St. Matthews Anglican Church Statement of Principles
The following statement of principles serves as a basic outline
of what we profess and believe as Anglicans.
Our parish principles are in full accord with the Solemn Declaration of
the Anglican Mission in
Holy Scripture and Its Proper Interpretation
We believe that the Holy Scripture is the Word of God written and that it contains all things necessary to salvation. It is the supreme authority of the Church universal. With regard to the interpretation of Holy Scripture, we recognize and value the importance of scholarly interpretation of Scripture; however, we affirm that ordinary readers can understand the clear and plain meaning of the text.
Further we believe in the unity and harmony of the various books of the Old and New Testaments, and that unclear or difficult passages of Scripture are to be understood in the light of that which is clear. The Church is neither to add anything to the Holy Scriptures, nor to remove anything from it. It is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything that is contrary to God’s Word written. While we fully support the Anglican formulation that the Christian Church is to be governed by Scripture, Tradition, and Reason, we at St. Matthews give primacy to Scripture as the standard by which the theological enterprise should proceed.
The Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles
The Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles of Religion have doctrinal authority at St. Matthews. Specifically, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and Ordinal serve as the theological formulary of our parish. We hold that the 39 Articles of Religion are to be understood “in the full and plain meaning thereof” and “in the literal and grammatical sense.” With the church universal we also affirm the Nicene Creed, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.
Worship
St. Matthews believes corporate worship is a required
expression of spiritual discipline and we are dedicated to ordered and orthodox
worship in accordance with the received liturgy. In agreement with the Anglican Mission in
Children of all ages under the supervision of an adult are welcome and encouraged to attend corporate worship at St. Matthews. The church will provide a nursery for children under five years of age as an option for parents.
St. Matthews recognizes that there is a distinction between corporate and private worship and that what is normative for corporate worship may not be suitable for individuals or families in their private devotional life. Likewise, what is suitable for individuals and families in their private devotional life may not be appropriate for corporate worship.
Sacraments
There are two sacraments ordained of Christ in the Gospel, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We encourage all believers and children of believers to receive baptism as a sign and seal of God’s new covenant promises to his people. In addition, we agree that the Bible, the reformed tradition, and the Prayer Book teach that baptism initiates but does not guarantee church membership. Hence, we maintain the vital distinction between membership of the visible church (the baptized) and membership of the invisible church (the true people of God).
In accordance with our articles of religion we believe that the Lord’s Supper is received in a heavenly and spiritual manner and that the means whereby grace is communicated in the supper is through faith. There is no automatic blessing in communion and indeed there are severe warnings for those who receive the elements when not properly prepared.
The decision to admit children to Holy Communion is to be made by the parish minister after consultation with the parents or those responsible for the child’s formation. Preparation for admittance to communion will be conducted through catechesis offered periodically in the church, and through parental guidance in the home. While we encourage parents to begin training their children in the truths of the Christian faith from earliest years of the child’s life, we agree that seven years of age is appropriate for corporate catechesis and admission to the table. Parents of children who have not been admitted to communion are encouraged to bring their children to the table of the Lord to receive prayer and a blessing. Because worship is, among many other things, pedagogical our desire is to integrate families into the entirety of church life.
Church Membership
If anyone wishes to be a member of St. Matthews we require that they meet with the rector in the presence of two members of the vestry to explicate their previous church membership or affiliation. At some point, a letter signifying transfer of membership may be required. All new members will be asked to undergo a new members’ class offered periodically in the parish in preparation for confirmation by the bishop. We also welcome anyone who wishes simply to inquire into the Christian faith and/or the Anglican expression of the Christian faith. Although a person does not have to agree in total with the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles to be a member of St. Matthews, it is important for the sake of peace, purity, and unity that all who seek membership recognize the doctrinal norms and formularies that govern our church.
Freedom of
Conscience and Corporate Identity
St. Matthews strives to be a church that respects the freedom of individuals and families while at the same time maintaining orthodoxy and spiritual discipline in the life of the communion. We recognize that in a free society people will often disagree over social and political questions, and that the church must be prudent and discerning when faced with ethical questions involving public life. Hence, we endorse no political party nor do we encourage any particular political persuasion. Moreover, we maintain that the church does not have the authority to mandate how parents will educate their children, and that both public and private education are amenable to the Christian life. Our common life is governed by the Scriptures and the 39 Articles, and conscience is to be respected apart from the nonessentials of the Christian Faith.
Church Discipline
If a question of church discipline should arise the rector, accompanied by a member of the vestry will meet with the party or parties involved to try and determine if an offence demanding ecclesiastical oversight has occurred. If such an offence has occurred the rector will consult with the entire vestry to establish an appropriate course of action. If the course of action established by the parish does not rectify the situation, the issue will be referred to the bishop.
Ordained and Lay Church Leadership
The ministry of the Word and Sacrament at St. Matthews
belong to the ordained clergy of the Anglican Mission in
Lay participation and leadership is encouraged at St. Matthews. However, when a person presumes to teach, lead worship, or govern in a church, he or she is entering into a sacred trust that ultimately issues in the cultivation of souls. Hence, oversight is necessary to ensure that the church is not promoting “erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God’s Word.” Anyone who wishes to serve in a leadership capacity should bear in mind that service in a church is not simply a matter of individual volition or private confirmation. The rector, in consultation with the vestry, will exercise discernment on behalf of the greater good of the parish. When someone seeks a leadership role at St. Matthews, corporate considerations include, but are not limited to, the size of the parish, the pressing needs of the parish, and the theological compatibility between the parish and the person seeking the leadership role.
Membership is requisite to teach at St. Matthews. Unlike ordinary members, however, we require that all teachers, vestry members, and lay readers subscribe to the 39 Articles and to the Statement of Principles outlined in this document. If a member is nominated and wishes to serve on the vestry, or expresses desire to serve as a lay reader, he or she will be required to meet with the rector and two members of the vestry.
If anyone wishes to teach at St. Matthews, or if they in any way intend to represent St. Matthews to the community as a teacher, they will be subject to examination by a committee consisting of the rector and two members of the vestry. If a lay teacher or leader has any reservation about the theological norms, formularies, and guidelines of St. Matthews they will be asked to make them known. Any reservations will be sensitively considered by the committee. This committee will report to the vestry, and under the primacy of the rector, the request to teach will be accepted or rejected. If it is discovered at a later date that such reservations existed but were intentionally unexpressed, the person involved will be subject to the discipline of the church. Likewise, we ask that any reservations that develop subsequent to undertaking a teaching or leadership role be made known to the rector and the vestry. All curricula used at St. Matthews must be approved by the rector.