Sacramental Evangelism
By The Rev. Ernest Buchanan, ’09
One of the ways I have described what it means to be Anglican/Episcopalian over the years is that we are both an evangelical and catholic church; catholic in that we have maintained the marks of the historic catholic faith, such as apostolic succession; the threefold ministry of bishop, priest, and deacon; the historic catholic creeds; and a high view of the sacraments. We are evangelical in the sense that we focus on teaching the Scriptures and call people to conversion and new life in Christ. This explanation is frequently necessary in the pastoral context in which I minister in far South Texas.
Several years ago, the Anglican Archbishop of Mexico City described the situation in a pastoral context as having been sacramentalized but not evangelized. I believe that what he was trying to say (and this was borne out in personal conversation afterwards) was that Anglicans are exceptionally good about administering the sacraments. But, unfortunately, we have not done such a good job at evangelization and ongoing discipleship of the faithful. In fact, I have heard it argued that sacramental ministry is antithetical to evangelism. I contend that, particularly in the rather nominal Roman Catholic context in which I now minister, there is an urgent, profound need for sacramental ministry to also be evangelistic and focused on spiritual formation. Allow me to share some of my reflections borne out in my own parish ministry.
We have a unique and beautiful opportunity as a sacramental church. In many places people come to us, oftentimes due to family or social pressures to baptize their children, prepare them for confirmation, prepare them for marriage, or for other sacraments. This is often because the individual comes from a Roman Catholic or other background with a sacramental understanding or simply wants the blessing of God and the church at different points in their (or their children’s) lives. Yet, for some reason,they do not reach out to their own clergy. Because we look and worship in a familiar way, this is a bridge into our community that permits us to share the gospel. I call this sacramental evangelism.
I think the first step toward engaging the sacraments as an agent of evangelism is to speak honestly. We need to be clear with those with whom we speak regarding who we are and who we are not. This demonstrates to the person we are speaking with that we have integrity, and we are not trying to be deceptive. My experience has shown that most people want truth with clarity, not with ecclesiastical obfuscations.
The second step, related to the first, is that we remember the family (parents, godparents, grandparents, and others) of the one who is to receive the sacrament is to be treated with respect. We need to give them the pastoral attention they need. It is possible (and even probable) that those who come to us for sacramental ministry have no concept of what it means to follow Christ. For this we have to be patient and willing to spend time cultivating a warm relationship with the whole family to build trust so that we might share the Good News with them. It is also important to remember that they are created in the image and likeness of God and even though that image is marred by sin, it is not erased. They are people for whom Christ died upon the cross. If Christ was willing to die for them on the cross, they have intrinsic value, and we need to allow Christ to love them through us. Even though, at times, this may be rather difficult.
The third step, which is perhaps the one that falls along the wayside, is actually to teach. For example, I know a young couple whose parish priest had the custom of baptizing children, presenting people for confirmation, and marrying couples, with no instruction whatsoever, other than telling them where to stand and what page to read from. He thought this was evangelism. Unfortunately, what he did was miss an opportunity to share the love of God with those families.
For example, when baptizing a young child, I suggest, over the course of several weeks, to go through the baptismal liturgy and explain what the words mean in a real and concrete way in their own lives. In other words, let them know what they are getting into! When baptizing adults, I have done the same thing, but I have also taught them catechetical instruction and spiritual formation so that they might have a fuller understanding of the faith and a transformative relationship with Christ.
The results are not always going to appear immediately. I had one couple who came to me to baptize their child and ended up baptizing the child, marrying the parents, and the maternal grandparents! There are folks who will go through the steps and as soon as they get what they want and never return to the church again. Regardless, a seed has been planted that we hope will grow to fruition in the near future. As St. Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6).
Sacramental ministry gives us a unique opportunity to come into people’s lives in our communities that is different from others. People who seek us out are often doing so because they feel a need, even if they do not understand that the deeper need is for a relationship with Christ. I think sacramental evangelism can be developed if done with respect, affection, and a desire to demonstrate the love of Christ to a broken and often jaded community.
The Rev. Ernest Buchanan serves as Vicar at St. James Episcopal Church in Hebbronville, Texas. Fr. Buchanan graduated with an MA in Ministry from Nashotah House in 2009 after studying for two years at Trinity School for Ministry. He has served as a missionary, parish priest, diocesan archdeacon in the Diocese of Caledonia, and as an adjunct professor at Trinity School for Ministry. Fr. Buchanan is currently finishing his doctoral dissertation in Patristic Theology which he is scheduled to defend in January 2021. He is married to Corina and they have six children, four of whom are still at home. Currently, Fr. Buchanan’s hobby is gardening, particularly cultivating tropical fruit trees.