Sermon: It-is-Well Hallelujah

In Jesus Christ you are not a lost cause! You are not damaged beyond Jesus’ ability to repair! Yes, through our sins and wickedness, we are broken beyond our own repair, but Jesus is the one who makes all things news, reconciling us to himself, restoring us to the Father. The Good News is that Jesus “wastes his time on you” because you are beloved by God. Continue reading Sermon: It-is-Well Hallelujah

Reaffirming Priesthood: Bearer of Mystery

This post is part of “Ecclesia Anglicana,” a series devoted to all topics pertaining to Anglicanism. This contribution is by Trystan Owain Hughes, Tutor in Applied Theology at St Padarn’s, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Stay tuned for more! In recent years, the identity and distinctiveness of priesthood has been questioned. In functional terms, it has long … Continue reading Reaffirming Priesthood: Bearer of Mystery

On Confirming Youth

Discipling teenagers is not an easy task. I studied youth ministry at a Christian college, served in youth ministry a non-denominational church for six years, and now I am a student ministry director at an Anglican parish. I write as a practitioner seeking clarity and conviction for my own students, more like Deogratias than Augustine! Yet I find that the Anglican tradition offers a uniquely helpful perspective and practice for forming youth. Continue reading On Confirming Youth

Liturgy as Missio Dei

Originally published in Resonance: A Theological Journal for their issue on the Trinity. “Alleluia, Alleluia. Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirt. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.”[1] These words, or something very similar, are exclaimed on Sunday mornings throughout the world as the gathered faithful are dismissed from … Continue reading Liturgy as Missio Dei

Eucharistic Sacrifice or Semi-Pelagianism: Your Choice

A post by guest contributor, Dr. Eugene R. Schlesinger, Santa Clara University It’s hard to find something that raises the hackles of Evangelical Christians quicker than the suggestion that the Eucharist is a sacrifice offered to God, unless it’s the suggestion that in addition to being a sacrifice, it is the sacrifice of Christ offered … Continue reading Eucharistic Sacrifice or Semi-Pelagianism: Your Choice

The Eucharistic Life

The Eucharistic life is not for the faint of heart. We go back to the Altar weekly to partake of Christ’s self-oblation that we might receive spiritual nourishment and encouragement for the pilgrimage. Continue reading The Eucharistic Life

The Eucharist and the Communion of the Saints

It is through the words and actions of our heartfelt praise and gratitude that we are connected to believers across all generations in a real and tangible sense. We have the hope that when the kingdom is fulfilled we will sit around the table in that heavenly country with brothers and sisters whom we have never met. Continue reading The Eucharist and the Communion of the Saints

The Plurality of Christ’s Presence in the Eucharist

A robust understanding of a dually climactic liturgy, of both Word and Sacrament, will lead to a deeper acknowledgment of Christ’s pluralistic presence in the Eucharistic ordo. Our Lord is present in, among, by, with, and for his creation and we should expect nothing less from the summit of our praise and worship. Continue reading The Plurality of Christ’s Presence in the Eucharist

A Few Thoughts on Eucharistic Orientation

This was originally posted on my Patheos Blog, “The Liturgical Theologian” in April 2016. You can read the original post here. You can easily begin a deep theological and liturgical debate across ecumenical lines with one simple question: how should the Celebrant be oriented in the Eucharist? Maybe it’s based on the fact that I … Continue reading A Few Thoughts on Eucharistic Orientation