Diocese of the Central and Western States

04/26/2026

Prayers extended for Canon Ben Holland, who had a fall yesterday that required stitches. We understand he is hemmed up and well but continue to pray for Canon Ben and the Holland family.

12/19/2025

St. Charles King and Martyr Anglican Church212 Washington St NE, Huntsville, Al256-534-3662

09/24/2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗲

Many of the problems we see in Anglicanism have at their root a lapse in the authority of Holy Scripture in our churches. Many claim that since our society is far more advanced than the primitive, patriarchal society of the Bible, the Church should be able to modify, change, ignore, or eliminate certain passages of the Bible that do not support prevailing modern ideas.

However, in the Word of God we read: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4) And: All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

•This leads to the transformation of our hearts, minds, and wills so that we might be conformed to the nature of Christ.

•This is the Bible's own view of itself, in both Old and New Testaments.

•This is the view of Jesus, expressed consistently throughout the Gospels.

•This is the view of the Church, from the beginning until now.

Belief in the authority of Holy Scripture is a basic requirement of Christianity, and one which the Anglican Church has always upheld. The Book of Common Prayer documents this commitment in several places: The Articles of Religion, hammered out in the 16th Century to define elements of the Faith in the face of certain controversies, states in Article VI: Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith... (p. 868)

The first article in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1888, adopted by the House of Bishops to define the essential pillars of the Faith, affirms the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as containing all things necessary to salvation, and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith. (p. 877)

When a man is ordained to the priesthood or consecrated bishop, he vows, 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. (p. 526, 513)

At every celebration of the Eucharist, after the reading of the Scriptures, we affirm them as The Word of the Lord. Do we mean what we say? We in the Diocese of the Central and Western States answer a resounding yes.

And so, we ask God through the Scriptures to teach us, guide us, correct us, mold us, so that, in heart and mind and will we are conformed more and more to the image and likeness of Christ.

A person who seriously reads and meditates on the Bible will know and understand at a deep level the living power of the Holy Scriptures: that the Bible speaks to all of us - no matter who we are, no matter what our experience, no matter what sins we cling to; that all of us will be spoken to by different parts of the Bible at different times of our lives; that a passage which at one time made no sense at all now has meaning for us; that the passages which challenge and even offend us (because they tell us what we don't want to hear) are the very passages we need to hear; that if our lives do not conform to the Scriptures, only then can we truly be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

09/24/2025

𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚’𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒉

The modern world has become increasingly critical of religious values and principles, with a growing trend towards secularism and relativism. These dual ideologies pose significant threats to the continued relevance of clergy in society.

Historically, clergy commanded a high level of respect, but this has generally subsided. Clergy must instead justify their institution and vocation through their way of life and pastoral roles.

As society undergoes rapid changes, clergy are expected to develop innovative, positive, and effective methods to address issues within their sphere of influence. The fundamental concern is how clergy can effectively understand, evaluate, and manage pastoral challenges arising from societal changes.

Indeed, the long-standing loyalty and devotion of the faithful are increasingly dissipating. While clergy life demands integrity and self-sacrifice, without proper discernment in a rapidly changing world, this may prove to be difficult for many. It requires prayer, resilience, and the ability to withstand attacks both outside and (sadly) within the Church. Indeed, the Church can very much “devour its own”, sometimes without hesitation or even a hint of remorse.

It can be a very lonely life, but God can and does provide. Endurance is required, as is an absolute assurance and confidence in one’s calling.

09/24/2025

As St. Paul's ministry drew to a close, he remained steadfast in his focus on faithfulness, inspiring generations to come. "I have shown you how to live," he said. "Now, my sole concern is to fulfill the task Jesus entrusted to me."

St. Paul's words remind us that our role is to serve with loyalty, not to control outcomes, but to follow our Master's instructions. You have the power to create positive change by following Christ in your unique situation.

For a servant, "success" is identifying God's call and being faithful to it. Most opportunities for faithfulness are already within your reach, and though you may only see glimpses of the fruit now, one day you will be amazed at how God used these small acts of faithfulness to transform lives.

09/17/2025

There is no denial that in my days of serving as a priest of the Diocese of Bolivia then the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) that a new North American presence was forming which would be vital in the Anglican reset for this Continent. They did many things well, but many things they did not do well are festering. May God reform the Anglican Church in North America into the witness it could be for orthodox Anglicanism globally. It’s time to turn back the clock and get things right this time.

09/17/2025

Christian leadership is rooted in Jesus Christ's teachings and example, characterized by selfless service, humility, compassion, and unwavering integrity. Christian leaders prioritize the well-being of others, leading with love, empathy, and spiritual wisdom.

09/17/2025

God has established a universal truth: He sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, to atone for humanity's transgressions. By accepting Jesus' sacrifice, individuals become children of the Almighty. They are liberated from the punishment they merit and instead receive the gift of eternal life. This constitutes divine truth. As human beings, our decision is to affirm or reject God's truth.

09/17/2025

There is a growing national rejection of absolute moral truth, a foundation long linked with the biblical worldview. Most reject or doubt the existence of absolute moral truth; instead, most Americans determine right and wrong based on personal sentiments, circumstances, or public opinion.

09/17/2025

Today, Anglicanism still stands as the third-largest Christian denomination globally. Historically, Anglicanism underwent a significant transformation in the late 19th and 20th centuries, driven by evangelism and missionary work that welcomed individuals from across the British Empire.

This shift led to the establishment of vibrant Anglican communities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, even in regions beyond the British Empire's reach. As the second quarter of the 21st century unfolds, Anglicanism has shed its colonial legacy, embracing a global identity with a strong presence in the Global South.

The Anglican churches in Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda exemplify the dynamic growth of Anglicanism, with active memberships that rival and often surpass those in the Global West. These churches represent a younger, more vibrant demographic, offering a promising vision for the future of Anglicanism.

Southern Anglicans envision themselves as the driving force behind the church's future, blending orthodox, evangelical, and charismatic traditions to create a thriving, globally relevant Anglicanism. Anglicans in North America should be an equal driving force, but issues of purported women’s ordination, the “wokeness” of the Global West and liturgical and doctrinal squabbling have proved to make this extremely challenging.

As the locus of Anglicanism shifts to the Global South, the church is poised for a renewed sense of purpose and identity, one that favors tradition and biblical truth.

While this shift presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for growth, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the Global South and the Global West.

The rise of the Global South invites a reevaluation of what it means to be Anglican. It is left to Anglicans in North America to solidify their identity as orthodox Anglicans in 2025 and beyond. We need leadership in the Global West.

09/17/2025