Introduction
Religious identity is never static; it evolves in conversation with scripture, tradition, personal experience, and the cultural context of one’s life. My own pilgrimage has carried me through three distinct traditions—Free Will Baptist, United Methodist, and Episcopal—each contributing to the shaping of my theological outlook. This progression illustrates a movement from a biblicist foundation, to a more holistic engagement of multiple sources of truth, to a sacramental and inclusive vision of the gospel.
Free Will Baptist Foundations
The Free Will Baptist tradition, in which I was nurtured and ordained, emphasizes sola scriptura—Scripture as the sole and sufficient authority in matters of faith. Its theology is Arminian, stressing human free will, the universal offer of salvation, and the possibility of apostasy. The ecclesial life of Free Will Baptists is marked by simplicity of worship, believer’s baptism by immersion, and a memorialist understanding of the Lord’s Supper.
This tradition provided me with a profound respect for Scripture and the importance of personal holiness. Yet its reliance on biblical literalism often curtailed theological inquiry and left limited space for the integration of broader human experience or historical tradition. My decades of ministry within this framework laid a firm foundation but also raised questions that could not be resolved within its narrow interpretive boundaries.
United Methodist Engagement
In 1997, I transitioned into the United Methodist Church, a move that corresponded to my growing appreciation for a more expansive theological method. The Wesleyan Quadrilateral—Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—presented a more nuanced epistemology of faith. While Scripture retained primacy, Wesley’s framework acknowledged the essential role of history, rational reflection, and lived human experience in discerning God’s truth.
This broadened hermeneutic was complemented by the United Methodist commitment to both personal holiness and social holiness, balancing evangelical piety with social justice concerns. My studies at Memphis Theological Seminary (M.Div., 2003) reinforced this synthesis, exposing me to ecumenical theology and constructive dialogue with modern thought.
The United Methodist Church thus expanded my theological horizon, allowing me to embrace both the authority of Scripture and the legitimacy of critical reflection. Yet ongoing denominational tensions, particularly around human sexuality and inclusivity, left unresolved questions about the nature of the church as a fully hospitable community.
Episcopal Inclusivity and Sacramentality
In 2025, I formally entered the Episcopal Church, drawn by its sacramental depth and theological openness. The Anglican “three-legged stool” of Scripture, tradition, and reason offered a similar balance to Wesley’s Quadrilateral, yet with a stronger ecclesiological and sacramental grounding. Worship rooted in the Book of Common Prayer reoriented my spirituality toward liturgy and the Eucharist as the center of Christian life.
Perhaps most decisive was the Episcopal Church’s commitment to inclusivity, particularly in the ordination and affirmation of LGBT persons. This stance was not merely a social accommodation but a theological conviction: that the image of God is borne equally in all persons, and that baptism confers a full and irrevocable dignity. By embracing such inclusivity, the Episcopal Church embodied what I had come to believe about the wideness of God’s mercy and the radical hospitality of the gospel.
Conclusion
The progression from Free Will Baptist to United Methodist to Episcopal reflects a theological trajectory that mirrors broader currents in modern Christianity: from biblicism, to holistic hermeneutics, to inclusive sacramentality. Each step represented not a rejection of the previous tradition but an expansion of vision:
- From a faith grounded in Scripture alone,
- To a faith enriched by reason, tradition, and experience,
- To a faith embodied in sacrament and radical inclusivity.
My journey underscores the truth that Christian identity is best understood as pilgrimage—ever faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet always seeking deeper and wider expressions of God’s love in the world.
The Curious Pilgrims 