Episcopalian Conservative Disenchanted with Church
I am a longtime Episcopalian and recognize that the Episcopal Church as a whole is liberal leaning, but since our church is in a conservative town, it's been tolerable on a local level.
However, this healthcare mandate has upset me greatly. Although the Episcopal Church per se is standing solidly on the fence, I am very unsettled that they have not come out in defense of the Catholics and the First Amendment. I have discussed this with our local rector and he has made it clear that he supports the Obama administration's assault on our Constitution.
Our family is very involved in our church, so it's a huge decision, but I am leaning towards leaving. The problem is that I can't figure out where else to go! I've reached out the Catholic Church and they have been very responsive, but I'm not comfortable with the idea of converting (not to mention that the Catholic Church is also a proponent of "social justice.")
I feel so lost. Is there a denomination out there that espouses conservative values? I am used to a "high church" and can not handle Baptist-type preaching. I just don't know what to do.
- Answer (3)
- · Comment (19)
- · UnfollowFollow (4)
Answer by CandE
I wrote this in a comment already, but I'll try it here as an answer.
If you're open to non-orthodox Christianity, I suggest the LDS church (aka Mormon). Politics is never discussed over the pulpit, but members are very conservative. I'm not sure what you mean by "high church", but services are reverent and include prayer, hymns, sacrament (aka communion), and talks given by members. No fiery preaching, shouting, or bands. You can learn about worship services and find a local congregation here.
-E
Answer by Joseph Stanko
You don't need to convert to Catholicism to attend Mass. Communion is reserved for Catholics in full communion with the Church, but otherwise all are welcome to attend and pray with us. No one will corner you and try to talk you into converting.
In fact most parishes are much larger than typical Protestant congregations, so for better or for worse most likely no one will notice you are there unless you bother to introduce yourself. Since you're very involved in your current church I presume you're looking for more involvement than that, but my point is you are welcome to come and "audit the class" so to speak for as long as you like if that would help you decide.
Andy Mohn: Wow. Welcome to my parallel world! I too am a conservative that struggles with the leftist tendencies of the ECUSA, and of course Rowan Williams. It's challenging when you love the "smells and bells", the liturgy, music, etc. I've been on the vestry, Sr and Jr Warden, Search Committees, etc. all in hope of having a local impact.
Andy Mohn: Check out Episcopalians United. Conservative group, but it does have some issues you may not agree with. I've tried, and you might try, to impact the conversation locally within the Church. There are conservative Episcopalians. But, we tend to be less vocal and thus our viewpoint is often times unrepresented.
Caroline: If you want to stay in a church with the apostolic succession, your choices are Catholic (Roman and the other version that stayed under Rome) or Orthodox. I'm a cradle Episcopalian that doesn't attend church much anymore, but when I do I go to the nearest of the Anglo-Catholic variety.
Caroline: So you are in good company with us. I can't quite bring myself to swim the Tibur because of the RC church has its own set of problems. Maybe you can find an "English Rite" RC church - usually full of Episcopal converts to at least try.
Trace Urdan: I attend Episcopal Church in a liberal town so trust me, it could be worse. Guest sermons are welcome but every time our minister delivers a sermon it ties a Bible lesson to global warming. What does leprosy have to do with man-made global warming? I have just the church for you.
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.: I'm sorry you are in this situation. I recommend that you look into my church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (or another confessional Lutheran body). We tend not to get involved in politics, apart from being pro-life. The recent encroachments on religious liberty have been responded to however.
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.: The one thing you have to watch out for is that some LCMS congregations are high church (such as mine) while some are low-church liturgical or less. It's the big dividing issue in our Synod (albeit much preferable to fights over ordaining polygamous atheists). If you want to message me your location, I can make a few suggestions.
John Murdoch: You have options. First, there are a number of other Anglican bodies in the U.S. Some links:
Reformed Episcopal Church: http://rechurch.org/recus/?MIval=/recweb/index.html
Anglican Church in America: http://www.acahome.org/ (Note: they have a congregation in Indianapolis.)
Anglican Church in North America: http://anglicanchurch.net/?/main/page/about-acna
John Murdoch: My wife and I belonged to an RE church in Philadelphia for years (while attending Westminster Theological Seminary); I have a friend who is an ACA rector at a church plant in Michigan. Both the RE and ACA are solidly Reformed in their theology, and committed to liturgy as well. The ACNA appears to be closely related to the RE.
Pseudodionysius: You mentioned "social justice" and the way that many RC parishes interpret it is mistaken, but don't let that scare you off. May I suggest that you read work by Anglican converts to Catholicism? I suggest Monsignor Ronald Knox or John Henry Newman (Knox my first preference).
Pseudodionysius: I think you need to do two things simultaneously: explore your doctrinal difficulties while searching out a parish that is more to your sensibilities. That's not an easy task, but it sounds like one that you're called to do.
Christopher Esget: Since I'm a pastor, I'm a bit biased ;) but the LCMS (Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod) is conservative in its doctrine, with a liturgy based on the traditional western Mass (although we tend to call it "Divine Service").
Lucy Pevensie: Where you go depends on what is available where you live, but the ACNA that John Murdoch mentioned is the umbrella group that is taking in pretty much all the Episcopal congregations that fled the Episcopal Church. There's a directory at this site of all kinds of different conservative Anglican congregations: note AMIA has mostly been absorbed by ACNA.
Tom Lindholtz: I'm a long-time Christian, attended a number of different churches, and have little appreciation for denominationalism, per se. (That's my disclaimer.) But if forced to pick a denomination it would be the Evangelical Covenant Church. I like it because one of it's founding principles was, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity."
Chris Hurtubise: Rightwingindy, as a convert to Catholicism myself, I know what you mean about social justice, etc. But there are definitely parishes that avoid such politicization if you're willing to seek them. Also, the theological side of this question is very significant; I would be happy to point you toward good resources if you would like. Just say the word.
CandE: If you're open to non-orthodox Christianity, I suggest the LDS church (Mormon). Politics is never discussed over the pulpit, but membership is conservative. I'm not sure what "high church" is, but services are reverent and include prayer, hymns, sacrament (aka communion), and talks given by members. No shouting or bands. You can find a local congregation here.
Edited on March 1, 2012 at 9:57pmCandE: Incidentally, is there a reason that everybody has put their suggestions as comments instead of answers? I just did it because everyone else did :? Maybe I'll just copy it as an answer and see what happens...
Midget Faded Rattlesnake: I, too, would love to know where to go. I feel like once I discovered the Anglican tradition, the Anglican church had already decided to abandon it. The Anglican church ought to follow in the footsteps of greats like CS Lewis, Goddammit!
Matthew Lawrence: Try and find a solid Presbyterian Church in America congregation. If you find one that hasn't succumbed to the seeker friendly non-sense, you may very well feel at home.
Join Ricochet or Sign In to add your comment.