Advice for Switching Traditions/Denominations

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[@cjcrider-vk9hz]

I went from contemporary baptist, to Methodist, to Lutheran and now at Anglican. Studied Orthodoxy but don’t have one near me. I really like Anglican the most. Been there almost a year. It’s been hard to shed baptist dogma. Liturgy and sacraments are what’s been missing! I feel like I’m home finally.

[@triplea6174]

Interesting! Currently studying/ visiting orthodoxy and Anglicanism/lutheranism.

[@jonathanroden1420]

What a refreshing video, Father James. For many people they are so focused on how they are correct that they don’t think to tell someone to hold up, ask yourself questions, look at what you want to jump into before you jump into it. Being someone who left Islam to follow Christ I know the importance of your suggestions. I knew I would be giving up life long friends to do so, a few who might be so offended as to harm me, so I needed to study, pray, and “Count the cost”. Leaving one tradition for another, while maybe not as dangerous, I think could be dangerous to us spiritually if we are haphazardly jumping from one tradition/denomination to another.

[@AnglicanLady]

Thank you, Fr. James for your videos. Like you, I was raised in a baptist tradition. I became Anglican 20+ years ago when I received the bishop's slap by +John David Schofield. Despite what the priest said in confirmation class, it was not a caress. It stung and I have never been the same. One of my earliest draws to Anglicanism was that I couldn't get this on TV. I had to be present. I had to be part of the community. I can't say that I accepted every point dogmatically when I was confirmed; I was struggling to understand. But, I accepted that I had something to learn from the church, that what had been taught in all places and in all times was something I had to submit to. I trusted that understanding would come later. Adopting a sacramental worldview can take a long time for a baptist. As a protestant I was in judgement over the church. As an Anglo-catholic I am under the judgment and tutelage of the church. I am a disciple, not a radically autonomous pope unto myself. I entered into conversation with those who came before me to great discomfort initially, but with great indebtedness ever afterward. Thank you for your work, for your contribution to the conversation, and blessings from San Joaquin.

[@joecool3477]

Pretty good advice, Father. I'm currently waiting to be received into TEC after be raised Roman Catholic. I really like how my priest gave me catacumen literature, encouraged me to read up on Anglicanism, use the prayer book and attend the mass. It really helped me to get a feeling for what TEC is about(I attend a more broad church parish, I'm personally more in the Anglo Catholic wing). Much appreciated BP, God bless!

[@kelibrown2762]

George is located at Beeson Divinity, part of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He was helpful in my conversion to Anglicanism. He works with ACNA for solid Anglican theology classes and degrees. I first encountered him when he wrote a piece on the Blessed Mother in Christianity Today 20+ years ago.

[@barelyprotestant5365]

Thank you! I couldn't remember the school.

[@frgraf]

Great talk, Father. On the point of “Will I be spiritually fed?” I must say that while it’s an important question, I too often find that it is an excuse used far too frequently by people who are leaving place A for place B. They will say “I don’t feel I was being spiritually fed” (as if “feelings” should should carry that much weight). And often (not always) what they really mean is “I didn’t like that guy’s preaching or that guy’s theology or that type of music, etc.” whereby it really has become about the individual’s preference, as if church was the restaurant being chosen for date night. Many times the “preaching” and “theology” is actually quite solidly orthodox, but the individual has reached a point of discomfort because they aren’t yet willing to truly surrender to the authority of Scripture, the Church, and priest who is the vessel God is using, because the ways of the world are easier. Just my unsolicited two cents. Always love your chats, Fr. James+.

