Dear friends,

I am giving very serious thought to converting to the Episcopal church. I have been a Catholic for most of my life (with a brief sojourn into a Congregational UCC church). There are many things that I admire about the Episcopal church, and I am hoping to take this upcoming Lent to reflect a bit more deeply on my move before I make any real decisions.

Could anyone suggest some resources for me to read? I see names like N.T. Wright and Rowan Williams…but what else? What is—for you—the ‘must read’ book(s) for Episcopalians? By Episcopalians? Anglicans? Both?

Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated. I have to say that I am not much of a theologian, nor am I consumed with passion on one side or another of certain…let’s say less than pragmatic theological disputes. I am a follower of Christ who (I hesitate to write this) may be discerning a call to some sort of ministry at the same time that I am leaving the Roman Catholic church once and for all.

God bless you,
Michael

Michael,

I’d start with Anglican Spirit and The Gospel and the Catholic Church by Michael Ramsey

Christian Faith and Life by William Temple is also a classic that gives you a sense of an Anglican approach to things while not overtly Anglican.

The Study of Anglicanism ed. by Sykes and Booty is also good.

You asked for names besides R. Williams and N. T Wright, but I’ll still recommend Williams’ Anglican Identities.

Blessings on your discernment.

Michael, an excellent Lenten resource not specifically about Anglicanism, but written by an Episcopalian (former Superior of the Society of St. John the Evangelist who resigned from the order about 10 years after he wrote this) is “A Season for the Spirit” by Martin L. Smith.  It is a wonderful (daily) journey through Lent which has a grasp of key issues and deep spiritual insight into the struggle for discernment on many levels.  God bless.