Thomas McKenzie's Blog

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” --John 18:36

The Church has always had a strange relationship with the State. On one hand, Christ is Lord of all (2 Corinthians 4:5). On the other, Jesus has no desire to take political control of the world (John 18:36). The New Testament variously sees the government as something to obey (1 Peter 2:13), something to disobey (Acts 4:18-20), something controlled by God (Romans 13:1), and something under the dominion of evil (Luke 4:5-7).

The modern American political climate is especially difficult. Politicians use and abuse religion. Both parties use god-talk when it’s convenient, and both appeal to Christian values. God’s people are manipulated for votes and money. Things that Christians historically care about (care for the poor, protection of human life, peace, justice, care of creation, freedom of religious practice, etc.) are parceled out among the various political factions.

Often, Christians disagree about how to live out our faith in the political sphere, and what policies best convey our beliefs. We believe in caring for the poor, but is that best done through lower taxes on employers or in extending welfare coverage? We believe in peace, but should we support military intervention in a particular conflict or not? There is rarely a perfectly Christian answer to a political problem.

Unfortunately, a number of churches and denominations have been co-opted by political parties and factions. Church leaders, seemingly wishing to serve the cause of Christ, have made common cause with political groups. Generally speaking, this has not worked out well. Our witness has too often been compromised.

It is the policy of Church of the Redeemer not to allow ourselves to be compromised in this way. We do not support candidates, parties, or factions. We do not hold political rallies, we do not distribute political flyers. This is not because we are afraid of violating a law or an IRS code. Rather, it’s because we genuinely put the Gospel first and do not wish to champion secondary issues. We never want to be a Republican church or a Democrat church. We want to be Christ’s church.

I was recently approached by some good people in our congregation. They asked if I could share some information regarding a vote that is coming up, a vote that seeks to amend the Tennessee State Constitution. If this vote passes, it is possible that the state legislature might be able to restrict abortion more than it is presently restricted. I told them I would not allow the distribution of materials, or a meeting about the matter, but I would write a pastoral letter. I do not ever want someone to walk into our church, see a flyer or a poster, and think “this church is for Republicans” or “this church is for Democrats.” Political information, no matter how well intentioned, will almost always give this impression.

Now, to the specific matter. Abortion is a moral evil. In fact, the taking of any human life is a moral evil. Sometimes, such as in self-defense or war, taking a life is better than the alternative. It is better to shoot a violent attacker than allow your child to be killed. Other times, such as in the case of abortion or euthanasia or the death penalty, it is almost always avoidable.

Abortion is sin, but it is not an unforgivable sin. In our congregation are women who have had abortions, and men who have encouraged abortions. If you are one of these people, I have a message for you: you are loved, accepted, and forgiven in Christ. I accept you, and I believe our entire congregation accepts you. You are more than welcome here—you are dearly loved.

As a Christian and a representative of the Church, not as a Republican or Democrat, I would prefer that there be less access to abortion in our state. I would prefer there be no abortions in our state. I would also prefer our state end the use of capital punishment, do more to fight hunger and homelessness, better educate our children, encourage adoption, and a whole host of other things. The Church should help these things happen as well.

You might disagree with me about something I say in this letter. That is your right, and I respect you. The only thing members (not visitors, who can believe whatever they wish!) of our church must agree on is the Nicene Creed. The Creed has very little to say about most modern political conflicts.

All that said, I think this “Amendment One” is worth considering. Voting yes on this amendment might help curtail abortion in our state. I think that is a good thing. If you would like to learn more, I found a completely non-partisan website on the issue. On this website, you can find links to what both sides are saying, as well as other interesting information. Here is the link: http://goo.gl/8zwnam

I encourage every Christian, and every member of our congregation, to consider their political opinions in the light of our religious beliefs. I encourage everyone to engage in the political process, especially if you can find a way to do it that benefits the cause of Christ. Prayerfully consider each vote you are asked to cast, and do what you believe you are called to do.

Peace in Christ, our one and only King.

The Reverend Thomas McKenzie

Pastor, Church of the Redeemer

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The Anglican Way is now available as an audiobook. I narrated it myself, and I hope folks like it.

I don’t know about you, but I love audiobooks. I find it so convenient to listen to a book while I’m driving in the car or getting some exercise. This might be a good opportunity to share The Anglican Way with someone who probably wouldn’t read it, besides getting to listen to it yourself.

You can get the book in three different places.

On Amazon here: http://amzn.to/1qM4fh9.

On Audible here: http://goo.gl/CYbXYC.

