Becoming an Anglican Christian

Frankly, I regard all Christians who profess that Jesus Christ is God as "Christians". Well, many Christians in my life tend to distance themselves from Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox or vice versa. I do not discriminate them or reject them as heretics. Instead I respect the various denominations for their strengths, but this does not mean that the 20000 denominations worldwide is advisable. Christ called for a united church.

Dismissing theology as unneccessary is wrong! All Christians should know that faith in Jesus Christ is our salvation but no one actually know which church is absolutely right! Each church has their strengths and flaws but yet you must choose the one which suitable for your spiritual growth. So therefore, as lay-Christians, we should sincerely and whole-heartedly support what our churches stand for. If you are in conflict with their basic doctrines than it will be a stumbling block in your spitritual life.

When I attended the Youth Fellowship for the 1st time in Chapel of Christ the Redeemer, I was surpried to see people sing in "tongues". During a discussion, I pointed out that they should do away with that. I was then a new, hot-blooded, immatured Christian who clearly was blunt and insensitive. At that time, I did not even know that the "tongues" were gifts of the Holy Spirit, in their perception. I never went for the Youth Fellowship again in my church, knowing that I had irked them.

The sad thing about the Anglican church is that the priests are posted from churches to churches after a period of time. Rev. Gregory Chiang was the vicar who baptised my family and I. After his departure to Church of True Light, assistant priest Rev, Then Chee Min became the vicar of Chapel of Christ the Redeemer (CCR). He was a former Physics teacher who decided to work full-time for the church. He was theologically-knowledgeable and was a respectable priest. I went for the "Alpha Course" to know more about Christianity and I communicated with Rev. Then through e-mails especially on issues pertaining to controvesial doctrinal views.

A vicious attack on his integrity ended his term as vicar prematurely. It led to him resigning from Anglican priesthood and he went off to set up another church on his own. My family and I were saddened over such an incident. Rev. Canon Dr John Benson took over for a one-month transition period before Rev. Daniel Tong took over CCR . During the 7-years period in CCR, I saw the attendance in the church increase, only to dip afterawhile. In fact, many youths left for "greener pasture" in the form of charismatic churches. Sometimes, I really wondered if traditional churches will ever prevail against the test of time and perception.

I took up the OHP ministry since last year and I have been faithfully attending CCR every Sunday except when I visit my grandmother will I then attend St Andrew's Cathedral. May God guide the Church of England in his path. Amen.