) roots, and that tradition, and sacramental Christianity (Anglican, Lutheran, ect.)... not intending to mean that Sacramental christianity is not evangelical, but that it surely is :).

I say we oughta make up a name for that...say, Bapticalians...and unite! Now where's our Bapticalian (or should I say Baplican?) icon? ;)

In all seriousness, while it may be difficult to find a church that doesn't separate the two traditions, in one's heart, one can cling to both. You can be a slightly different Baptist, a slightly different Anglican (wait, that's all of them isn't it? :scratch: ), or probably simpler, a follower of Christ! Forgive me, but the Baptist side of me wonders if it really matters all that much. You'd learn something in confirmation, you'd grow closer to God, and probably more good things.

Two cents from a rogue Bapticalian, who will probably never be confirmed anyway,

lel

[svdbygrace]

I completely understand! Though I come from a RC background - I find Anglicanism very atttractive, yet don't want to jump in just yet - know what I mean? I will pray for/with you so that God will show us the way!!

How true! I'm glad to see another STR'er who can relate. I too will pray for you/my journey. :)

[bfoos]

One of my parishioners struggled with confirmation because, for her, it was a large step and there was "no going back," so to speak. She studied, discussed, prayed, and submitted to the teaching of the Church of all ages.

She was confirmed this last spring and hasn't looked back. She still pursues the truth ably and is affectionate of her more evangelical background. She hasn't lost anything, but has gained the life of the historic Church.

God works in the sacraments. Let us not forget that He might, indeed, just change our lives in our participation in the sacramental life of His Church.

BF

[Wigglesworth]

I say we oughta make up a name for that...say, Bapticalians...and unite! Now where's our Bapticalian (or should I say Baplican?) icon? ;) . . . Two cents from a rogue Bapticalian, who will probably never be confirmed anyway

Just choose an icon and explain yourself more fully in the church section of your profile. You can have dual citizenship if you pick the right churches.

~ a Catholic Pentecostal

;)

[Fear and Trembling]

Here again I find myself completly confused in my Christian journey. I find myself at a crossroads in my life, between evangelical christianity and sacramental christianity. I found a love for the Anglican Church, however i'm having my doubts... should I proceed with anglicanism and take confirmation class, or should I look elsewhere.

I absoultly love the liturgy of anglicanism, and would hate, to loose that, as well as the Eucharist. The Episcopal Church is so welcoming, and well, that's a major plus... but on the other hand, we see all the major changes going on.

This is going to take some time to think over, and pray over. For now though, I will remain an Anglican at heart, even though i'm not official yet.

I can so relate to this since it is exactly where I am at. I just left a Southern Baptist church and have really been taken by the Anglican church - I can really sense or reason out that something feels like it is missing in the churches I have gone to. Unfortunately there is no Episcopal church within 40+ miles from where I live, but when I go to work there is one in the city I work at (I commute) that offers mass in the evening. It is part of the communion - there are some others down here in the islands that are not - I am just learning about these things.

Come to think of it, I am not sure exactly what would constitute being an "anglican" down here in the FL Keys. Mindset? I dunno . . .

I'll continue praying for all . . .

[Albion]

Here again I find myself completly confused in my Christian journey. I find myself at a crossroads in my life, between evangelical christianity and sacramental christianity. I found a love for the Anglican Church, however i'm having my doubts... should I proceed with anglicanism and take confirmation class, or should I look elsewhere.

I absoultly love the liturgy of anglicanism, and would hate, to loose that, as well as the Eucharist. The Episcopal Church is so welcoming, and well, that's a major plus... but on the other hand, we see all the major changes going on.

This is going to take some time to think over, and pray over. For now though, I will remain an Anglican at heart, even though i'm not official yet.

There are "elsewheres" that are still Anglican, you know. Some Anglican jurisdictions don't present the "major changes" problems that are troubling you (plus, you'll find them just as welcoming as The Episcopal Church, if you give them a chance)...

[Lutherrunner]

No rush....take your time.....

[RedneckAnglican]

Pray...follow GOD's leading...

from an Orthodox Luther catholic with Evangelical leanings...(lets see an icon for THAT...come on...I dare you)...

[svdbygrace]

Right now, i'm going to stay where I am. I love Anglicanism, and feel very welcome where I am. I don't know about confirmation right now, I am still praying about that.