On the iTunes store: http://goo.gl/huUBb9.

The cheapest way to get the audiobook is to join Audible, the world’s leading provider of audio content. Subscribing to Audible gives you great deals and discounts on audiobooks. If you decide to join Audible, and The Anglican Way is the first book you download, you’ll get it for free (and I’ll get a little kickback). Just go here: http://goo.gl/CYbXYC.

I hope you’ll give The Anglican Way a listen!

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This is your chance to convert a Dallas Cowboy fan to your favorite team, and win a replica Cowboys helmet in the process!

I am a life-long fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Born in Texas, raised in Texas, and citizen of the Republic (living in Tennessee), I am a Texan of Texans, a Cowboy fan of Cowboy fans. However, ever since Jerry Jones bought the team, things have become weirder and weirder. Now, fan that I am, I find myself hating the team I once loved.

Yes, this is kind of funny. But it’s also kind of serious. What am I supposed to do? I’ve decided I must ask the question: what NFL team should I root for until Jerry Jones either steps aside or dies?

I am asking for your help. Tell me, what do you think? Why should I root for your team? What makes your team better, or different, or whatever? Can I find a home with you until Jerry Jones is not longer corrupting my childhood team?

If you can convince me to join your team, I will do it. I will join in. I’ll root for your team. I’ll buy a hat, the whole thing. Even better, I will send you my replica Cowboys helmet (given to me years ago by my amazing wife) for you to desecrate as you see fit.

Contact me: Twitter @thomasmckenzie or facebook.com/thomasmckenzie, or thomas AT thomasmckenzie DOT com. If I choose your pitch, you win!

 

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Yesterday, I spoke to our church at the 10th anniversary party. This is the text of my speech.

On this, our 10th Anniversary, on behalf of Church of the Redeemer, I would like to say “thank you.”

First and last, to the Lord. Only in him, through him, by him, and with him could we ever have done any good thing. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

I’d like to thank every member of Church of the Redeemer, both the present members and the past. Thank you for the part that you have played in making this such a special community. Thank you especially to the Charter Members, those who joined us when there was no Church of the Redeemer. You took a bold step, standing together to form a new parish. Thank you for your love, your prayers, and your courage.

I’d like to thank every volunteer. You have arranged flowers, poured coffee, played music, taught children, served at the altar, visited the sick, cared for the lonely, and so many, many other things. I thank you, deeply and sincerely for ever minute you have given to the Lord and to this church.

I’d like to thank everyone who has worked as part-time staff, especially Barclay Dwight, Betty Mullens, Adam Kriese, Cody Spriggs, Chris Stewart, Sharon Stewart, Joy Pratt, Dara Pent, Barbara Nash, Oz Davis, Jason Smith, Patrick Black, and Karin Simmons.

I’d like to recognize those from our congregation who have been ordained and continue to faithfully serve: Kenny Benge, Danny Bryant, Amanda Goin, Justin Hogg, Jenna Martin, Tom Russell, Jonathan Warren, and Tish Warren.

I’d like to recognize and thank those who have served with me as pastors of our church: Kenny Benge, Danny Bryant, Amanda Goin, Ian Kern, Susan Kimbro, Jenna Martin, Chance Perdue, Grace Spriggs.

Finally, I want to do something dangerous. I want to single out some specific volunteers. Even though it is dangerous, I feel that these few deserve special recognition.

(This is dangerous because I will, I am sure, hurt someone’s feelings. Someone will say “I worked just as hard as that person, and he didn’t recognize my efforts.” If you are that someone, let me say this. I do recognize your efforts, and I do thank you. I considered many people for this list, but I felt the need to limit it. Please know that you are important to this congregation, and I don’t mean to make you feel otherwise).

Posthumously, I honor Tom and M.E. Seckman, for their leadership, their prayers, their love and their devotion.
Sylvia Philips, for her work as leader of Altar Guild, her outreach to the poor, and for teaching Sunday School.
Mary Lee Bowen, our most gracious prayer warrior.
Barbara Weigle, for her tireless work in mission, especially with F.A.M. and the St. Francis Festival.
Pat and Joyce Shepard, for their leadership as elders, their effort in missions, Joyce’s eye for interiors, and Pat’s hard work in caring for our facility.
Robert and Barbara Uskavitch, for kneeling in the dirt most every week for years, turning the front of our church into a beautiful garden.
Linda Shepherd, for being the hardest working treasurer the world may ever know, and for her work in missions.
Jane Griffin, for her selfless commitment to the grounds of our church, and for many other areas of service.
David Uskavitch, for leading the Elders through our most difficult times, and for his work as Usher Number One.
Debbie Taylor, who has made this place beautiful, and has carried that beauty into her work in missions.
John and Susan Eames, for building community, for reaching out to the young, and for consistently serving wherever and whenever called.
Jack Haynes, for his leadership, his service to youth, and his commitment to missions.
Pat Hicks, for her prayers, her ministry, and her leadership.
Kate Davis, for feeding us 1000 times, and for her commitment to mission and outreach.
Linda Thoel, for her leadership, ministry to women and Primetimers, and her ministry of prayer.
Jim and Lynn Perry, for their leadership and prayers, for Jim’s work on our facility, his guidance of the LEMs and the Lay Readers, and Lynn’s service in hospitality and Sunday School.

