Reflections on My First Year as a Bishop

By +Robert Cook

It was my honor to be consecrated as the 16th bishop of the Anglican Mission in America in February 2024 in Little Rock, Arkansas. This first year has been quite the journey—a journey of joy and challenge, a journey of trusting God in deeper ways. As I’ve taken on the roles and responsibilities of being a bishop, I’ve had to face more intensely that I am finite, with limited time and limited resources. Learning a new rhythm of leading and caring for the clergy of the AMiA, as well as continuing to lead and shepherd the people of St. Andrew’s, has forced me to rely not on my own strength but God’s in a greater way.

I love people, and I love being their shepherd. It’s my delight to come alongside people as they live more fully into God’s calling on their lives, despite the challenges they face. This applies equally to the members of St. Andrew’s, where I’ve been rector for 12 years, and the clergy of the AMiA. My heart coming into this new call on my life is to be a pastor of the pastors. It’s been a life-giving year as I’ve begun to get to know the clergy and spend more time with them, both in person and through phone calls. I look forward to continuing to connect with more clergy in the years to come. It’s been a blessing to me to do confirmations in most of the AMiA churches within the past year and to meet the wonderful people who make up our congregations.

It’s with excitement that I’ve stepped more fully into a leadership role within the AMiA and continue to learn what it means to be a bishop from +Philip and +Sandy. +Philip’s desire to walk fully in all three streams of the faith and +Sandy’s kind and caring heart have marked the path for me to walk and given me a strong foundation. Spending time in prayer and listening to the Lord for greater vision and mission with other members of the AMiA’s leadership team has been a profound time of unity and clarity. I thank you all for your support in this glorious year and look forward to many more as we reach the lost for Christ.