Understanding Ourselves: The Anglican Faith
- Clergy are not commanded in the bible not to marry, therefore they may (or not) as they desire.
- People who are excommunicated from the church (banished) are to be treated as non-believers unless they are openly repentant and reconcile through being accepted by a person given such authority.
- Traditions and ceremonies across the church do not need to be identical but may be adjusted to the needs of the local context. Any person who intentionally breaks the traditions and ceremonies as celebrated by their local church, though those ceremonies be aligned with the Word of God and approved by church authority, should be openly rebuked as offending against orderliness, authority, and causing those who are weaker to fall away.
Every diocese has authority to ordain, change, and abolish ceremonies or rites which are ordained only by human authority, so that all things be done to build up and educate.
- Homilies (Sermons) should have godly and wholesome doctrine as necessary for the time they are given, and be given diligently and distinctly, that they be understood by the people.
- The Book of Common Prayer contains everything necessary for the Consecration and Ordering of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons and nothing superstitious or ungodly. Whoever is ordained according to the rites of that book are rightly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated and ordered.
Ceremonies and traditions across the church are of critical importance – they enact what we believe in a way which uses all the senses. Because they are so important, they may be adjusted to the local context but should not be a free-for-all as to what they contain. Any ceremonies need to be properly examined and then authorized (in our case, by the Diocesan Bishop).
Do you agree that worship ceremonies should be regulated? Why or why not? Should there be boundaries to such regulation? If so, what do you suggest? Any other comments regarding today’s articles?
+David