Finally, I’d like to honor the hesitant, the forgetful, and the once-in-a-while attendees. I’d like to honor the ones who may have left our church with anger or resentment. I’d like to honor our enemies, the few who have lied about us or wished us ill. I’d like to honor the poor, the atheistic, the unrepentant, the criminal, the broken, and those who think they would never darken the door of any church. I honor you, and I thank God for you, because you are the beloved children of our Father, you are the ones for whom Christ died, and you are those the Spirit is sending us to love and to welcome. Without you, we would have no reason to exist.

Many blessings to you all,

The Reverend Thomas McKenzie, your pastor.

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A few months ago, I released a book called The Anglican Way: A Guidebook. It was a labor of love, three years of hard work. Writing, editing, integrating input, editing some more. Then came the printing, the distribution, the marketing, the trips to the post office.

It hasn’t been in vain! So far, the book has helped a lot of people grow in the knowledge of Anglicanism, and hopefully in their love of the Lord.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been working on the audiobook version of The Anglican Way. That has been a bigger challenge than I anticipated. Who knew it was so hard to get a studio to be quiet?

Why an audiobook? Because I love audiobooks, podcasts, and all the auditory learning. There are a couple of sections of The Anglican Way that I don’t think will make good listening (the Glossary!); but, on the whole, I think people will like it.

If you want your own digital copy, you can get it right now. And you can get $3.00 off, making the total price $16.95. Just go here: https://gumroad.com/l/PHhmj.  Then enter anglican3 in the “offer” section at check out.

Happy listening!

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by the Very Reverend Greg Goebel, Canon of the Anglican Diocese of the South

The Anglican Way by Thomas McKenzie is an overview of Anglican spirituality, worship, devotion, theology, and practice. Fr Thomas is the first pastor of Church of the Redeemer, Nashville.

In the name of full disclosure, Thomas writes for this website, and is a friend. He asked me to read the original manuscript version, and we had several conversations about this project as it was in progress. So this will be a friendly review, but I’ve left nothing out that I think about the book, and all that I express is true to my perspective on the book. He hasn’t paid me anything for this review, but he did try to bribe me with a signed original vinyl 1547 edition of Thomas Cranmer’s Greatest Hits. I turned him down because I already had the 8-track tape.

The Anglican Way is well titled. This book is about a way. It invites people to an experiential journey with the Anglicans. It is also truly a “guidebook.” You can skip around in it like you would a Travel book. But its also easy to read through cover to cover. It will work best for someone who is actually visiting or regularly attending an Anglican church, although others would profit as well. As a pastor, I think this is very important, because our faith is shared in community. Thomas avoids the temptation to turn Anglicanism into a subject to merely be dissected, instead choosing to be a guide along the way as someone is seeking to be formed as a Christian, and as an Anglican.

Its so very difficult to summarize Anglican experience. There are the various streams, parties, and perspectives–not to mention liturgical approaches. This book does it though. It is non-partisan, but still confident and clear. I think it would be useful to every “stream” as a basic introduction. The main reason it succeeds in this is that it spends more time on what we affirm, than on what we deny — and almost completely avoids our speculative theologies.

Fr Thomas starts with the Compass Rose as a memorable tool for holding together an understanding of how Anglicanism can be both diverse and yet centered at the same time. Working through the kinds of things that most evangelicals think are binary opposites (such as Catholic-Charismatic or Liberal-Conservative), he systematically shows how, within the central circle of the compass (Christ/Creeds), these things can not only hold together, but also temper and correct one another. He tells personal stories from pastoral ministry, an approach which I think is the best part of this book. This is flowing from his care for his people, and his desire to share the Anglican Way with them.

He then works though the devotional and worship life of the Anglican church, including the seasons and Sunday worship. This is followed by a succinct discussion of various contemporary issues, in which he shows his ability to say enough without saying too much. Most of these sections call for further study, but few of them miss any important points.

