Mid-Atlantic Convocation January 2008 Newsletter
Ministry Focus | Did You Know? | Upcoming Events
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
Martin Luther is purported to have said "Unless we preach the gospel with contemporary relevance, we have not preached it." Sharing Jesus’ teachings in a world that is uninterested, antagonistic, and highly critical of evangelic Christians is not easy, to say the least. Many of us have faced friends and family members who think that the Gospel is completely irrelevant today. But although Jesus never promised that it would be easy, He promised to be with us. " This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." Luke 21:13-15.
As Christians, we know that Jesus is the only way to salvation and that alone is reason enough to want everyone to come to know Jesus. But there is so much more: Jesus Christ gives our lives meaning and the strength and power to do all He has commanded. He also gives us joy and peace that passes all understanding.
God has provided many tools to help us obey His Great Commission with boldness. This newsletter provides examples of a variety of effective tools that help parishes of all types to do so:
The Rev. Tom Herrick continues his discussion on Church Planting, explaining the importance of training leaders. “Did You Know?” Introduces the Alpha program as a tool to provide a “safe” environment for exploring the Christian Faith. The “Ministry Focus” describes evangelistic-oriented programs offered by MAC congregations. Finally, the “Calendar of Events” lists the upcoming Sharing Our Faith conferences. In February, Sharing Our Faith will be in Herndon, VA. The mission of this conference is to “help your church get better at sharing the Gospel.” Michael Green, evangelist and author of 50+ books on evangelism and discipleship, is the keynote speaker.
If there is anything the MAC office can do to support your parish in your outreach programs, please let us know.
St. Peter and St. Paul
Roanoke, VA
http://www.httppeterpaul.org/
Phone: 540-562-0511
Email: bobbrunner@att.net
St. Peter and
St. Paul is planning a Faith Alive Weekend for April 4-6 this year with Tom Riley the Executive Director of Faith Alive as the Coordinator.
(See
http://www.faithalive.org/ for details.) The Rev. Philip Bottomley sees this as a precursor for a possible ALPHA Course early in 2009. The goals for this Faith Alive Weekend are for members of the Church to be bound together in God's love at a much deeper level; to see both the urgency for prayer, and the power of prayer to bring the Lord's resources to the accomplishment of the Vision He has given them; to grasp the amazing Gospel they have to offer to the world; to learn that, by God's grace, they can share their faith with others.
St. Peter and
St. Paul recently bought 6 weeks (12 spots per week) on a local talk radio program. This has resulted in about 10 visits to their Sunday worship and a number of phone calls, out of which 2 couples have joined the church.
St. George’s Helmetta
Helmetta, GA
http://www.stgeorgeshelmetta.org/
Tel: 732-521-0169
Starting in February, St. George's will offer a small group study on "The Commands of Jesus- What Kind of Church Would We Be If We Did What Jesus Commanded?"
Late winter or spring St. George’s will be starting another Alpha course.
The Falls Church
Falls Church, VA
http://www.thefallschurch.org
Tel: 703-532-3321
The Falls Church (TFC) is currently offering Alpha's The Marriage Course from Jan 9 through Feb 27. It is a seven week course designed to help folks work on their marriage. It actually works well as pre-alpha or pre-evangelism. Each week 23 couples enjoy a candle-lit dinner at tables for 2 followed by a teaching from Nicky and Sila Lee. Each couple then has a private conversation about issues in their marriage. It is VERY practical and very personal to the couple.
In April, TFC will host Alpha's “The Pre-Marriage Course” just in time for the marrying season! The structure of this course is more communal. Engaged couples sit at tables with 2 other couples and a mentor-couple. Some of the evening is spent talking one on one and some of the evening is spent in small groups. This will be the first time TFC offers this course.
Both courses allow the issues of faith, Jesus, and their walk with the Lord to be brought in to practical discussions about marriage. In doing so, TFC is able to take advantage of critical moments in the life of a couple where they might be open to the Gospel.
St. Stephen’s
Heathsville, VA
http://www.ststephensva.org/
Tel: 804-580-8356
Last Summer, St. Stephen's hosted the "Living Hope Salvation Choir" from Mukono Uganda (their sister parish, Sts. Philip and Andrew.) They set up a stage at the local market day in Heathsville. They choir sang, while the Canon of Mukono Cathedral, The Very Rev. Stephen Kaziimba, proclaimed God's salvation for those who are lost.
