In this installment of our series on CCV’s visions & values, Dean introduces a little of what it means for us to be a specifically Anglican church. Born from the reformation, it is essential to our faith that God is actively pursuing us, not just vice versa. At any time, we can draw near to the throne of God. Regardless of our shame or sin, it is always time to draw near to God and confess, and receive his love. In turn, our mission is to send God’s love into the world.

Christians need encouragement, and we can’t do that on our own. It’s a modern-day lie that you don’t need anyone or that you should do it all by yourself. Instead, Christian fellowship is essential to enduring the hardships of life. The Hebrews Paul is writing to were persecuted by the Romans, and his question was whether their shared testimony and community would be enough to keep them firm in their faith. As Americans, we do not qualify as persecuted in the biblical sense, but there’s a growing sentiment that we’re in the way of culture. Without a firm community to keep us strong, we can get caught in the flow of culture and drift away from our faith until it’s no longer in our lives at all.