Perhaps the most common thing said today about Anglicanism in North America is that it is in shambles. The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada have been decimated by heterodoxy, the ACNA agrees on far too little, and the Continuum has only just begun to move towards unity. The once mighty Books of Common Prayer, perhaps the pinnacle of both English literature and the Western liturgical tradition, now lie gathering dust, replaced by modern offerings designed to be “contextual” and “accessible.” As one author put it, Anglicanism is now merely a hallway; take your pick of which room you would like to enter.
At The North American Anglican, we believe otherwise. We think Anglicanism is just getting started, that its best days lie ahead of it, and that it is not a hallway.
We believe that untold riches lie within the Anglican tradition, yet we advocate for no ivory tower, no circling of the wagons, or hiding under bushels. These riches must be shared, not only because they are good for Anglicanism, but because they are necessary. An Anglicanism grounded in its tradition and in its formularies offers a hope for a darkened world. It proclaims the gospel, not quietly, but as a loud voice. It daily demonstrates to us our need for the Cross. It binds us in Common Prayer and Sacrament, perpetually strengthening the Body of Christ.
On the (digital) pages of this journal, we work to recover the riches of the Anglican tradition and discuss how they can be applied to a modern world. Since the beginning, Anglicanism has been filled with lively debate. We hope that can continue here; if everyone retreats to their corner, how can we ever hope for unity?
You will notice that we publish fine poetry and literature here as well. This is no coincidence. Most of the finest writers in the English canon, whether they be William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, or T.S. Eliot, used the Book of Common Prayer on a daily basis. It shaped them dramatically, with its magnificent Coverdale Psalter, its Cranmerian prose, and mighty lectionaries that drench one in Scripture. We believe that art and Anglicanism go hand in hand, and you’ll see that here too.
Why Support The North American Anglican
We are an all-volunteer crew, comprised of both laymen and clergy. Alongside helping run TNAA, every editor works full-time, and frequently more than that. We are all dedicated to the growth and ministry of our parishes, and the majority of us are church planters.
Your support means helping The North American Anglican continue to grow. It means more books, articles, and educational materials. We hope to have our first conference within the next year, and we aim to start providing church planters with more resources. Our international audience has expanded considerably in the last year, and we want to develop more relationships there as well.
If you love traditional Anglicanism, if you want to see it continue to grow and flourish in the 21st century, we would be ever grateful for your support.