Baptismal Promise and Conforminty to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of TEC

In your baptism you promised to “accept Jesus Christ as your savior”, to “trust in his grace and love” and to “follow and obey him as your Lord.” If you are ordained you will promise: “I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church.”

How do you understand these two promises in relationship to one another?

The relationship of these two promises is a matter of much discussion in these days of post modern, post Christian times. The challenge may be difficult for some, but I find that my baptismal promise, made by my parents and affirmed by me at my confirmation, is easy to uphold, but only though God’s grace and mercy. I unequivicoly state that “I accept Jesus Christ as my savior”, “I trust in his grace and love” and that “I will follow and obey him as my Lord.” This is my primary call in life, continually drawing closer to Jesus Christ.

If I am ordained, the promise to “solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church” will fit properly with my baptismal promise as my primary directive as I continue drawing closer to Jesus Christ, as long as the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church is based on Holy Scripture.

With relativism infiltrating all aspects of life, I will have to be on guard keeping the priorities in the correct order; first, scripture, second, tradition, and third, reason.

I will be able to fulfill the promises of my baptismal covenant and engage in the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the church by remembering Paul’s words in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” I can be in the world and not of the world through God’s grace.

James Brzezinski - 25 September 2008

I believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, and that they contain all things necessary for salvation.

“I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation,” is the promise that priests and deacons make at their ordinations.

What does this promise mean to you and how do you think it will guide your ministry?

This promise is one of the most fundamental declarations that I make in regard to my identity. When asked, “Who are you?” I reply with the statement, “I am a child of God and inheritor of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ,” The confidence and boldness with which I give this answer is totally based on my understanding of God’s love for me and the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ for my sins and the sins of the world as presented in Holy Scripture, God’s living Word.

Having read through the complete Holy Bible innumerable times, I find it easy to solemnly declare I believe everything written in the Old and New Testament is The Word of God, the Truth with a capital “T,” and that it contains all things necessary for salvation.

I have used the Word as my compass, guide, reference, inspiration, plumb line, worship leader, prayer guide, and songbook for most of my life. The Holy Scriptures will continue to be the main guide for my ministry.

I have read many helpful books, but I always return to the Bible for the final word.

James Brzezinski - 24 September 2008

Church Home - Connection to Religion or Missional - Inviting to the Culture of Today

The Ascension Change Team Blog asked the folloiwng question.

Is Ascension called to be:

1) A church that serves primarily Episcopalians looking for a church home and connection to religion

OR

2) A missional church that is both grounded in truth, image, symbol, liturgy and inviting to the culture of today?"

My answer is:

I believe that we must acknowledge our roots in Anglicanism, giving people a safe place to be the Body of Christ, of which Jesus Christ is the Head, as we pray and worship, proclaim the Gospel, and promote justice, peace, and love.

We must also honor God by fulfilling the mission of the Church which is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ through the ministry of all its members.

The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship and governance of the Church. (Paraphrased and quoted from the Catechism found in The Book of Common Prayer pages 854 and 855.)

Many of us at Church of the Ascension and other Episcopal parishes, who like the Anglican identity, wish to highlight our differentiation from the social action based agenda of The Episcopal Church and therefore put more emphasis on our bible centered, orthodox, transformational Christian faith.

To answer the question in two sentences;

We must first be “missional” Biblical Christians focused on introducing people outside the (our) church to Christ and second, we must be missional by being grounded and confident in our transformational Christian faith which has an “Anglican” distinctiveness.

We must be inviting to the culture of today, but we are not to be shaped or formed by the culture of today, we must be shaped and formed into the Kingdom of God by using the standards expressed in Holy Scripture.

James Brzezinski - 21 September 2008

Tears

Tears are the oceans of emotions
that wash our eyes
so that we can see
the heart and the spirit of the matter.

James Brzezinski - 13 September 2008

Prayer and Scripture for the Ascension Change Team

ACT you are in my prayers.

May the Lord change us in a way that we do not change Him. May we ascend toward Him and His heavenly kingdom. May we become children of God through the transforming life we have at Ascension.

James Brzzezinski - 18 September 2008

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 NIV

3. "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4.Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5."And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. - Matthew 8:3-5 NIV

Giving and Receving

“People helping people is a God given gift that is received by giving it away.”

James Brzezinski - 9 September 2008