In my diocese, there are no policies, rubrics, or clear guidelines on when and where a priest must wear the clerical collar. A troika of local custom (what your fellow priests do), common sense (church services but not church picnics), and personal preference informs that choice. For a new priest, there is a trial-and-error feel…
That’s Not the Gospel
Priests spend a considerable amount of time in hospitals, visiting the sick and praying with and for them. Some of those we visit are young and generally very healthy; they are expected to make quick and full recoveries. They almost always do. Praying for them is “easy” because our prayers for healing are often answered,…
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…
Are You Called to Ordained Ministry?
My work involves assisting people in what we call the discernment process, which asks, “Am I called to Ordained Ministry?” People often want to know a good way to discern an answer to this question. I’ve adapted some material that I’ve written for use in our diocese. This may be helpful. This article doesn’t deal…
Why We Plant 3: Mission
Missions, Founded on the Lord Jesus In many missionary circles, we often hear, “The Church doesn’t have a mission. God has a mission, and His mission has a Church.” Quite right! God the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, came into this world by the Father to love and save lost mankind. This sending is the…
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…
The Gospel in Human Decline
In several of his books, Henri Nouwen recounts how the severely physically and mentally disabled residents of Daybreak, a L’Arche community became his spiritual mentors. Nouwen saw, with the eyes of faith, what many could not: the Spirit is not hindered by human frailty. He believed that great saints who are in continual, hidden converse…
Pastoring a Church in a Time of War
Leading a congregation in a time of war is a particular challenge. Passions and fears in the parish can run high and hot. People will worry about their children and other members of their family in service overseas. Political differences between members may roil across church meetings. Even prayers can be politically charged with partisan…
