Is New Abbey “Catholic”?

While there are many who come from a Roman Catholic background in our congregation, New Abbey is not a Roman Catholic church. We are a congregation that is made up of parishioners from a variety of Christian traditions.

But you guys recite the creeds and in them they affirm the “holy catholic church.” What’s that about?

The word catholic is from the Greek and Latin and means “universal.” Historically, across many Christian traditions, catholic is used to refer to all Christians across time and geography regardless of denominational affiliation. So in other words, if you love Jesus you’re part of the catholic church. This word speaks to our real and genuine connectedness to believers in the past, present, and future. We understand that depending on one’s experience and context the word catholic can evoke a variety of emotions. New Abbey’s hope, though, is that Christians recapture its meaning and use.

Okay, you’re not Roman Catholic. Are you Evangelical, then?

If by evangelical you mean a particular political party or a worship style, then no. If by evangelical you mean believing in things like the authority of the Bible, the emphasis on a faith in Jesus, and our call to love our neighbors through word and deed – then, yes, we are evangelical. In fact, our denomination is called the Evangelical Covenant Church. 

Why weekly communion? Won’t that diminish its importance?

The frequency of the Lord’s Supper is not prescribed in the New Testament but through the testimony of scripture and history we see that it was observed more often than many modern American Evangelical churches today. If frequency diminished the importance of anything, why then have weekly singing, sermons, scripture reading, etc? Frequency, then, is not what makes something less sacred or unimportant – it is a matter of the heart. And when the heart captures its significance, it sees that this Supper is the visible, tangible Word — the Word that we need often.

Who can participate in communion?

All who love Jesus have the privilege of participating in communion. We practice open communion here at New Abbey. Whether you have been a Christian for decades or walking to the table is your first step of faith, you are welcome to receive communion. The invitation to the table does not require baptism, but we will encourage you toward baptism when you are able.

What’s in the name? Why “New Abbey”?

Throughout church history, some believers would covenant together to live with one another, navigating their spiritual journeys together in communities called abbeys. Here, people with all types of vocations (e.g. the baker, tailor, gardener, tanner, brewer, etc.) worked together and served each other through their various gifting and resources. It was a beautiful picture of communal life, each one placing community before self—a radical shift from what was occurring in the outside world. New Abbey will continue the tradition of “community” but will not be limited to a particular building. We will be defined by being a people “doing life together.” We are New Abbey.

You guys talk about ethnicity, race, and culture a lot. Why focus on those things?

God has shaped everyone differently and beautifully. Unfortunately, some segments of Christianity suppress and neglect this, misunderstanding how ethnicity plays a role in ministry and faith formation. Overall, we believe that ethnicity is a gift from God and that multiethnicity is God’s vision for the Church. The failure to talk and work through this has had a negative impact on the American church — history only confirms this. We invite you to be led by minority ethnic leaders joining us in this challenging conversation and calling, helping us build a diverse community for his glory.