Why does St Matthew-in-the-City need to give a modifier to the brand of Christianity it practices? Because contrary to our human tendency to make sweeping generalisations, being “Christian” does not tell us much about a faith community beyond the probability that Jesus plays a part in its beliefs.
Neither does denomination. Denominations are historical in nature. That St Matthew’s is Anglican tells you only how we are organised (we are under the authority of a bishop in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, worship using forms originally based on the English Book of Common Prayer, and have historical roots in the English Reformation, when politically and theologically it made sense to look Catholic and sound Protestant. We call this the “middle way” (via media).
Every Anglican church has its own “personality.” Some emphasize tradition and look more Catholic. Some emphasize preaching and Scripture and sound Evangelical or charismatic (Pentacostal). Some are visibly and audibly a blend and focus on the importance of reason.
But those differences have to do with what authority is most important to them: Scripture, Church Teaching and Tradition, or Reason.
Progressive Christians take all three authorities seriously but make none of them supreme. Progressives are more interested in spirituality than right belief or proper worship. The identity of Progressive Christians is centred in ethical living.
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