Celebrating in Grand Style
In seminary, I was told that summer is downtime in the church year, with little going on as programs grind to a halt. Obviously the people who said that had never been to Christ Church! What a summer it’s been: Christ Church hosted the AIM Church Planting School, had 400 children attend VBS, welcomed people from all over the world for the investiture of Archbishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Church in North America, and celebrated July 4th in grand style – all in the past 4 weeks. And the summer’s just getting started.
You might ask yourself why all of this is happening here at Christ Church. The best answer I can give is this: God has chosen this church, Christ Church, to be a place of influence: where God and His people impact the lives of many for the sake of the gospel.
There are signs of this everywhere:
A Word of Thanks
Read the letter from Archbishop Robert Duncan in which he expresses his appreciation for the ways that the Christ Church family welcomed in the Anglican Church in North America, while the world watched in person and over the internet.
Next Stop – England
Jon Parker will be ordained to the Diaconate Tuesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. in the Christ Church chapel. Jon and Amelia joined Christ Church in 2005, quickly began volunteering in our student ministry, and spent the past two years as seminarians at Trinity School for Ministry. We’re honored to be part of God’s work as He sends Jon and Amelia, along with their 3 sons, to Durham University in England where Jon will pursue a PhD in Old Testament. You are warmly invited to attend this ordination service in the chapel. RSVP to Kathy King at 214-291-5001.
Fun in the Sun – Beach Style
Over the next two weeks, our student ministry will send around 100 students and volunteers to Centrifuge Youth Camps in Panama City, Florida. Imagine what God wants to do in the lives of these young people as they study His word and deepen their relationship with Him and other Christian young people! You can be part of God’s work in their lives by praying for them during their time away.
Leader, Teacher, Mentor, Preacher
Finally, one of the signs of an influential church is God sending influential leaders to join it. The Rev. Ron McCrary is one such leader. After spending over 21 years as Rector of Christ Church, Overland Park, Kansas, Ron is now the Executive Director of AIM, the Anglican Initiative for Mission. AIM sponsored the Church Planting School which took place here in June. Ron is also mentoring The Rev. Jed Roseberry as he plants a new church in Addison. Ron will be preaching this Sunday, July 12 in the Sanctuary services. Come hear Ron as he challenges us to move beyond what people say Jesus said, to the true message of the gospel.
It’s exciting to be in the middle of all of this activity! But having influence is a great responsibility. Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48 NIV) With this in mind, I ask you to be in prayer for our church in the coming days and months. May God give us grace to faithfully and humbly serve Him and His Kingdom as He expands our influence in our community and the world.
Blessings,
Clint
