Bryan Sherwood

Recent Book Buying

I received a nice gift card from my fellow co-workers at my "farewell luncheon" this past week.  It was a gift card to Barnes & Noble.  I had a difficult time figuring out how to spend $50.  You see, it would be quite easy for me to spend $250 or $750 at a bookstore.

Here's what I bought - (kind of a diverse set of books).

• The Dip
• The Anglican Spirit
• Getting Things Done
• The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer

I must admit, I love the name "The Dip."  Great title.  It just so happened I got free expedited shipping this weekend too!  These books should be arriving on my doorstep in the next few days.

A Few Thoughts on Church - Part 3

The first two parts of this short series can be found here and here.

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So, why did Heather and I take the Canterbury Trail?  If you're interested in our story that takes us into the Anglican Church, read on.

I think I'd start first by simply saying Anglicanism seems to fit us.  One of the phrases you hear within Anglicanism is via media.  Via media means the "middle way."  I think for the most part this is a true idea - Anglicanism serves as a "middle way" between the Protestant world and the Catholic world.  This is who I am.  Catholic but not necessarily Roman.  Protestant in some ways but Catholic in many others.  In my opinion, it brings together the very best of both traditions.  

I just ran across a video (HT Kyle) that features Todd Hunter that describes the history of Anglicanism and the impact it has had on his life.  He says it very well.  Check it out.

I may write more of my personal journey later.  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about the video.

Saint Peter the Apostle

Almighty God, you who by your Son Jesus Christ gave to your Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts and commanded him earnestly to feed your flock:  Make, we humbly pray, all bishops and pastors diligently to preach your holy Word and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

A Few Thoughts on Church - Part 2

I left off with a statement about how our time in a house church was a pivotal time for me and Heather.  Why was that?  Here are a few thoughts that come to mind.

The Divine Office

I was just beginning to learn about the divine office and liturgical prayer.  Being part of Vine & Branches solidified this practice in our lives.  Although I enjoy praying the office in a large group setting, there's something about a small band of people praying the Psalms together.  Even apart, they bind us together. 

Community

Community is a word that's been thrown around quite a bit.  I learned much of what this means at VBCC.  One of the ways I would describe community is just "regular."  Living every day life with others.  That might be as simple as sharing a meal together, playing games, or watching TV.  There wasn't some big organized program to build community.  No workbooks.  No simulcast.

In the last few years "community" has brought a lot of difficulty too.  It's NOT easy to make room for others and live in a way where you are accountable to a small group of people.  In the end, it's been the most difficult thing I've ever participated in but also the most life-changing and rewarding thing.

At Saint Patrick's, we see this lived out in priories - small groups of people covenanted together.  Our second year in a priory is almost over and I have hope that these priories will continue to be a way in which we can learn to live like Kingdom people.

Life in the kingdom isn't to be lived alone.  This kind of interaction is important for us to understand things like forgiveness, grace, humility and honesty.

Liturgy

As a guy who grew up in the Southern Baptist and Christian Church traditions, I knew nothing about liturgy.  I had always written it off as something "rote" and repetitive and of no real value.  Boy, was I ever wrong.  I found out fairly quickly that repetition can be good.  It's forming.  As I pray the prayers over and over or say the Creed over and over, it begins to sink in.  It begins to inform my own theology and view of God.  It's a bit like having that favorite hymn that you know the words to.  It becomes a part of you.

It's my opinion that these are important practices for Christians to engage in.  Notice, they aren't short in duration.  These are practices that are meant for the long haul.  They form us and change us over time.

Part 3 will be all about why Heather and I have ended up in Anglicanism.  More to come.

A Few Thoughts on Church - Part 1

I've been in church since I was a boy.  I remember going to Vacation Bible School and Sunday School when I was six or seven years old.  Vacation Bible School was always fun.  Heck, they had great snacks like ice cream in a cup and Popsicles.  What's not to like about that?  Of course, there were always crafts, singing, and even memorizing a verse of Scripture or two.  Good memories.  I remember being given a New Testament Bible for memorizing Luke 2.8-14 during VBS one year.  I'm thankful for those caring Baptists who instilled in me a great love for Scripture.

