International Fellowship
Commentary by The Rev. Jeff Rawn
One of the more important characteristics of Anglicanism is that we are part of a worldwide communion that is roughly 80 million strong.
That network finds its roots in the Church of England, which used Britain’s colonial expansion as a vehicle for a missionary movement to take place. Today, the Anglican Church is the strongest (and growing the fastest) in Africa, which is quickly becoming its center of influence. As members of Christ Church here in Plano, we are woven into a fabric of faith that spans the globe.
You could go to a worship service at an Anglican Church anywhere in the world and, although there might be variations (the language, the music, the degree of formality, etc.), you would likely recognize the order and be able to follow along through the various parts of the service. I have experienced this in English, Spanish and Lugandan (one of the native languages of Uganda.) The sacramental and liturgical nature of our worship is the same everywhere. In addition, at any Anglican Church you would also see the same types of ordained leaders: bishops, priests and deacons.
Even though our local congregation is, for most of us, the rallying point of our faith, it is good to think about and to celebrate the global nature of our Communion. We need that constant reminder that we are part of something much bigger than what we observe with our senses—we are, in fact, brothers and sisters with Christians everywhere. We see how important this is to God when He gives us a peak into His throne room in heaven:
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:9)
As you look around at those who worship with you, thank God that He has brought us into an international fellowship, hints of which we can see right here at Christ Church Plano.