Always Forward Podcast

The Rev. Dr. Gerald McDermott joins us for this episode to discuss the deep roots of Anglican spirituality and liturgy, and the riches it provides our lives today. He explores the many church fathers who influenced Anglican theology and the writing of our liturgy, from Augustine and Benedict to Anselm and Hooker. Join us for this fascinating dive into our Anglican heritage and how this history can strengthen and enrich our lives and ministries.

In this episode we're joined by Deborah Tepley who was recently named the COO of the Anglican Church in North America. Dan and Deborah discuss her new role and her persepctive on the future of the province. She also shares about her background, her introduction to Anglican worship and the role of liturgy in urban church planting. Join us for this great conversation!

In this episode our director Molly Ruch hosts and interviews Anna Friedrich, Arts Pastor at Church of the Cross in Boston. Molly and Anna discuss their Easter Vigil, artistry and creativity in liturgical worship and evangelistic opportunities through it.

Kris McDaniel, the lead pastor at Trinity Anglican Church in Atlanta, GA, shares his transformative journey from a non-liturgical, charismatic background to embracing the Anglican Way. He discusses how this shift has influenced his views on evangelism and church planting. Kris reflects on the enriching role of structured worship, the uplifting power of scripture during challenging times, and the balance between tradition and modernity in a changing city like Atlanta. His insights highlight how liturgical practices can deepen faith and community engagement.

The Reverend Canon Wes Jagoe, Director of Chapel and the Trophimus Center at Trinity Anglican Seminary(TAS) joins us for this episode of season 9. Wes and Dan discuss TAS and his role there, his upbringing, military career, and more, and how Anglican liturgy has affected each area. In particular Wes shares about his vision for liturgy in the process of educating and forming seminary students and future church planters.

Dan Marotta, founding rector of Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond, Virginia joins us for this episode. He shares his personal spiritual struggles during seminary, where academic knowledge of Christianity didn't translate into personal spiritual growth, leading him to discover the transformative power of liturgy. His book 'Liturgy in the Wilderness' reflects on how structured, repetitive prayer can re-engage one's heart with God and help bridge the gap between belief and practice. The conversation explores the concept of the Christian life as a "wilderness" journey and the role of secularism in modern Christian anxiety and diminished imagination. Dan challenges the common notion that beliefs come first and habits follow; instead, he suggests that habits often precede and influence beliefs. And he describes how liturgical prayer can offer a solution by helping Christians engage in formation from the outside in, focusing on practices that open individuals to God's transformative power.

In this episode Dan is joined by Peter Lebhar, a church planter preparing to start a church in Tampa, Florida. In particular Peter discusses how he and his wife are incorporating liturgy into their family life and discipling their children, as they prepare for their third child and prepare to church plant.

In this episode host Dan Alger introduces our ninth season, which will have a special focus on liturgy and how it relates to church planting in the Anglican context. He discusses the significance of liturgy as "the work of the people," rooted in scripture and designed to offer right praise to God. The conversation features Fr. Ben Sharpe, a longtime church planter, and Canon Missioner for West Virginia and Appalachia in the diocese of Christ Our Hope. Ben shares insights on how liturgy connects worship in the church to heavenly worship, highlighting its role in both glorifying God and edifying the faithful. He proposes that liturgy provides a framework for worship that moves beyond personal feelings, allowing for a deeper, more consistent engagement with faith. For all the details listen to the whole conversation.

In the last episode of Season 8, Canon Dan is joined by Fr. Tony Melton to talk about bold, traditional, and sacramental church planting. This conversation will encourage and challenge you to consider what it means to boldly take our tradition outside the walls of our churches. Also: We are hosting a virtual conference on October 9th and 10th, The Optimistic Horizon: Navigating the Great Dechurching. Learn more and register at always-forward.com

In this episode, Canon Dan is joined by Julie Lane Gay to discuss her upcoming book, "The Riches of Your Grace: Living in the Book of Common Prayer." Julie, a writer and trained horticulturist, explores the impact of the Book of Common Prayer on her daily life. She shares how the BCP serves as both a personal and communal guide to prayer, making liturgical practices accessible and enriching for the everyday believer. The conversation emphasizes the prayer book’s role in helping Christians navigate their faith with grace and understanding, highlighting its practical applications and the comfort it offers in daily Christian living. Make sure you check out Julie Lane-Gay's book, The Riches of Your Grace (IVP, 2024). Living in the Book of Common Prayer