In December, parishioners strolled among the "Village Christmas" festival in their community on December 8, singing Christmas Carols.
As part of a Ministerial Association in Northumberland County, The Rev. Jeff Cerar is helping to plan a tent revival later this year sponsored by about eight congregations (Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Church of God).
All Saints’ Church
Woodbridge, VA
www.allsaintsdalecity.org
Tel: 703-670-0093
After many years of continually offering Alpha within the walls of All Saints’ church, parishioners, last year, parishioners stepped out into the community to offer the Alpha program in a local Homeless Drop-In Center. Each Saturday morning, the participants were provided breakfast and a teaching from the Alpha program. All Saints’ hopes to offer the program at the shelter again this year.
All Saints’ has been given the extreme privilege of hosting author and teacher, Dr. Michael Green on February 10 at the 9:15 and 11:00 services. (He is in town as keynote speaker for the Sharing Our Faith Conference, see calendar below.) As a teacher at Oxford University, Michael has led numerous students and other professors to Christ over his long tenure. His preaching style is engaging, sometimes humorous, and always inspiring to our growth in Christ. Parishioners are being encouraged to bring someone who is seeking more of God.
Christ Church
New York City, NY
http://www.christchurchnyc.com/
Tel: 212 593-3124
Christ Church has been experimenting with a number of outreach programs – in particular, ‘Simply Christianity’ and ‘Christianity Explored’. Christ Church has long been committed to introducing ‘outsiders’ to Christianity through one of the gospels. This gives people the opportunity to meet the Jesus of the Gospel for themselves, introduces people to reading a whole book of the Bible, and gives them the opportunity to ask questions in the context of coming to understand Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
At the end of last year, Christ Church adopted a new strategy which includes holding motivational meetings, making a commitment to pray for five ‘outsider’ friends ("Focus on Five"), and forming Home Fellowship Groups during Lent where ‘seeker-friends’ are offered the opportunity to hear a brief presentation of the gospel and then ask questions about matters of faith.
During Lent, The Rev. John Mason has developed a preaching series, ‘Good News for a Discouraged World’ based on the Gospel of John (the primary gospel readings for Lent this year).
Following Easter, Christ Church will be offering the first of six sessions from ‘Christianity Explored’; the supplementary notes from ‘Simply Christianity’ will also be made available. Their goal is to reach-out to ‘thinking outsiders’ in New York.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Forestville, NY
jdmhome@buffnet.net
Though a “tiny” parish, St Peter's reports that they have offered Alpha several times with great success. They have also led Family Life Home Builders projects.
The following MAC churches are also offering or have previously offered the Alpha program:
The Church of the Divine Love, Montrose NY – http://www.divinelovechurch.org
St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Vestal NY -- http://www.standrewsvestal.org/
Holy Spirit, Ashburn, VA -- http://www.holyspiritanglican.org/
Good Samaritan, Paoli, PA -- http://www.good-samaritan.org/
Church Planting; Fourth in a Series
The Rev. Tom Herrick
Director for Church PlantingAnglican Communion Network
In the last newsletter, Rev. Herrick began discussing in detail the "DNA of Multiplication" under girding the amazing growth within the Church of Nigeria and how he saw it operating. In this newsletter, Rev. Herrick discusses the third of those four principles.
Principle Three: Training Leaders
Recruiting and training the necessary leaders to do the work can often be the greatest bottleneck in church planting because it is such hard work. Yet, time and again we found young men who were excited and devoted to their work. How do they do this? One bishop told us that he had stopped sending his clergy to England for their theological education and training because they returned useless and unable to minister. Evidently the good bishop was under the impression that the purpose of training was to equip one for ministry. Wherever did he get that idea? With that in mind, he and other Nigerian bishops developed their own programs with a “competency-based” methodology. In other words, students must demonstrate their mastery of skills through ‘performance criteria’ (doing the work) vs. ‘evaluative criteria’ (completing an examination). It seems the ultimate grade for a Nigerian evangelist is determined not by a test but by those who are being brought into a life-changing relationship with Jesus through his or her ministry. More about this further on.
