Anglicanism: A Wave of Interest Around the Continent
Dear Friends,
It has been an amazing few days for me. I am about 20 miles from the Canadian border in Washington state. I have been the conference leader and teacher for the Anglican Network in Canada. About 40-50 Anglican clergy are gathered in an idyllic setting with perfect weather for a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement. What a time!
Cedar Springs in Upper Washington State
My topic and my teachings (four one-hour segments) have been all about the church, church planting, church leadership, and engaging the culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that Fran and I have made new friends. We have been blessed.
I spoke at length about the project that Christ Church is sponsoring and that I am deeply involved with. (Visit www.Anglican1000.org for more information.) I outlined the hope and the possibilities of replanting Anglicanism in North America. It has been a real eye-opener for me in so many ways.
First, I would say that the Anglican Church in North America is catching a wave of interest around the continent. I hear this in Plano…and it is confirmed here at this retreat. There are many, many stories about many people who are interested in Anglicanism. (We see that at Christ Church, don’t we? So many of our members came to our church because they were looking for “comprehensiveness” in their faith. This is true in places all over the map.)
Teaching Canadian Church Planters
Future Church Planters
Second, these brothers and sisters up here are moving forward with the kind of drive and initiative that I have been hoping for over many years. One pastor told us of his church that had been meeting for three months, they grew to just over 100, bought a old banquet hall in their mid-plains community, refurbished it, moved in, and have been growing ever since. These are stories of smaller churches than Christ Church, but to me they are impressive, humbling and deeply encouraging.
Tomorrow, Fran and I go to Regent College where we will have lunch with Dr. J. I. Packer (the most famous friend Fran and I know) and more than a dozen Anglican students there. I will have the privilege of celebrating the Eucharist with them and then talking church planting, church leadership, and THEIR future! What a joy.
Speaking of our Anglican friends, here is an update on your generous contributions to Haiti that I think will encourage you:
Update: God’s Heart for Haiti
Recently, Christ Church sent $10,000 to a ministry in Haiti that is supported by the AMiA. Bishop T.J. Johnston of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, was in Haiti last week to oversee the distribution of the funds. He had done extensive work in Haiti, even before the earthquake. He reports that our donations are going to help provide vitamins, vaccinations, medications and nutrients to displaced mothers and their children. You can read all about his recent visits on his blog: www.godsheartforhaiti.org
"Healing 4 Haiti" Benefit CD
Also, our own artist in residence, Josh Havens, recently visited Haiti to participate in the production of a music CD called Healing 4 Haiti, the proceeds from which will benefit the earthquake victims. You can purchase that CD at www.samaritanspurse.org .
We must not grow weary in praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti. I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them…Ezekial 11:19
Finally, if you are making Holy Week/Easter worship plans (and I hope you are!) you can find the service schedule here.
In Christ,
David+