[@LeoRegum]

BP, excellent points! The best advice comes from experience I guess. Your point about "youtube theologians" is a great one. It seems there is a lot of movement based on derivative material right now, from popularizers. The problem is if you are selling something, it is hard to be as honest about its shortcomings even if you are a genuinely honest person. Maybe in your own mind you relegate their importance, or maybe you never came across them before, ... The amount of infighting in the East, the liberalism in Rome, the apostasy of many in Anglicanism, the historical ignorance of Evangelicals, nowhere is a panacea. Regarding the Sacraments, obviously the Calvinists are not "Sacramental" exactly, but the Calvinist tradition found in the Westminster, 1689 etc. elevates the Sacraments far higher than run-of-the-mill Evangelicals understand. Sadly I think even a lot of confessional Reformed churches have forgotten this, but it's being rediscovered gradually. The Confessions lift statements from the 39 Articles on the Supper. Finally, your point about locality of practice of that tradition is also key. I recently went to discuss with my parish (CoE) priest regarding Anglicanism, partly spurred on by yourself. I have to say, I was quite disappointed. He hadn't read the 39 Articles in 20 years despite having made an oath to abide by them, and when he opened them up in my presence he scoffed. It's possible there are men who hold to a proper historical Anglicanism in the CoE, but I'm not sure how I would find such a one to discuss with. All that to say, it would be a major step backwards spiritually if I were (I'm not planning to) migrate my family to the CoE even if I believed its tradition to be superior.

[@barelyprotestant5365]

Thank you!

[@StaunchlyLutheran]

I unfortunately did not do everything you listed but i i definitely did study both views alot Presbyterian to lutheran

[@dear_totheheart]

I think videos and reflection like this is so important and I wish we all took our choices for denominational affiliation this seriously...I’m on this journey currently and would appreciate further advice, insight, etc. on approaching and genuinely converting to Anglicanism specifically

[@barelyprotestant5365]

Awesome! I recommend looking into more of my videos. I'm currently doing an "Anglican 101" class, and uploading them onto my channel here.

[@dear_totheheart]

@@barelyprotestant5365 wonderful, truly looking forward to it!

[@colebacca1369]

Great video, Fr. James. I recently just left the non-denomination “tradition” that I had been attending all my life. I wasn’t feeling spiritually fed, and became enamored with the classic and historic Protestant traditions. As of this moment, I am reformed in my sacramentology, but more Arminian than Calvinist in my soteriology. My wife and I found this real nice PCA Presbyterian church close by us, and we liked it a lot (especially her). But because I don’t share the same views on salvation with that church, I really can’t bring myself to be apart of that church. Or Presbyterianism. Am I silly/wrong for that? We have tried both a Lutheran and Anglican Church as well, which I enjoyed (especially the Anglican service, although it was very different than what I’m used to), with a Methodist church on the list next. Honestly, I’m probably closer to Methodism than anything. I just can’t get past the fact that dang near every single Methodist denomination allows for ordination of women, which I don’t agree with at this point. Sorry for the ramble, I’m just very conflicted about all this. Anyways again, great video, I agreed with all your points!

[@joannmaciorowski8386]

Do you want to address differences of desires within a marriage?😊

[@akimoetam1282]

How can someone be sacramental but a credobaptist? That seems tenuous

[@barelyprotestant5365]

It's odd, but possible.

[@poordoubloon10]

Tertullian

[@Real_LiamOBryan]

It's simple: believe that baptism, being a sacrament, is such and is--therefore--a means of grace, and believe that one can only be baptized sacramentally if they make a valid profession of faith.

[@BlueOstinato]

Interesting. Could you reccommend any books that go into the differences between modern denominations?

[@barelyprotestant5365]

I can't think of any I would recommend.

[@WilliamMoses355]

Real Harvest is a KZbin channel you might want to check out. I think he might be Independent Baptist, as he compares so many things to them, but his videos are very focused on the facts of what different denominations believe and practice.

[@BlueOstinato]

@@WilliamMoses355 Interesting. thanks!

[@Willwhite5809]

Is the REC actually reformed?

[@barelyprotestant5365]

Some dioceses more than others. Honestly, "Reformed" today means, "I like John MacArthur". But historically, JMac would be considered about as Reformed as Pope Leo X.

[@Willwhite5809]

@@barelyprotestant5365 I guess I would be more referring to reformed in regards to Calvin, Bullinger, and the Synod of Dort. Not Reformed Baptists lol. I have read recently that the REC is moving more in an Anglo-Catholic direction.

[@barelyprotestant5365]

@@Willwhite5809 many of us are definitely high-church and much more Anglo-Catholic-friendly. Here's a talk from my Bishop, who is the Presiding Bishop of the REC: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eajdimdtqZeVr6s