Independent Sacramental Movement: Exciting Developments & Projects Update

My sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ,

I have a number of exciting updates to share about ongoing and upcoming projects. Many of you already know that my heart is deeply invested in strengthening theological formation within the Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM) and beyond. My goal, through these projects, is to foster deeper understanding, faith, and connection among clergy and laity alike.

1. The YouTube Channel:

For those who may not be aware, I have a small YouTube channel called Mystery of Faith This channel is dedicated to providing theological content for Christians seeking substance and depth.

One of my greatest concerns within the ISM movement is the lack of strong theological formation. Many jurisdictions have little to no faith formation materials. Too often, our people are offered “milk” when they need “meat,” to borrow St. Paul’s metaphor (1 Corinthians 3:2).

This isn’t only an ISM issue. Across the broader Christian world—especially in some megachurch settings—people are invited to “come to Jesus” week after week, but often without the deeper catechesis that sustains long-term discipleship. It’s no surprise that many educated believers are turning to traditions like Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, seeking theological depth and historical rootedness.

The question I pose to all of us is: Can our ISM communities offer that same theological substance people are longing for? Through my videos, I am trying—humbly—to help provide such depth and formation, and to give back to the larger ISM community.

2. Recent Video Series: Old Catholicism and Protestantism

I recently completed a video series exploring the relationship between Old Catholicism and Protestantism. Much of my previous work has focused on how Old Catholicism relates to Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. Those of us in the Old Catholic tradition strive to remain faithful to the ancient faith, but we must also recognize how others perceive us.

Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians often dismiss Old Catholics as “Protestants with vestments.” Yet perhaps we are the ones who have failed to honor the richness of our shared baptismal and Christian inheritance with Protestants.

The Protestant world recently witnessed a notable event: the conversion of the YouTuber Cleave to Antiquity from Protestantism to Eastern Orthodoxy. Many in the Protestant community expressed pain that so few online voices are engaging Protestant theology and spirituality seriously.

I believe Protestantism has much to offer the wider Church. There are ways of reading Protestant traditions that resonate deeply with early Church beliefs and practices. My videos in this series explore how Old Catholic theology overlaps with Protestant thought, showing that together we can bear common witness to the Gospel.

Let us continue to pray for our Protestant brothers and sisters—that they remain faithful to their calling as disciples and proclaimers of the Gospel.

3. Future Educational Projects for ISM Formation

In addition to theological reflections for the broader Christian audience, I want to create practical educational videos for the ISM world—especially for those who lack formal training or mentorship.

A few upcoming topics include:

• The importance of funeral liturgies and how to conduct them with reverence and theological awareness. I was feeling ambitious and completed this shortly after posting this blog. I also made a page for this under the resources tab including the text I used as the basis for this reflection.

  Funeral Planning for ISM Clergy

• An introduction to ISM apologetics, helping others understand the unique gifts and perspectives we bring to the wider Church. I also made a page for this under the resources tab including the text I used as the basis for this reflection.

  ISM Apologetics

These resources aim to strengthen our clergy, empower our communities, and build confidence in articulating the faith we share.

4. Outreach to Inactive Clergy

Invitation to Inactive Clergy

Recently, I released a video titled Invitation to Inactive Clergy, which introduces the jurisdiction I serve: the Old Catholic Ordinariate for Specialized Ministries - U.S.A. While it has only a modest number of views, it has already sparked meaningful conversations. Several individuals have reached out to share their stories and discernment journeys.

I make it clear that our Ordinariate might not be the right fit for everyone—and that’s perfectly fine. Our goal is to know people deeply and help them find the jurisdiction where they truly belong.

If someone would be better suited to another community, I want to help them find it. This is the spirit of what our website represents: collaboration, mutual respect, and guidance. We are not rivals.

Please continue to pray for all those discerning vocations in the ISM movement. My dream is for a day when any ISM jurisdiction could call another and say:

“I think this person might be a wonderful fit for you—given your theology, geography, and charisms.”

That is the kind of movement we are called to build together.

5. Upcoming Clergy Interviews

In that same spirit of connection, I plan to begin interviewing ISM clergy on the Mysteries of Faith channel. I recently reached out to a local ISM deacon to explore the possibility of our first recorded conversation, and we’re now in the process of scheduling it.

I expect to conduct only a few interviews each year—intentionally. I prefer to meet clergy in person whenever possible because personal presence matters. Just as St. Paul longed to visit the communities he wrote to, I believe we need to spend more time face to face—sharing meals, laughter, and genuine fellowship across jurisdictions.

6. The Upcoming Book on the ISM Movement

Finally, I am nearing completion of a book about the Independent Sacramental Movement—a project that draws from many of my previous blog posts while expanding and refining key ideas.

The dedication sets the tone. Inspired by Emmanuel Levinas’s Otherwise than Being, it begins with what I call “a theological bomb” thrown into the ISM living room—a wake-up call for all of us to take our vocation seriously.

The book then moves from deconstruction to reconstruction—laying out a vision for a more faithful, coherent, and spiritually grounded ISM. The conclusion challenges us to examine our fidelity to the Gospel and to commit ourselves anew to authentic discipleship.

I look forward to sharing more once the book is released.

7. A Final Request for Prayer

Please pray that God will grant me the grace, focus, and perseverance to complete these projects for His glory and the building up of the Church.

May everything we do—our teaching, our fellowship, our creativity—serve the unity and holiness of the Body of Christ.

Peace,

Ben