I am Jehrus Bien Bastawang Laconsay, a Deacon-Intern of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and a faculty member in Christian Education at Trinity University of Asia. My participation in the Anglicanism 101 course at Virginia Theological Seminary, hosted by the Center for Anglican Communion Studies and funded by the St. Augustine’s Foundation, has contributed significantly to my continuing theological formation and ministerial reflection.
The knowledge and experience I gained from the program have led me to understand theology not merely as an abstract or doctrinal discipline, but as a field shaped by context, history, culture, and the lived realities of communities. In many parts of Asia, and particularly in the Philippines, theological reflection is often inseparable from questions concerning identity, social realities, indigenous traditions, and the continuing task of articulating the Christian faith within local contexts. Because of this, theology must remain attentive to people’s experiences and the conditions in which ministry is exercised.
This program provided an important opportunity to engage Anglican history, theology, spirituality, and ecclesial identity within a broader global framework. The lectures offered historical and theological foundations that clarified the development of Anglicanism as both a tradition and a communion. Equally important were the discussions and exchanges among participants coming from different ecclesial and cultural backgrounds. These conversations demonstrated the diversity that exists within Anglicanism while also revealing the common commitments that sustain the Communion despite differences in context and practice.
The program also encouraged critical reflection on the relationship between theology and colonization. For me, this was particularly relevant in relation to the Philippine context, where Christianity continues to interact with local histories, indigenous traditions, colonial legacies, and contemporary social concerns. The discussions reinforced the importance of contextual theology as a means of engaging faith responsibly within specific communities. Such an approach does not weaken theological tradition; rather, it enables the tradition to speak meaningfully within changing historical and cultural situations.
As someone who is preparing for ordained ministry, I consider this experience valuable not only for academic formation but also for pastoral and ecclesial practice. This experience strengthened my commitment to a theology that is historically informed, contextually grounded, and oriented toward the life of the Church and the communities it serves.
Jehrus Bien Bastawang Laconsay LPT, MDiv
Episcopal Diocese of North Central Philippines