The Accidental Anglican: The Surprising Appeal of the Liturgical Church

by Todd D. Hunter, J.I. Packer (Foreword)

Many are longing for historical connectedness and for theology that is "not tied to the whims of contemporary culture, but to apostolic-era understandings of Christian faith and practice." They also yearn for rhythms and routines that build spiritual health. Still others are responding to a call to participate in worship rather than merely sitting back and looking at a stage. Liturgy offers all of this and more. In this book Todd Hunter chronicles his journey from the Jesus People movement and national leadership in the Vineyard to eventually becoming an Anglican Bishop. Along the way he explains why an evangelical Christian might be drawn to the liturgical way. Curious about the meaning of liturgy? Come and discover what may be waiting for you there.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Biography, Christianity

139 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2010

About the author

Bishop Todd Hunter of the Anglican Mission in the Americas, is the founding pastor of Holy Trinity Church, an Anglican church in Costa Mesa, California and author of Christianity Beyond Belief (IVP 2009), Giving Church Another Chance (IVP Spring, 2010) and The Outsider Interviews (Baker Books, Summer 2010). Todd is also the founding director of Churches for the Sake of Others, the West Coast church planting initiative for The Anglican Mission in the Americas. Prior to his work with the Anglican Mission in the Americas, Todd founded Three is Enough, a small group movement that makes spiritual formation doable.

Reviews

[Andrew Himes · Rating 3 out of 5]

In his new book, Todd Hunter, recounts the unexpected trail that took him from the Jesus People movement of the 1970s through the Vineyard community of churches to his recent appointment as an Anglican Bishop charged with the mission of planting two hundred new Episcopalian churches in the western United States in the next 20 years. Is that a wild and crazy ambition, or what?

My own notions of high church Episcopalianism were set by my family's outlook. I grew up as the product of several generations of Southern fundamentalists, and we were more than a little suspicious of what we regarded as the "rigamarole" of Episcopalianism--not too far distant from the heresy of Catholicism. We figured that any prayer that had to be read--e.g., from the Book of Common Prayer--could not possibly be a sincere or genuine prayer, from the heart. We were suspicious of choir robes and ministerial garb of any kind. We never used the word "liturgy" to describe anything that we were doing, and I was pretty sure that any "liturgical" church was full of people who were going to hell because they were more focused on form than substance.

So it is fascinating to me to read Todd Hunter's stated mission of creating "Churches for the Sake of Others." By that phrase, he means something fundamental about how he approaches his Christian faith. Hunter says faith is all about serving others, listening to others, loving others. It's a funny form of self-denial, which, says Hunter, rebounds to do unexpectedly good things for the person who follows that path. By setting out to serve and listen to others, you find fulfillment and happiness for yourself.

Far from being deadly and formalistic, Hunter says, liturgy is vital to how he understands and practices his faith. It provides him a structure for his practice of Christian love and faith; it gives him a consistent and trustworthy community of fellow practitioners; and it leads to respect and reverence--an increased love of God and neighbor. I will be interested to hear more of where Todd Hunter's calling takes him.

[Reign Hamilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read. You can finish it in an afternoon.
Super underwhelmed. The narrative was incredibly choppy. For anyone who has followed Todd Hunter’s career. He was the director for the vineyard movement for years and then became Anglican. I think for anyone who has been a part of the vineyard for years this would be shocking. He did a poor job explaining how he got over some of the big differences. I would even say he avoided them.

I do want to be kind. I just think the book was not for me. If I were to have a book it would be called “the purposeful Anglican”. So his timid approach to explaining Anglicanism frustrated me. I would have loved a much more apologetic approach.

[Adam Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book on a whim because I have read Hunter's other book (Christianity Beyond Belief) and hated it. That might seem like an odd reason to get another of the guy's books, but this one wouldn't let me go. The question in my mind was, "How does the former president of the Vineyard go Anglican?" I like Anglicans, and so the question pressed me into a corner. The essential answer is that he did really just sort of wind up in the Anglican church through a series of strange steps. He didn't go because of the liturgy, or the teaching. He went because he's a church planter, and the ACNA is wanting to plant a bunch of churches.

The good news is that Hunter is reading some folks with a bit more depth to them now that he's an Anglican. The bad (or annoying) news is that his prose is still stilted and flat, and that he is still a fan of the Wesley brothers and Dallis Willard, and he is still using The Message for his Scripture "translation." I don't know what on earth the ACNA, the conservative Anglican split-off communion, is doing giving Todd Hunter Holy Orders as a Bishop without casting his use of the Message into the deepest pit of hell, but life is a mystery.

