By Ethan+ Harrison, Associate Priest, Immanuel Anglican, Destin, FL Here's a good list of good reads for your summer reflection. These books will inform you, inspire you and, quite possibly, change you. The Pastor as Public Theologian by Kevin Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan Up until the Enlightenment, theology was something that was done in and for [...]
Lent begins next week, and so we begin a series of a blogs to help us prepare for and experience the season in deeper ways. By Robert+ Cook, Rector, St. Andrew’s Little Rock I stand in awe of how the Lord continues to reveal himself to us. He is a Father who reveals himself most clearly through his Word, but who also speaks to us as a loving Father to his children to encourage us, to lift us up and to console us. Last fall, Bishop Dan Scott visited St. Andrew Church for confirmations. As +Dan prayed over those who came to be confirmed, I watched tears flow down cheeks as he spoke prophetic words to them, each specific to the individual. Where were the tears from? The Father had spoken through +Dan to his sons and daughters to encourage them, to lift them up in their journeys, to renew and restore hope that he knew them and cared deeply about what was going on in their lives. […]
I want to thank everyone for their prayers during the past 10 weeks of sabbatical. It has truly been renewing, restoring, reinvigorating and refreshing. Almost any word that begins with "re" aptly describes the sabbatical experience. Claudia and I so appreciate those of you who recommended and encouraged me to take this time away. Return [...]
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 [...]
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 the tension of the call to surrender my will to God’s will. […]
Nearly 200 clergy and lay members from AMiA churches joined their guests and others interested in learning more about building three stream Anglican churches and new worshiping communities for Winter Conference 2018. Focused on the theme “Come & See, Go & Tell”, we were encouraged to “Come & See” with fresh eyes, looking at God, [...]
"The question that was pounding in my head was: if I cannot take care of my family, then what's the point? Why am I here? How come I survived? What good am I?" In May 2014, Pamela, a member of St. Andrew's Little Rock, suffered a brain stem stroke. At this year's Winter Conference, Pamela [...]
Brit Carpenter and his wife, Katie, in Bali, Indonesia. If you’re looking for Heaven on Earth, Brit Carpenter will tell you it is in Bali, Indonesia, where he spent a year doing missionary work. Since living there, Carpenter has found his way to Texas, and now serves as a Missional Resident at Grace [...]
In February of 1987, Father Ed Hird, new Rector of St. Simons in North Vancouver, was met with some uncomfortable news. The Vestry told him the budget was down from the previous year, and if things didn’t shape up, they wouldn’t be able to pay him by June. “I told them not to worry,” said [...]
In the first of a series of posts exploring the essential nature of God the Holy Spirit in Anglican Christianity, Hannah Coyne of Saint Peter’s Church proposes a cogent interplay between Spirit and symbol. One of the reasons I am drawn to Anglicanism—that I stick with Anglicanism—is because I am a lover of words and symbols. Our liturgy is full [...]
