In a recent issue of US News and World Reports, there was an article on the resurgence of tradition in various religious bodies. Although it is not an earth shaking event, this trend could grow into something larger than many may anticipate.
"Something curious is happening in the wide world of faith, something that defies easy explanation or quantification. More substantial than a trend but less organized than a movement, it has to do more with how people practice their religion than with what they believe, though people caught up in this change often find that their beliefs are influenced, if not subtly altered, by the changes in their practice."
"Put simply, the development is a return to tradition and orthodoxy, to past practices, observances, and customary ways of worshiping. But it is not simply a return to the past—at least not in all cases. Even while drawing on deep traditional resources, many participants are creating something new within the old forms. They are engaging in what Penn State sociologist of religion Roger Finke calls "innovative returns to tradition.""
For years, many Protestant, Evangelical and Non-Denominational Ministers were afraid of being labeled "Romanesque" if they attempted worship in the traditional ways. My family tree is full of Pastors and congregants with their beliefs deeply rooted in the Reformation and saw anything Catholic as a threat.
Within the last century or so, religious expression, thought and practice has been freely exchanged between various Christian denominations, though usually by non-official ways. I grew-up in a neighborhood in which many denominations were represented, and as kids, many of us would attend services at each others Church.
As those people grew older they would remember something about an RC Mass and wish that their Non-Denominational or Christian Heritage Church would incorporate elements from the RC or Orthodox Eucharist in the Sunday Service or that the Catholic or Orthodox Priests would have a more lively or uplifting sermon as the Evangelicals or Baptists had. Though many of those who had wished for new elements in their Church are not willing to leave for another, they may be having an impact on the way that their denomination is conducting it's services.
Those denominations of the middle ground (Anglicans and Lutherans) that could reap a windfall in attendance if this trend should grow, but their two largest bodies (TEC and ELCA respectively) are so embroiled in politics and less interested in religion, that it may alienate potential members.
"In all faiths, the return to tradition has different meanings for different people. To some, it is a return to reassuring authority and absolutes; it is a buttress to conservative theological, social, and even political commitments. To others, it is a means of moving beyond fundamentalist literalism, troubling authority figures, and highly politicized religious positions (say on gay marriage and contraception or abortion) while retaining a hold on spiritual truths. In short, the new traditionalism is anything but straightforward."
The Continuum, though much more sound in theology, sacraments and tradition then TEC/AC, may be too small to have an impact in this growing trend. Conversely there is the "if you build it, they will come mentality", that Continuum Anglicanism has all the right elements for seekers and traditionalist, yet lacks the locations, the seeker or worshiper may still make the trip to get what they need.
If Anglican Churches of the Continuum or outside of TEC/AC would focus on working together more closely, in sound tradition and theology, than trying to forge alliances with the unsound elements of the Anglican Communion or holding on to their own little piece of turf, the growth that they strive for may manifest itself. The work may be harder and lack the money and/or infrastructure of the Anglican Communion, but it will be more fruitful and rewarding in the long run. If this opportunity is missed, then they will keep themselves in the realm of obscurity
Orthodox Anglicanism could be the right solution at the right time.
A Return to Tradition - US News and World Report
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