This book is also a great tool for Christian Formation and group study. With confirmation class, you could start at the beginning and work your way toward the Church Year. Ideally, you might time it so that class walks through Holy Week with the book. With a newcomer’s class, I would recommend starting with the Sunday worship section, then moving backwards to the Church Year, and then finally the Compass Rose. Newcomers and new Anglicans will naturally focus on what the first experience, which is usually the Sunday worship service.

I can also see using this book for retreats. The Compass Rose section could be used to help people think individually about their own gifts, perspectives, and experience. Then it would guide them in learning about the experiences of others. This would go a long way in helping Anglicans to appreciate our differences, even as we affirm our center on Christ and the creeds. I think this Compass Rose model would be useful to any Christian church as well (with the caveat later in this review in mind).

The sections on Sunday worship, the sacraments, and the church year are of most interest to me personally. These sections will guide people into a basic, mostly descriptive, understanding of these areas. Very few of us know how to explain worship and sacraments without unintentionally removing the sense of mystery, or accidentally becoming overly theoretical. Thomas shows his pastoral side here, but undergirding it is a broad knowledge of the tradition and of basic Christian sacramental theology. Many new Anglicans reading this will want to do further study, and some will feel that they’ve received enough explanation–but all will be inspired to actually receive the sacraments reverently as a mystery and to focus on God and his presence in worship.

Some readers will wonder why Thomas doesn’t spend a lot of time on inter-Anglican wars and controversies. He doesn’t have three chapters devoted to the Instruments of Communion or various views on women’s ordination (although they are discussed briefly). Instead, he chooses to focus on what’s really important: our faith in Christ, our worship of God, and our life together. Some will wish he had more material on these arguments, but I think he made the right choice. Its time for us to move forward, not as an opposition group, but as a Christian communion. Thomas doesn’t ignore the reality of a fractured Communion, but he doesn’t unnecessarily focus us on it.

What are my gripes?

First, Anglicanism is not “a protestant denomination” except as a comparative descriptor. Use a sharpie to cross out that phrase on the two pages where it exists. Then write in “a Christian communion” instead. But don’t burn the book over this. We’ll create an online petition to change it for the second edition.

Second, I have to admit that I want the Sunday worship service at the front. This is because experientially that is what visitors and newcomers interface with the most. I also think it might move us even more away from thinking of Anglicanism as a “thought system” and to more of a “worshipping community” if the worship sections were first. But as a guidebook type book, it would be easy to start there, and then move back and forth from there.

Third, the Compass Rose device is very helpful as a didactic tool. But we have to be careful not to think of the points as actual linear polarities. I would want to make sure that folks understood that it is a useful tool, but that there is also an overlapping circles aspect – with various overlapping permutations. Not to overcomplicate a metaphor, but the circle representing where a person or a church is on each line (rather than just the polarities created by imagining each line independently) would be helpful in making sure we aren’t thinking in too “binary” a way. This is not so much a criticism of the use of the compass rose, but a caution, to make sure folks don’t overly literalize it, and that they take it one step further and see all of the points of their experience as creating an overlapping circle with other Anglicans.

For many years people have asked for the “one book” that overviews Anglicanism. I’ve always ended up recommending three and a half books, with various chapters crossed off in each one, and a few charts and handouts, with copied chapters. Some books are irrelevant due to Anglican re-alignment. Others are trying to be vague about orthodox faith. Still others are too partisan, trying to recruit new Anglicans to one of the various parties, rather than simply overviewing our communion. Most are not devotional at all, and the few that are devotional tend to play down Anglican distinctives altogether. In other words, I haven’t been able to offer them a book.

But now I can hand them this book. It explains the Anglican Way. It is Christ-centered. It is devotional. It is basic, but covers all important areas. And its full of personal illustrations and stories, making it fun to read. Sure, some folks will want to follow up on this or that area. But after having read this book, they will indeed have a solid, basic overview of our tradition. So for my part, this is the book I plan to hand people or use in group settings as the “one” book.

Have you read it? What are your thoughts? Please share below in the comments or on our Facebook page at facebook.com/anglicanpastor or on Twitter @Anglican_Pastor.

The Anglican Way is available for download or in print at www.thomasmckenzie.com/anglican-way

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Through my relationship with The Rabbit Room, The Anglican Way is now available through every bookstore in America, including the (friendly?) monster known as Amazon.com. That means you can recommend it more easily to your family and friends.

