This is my dilemma: I am a Baptist theologically, but liturgically feel much more more drawn to classical BCP Anglican worship!Historia ecclesiastica is a reader-supported publication.
This is also my dilemma! And I'm in Brazil. Things arrive here at least 20 years late. In the US, there is already a movement to try to renew Baptist liturgy and make it more historically informed. This is the case of the Center for Baptist Renewal (https://www.centerforbaptistrenewal.com/). I'm trying to bring together Baptist colleagues here in Brazil to try to translate texts from initiatives like this and try to influence pastors and congregations, taking advantage of the liturgical renaissance that is happening to some extent here too (but in reality, the interest in liturgy is resulting in the migration of "low-church" evangelicals to Episcopal, Lutheran, and even Catholic and Orthodox churches). I can't leave the Baptist environment because I have theological conviction, but I suffer greatly from the lack of historically informed liturgy (I attended the Lutheran church for 9 months and it was a delight to participate in the liturgy). Anyway, it's a huge challenge. In the Baptist community, we face the challenge of free church culture, congregationalism, nonconformism, and biblicalism. These are good things if interpreted correctly, but in general they are misinterpreted and clash with the liturgical movement. Let us pray for a movement in this direction. I feel that many of my generation are thirsty for it.
The Anglican Book of Prayer is full of the Scriptures, the Scriptures are read and sung and prayed. In my mind they have a lot to teach us about the Scriptures and their place in Godly worship.
I'm assuming this might an occupational hazard. Being fully immersed in believers historical documents and literature thus creating a greater awareness of the broader body of Christ.
Good thing they aren’t mutually exclusive! I’m convinced that a combination of liturgical form (i.e. written prayers), and Spirit-filled heart (affection and fervour), can form a catholic, confessional, and credo-baptist worship service!
I have on occasion been present where the liturgy had weight, that evoked that incredible combination of deep solemnity and soul elevating joy. How to keep a liturgy fresh is the challenge. Otherwise we will just have rote.
Ordered! I resonate, to a certain extent, and to a certain degree with your sentiment. I grew up in an independent baptistic church (founded by a retired FEB pastor, but never affiliated, for some reason) and always felt like a liturgical orphan. I went to Anglican Church with my grandparents from time to time and loved the smells and the visuals - though not the sermons! Theologically I have actually "settled" or "hardened" in my Baptist convictions, but I do find the liturgical culture a bit thin, in certain settings. I often think that I would like being an Anglican for a year or so and then would find it restricting. :) At the very least, I like the idea of learning what we can from one another.
This is also my dilemma! And I'm in Brazil. Things arrive here at least 20 years late. In the US, there is already a movement to try to renew Baptist liturgy and make it more historically informed. This is the case of the Center for Baptist Renewal (https://www.centerforbaptistrenewal.com/). I'm trying to bring together Baptist colleagues here in Brazil to try to translate texts from initiatives like this and try to influence pastors and congregations, taking advantage of the liturgical renaissance that is happening to some extent here too (but in reality, the interest in liturgy is resulting in the migration of "low-church" evangelicals to Episcopal, Lutheran, and even Catholic and Orthodox churches). I can't leave the Baptist environment because I have theological conviction, but I suffer greatly from the lack of historically informed liturgy (I attended the Lutheran church for 9 months and it was a delight to participate in the liturgy). Anyway, it's a huge challenge. In the Baptist community, we face the challenge of free church culture, congregationalism, nonconformism, and biblicalism. These are good things if interpreted correctly, but in general they are misinterpreted and clash with the liturgical movement. Let us pray for a movement in this direction. I feel that many of my generation are thirsty for it.
Totally agree.
It's a pity that for many in the Anglican Church this is a curious historical document rather than a living one...
Yes.
The Anglican Book of Prayer is full of the Scriptures, the Scriptures are read and sung and prayed. In my mind they have a lot to teach us about the Scriptures and their place in Godly worship.
I'm assuming this might an occupational hazard. Being fully immersed in believers historical documents and literature thus creating a greater awareness of the broader body of Christ.
Good thing they aren’t mutually exclusive! I’m convinced that a combination of liturgical form (i.e. written prayers), and Spirit-filled heart (affection and fervour), can form a catholic, confessional, and credo-baptist worship service!
Our Lord’s Day liturgy at CBC looks like this:
(1) Call to Worship
(2) Opening Prayer
(3) Opening Hymn
(4) Call to Confession
(5) Confession of Sin
(6) Assurance of Pardon
(7) Hymn of Thanksgiving
(8) Pastoral Prayer
(9) Tithes and Offerings
(10) Scripture Reading
(11) Singing of Psalms
(12) Preaching of the Word
(13) Hymn of Response
(14) Apostle’s Creed
(15) Holy Sacrament
(16) Doxology/Gloria Patria
(17) Benediction
I have on occasion been present where the liturgy had weight, that evoked that incredible combination of deep solemnity and soul elevating joy. How to keep a liturgy fresh is the challenge. Otherwise we will just have rote.
Is this the whole post? Am I missing the article? Would love to hear more on this.
Yes, this is it! Would love to have a Baptist church using something like this wonderful resource from Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/books/be-thou-my-vision-cob/
Definitely a great resource, been using it the last few months in my own daily worship
Come to our church and you’ll find it ;)
Ordered! I resonate, to a certain extent, and to a certain degree with your sentiment. I grew up in an independent baptistic church (founded by a retired FEB pastor, but never affiliated, for some reason) and always felt like a liturgical orphan. I went to Anglican Church with my grandparents from time to time and loved the smells and the visuals - though not the sermons! Theologically I have actually "settled" or "hardened" in my Baptist convictions, but I do find the liturgical culture a bit thin, in certain settings. I often think that I would like being an Anglican for a year or so and then would find it restricting. :) At the very least, I like the idea of learning what we can from one another.