In my teen years, my family became involved in an independent Christian Church.  The Christian Church also had a very high view of Scripture.  Baptism was emphasized in the church's teaching and the Lord's Supper was celebrated weekly.  I always appreciated the emphasis placed on a weekly celebration of Communion.  I went off to Bible College at Kentucky Christian College and graduated with a BA in Bible and Preaching.  I spent about ten years in ministry mostly in the Independent Christian Church tradition until I helped plant a SBC church near Cincinnati Ohio in early 2001.

Heather and I returned to Lexington in 2003.  We soon became involved in Vine & Branches Christian Community which was a great experience for us.  In some ways, it was the opposite of what we had just left in Cincinnati.  Instead of worship with a band, video clips, and PowerPoint slides, we were meeting in a living room.  Typically, we gathered around the kitchen table and shared a meal together.  We prayed the office and received Communion.  There was no worship band.  No music.  No PowerPoint.  No sermon series.  There was liturgy.  There was prayer.  Jesus was present.  Stripped down, bare, real worship.  Good stuff.

A few years on the other side of this, I now realize what a pivotal time this was in our lives.  Heather and I were pretty burned out of trying to make the "church machine" go.  All of the preparation for a seeker sensitive type of worship had been exhausting.  We were tired.  God brought us to a place that was radically different than anything we had ever experienced before.  This experience of church changed us forever.

(Part 2 to come)

The Collect for the Second Sunday After Trinity

LORD God, the unfailing helper and guide of those who you nurture in your steadfast fear and love:  Keep us, we pray, under the protection of your good providence, and give us a continual reverence and love for your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (From An Anglican Prayer Book)

Prayers Please

Hello friends.  I have an important meeting Wednesday morning at 8 a.m.  I'd appreciate your prayers.  Perhaps I'll be able to share more a bit later.  Thanks!

Saint Patrick's Anglican Church Podcasts

Check out Saint Patrick's podcasts featuring recent sessions from our confirmation classes along with sermons.  Good stuff!

Psalm 129 - Afflicted From My Youth

1 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—
let Israel now say—
2 “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,
yet they have not prevailed against me.
3 The plowers plowed upon my back;
they made long their furrows.”
4 The Lord is righteous;
he has cut the cords of the wicked.
5 May all who hate Zion
be put to shame and turned backward!
6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops,
which withers before it grows up,
7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand
nor the binder of sheaves his arms,
8 nor do those who pass by say,
“The blessing of the Lord be upon you!

We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

One of the psalms in today's noonday prayer was Psalm 129.  I found the language in this Psalm pretty interesting, especially in verse 3: 

The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.

Although I don't use that phrase in everyday language with people, (i.e. "boy, the plowers sure are plowing up my back") there is little doubt what the Psalmist means.  Israel has seen difficulty.  Israel has had it's fair share of enemies.  Times haven't always been good and it seems those bad times have lasted a very long time.

Sound familiar?  I bet it does.  One of the reasons I've found praying the Psalms to be helpful is because they reflect real life.  There's a certain tension we find all throughout the Psalms:  life is hard and difficult yet God is with us, even when it doesn't feel that way.  We learn we're not protected from all of life's challenges and sometimes it feels like someone has a plow and is cutting long furrows into our flesh.  That's something I can relate to.  So, let's keep it real.  Sometimes life isn't all "happy, happy" and when it's not, we should not feel singled out.  If you don't believe me, just take a look at the Psalms.

Pax.

Feast Day of Saint Columba

Today the church remembers Saint Columba. I have a particular appreciation for this saint since he is the patron saint of our priory. He lived quite an interesting life.

Columba was an author of hymns, founder of churches and monasteries, and is said to have transcribed over 300 books. He seemed to be an energetic man with a passion for evangelism. He wasn’t without faults but I believe we can be encouraged by his life and be thankful for his ministry.

When I read and remember the saints of the church, I wonder what it is that we believers today can learn?  Certainly, we quickly are reminded that we are not alone.  We are connected to the saints of the past.  We're all part of the greater story of God's work on earth.  What other lessons can be learned?  Jump in and let me know what you think.

A few resources on Columba:

• Wikipedia Article
• Catholic Encyclopedia Article on Columba