In addition to their training systems, they place a real premium on oversight. When leaders are not being effective, those in authority ask
questions and seek solutions with them. If they are in situations where they need more training, they get it. If they are not properly suited for the role they are in, they are given a different job. If they do not interact well with their supervisor or their congregation, they can be moved to a different location where a better fit will allow them to blossom. Time and again, we heard testimonies from leaders who felt cared for and encouraged by those in authority over them. They were in situations that were usually harsh and demanding, but the overwhelming tone was one of gratitude and energy for mission. People were simply glad to be there doing what they were doing for the Lord Jesus.
One critical leadership component was the ever-present Evangelist in every village we visited. Usually young, single and male, the Evangelist was the point of the spear for the Nigerian mission to the lost. As part of the overall vision established in 2000, the Evangelist was officially established as an Office of the Church and the Nigerians have recruited young people heavily to fill it. Each diocese has its own training program tailored to the demographics unique to the people living in their regions. There are over 250 different dialects spoken within the country and many different ethnic groups, including a large Muslim population. Evangelists are trained to minister to specific populations. While I was there, I spent a week with a young evangelist who was preparing to begin ministry with the Fulani Tribesmen, the nomadic herdsmen who migrate throughout western Africa. He is learning their language and customs, will begin traveling with them in order to become integrated into the tribe and develop relationships, and will eventually share the Gospel with them. Recruiting, training and deploying effective evangelists has done more for the successful planting of new churches than any other single factor that I could identify. These dynamic young men are the lifeblood of the Nigerian mission and typify her spirit.
Much more could be said of the role played by the missionary bishops who face countless dangers, poverty and disease, clergy who usually serve 4 or 5 congregations, and the whole network of lay “societies” such as Mothers Union who form the backbone of ministry teams in churches throughout Nigeria. Identifying new leaders for these positions is an on-going challenge, not to mention the whole process of selection and training. Yet, it is being done on all levels with characteristic energy and enthusiasm. It is because of the leaders - the real heart of the Church of Nigeria that we met in village after village– that the church is thriving. There is so much to say about the work they are doing with very little in the way of resources. They are truly “making bricks without straw.” One marvels at the contrast between this church and her western sister who treasures the old buildings and chooses instead to throw away the people.
In the next newsletter, Rev. Herrick will continue by discussing the fourth guiding principle
Did You Know?
Alpha: Is there more to life than this?
http://www.alphana.org/
The Alpha Course is a practical introduction to the Christian faith. It runs in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations, and at universities, in prisons and on military bases across the world. At an Alpha course people explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day or weekend away. It is low-key, friendly and fun – and is supported by all the main Christian denominations. The typical format starts with dinner and is followed by small group discussions.
The original Alpha Course has also been modified to fit a variety of environments: The Marriage Course, Alpha on Campus, Alpha in the Workplace, Alpha for the Military, Alpha for Prisons, Alpha en espanol.
The Alpha website offers a search engine for locating an Alpha course near you. In this newsletter’s “Ministry Focus” a list of MAC congregations that are offering the Alpha this year or have offered the Alpha course. If your parish is interested in starting the Alpha course, be sure to use a fellow MAC parish as a mentor!
Upcoming Events
Sharing Our Faith
Anglican Communion Network
Calendar Year 2008
Throughout the country
“Sharing Our Faith” conferences include workshops to train in evangelism, as well as actual outreach gatherings. Details are available at:
http://www.anglican-evangelism.org.
February 8-9, 2008: Herndon, VA
April 2008; San Jose, CA
If your church is having an event, we would be happy to publish it, not only so that interested people might attend, but so that we can be praying for you. Send information to newsletter@acn-mac.org .
Feel free to forward this newsletter to members of your congregation.
The Great Commission is not an option to be considered;
it is a command to be obeyed.
-- Hudson Taylor
John Guernsey, Dean | George Beaven, Church Planting Director | Heather Adams, Executive Assistant | Heidi Reichert, Administrative Assistant
Mid-Atlantic Convocation | Anglican Network Communion
c/o All Saints' Church | 5290 Saratoga Lane
Woodbridge, Virginia 22193-3455
Tel: 703-670-0093www.acn-mac.org
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