Exploring the Spiritual Practice of Fasting: A Journey from Evangelicalism to Anglicanism

The Journey of Tiffany Reed: From Evangelicalism to Anglicanism

Tiffany Reed’s spiritual journey has taken her from a biracial Pentecostal family that practiced fasting to the Anglican tradition, where she found a deeper connection to the early Christians’ approaches to fasting. Reed, who now works as a freelance writer in Waco, Texas, shared her story of transformation and the reasons behind her shift in beliefs.

Growing up in a family that frequently moved and fasted under the direction of her father, Reed was no stranger to exploring different religious practices. However, it was during her time at the King’s College in New York City that she witnessed some of her evangelical classmates converting to Anglicanism or Catholicism. This exposure sparked her curiosity and eventually led her to join Brazos Fellows, a program in partnership with Baylor University that offers theological study to recent college graduates.

For Reed, the decision to embrace the Anglican tradition was not driven by politics but by a desire for a more structured and less individualistic approach to Christianity. She felt that the evangelical church placed too much emphasis on personal preferences and feelings, leading her to seek a more rule-bound and communal experience.

In a culture that values personal freedom as the absence of constraints, Reed found a sense of liberation in the discipline of Lent and fasting. She explained that these practices serve as a reminder of our finite and dependent nature, challenging the notion of total autonomy and self-determination.

Julie Canlis, a theologian working at an Anglican church in Washington State, echoed Reed’s sentiments on the importance of embracing limitations for internal freedom. She shared how her teenagers have embraced fasting and Lent as opportunities for growth and self-discipline, highlighting the transformative power of these ancient practices.

As Reed continues to explore the patterns of human flourishing through fasting and Lent, she encourages others to trust in the process and embrace the living nature of these traditions. Despite initial reservations or perceived oppressiveness, she believes that these practices can work with individuals from all backgrounds and lead to a deeper understanding of faith and dependence on a higher power.