As a community within the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches (CEEC), we stand at a unique and vibrant crossroads of Christian tradition. We are a convergence movement, embracing the fullness of the Church’s history, the authority of Scripture, the personal relationship with Jesus Christ emphasized by evangelicals, and the ancient, life-giving rhythms of liturgical worship .
This unity is not merely a bureaucratic agreement. It is a lived reality that finds its most profound expression in our worship, particularly in the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, embodied worship offers a powerful, tangible proclamation of the Gospel. It is here, through water, bread, and wine, that we preach Christ, prepare converts for a new way of living, and unleash the evangelistic power of a faith that can be seen, touched, and tasted.
Preaching Christ Through Liturgical Worship
Our worship is a proclamation. When we gather, we are not merely performing a ritual; we are making a public statement of faith. This is the heart of the ancient principle, lex orandi, lex credendi, the law of prayer is the law of belief. We believe what we pray, and our prayers shape our belief.
At the center of our liturgy stands Christ crucified and risen. When we recite the Nicene Creed, we are not simply reciting historical facts; we are declaring our allegiance to the King of Kings. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. The Eucharist is a visible sermon, an embodied Word that speaks of sacrifice, forgiveness, and a new covenant. It is the gospel dramatized, made tangible for every person in the congregation. This embodied worship is a central part of the evangelistic character of the Church, forming the people of God to live out the gospel in the world.
Preparing Converts for Sacramental Living
The journey into this sacramental life is not a one-time decision but a process of transformation. This is why we, like the early Church, emphasize a period of preparation for those coming to faith, a modern-day catechumenate. The goal is not just to teach them about God but to immerse them in the life of faith.
Converts are welcomed into a community where they learn to live out their new identity. They are formed by the Word of God and the prayers of the Church. This process, much like the nurturing of a hatchling under a mother’s wing as described in my own reflections, is about finding a new home. Our faith guides us in a new way of life. It is in the context of a supportive community, where they witness lives of charity, hope, and unity, that their faith is strengthened and matured. The sacraments are the culmination of this journey, and once received, they become the ongoing nourishment for a life of discipleship.
The Evangelistic Power of Embodied Worship
There is a profound evangelistic power in the fact that our worship is embodied. As the CEEC, we understand that the Word of God not only rings in the air but also reaches out to touch us. This is the heart of the sacramental vision: our faith is not just a mental assent but a physical reality.
When we baptize, we proclaim that our sins are washed away. When we share the Eucharist, we proclaim that Christ’s body was broken for us. These acts are “sacraments of faith” that nourish, strengthen, and express our belief. They are a powerful witness to a world that is skeptical of mere words. This is the convergence of the spiritual and the physical that Robert Webber spoke of; our participation in liturgy is itself a means for evangelization. The story of God’s salvation is sung, prayed, and tasted, inviting seekers to “come and see” a faith that is alive in the community of believers.
Conclusion
In the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches, we are not simply maintaining a tradition; we are living a mission. Our sacramental worship is a dynamic, evangelistic force. Through Baptism and the Eucharist, we preach Christ, we form His disciples, and we build a community that embodies the good news of His Kingdom. This is the power of our convergence, a faith that is deeply rooted and dynamically alive, ready to share the hope of Christ with Lethbridge and the world.