Who? What? How?
by Mike Blanchat, AMiA Rector General Who? What? How? Answers to those three one-word questions capture the essence of a person, a community, a group. As I’ve applied them to my own life, I have found it’s helpful to revisit both the questions and the answers periodically to reaffirm things that are foundational to me and to acknowledge shifts that naturally happen over time. It’s a good practice for mission societies, too. In fact, this past September the AMiA did…
Living the Mission Fund
By Mike Blanchat, Rector General for the Anglican Mission in America Friends of the Anglican Mission, Advent greetings in the season of hope, peace, faith, joy and expectation! As we prepare for the coming of our King with anticipation and look forward to Christmas and the new calendar year, I have been much involved these days with grants for the Living the Mission (LTM) fund, the primary way the Anglican Mission in America incarnates our commitment and calling to raise…
Clarity, Purity and Unity Through Adversity
The floodwaters rise around The Abbey at Pawleys Island Hurricane Michael didn’t just pass over Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. It stopped over it, dumping a massive amount of rain on it and the surrounding region. When the storm finally moved on, the danger wasn’t over, however. The Abbey at Pawley’s Island, located on the Waccamaw River, received word it would be hit with a storm surge of five to 10 feet of water. Members of the church quickly banded…
Three Streams: A Template for Identity and Worship
Scripture, Spirit and Sacrament form identity for worship. By Aaron Allison, Lead Pastor of The Church at Indian Lake, Hendersonville, Tennessee The Church at Indian Lake (CIL) is in Hendersonville, Tennessee, a growing suburb of Nashville. Our church is ten years old, and has Assemblies of God and Southern Baptist roots. We have been including liturgical elements in our worship since our inception. Through our friendship with the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) members in recent years, we have gained needed…
Connecting at the Table: Luminous Parish
By the Reverend Chad E. Jarnagin, founding Rector of Luminous Parish in Franklin, TN, an AMiA Church. Today more than ever, we are in need of The Table. Not just any table. A great big table with plenty of room for everyone. Our society seems to be disoriented, fatigued and misunderstood. What better space than a feast to regain our composure, health and bearings? Enter Luminous Parish, an Anglican mission to Nashville/Franklin and Middle Tennessee. Greater Nashville now has 2…
From the Apostolic Vicar: What do we mean by “three streams”?
How do the Scriptures, Sacraments and Spirit come together as a great river of worship? Apostolic Vicar Philip Jones shares practical ways the “three streams” are evident within Anglican Mission in America churches.
31 Ways to Pray
As we look back on this month of “Mental Health Awareness” we find our hearts drawn with the compassion of Christ to individuals and families whose lives are turned upside down, not only by mental illnesses, but by the stigma and isolation that often follows. Here are 31 prayer prompts to help us continue to be aware of—and pray for—the needs of families in our congregations and neighborhoods who are dealing with the challenges of mental illnesses.
From the Apostolic Vicar: Mental Health Awareness Month
One in five families are impacted by mental illness. How can churches minister to those who live with mental health challenges? How can we care for their families in loving and supportive ways? This month we’ll look at some possibilities. +Philip Jones starts our series on mental health with his own thoughts.
Providing Fertile Ground: The Benefit of Coaching During Sabbatical
Sabbatical provides a unique opportunity for clergy to reflect on deep questions in a way that often isn’t possible while serving in full-ministry. As Allen+ Hughes, Counselor General for Leadership Advancement and Mission Stewardship, shares, it’s a time when coaching can serve as a catalyst for breakthrough. As Allen+ looks ahead to taking a sabbatical this summer, he’s examined the aspects that contribute to a successful sabbatical through the lens of his gifts in coaching and leadership training, and this…
Good Friday: The Bizarre Mission of Surrender
By Robert+ Cook, Rector of St. Andrews Church, Little Rock, AR When I think of Good Friday, the word that most clearly comes to mind is surrender. I hear the echo of Jesus’ words as He prayed this most intimate prayer to His Father: “Abba, Father! All things are possible to you; take this cup away from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:36) Every time I read this prayer, I cannot help but feel…