Was Henry VIII really the reason for the English Reformation? The English Reformation, Protestant Reformation, Henry VIII, the Church of England, and the Book of Common Prayer are often presented as a straightforward story of a king breaking with Rome. But the story is considerably older, and more complicated, than Henry VIII’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon.

In this episode of Pray Tell, Trevor and Al explore what was really happening beneath the surface of the English Reformation: the influence of the printing press, the growing availability of Scripture in English, the challenge to centralized religious authority, and the idea of the priesthood of all believers.

Five hundred years after the English Reformation, Anglicans and Catholics are still wrestling with questions of authority, tradition, unity, and what Christians share in common. From Henry VIII and the Book of Common Prayer to King Charles and Pope Leo, the story of the Reformation may have more to say about the Church today than we expect.

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Intro

00:56 – Beyond Henry VIII 

05:19 – Authority and the Body of Christ 

09:48 – The Book of Common Prayer and Church Hierarchy

14:00 – Catholic and Anglican Continuity

19:13 – Can we learn from our history?

21:54 – Closing thoughts

// JOIN US //

If you’re in the Fraser Valley, we would love to see you on Sunday at 10am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

#EnglishReformation

#HenryVIII

#ProtestantReformation

#ChurchOfEngland

#BookOfCommonPrayer

#romancatholic

#christianhistory 

#anglican

Trevor and Al explore what makes the Anglican Church unique within broader Christianity. They discuss the concept of the "middle road" (Via Media), how Anglicanism balances both Protestant and Catholic roots, and what it truly means to be a "big tent" faith focused on Jesus.

From the Book of Common Prayer and liturgy to church authority and historical traditions, Trevor and Al share their personal journeys into the Anglican Parish and reflect on creating a welcoming community for all believers.

Whether you are exploring Anglicanism for the first time, curious about liturgical worship, or seeking to understand the historical connection between Evangelical and Catholic traditions, join the conversation as we look at faith, unity, and scripture.

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 - Intro: Do Anglicans need to pick a lane? 

03:30 - Henry VIII, the English Reformation, and the Middle Road

07:31 - The Concept of Authority in Anglicanism 

10:41 - How Anglicans embrace their Catholic and Reformed Roots

15:51 - Why we joined the Anglican Church

21:36 - Closing thoughts

// JOIN US //

If you’re in the Fraser Valley, we would love to see you on Sunday at 10am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus

#AnglicanChurch #Anglicanism #Anglican #Christianity #ViaMedia #BookOfCommonPrayer #Liturgy #ChristianFaith #Protestant #LiturgicalWorship #AnglicanParish #ChristianPodcast

Who is actually in charge of the Anglican church? When conflicts arise, theology clashes, or culture shifts, who actually has the final say?

For many, church hierarchy looks like a rigid, top-down corporate ladder. For others, complete independence seems like the ultimate freedom, until a personality clash splits the congregation apart. Is there a third way?

In this episode of Pray Tell, Trevor and Al pull back the curtain on Anglican church leadership, authority, and the "impossible" balancing act of keeping a global community together. They tackle the messy, fascinating, and often misunderstood reality of how decisions are actually made when the stakes are high.

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

04:15 – The Priesthood of All Believers

08:30 – Independent Church Authority vs. Hierarchical Church Authority

13:45 – Accountability, Discipline, and Governance

19:17 – Same-Sex Blessings and Ordination of Women

29:58 – Healthy Leadership

33:39 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

// JOIN US //

If you’re in the Fraser Valley, we would love to see you on Sunday at 10am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

#anglican  #episcopalian  #theology  #churchhistory  #ecclesiology  #ViaMedia #anglicanchurch #ChurchGovernment #christianfaith  #anglicanism

Is baptism a conscious adult choice, or is it something deeper? For anyone coming from a tradition that emphasizes adult baptism, the practice of baptizing infants can feel incredibly difficult to accept.

In this episode of Pray Tell, Trevor Smale and Al Carson tackle the complex, beautiful, and often controversial topic of baptism. Al shares his own personal journey of entering the Anglican tradition as an adult and wrestling with the theological shift from a "conscious decision" to a profound focus on God's preceding grace.

// CHAPTERS //

0:00 - Introduction to Baptism

2:26 - Why do we baptize?

7:18 - The Debate: Infant vs. Adult Baptism

10:10 - Different views of baptism

14:59 - The Symbolism of the Sacrament

17:56 - The Role of the Church Community

24:48 - Christ's Baptism & Importance of Water

29:38 - Conclusion and Outro

// JOIN US //

If you’re in the Fraser Valley, we would love to see you on Sunday at 10am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

#Anglican #Sacrament #InfantBaptism #Theology #ChristianPodcast #GodsGrace #ChurchTradition #FaithJourney #PrayTell

How should we pray?  Is structured prayer or spontaneous prayer better?  What is morning prayer? Is it enough for Christians to pray from their heart?  How can prayer books, specifically the Book of Common Prayer or Book of Alternative Services, help us in our prayer lives? 

In this episode of Pray Tell, Trevor and Al discuss the importance of prayer, specifically structured prayer through the BCP and BAS in the Anglican church, as well as the role these prayer books can have in daily Christian life.  

It's a BIG question, and one that many well-intentioned people disagree on.  So if you disagree with us, we would love to hear from you in the comments!  

Enjoy the episode.