[S. Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrative felt choppy and shallow, as if he wrote it all in an hour. At times felt more like simply an autobiography with lots of thank you's to influential Anglicans than anything else. Was hoping for more insight into Anglicanism. I bet Hunter is an awesome guy, just didn't get much from this book.

[Steve Comstock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a person who made the journey from broad evangelicalism to the Anglican faith. I was hoping to find meditations on the complex factors that draw one from consumer-Christianity to the kind of ancient-future faith that Anglicanism has to offer, but this felt less than that. Honestly, a lot of the time it just felt like I was reading the author's extended resume.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was simply unimpressed with this book.
1) The story is told as a step-by-step book, except out of order and you aren’t sure what time of the author’s story you just jumped to. Years are rarely mentioned.
2) The editing is poor.
3) A lot of the book was about other people, the books they wrote, what church they oversee, and how Todd knew them. Two whole (short) chapters are basically each a man’s biography.
4) I didn’t learn anything about Anglicanism until part 2, and even then learned very little in two of the chapters.
5) SO OFTEN, the author begins talking about something and then doesn’t say what it is. One of these times was in a later chapter when the author talks about the 6 points of Charles Wesleyan Anglicanism (what???) when he lists a point, gives a bunch of names of some dudes and their titles and churches, gives a vague definition that doesn’t seem special to Anglicanism, says there are some good ways he has seen the church do this, and then doesn’t expound, just goes on to the next point. I’m just like, “What? How do they do this? What IS this thing you say is an essential part of Wesleyan-Anglicanism?

The second or third chapters of part 2 might be all that is worth glancing at in this book.

Thanks, that’s all I have to say about this book.

[Kevin Greenlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have some bias in reading this book. Todd is my pastor and my bishop, and I love and admire him in both roles, so am inclined to appreciate what he brings to the table. Still, his other books, while very good, have not stood out to me. This one, however, as an account of Todd's journey into the Anglican communion stands above the rest. Todd's story is a unique and beautiful one, going from Cavalry Chapel roots, through the Vineyard and the emerging church, Todd has accumulated a lot of church experience. What I love most of all is his willingness to sing the praises of where he came from, even has he has moved beyond it. There is no bitterness here. Truly, Todd is representative of the "sweet reasonableness" he praises Anglicanism for.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected this book to be part biography, part argument for liturgical service, and it was a bit of both, but not enough of either to satisfy my curiosity. In the end, Bishop Hunter basically said that a) He'd made the switch from free-spirited Evangelical to Liturgical and that b)He was happy with the switch.

I want to know more, which in a way is a good thing, but I feel like he had a lot more interesting things to say. A book about three times as long could have been really fascinating, and while I did enjoy this read, he doesn't say enough for me to recommend it.

[David Svihel · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the story of how a former Vineyard pastor came to be an Anglican Bishop is intriguing, this book is written in a rather sloppy and simplistic manner, which caused me to be underwhelmed. That being said, it is a quick little read about a man's spiritual journey that can be easily read in an afternoon. If your looking for something out of the ordinary or are curious about the Anglican tradition get it from the library and give it a shot.

[Chrisse Reynolds · Rating 2 out of 5]

At least it was short? He probably has a really interesting story, and some great things to say, but his books is so all over the place and hard to follow. He makes a lot of assumptions that the reader already knows a good chunk of his background (which I didn’t), a lot about what it means to be Anglican (which I’m just learning), and about what his previous churches were like (again, I don’t). Overall, it’s just very disjointed.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ACCIDENTAL ANGLICAN by Todd Hunter

Church is like Mark Twain’s description of the Mississippi River.

Anglicanism is resolutely Christ-centred, focusing always on his death and resurrection.

“Sit up, be alert, participate.” Liturgy is the work or participation of the people. Anglicanism offers an “ancient-future”experience.

Eucharist is like a kiss. It's more than just a kiss. Eucharist is like this. It conveys the love and purpose of God for his people. Consecrated and consumed bread are never just the cells of wheat and grapes touching our lips. … In the Eucharist we, though steeped in the concrete reality of space and time, connect with a reality that transcends grain and grape.

The gospel of the kingdom of God informs our ecclesiology - gives meaning and shape to the Church. Mission is not so much an activity of the Church, but an attribute of God. The Church is a seed, it cannot grow sitting in its packaging. The seed must be placed in the ground of the kingdom, lose its life there, and then flourish and grow as a product and agent of the kingdom.

The spirit of Anglicanism - sweet reasonableness – in the spirit of serving others, because Anglicans love their church.

The Anglican “treasure chest” – imagine a young artist finding grandpa's chest of paint, brushes, water colours, pastel pencils and sticks of charcoal; and not being able to wait to use them!

