Launched in the fall of 2009, the All Saints Center for Theology (ASCT) seeks to provide a forum for the development of a biblical, orthodox, and distinctly Anglican theology using the resources within the New England diocese, a part of the Anglican Church in North America. Based out of the All Saints Anglican Church and Ministry Center in Amesbury, Massachusetts, the ASCT works to capture the theological work of the diocese in one easy-to-access space.
The ASCT is an online ecclesial, periodical working within the tradition and spirit of academic journals, but connected to the church rather than a university. As such, the ASCT is a “publication” of the church that comes from a particular perspective but attempts to embrace the breadth of the theology in the Anglican tradition. The journal borrows from a wide range of contributors, many of whom participate in the life of their local church within the newly formed Anglican diocese in New England. Original articles are published quarterly according to the season (i.e. Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), and organized according to their subject.
The task of the ASCT is to provide a space for the theology arising from the “bottom up,” as clergy and laity respond to the critical issues that develop in their ministries. This is accomplished through three major sections on the website:
- 1)A Thinktank that provides theological responses to some of the “hard” issues arising in the specific contexts and situations of the Anglican Church in North America. These responses take the form of essays providing answers to questions that come up as we go about our reforming mission. Essays are provided by the teachers of the church who are able to articulate (in writing or speech) a good theology which reflects the character of God and builds up the church. Teachers include clergy, college and seminary faculty, seminarians, and lay persons.
- 2)A Spiritual Formation portal that provides resources tied to the discipleship ministry of All Saints’ Anglican Church in Amesbury, MA. These resources include “virtual classrooms” corresponding to the actual classes offered in the church through audio, video, and text-based resources; links to websites offering further information regarding the topic under discussion; and articles and reflections on the Christian life.
- 3)A Pulpit Talk forum providing a space for the laity to offer their reflections on the topics addressed by the clergy in their weekly sermons. Contributors will answer the question: “What did you hear the Spirit of God saying to the church through the sermon?”
The ASCT is not attempting to develop a confessional statement or official theology of the New England diocese. Rather, it represents a medley of statements reflecting the responses of those trying to articulate God’s desire for his church. The ultimate goal is to build up and encourage the body of believers within the new Anglican diocese.
Like other journals, an editorial review board exists to monitor the theological and biblical quality of the essays and reflections submitted to ASCT. For a list of the editors, please click here. If you are interested in submitting an essay for the website, please see our editorial standards.
If you have any questions that the teachers of the church may address, please send them our way at any time!
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