The polar bear was too eye-catching. It drew attention away from the painting’s intended focal point. But Rosemarie Adcock, thanks to years of training and experience as a fine artist, knew what to do. With her eye for color, depth, and composition, she deftly added hints of lavender and apricot to soften the polar bear’s…
Rise of the Anglican Megachurch: Observations from the ACNA’s Largest Churches
The vast majority of Anglican churches have fewer than 100 attendees on a Sunday. But there have always been a few parishes that welcome many more. These are typically legacy churches with centuries of history, such as Falls Church in Virginia (est. 1732) and St. Philip’s in Charleston, South Carolina (est. 1680). Even newcomers to these ranks, such…
Heritage Mission: Helping Churches Reach Care Facilities
Lynette had rarely spoken a word in the last 18 months as she sat in her memory care facility in Frisco, Texas. But things changed when volunteers from Redemption Anglican Church in Frisco decided to start a worship service in Lynette’s facility. As those volunteers began leading the prayer book liturgy, Lynette began to open…
10 Reasons for Anglican Optimism
When we observe the world—the sin and disbelief and conflict surrounding the church, together with the sin and disbelief and conflict within the church—it is easy to grow weary of the “changes and chances of this life” (BCP, 60). But take heart: our Lord Jesus Christ is on his throne, his Kingdom is at hand,…
5 Takeaways from 7 Years of Bi-vocational Ministry
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. —1 Thessalonians 2:8-10 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and…
On Anglican Missions in Madrid
Anglican Compass welcomes Duane Miller, who explains his missions in Madrid, his missionary work in the city, and the missionary value of Anglican Compass. Let me provide a brief overview of the type of ministry we have here in the glorious city of Madrid. After that, I’ll tell you how Anglican Compass helps me in various…
The Good Shepherd Economy
Churches desire to grow, as well they should. We are, after all, followers of the Great Commission. We desire for more people to come to know and proclaim the coming of God’s kingdom. However, when church leaders want to focus on growth, they often make a crucial mistake. Our focus is often on getting people…
Why the Parish?
It surprises many people entering Anglicanism from other Christian traditions that we use the term ‘parish’. They had always referred to their church as simply “church” or “congregation,” but now they hear the word “parish.” What is a parish? How is it different, and why? Let’s lay out two understandings of what defines a parish. The first is a canonical designation, or how…
Why Plant Churches Part 2: Worship
What Does a Church Do? There are many ideas prevalent today on what a church should do. Some will say that the church exists for social action, while others say it exists to proclaim the gospel or to worship. All of those are true. However, the church is, by her nature, a worshipping body before…
