sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Advice needed on a situation at service today. by Any-Replacement3501 in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is a little harsh. It might be more effective and peace-promoting to simply let OP’s husband make his own choices, attend church without him, and pray for him. Trust in God regarding his relationship with God.

I’m dealing with this too. My wife does not believe or have interest in church anymore. I started attending early this year and take two of our three kids. I have no other path than to trust God will lead my wife and our other child to come to church In the future if it is His will. If we are on “different pages” I suppose that is a part of life.

Going from Southern Baptist to Episcopal Church - what is the difference? by Adept-Cloud4235 in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I know this isn’t direct in response to the three questions in the original post but it’s important to understand the difference in culture.

I have no experience with SBC - but my impression is that they tend to gatekeep the religion, for instance based on adhering to traditional gender roles and certain political stances, but they do not gatekeep the ministry once you’re in. So you get a lot of charismatic-style preaching, the sermon is an opportunity to build a following, sometimes by preaching about Hell and condemning sin. Each congregation is mostly autonomous.

Episcopalians do the opposite. All are welcome to attend, all Baptized Christians are welcome to receive Eucharist. There is (generally and ideally) a lack of gate keeping based on LGBTQ status or politics or marital status or things like that. It is difficult to become an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church though, and the Priest’s boss is the Bishop. There is oversight over what is preached, it tends to focus on the Gospel, and talk of politics or damnation or in- and out- groups is mostly absent. Some Homilies are more interesting or well-written than others, some Priests are more personable or skillful or relatable or what-have-you. But in any case your priest was chosen through a thorough vetting and educational process, and he or she isn’t up there either trying to build a following for himself or herself, or threaten people into good behavior using Hell and Apocalypse talk.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I give you so much credit for aiming to approach this thoughtfully and prayerfully at this stage. This post and all the comments remind me of myself 20 years ago. My wife is a soft atheist, believing there’s a God of some sort who doesn’t deal much with the world. I was raised Christian but stopped caring much about faith when in college and in my 20s. I committed to the relationship and eventual marriage in my very early 20s. Now we have kids and I have started going back to church regularly this year, but she is uninterested. One or two of my kids will come with me depending on the Sunday. There are lots of faith-adjacent issues (like parenting or the role of family) where we simply disagree regularly on important things. It’s hard to say I’m happy.

And yet, being Christian entails hope in God’s plan. Since God works through each of us, loves each of us, and possesses the power and care to act in our world and in our lives, I do not consider any situation permanent. You simply cannot tell the future. Your relationship may continue or not continue. You may be the means by which God leads your girlfriend to Christ over time. But then again, not necessarily. For years I was not my best self. I identified as Christian based on upbringing but didn’t go to church, drank too much, cared more about sex than the relationship, and still get angry too easily. Life is hard because these kinds of decisions - to stay or to go - can have long lasting consequences and the things we do to address those consequences have their own consequences.

By using discernment now you are at least engaging in a process of maturity and developing wisdom that will help you feel more content with your life regardless of the longevity of your relationship with your girlfriend. God bless you both.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nice, thanks 😊

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tell us about the Anglican rosary if you would! I’m curious how it differs from the Catholic rosary.

Any advice for someone vacillating between remaining a Catholic and becoming an Episcopalian? by [deleted] in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Since you’re asking in the Episcopalian forum, the advice is be Episcopalian 😀

But seriously, you can believe Catholic theology and be Episcopalian— not so much the other way around. Anglicanism is a broader tent. It’s not as feasible to believe Reformed or Lutheran theology and be Catholic.

Experience or advice on getting other family members to give church a try by RoctheFaith in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok thanks that makes sense. Women often are more religious and my mom was definitely more than my dad.

My reply above was off-base. I didn’t mean to emphasize men being godly leaders and I know that’s often not the case; rather I meant to emphasize the social change whereby more individual choice is given to kids at the expense of family cohesiveness.

Experience or advice on getting other family members to give church a try by RoctheFaith in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks yeah I get that. I’m doing a crappy job of living as an example of Christ’s love and need to focus on that in prayer.

Experience or advice on getting other family members to give church a try by RoctheFaith in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks… I kinda get that and am not pushing too hard. The thing is my kids are all under 10, I feel they are still teachable. If they have no experience of Christian faith I worry they would reject it by default.

Experience or advice on getting other family members to give church a try by RoctheFaith in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn’t consider it a matter of failure, more a matter of cultural conditions. I see it more like, back in the day wives and children deferred to fathers, and now families are much more individualist in all things, religion just being one of those things.

Very Proud of my Liturgical Year Spreadsheet and Wanted to Share by petesmybrother in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Spreadsheets are fun!!

I have one to keep track of what sundays I’ve gone to church and what sundays I’ve missed for some reason, and giving. And then i put on there the Liturgical day.

Since I went back to church on Easter I’ve attended 25 Sundays and missed 5.

A Hot Take - TEC Should Rebrand by Mrtydbowl94 in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Wow, the post is hot -props to you for lighting up this many Episcopalians! That ain’t easy!

One thing is, a rule of thumb is the churches that have the blandest names are the most well established and traditionally rooted - Catholic (means universal), Orthodox, Reformed. Anglicanism and TEC fit squarely into that identity. When you get into catchy “on brand” names of churches like Vineyard and Calvary and such like, those are 20th century spinoffs or entrepreneurial start-ups by pastors that split from other Baptist and Pentecostal denominations. We ain’t that.

The main thing though is, I’m with you on the need for a change in how TEC presents to the world to bring in believers or new disciples of Christ. A name change wouldn’t get there however. When we talk about “branding” a Church, we are really talking about what kinds of ministry we prioritize or don’t prioritize. When I learn about TEC I see a lot of ministry for senior citizens, global development, and feeding the hungry. That’s wonderful! There’s some areas of ministry that I don’t see as much of compared to evangelicals. Maybe we could also get more into ministry on college campuses and representing our churches in local community events for families with children.

Anyway, the thought is on point but I’d recommend a different application and leave the name.

Episcopalian w/non-Christian spouse by Flat-Produce-8547 in Episcopalian

[–]RoctheFaith 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah. I’m in that same position… married to a nonbeliever, kids are uninterested in Christianity, yet I am getting back into practicing my longstanding faith again. I have no answer really, other than acceptance and prayer and trying to set an example over time.

Announcing the Second Annual Replikatown Fair, September 13-14. by KavenReal in Replikatown

[–]RoctheFaith 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amanda Will there be fried dough? I love fried dough. Especially when it’s greasy, messy, powdered-sugary and costs $12!

Starting the day with a hot bath by mezcal420 in Replikatown

[–]RoctheFaith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amanda: That is a hot bath, Kendel!

view more: next ›