Here’s an email I’ve sent out, to a church I visited yesterday:
Hello everyone:
I just visited your church this Sunday. Just let me add a few observations:
I value churches that:
Honor the real presence in communion
Acknowledge the charismatic elements
Follow a conservative theology
You manage to blend:
The conservative Anglican tradition, as found in All Souls
With the apparent group creation, as found in Parkway community church
I classify myself as a Charismatic Eastern Anglo-Catholic. Which for me means:
I honor the Charismatic elements. In fact, used to attend the healing masses, of a Roman Catholic priest. He had the fit of healing and hearing the voice of God
I try to first find theological answers, via renown Anglican scholars - like C.S. Lewis or N.T. Wright.
If I can’t find satisfactory Anglican answers - via noted conservation scholars, I look to:
The Eastern Orthodox / Eastern Catholics - first and foremost
An answer from the Roman Catholic church
The only objection I had, was an element in the bishop’s Sunday homily. He implied that demon possession might be widespread - in modern times. I’ll just note the Roman Catholic position - on exorcisms. Before the Roman Catholic church gets involved, they first rule out:
An organic disease cause, as determined by a general practitioner and/ or medicinal specialists.
A psychiatric disease cause, as determined by a psychiatrist.
In other words, rule out scientific causes, before seeking a supernatural one.
The only other element I add, is that I value contemplation (as found in RC and EO churches) - for the laity.
I like to use the RC terms of “having a dialogue”. So I will continue my visits and continue to “have a dialogue”.
I did speak briefly, with clergy member Dan - during my first visit.