The hearers of Ezra responded as he read the old, forgotten story of God (Nehemiah 8).

“Liturgical tools” are ancient rhythms, book of prayer (lex orandi, lex credenti - the law of prayer is the law of belief), the ministry of the Word (lectionary), Creed, prayer of confession and absolution, the peace, Eucharist, ordained ministry.

Anglican comprehensiveness involves three main streams:
• Anglo Catholic- history and order,
• Evangelicals -present saving grace,
• Broad church - learn from each other

[David F. Stout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Story

I found Hunter’s story quite interesting, especially since he is a contemporary of mine whose journey has been in the opposite direction. I went from liturgical to a low key Pentecostalism. We do, however, have a common set of authors and church leaders we grew up such as Stott, Newbigin, and David Watson. I just found David Wilkerson a tad more to my liking. (I also find set liturgy pretty dull, though Evangelicals trying praise and worship music is not my cup of tea either.)

Anyway, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a liturgical expression of evangelicalism. The book is an easy read, personable, and reasonably informative. It would also make a great gift if you wanted to irritate an Episcopalian, and that’s always fun. As a Presbyterian writer entitled a chapter in a book from half a century ago, “Of Episcopalians- Who Are Always Fair Game”.

[Ryan Geer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this book was not really what I was expecting... Chapters 4 and 5, where the author talks about his interactions with Packer and Stott are really pretty good. The final couple chapters were ok as well. But the rest of the book was just not what I thought it would be. It seems as if the author's journey into the Anglican church was much more one of circumstances directing than a realization that this tradition best embodied what Scripture teaches that the church should be. It's not a bad read and I did appreciate his heart. But if you're looking to understand "why the Anglican church?" then maybe this isn't quite the right book.
Having grown up in my early life in an extremely INDEPENDENT church, the thing I take away (and have been learning over the last couple decades) is the reminder that God's kingdom is not limited to a particular faith tradition but includes all those who are putting their hope in Christ alone.

[James (JD) Dittes · Rating 2 out of 5]

This year I became an "accidental Anglican," moving to a city where the local community was the closest group of Christians I could find to my beliefs and my language. Wanting to learn more, I picked up Hunter's book.

My biggest complaint is that the book is self-referential. I had never heard of Hunter before, and 3/4ths of the book is about his journey into Anglicanism and the influences who brought him there. The book works best when it is pointing to well-known and well-read Anglicans like NT Wright and John Stott.

I came to Anglicanism from Methodism. I didn't recognize the denominations in which Hunter has served. No doubt he is an effective leader for the churches he planted. The book, however, left me disappointed, looking for a better resource on the strengths of the demonimation.

[Daniel Clemence · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Accidental Anglican is a book looking over Todd Hunter's move from Vineyard churches into being a missionary bishop for the Anglican Church in North America. He looks over different Anglican leaders including John Stott, J. I. Packer and N. T. Wright (known as Tom Wright). The book gives various overviews of Anglicanism from an Evangelical perspective.

I think what is missing from this book is that Anglicanism is an eclectic denomination within Christianity. Todd Hunter gives the benefits of Anglicanism from an Evangelical background but there are other groupings within the church including the liberal-progressive grouping (the one I identify with), the charismatic wing (which is allied with the Evangelical grouping) and the Anglo-Catholic grouping who are very close to Catholicism.

As a result, the book may appeal to Evangelicals but won't really appeal to anyone else.

[Ricky Balas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is divided into two parts, so I will rate it in two parts. Part I--2 stars. Part II--4 stars.
Other reviewers have summed this work up rather well and I agree with many of them. The writing is choppy and right when you think Hunter is about to add something substantial, he abruptly ends the section/chapter. At times there is this stream of consciousness thing happening where it seems he is almost just transcribing a phone conversation he had. The first part, while he certainly did pick out some great figures of the Anglican tradition, almost felt a little forced (like writing in someone's high school yearbook). The second part, however, is equally inspiring and hopeful. My recommendation--start about half way through the book.

[Clayton Hashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a piece of literature, there wasn’t much here. I skipped most of the first half of the book since it seemed he was just thanking inspiring leaders and outlining his personal path to Anglicanism which wasn’t particularly compelling. However, his description of why he likes Anglicanism was somewhat helpful - in particular his description of each part of the liturgical service and how it is resonates with him.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saw someone else describe this book as an extended resume and I couldn’t agree more. Very little depth or substance. Like a “Who’s Who” of the Anglican Mission, I guess? I’m new to Anglicanism so I don’t know. Not at all what I was hoping for. I really don’t know who would benefit from reading this book.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a modest book, in tone and ambition. This is a friendly account of a Bishop’s move from various evangelical churches to the Anglican Church. He tells a self-deprecating story. For anyone curious about the move many are making toward liturgical churches, this is helpful and not demanding.

[Sharlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 2.5 stars. There were points when I felt like I was gleaning the kind of info I was hoping for about an evangelical becoming Anglican, but it often felt like a lot of name dropping and talk about things that I didn’t have any context for, so it fell a bit flat.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it is sort of a verification of what is happening in my own spiritual journey. That a combination of historical roots and fresh ministry for other people sounds exactly what I have been looking for.

[Kenneth]

Helpful little book about an evangelical leaders move to the Anglican church. First half is a biographical experience and the second half a nice summary of key Anglican "gifts".

[Dan Doebler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personal memoir with very little background on Anglican worship. A bit of an apologetic for those in the know rather than an enlightening peek for those of us on the outside.

[Richard Burley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todd tells and engaging tale of his journey from evangelical Christianity to Anglicanism. A fascinating tell that it’s also so usually advice.

[Philip Mantler · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read and a very good introduction to the Anglican church for those from other church traditions.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit doubtful about this after the first few chapters, but ended up really appreciating the honesty and passion by the end.

[Jason Struck]

Quoting Dallas Willard, "Spontaneity is overrated. Spontaneity only works well when it is rooted in deep practice."

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars for literary flow (metaphors may tend to feel a bit awkward, although I did appreciate the narrative honesty and humor!); 3 stars for resonance with my life right now.

Brief, autobiographical journey of Bishop Todd Hunter, as he journeys from the Jesus Movement to Calvary Chapel, Vineyard Churches, and Alpha USA to the Anglican mission.

.:quotes:.

"That is, the kingdom of God creates the church. Thus the church is derivative and secondary. Therefore the kingdom--the rule and reign, or the expression or action--of God is our highest priority." p. 91

"...This agenda is not born of the desire to be free of ecclesiastical authority. I am not looking for freedom from the church. I am looking to be bound to the kingdom of God. It's best not to try to think from the institutional forms of the church outward, but from the gospel of the kingdom and the mission field backward. I like what Matthew 5:48 says: 'You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.'" p. 91

"Make your measurements kingdom-based--make your celebrations missional." p. 93

"...will [name of church] embody kingdom values? Or will we fall prey to the common trap of having notional versus real values? There is only one faultless way for any church to know this: examine how we spend our time, money and energy; check our calendar (time and energy) and test our budget and checkbook (money). These will be our prophets, like having Isaiah and Amos at our leadership meetings. They will lead us where the church is supposed to be: at the intersection of real life making known life in the kingdom." p. 93

"Over history the best Anglican leadership, exemplified by Kolini and Rucyahana, has had a certain quality to it that makes it exceptional, including these characteristics: (1) an unassuming nature, (2) a humble sense of one's place in the wider and historical world, (3) the courage to do the right thing, (4) the humility to stay in loving dialogue with others who are difficult or disagreeable, (5) a willingness to hold onto the truth at hand with an epistemological humility that knows there may be more truth (but not transgressing orthodoxy)." p. 106

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who has been increasingly drawn from the hand-raising, contemporary music Baptist culture of her birth to the silent rhythms of Anglican liturgy, I was attracted to this book. However, if you're looking for an analysis and compilation of why people are flocking back to liturgy, this is not that book. While I appreciate Todd Hunter's honesty with his spiritual journey, the book seemed to lack depth. It felt very surface-level, as if he had written it as an essay in a day. Hunter frequently repeats phrases to try to explain his meaning, but my only reaction was "Yes, you keep saying that, but what does that mean?" It felt as though the author was skirting around what he truly meant to say.

I give this book 3 stars because I did find helpful the invitation to consider the mosaic of my own spiritual life (Hunter uses mosaic imagery throughout the book). Would I have found it less useful if I were not already attending an Anglican church? I can't say, because I believe that a bit of self-reflection and self-awareness is crucial to personal growth. So I would say go ahead and give this book a read, but know that it is not an all-inclusive answer key to the question "Why liturgy?"

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written about 5 years ago and gives the author's outline of his journey into the Anglican Church, eventually becoming a bishop, after serving many years as a pastor in the Vineyard Fellowship. The book is not a theological handbook, a polemic against anything, and does not attempt to persuade you into anything. Rather it is him saying in effect, this is what led me to where I am today in my spiritual journey. As one who is fascinated by reading such stories (especially - full disclosure - by one who is the bishop of the Anglican diocese to which my own local parish is part of), it's inspiring to read about the people and books who influenced them (humanly speaking of course, always acknowledging the leading of God the Holy Spirit in our lives).