// CHAPTERS  //

00:00 - Introduction: The Bathtub Method of Prayer 

02:26 - Book of Common Prayer vs. Book of Alternative Services

06:21 - The Purpose of a Prayer Book: Rigid Structure or Helpful Guide? 

07:59 - The Common Criticism: Repetition and Sincerity in Prayer 

16:47 - Key Changes: From the Order of Service to the Lord’s Prayer 

21:59 - Daily Devotional Practices: Useful Apps and Discipline

27:19 - How to access Prayer Books for free online

// JOIN US //

We would love to see you on Sunday at 10am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

Who is Jesus really? In this episode, Trevor and Fr. Al explore Jesus in the Anglican tradition; fully God and fully human, revealed through Scripture, creeds, and liturgy.  They discuss everything from how Anglicans approach worship, to the Book of Common Prayer, the 39 Articles, personal and communal faith, doubts (like Doubting Thomas), and how to encounter the living Christ beyond mountaintop experiences. Whether you're new to church, exploring Anglicanism, or wrestling with faith, this episode invites you to experience Jesus through ancient-yet-living worship.

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 - Who Is Jesus Really? Exploring the Riddle of Christ

02:07 - Jesus in the Anglican Tradition: Creeds, Liturgy & Worship

10:01 - Why Anglicans Don't Use a Statement of Faith (Come and Experience)

12:09 - Different Portraits of Jesus in the Gospels & Paul's Early Hymns

17:31 - Personal Savior vs. Communal Faith

26:01 - Final thoughts

// JOIN US //

We would love to see you on Sunday at 11am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

Join us for Part 2 of Pray Tell's conversation with Fr. Richard Leggett as we dive into Christian transformation in the Anglican Church.

We explore how real relationships, asking the tough questions (transcultural, contextual, cross-cultural, and countercultural), and staying open to God’s presence can spark powerful personal and congregational change. From Indigenous theology to challenging Christian nationalism, you’ll find fresh hope for unity in the middle of cultural shifts.

Perfect for Anglicans, growing Christians, and anyone new to church life.

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – What Is Transformation?

1:49 – Three Questions: Transcultural, Cross-Cultural & Countercultural

7:49 – A Personal Story: Women's Ordination & Changing Convictions

16:19 – Hospitality, Kenosis & Making Space for One Another

24:55 – Hope for the Church: From Institution Back to Movement

// JOIN US //

We would love to see you on Sunday at 11am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

Is doubt the opposite of faith? Anglicanism says no.

In this episode of Pray Tell, Trevor and Al are joined by The Ven. Richard Leggett, a longtime Anglican priest and former Archdeacon with more than 40 years of ministry experience. Together they explore questions of faith, doubt, belonging, and the deeper question of unity within the Anglican tradition.

The conversation challenges the common assumption in Christianity that faith means having certainty and why the Anglican tradition has long held space for unity without uniformity.

If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, wondered how Christians with different perspectives can remain united, or are curious about how Anglicanism approaches faith and community, this conversation offers a thoughtful and hopeful perspective.

// JOIN US //

We would love to see you on Sunday at 11am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.

Is the Anglican Church still relevant in 2026?

In this episode, we explore what it means to live out one's Christian faith daily and nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We discuss how Anglicanism emphasizes these core beliefs, clarifying common misconceptions. This conversation aims to deepen understanding for those curious about Christianity and the Episcopal tradition. 🙏

// CHAPTERS //

00:00 Do We Just Believe Anything?

01:12 Why Be Anglican in 2025?

05:46 When Questions Are Not Welcome

10:18 The Three Legged Stool

18:42 Scripture and Cultural Bias

27:35 The Truth about Deconstruction

36:58 Power, Politics, and Jesus

45:14 A Church for the Burnt Out

53:02 Mystery and Control

59:21 Final Invitation

// JOIN US //

We would love to see you on Sunday at 11am.  YOU are welcome here.

2010 Guilford Drive

Abbotsford, BC V2S 5R2

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church

Website: https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyanglican/profilecard/?igsh=OHp3eTJmZHJxcTZj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyanglican

Anglican Church of Canada

https://www.anglican.ca/

Listen to the Podcast

YouTube: @praytellthepod

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-tell/id1718881539

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50P2r7jPZoynx9uCLDWc4J?si=e0d227f7f8d44bdc

// ABOUT ST. MATTHEW //

St. Matthew Anglican Church is a small parish located in Abbotsford, BC.

Far too many people have experienced Christianity as constricting. But it does not have to be this way.

Rooted in the Anglican tradition, we believe that structure creates freedom. Scripture, tradition, and thoughtful reflection are not barriers to faith but tools that help us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.

Are Anglicans Christian?

Are Anglicans Christian? It’s a question many people quietly wonder and some openly ask.

In this episode of Pray Tell, Trevor and Al explore where that confusion comes from and how Anglican worship proclaims the gospel week after week through Scripture, creeds, sacraments, and liturgy rather than relying only on the sermon. They talk about what it means to be Christian at its core, why the early church developed creeds, and how Anglicanism fits within the wider Christian story.

Whether you are new to Christianity, coming from an evangelical background, or simply curious about Anglican worship, this conversation makes space for honest questions, deeper understanding, and a renewed sense of wonder.

Pray Tell is a podcast from St. Matthew Anglican Church in Abbotsford, BC.

Learn more about St. Matthew Anglican Church
https://www.abbotsfordanglican.ca/