Christianity

Anglican Communion

18Aug

I’ve never been to a Church of England communion before, but it was communion at Greyfriars this week, and it was quite strange to say the least.

I’m quite happy taking communion, always have been, but what I didn’t like about the one this week was how formal and strict the entire procedure was. When we entered the church, we were handed a booklet which detailed what the ‘president’ would say, what the congregation would say in response, how the service would go and exactly what was going to happen. I don’t like chanting along with the rest of the church at the best of times, but when the congregation is being told by a piece of paper (which, incidently, was copyright to the Church of England) exactly what they should pray and when they should pray it, it really doesn’t feel right.

Relationships with God are personal, yes? So whoever made up these prayers, who are they to decide what I should say and how I should say it? I’m quite happy to have my own personal relationship with God — yes, be a part of a church, whole heartedly agree with that — and I’m also quite happy to partake in communion — the Bible says we should, therefore we should. But I’m more than happy to be allowed to make up my own prayers. God knows what I want to say myself, so I don’t see the point in the church being told what to say.

Just found it all a bit strange, that’s all.

Weird.

three comments

18Aug
WeeManDan's Blog

[...] Ben put it yesterday was a bit weird. I’m guessing less so for me, I’m used to a very formal [...]

18Aug
Dan

I know what you mean, heck even linked back here! Wonder if it has scared us off or what?

22Aug
Matt

I agree with you, ’tis nothing short of strange at first. Couldn’t help feeling like it was like a sort of cult or brainwashing with all the ‘chanting’.

That being said, there is also something particularly encouraging in declaring your faith and praying in unison with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Bearing in mind this is at Church for a couple of hours, you have the rest of the hours in your week to pray however you want.

I can appreciate, that to go from Kings to an Anglican church must have been a bit of a culture shock, especially if you’ve never done it before! ;-)

Don’t be put off entirely by term ‘Anglican’, from my experience there are varying degrees of ‘Anglicanisationismfication’.

Hope the church-search goes well.

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