I've been participating in an online class for my candidacy for the priesthood in the Episcopal church. The course I'm finishing up is called "The Anglican Heritage." I thought, just for grins, I'd post my answer to the concluding question from the course. "What makes an Anglican anglican?
One: Anglicanism is a middle path between Catholicism and Reformed Christianity. To be Anglican is to bridge the Catholic and Reformed approaches of Christian faith, thoughtfully organized by Elizabeth I and given "heart" by the Caroline Divines. The 16th and 17th century political setting, which necessitated this convergence of ideas, no longer exists, but this classical "via media" navigates one the path toward Christian unity. The Anglican Church is a rare meeting place for many of the threads of Christian community (or at least it has great potential to be).
Two: The Anglican tradition has the potential to cultivate a rich spiritual life, forged by the Holy Spirit through ascetical spiritual practice, sacramental worship, and an incarnational way of living in the world. This includes a spiritual imagination shaped by the language of common prayer (in the Prayer Book tradition).
I mention that Anglicanism is a middle way between Catholicism and protestantism. This doesn't diminish the historic episcopate but rather enriches it. Having had my primary spiritual formation in the free church, I'm still working through what it means to be guided (and guarded) by a Bishop. The episcopate maintains and protects the essential Christian story, as it is understood in its development and also in the way it continues to unfold (Christ is alive and among us!). But in the Anglican story, and particularly the American one, the role of Bishop is held in balance by the ministry of the laity. Again, it demonstrates a middle path between catholic and protestant, even in issues of authority. Nothing demonstrates this more than the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is "first among equals."
I wish I could say more about how I understand this kind of authority and leadership. I am personally drawn to a diffused authority structure. Again, I think this is my cultural Christianity as a former Baptist. I used to say that Baptist polity was distinctly American with its checks and balances between pastor, deacons and the collective vote of the congregation. But now having seen The Episcopal Church's polity, I understand how the framers of the Church back in 1789 were very much influenced by the context in which they lived, the House of Bishops and House of Deputies functioning very much like the United States Congress, our primate like an executive branch.