Amazon routinely lowers the price on new books, which they’ve done in this case, too. I’ve put the book on sale on my website to compete. If you, or someone you know, would like to order the book, they can get a great deal right now at ThomasMcKenzie.com/store.

Amazon reviews are important for new books. If you’ve read The Anglican Way, and have something nice to say, I’d appreciate it if you’d go to Amazon and submit a review. Five stars are best, but I value any feedback you have. On Amazon, you’ll also find a special Kindle version of the book.

In other news: over 1000 copies (electronic & printed) of The Anglican Way have been sold or given away! Some churches have already ordered the book to give to their newcomers and Confirmation classes. And one seminary is carrying it in their bookstore. Praise God!

Thanks for your support! If I can be of any service to you, please let me know.

Thomas+

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In writing my forthcoming book, The Anglican Way, I kept wanting to give people the names of specific websites or smartphone apps that would help them in their spiritual lives. However, as my daughter Ella pointed out, websites and apps change all the time, but a book, once printed, should endure. So, rather than include lots of suggestions in the pages of that book, I’m recommending folks just come here, to this page. Here I’ll keep an updated list of sites, apps, articles, and other such links that Anglicans and would-be-Anglicans might find helpful.

Websites

www.AnglicanPastor.com is a growing website of articles designed to inform the new Anglican as well as encourage deeper understanding of the Anglican Way.

The Lectionary is the cycle of readings used on Sunday morning.  You can find the Lectionary here: www.lectionarypage.net

The Daily Office, along with the texts of Morning and Evening Prayer, may be found here: www.missionstclare.com.

A new audio version of the Daily Office, in which you can hear the prayers and readings at your computer or on your ipod or smartphone, may be found here: thetrinitymission.org

If you are looking for Bible translations on the internet, the very best source is biblegateway.com. In my book, I most often cite the NIV. But my favorite translation is actually the New American Standard.

I’d also like to suggest our church’s podcast, www.RedeemerCast.net.  You’ll find our teachings and sermons, including the class this book was originally based on.  My friend Fr. Danny and I are doing a series on Anglican Way topics entitled “This Anglican Life.”  If you type those words in the search bar you’ll get some (hopefully) helpful episodes.

The best way to find an Anglican congregation in your area is to visit www. anglicanchurch.net.  You’ll find a church locator on their homepage.  You’ll also find links to all the various dioceses and congregations that are part of this emerging Province

Apps for Your Smartphone

There are not a lot of great apps for Anglicans.  However, there are four that I would definitely recommend.

 The Daily Office, by Mission St. Clare. This app gives you all the readings and prayers for Morning and Evening Prayer and the Daily Office.  The only drawback is that your phone must be connected to the internet.

The Lectionary, by Crushed Red Pepper. There are several Lectionary apps, but this is the best.  You’ll find the readings for Sunday morning, as well as the Daily Office readings.  It doesn’t have the full prayer services like the Mission St. Clare app does, but it is much easier to use and doesn’t need to be on-line.

Bible +1, by Just1Word. I am not really happy with any Bible reading app, but this is the best one I’ve found.

Downcast. This app is used for listening to podcasts like Trinity Mission Daily Office and RedeemerCast.  You can use it to subscribe to podcasts, find new ones, and search through descriptions of previous episodes.

 

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My friend Ed Stetzer has a webshow, which he does for LifeWay. It has an audience made up of mainly Evangelical pastors. Ed is a cool guy with good stuff to say, much of which you can find on his blog at www.edstetzer.com

A couple of weeks ago, he made the huge mistake of interviewing me about Church, movies, and the One Minute Review. So, if you want to see me and Ed talk movies for an hour (and who doesn’t?), check it out:

 

Hollywood and Christianity – #TheExchange from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

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The Reverend Tish Harrison Warren lives in Austin, but she used to live with her family in Nashville. She and her husband, Jonathan, were ordained in the Anglican Church through Church of the Redeemer.  They are both new to ordained ministry. A few weeks ago, Tish asked if she could send me some practical questions about being a priest. Here’s what she said about her questions:

I am getting ordained in March and have the great gift of Fr. Thomas being, not only my husband’s and my friend and former priest, but also our official diaconal supervisor. I realized I have a bunch of really pragmatic questions, things that are kind of in the realm of those in ministry and liturgy wonks that would never be something that would come up in a sermon or a book of theology. I wanted to interview Thomas about all this day-to-day mundane priestly ordinariness and he was nice enough to let me.

I’ve started answering her questions, and my answers are being posted at AnglicanPastor.com. I’m reposting here for my readers. Enjoy!

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