Reading For The Glory Podcast (Episode 26): Fr. Mike Chitwood | From Baptist Pastor to Anglican Priest
Jul 22, 2025
Fr. Mike Chitwood, an Anglican priest and retired Army chaplain, shares his inspiring journey from Baptist pastor to Anglicanism, driven by a deep search for theological roots. He discusses the challenges faced in his Baptist pastorates that prompted a personal reckoning and his deliberate eight-year exploration of Anglican beliefs. Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of connection with early church practices and offers practical advice for those exploring faith traditions, arguing that returning to ancient practices provides the depth and continuity often missing in modern approaches.
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Call To Ministry From Jonah
- Fr. Mike Chitwood came to faith at age 12 and heard a clear call to ministry during a college-era mission trip reading Jonah.
- The Jonah narrative exposed his tendency to avoid God's call and redirected him into sustained ministry training and internships.
Chaplaincy Sparked Anglican Interest
- Mike served 12 years as an Army chaplain across hospice, corporate, CPE, National Guard, and active duty before medical retirement in 2021.
- That wide exposure to many worship forms, especially Anglican services at Fort Jackson, planted seeds that later led him toward Anglicanism.
Hard Pastorates Led To Reflection
- After difficult pastorates with repeated congregational conflicts, Mike began deep self-reflection and evaluated his own ecclesiology over several years.
- He intentionally delayed denominational change to avoid reactionary
