The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) reported another year of numerical growth, reaching its highest-ever Sunday attendance level. The increase represents a complete recovery from COVID lows, a new growth trend, and a mandate for mission. All-Time High Reported 2023 Sunday Attendance came in at 84,794, an all-time high for the ACNA since its…
30 Years on Mission: The NAMS Story (So Far)
NAMS was born in 1993 as the North American Missionary Society. However, it was conceived in 1973. I was walking the dog and playing with my two young sons in the park in Durham, England. While enjoying a Saturday break from my Ph.D. research, I seemed to “hear” a voice. It impressed these words into…
Powered by Church Planting: Analyzing Growth in the ACNA
From 2018-2022, only four dioceses in the ACNA reported attendance growth. While this is discouraging, there is also a sign of hope. A clear pattern emerges among the four growing dioceses: they are doing so through church planting.
Liturgy Moves Us Toward Mission
We are pleased to share this interview with Winfield Bevins, author of Liturgical Mission and Simply Anglican. The interview was edited for clarity and length. Why were you interested in writing about liturgy and mission? The book comes out of my own experience. I write and teach about liturgy and mission. The book is also a convergence of…
Winfield Bevins on “Liturgical Mission”
The following is excerpted from “Liturgical Mission” by Winfield Bevins, published by IVP. Winfield is also the author of “Simply Anglican,” published by Anglican Compass. The word mission comes from the Latin word missio, and simply means “sending” or “being sent.” If we are sent, then there must be a sender. From a Christian perspective,…
Here’s How to Plant a Church as an Introvert
You can do this. It’s amazing to plant new churches, and Anglicans actively seek more of it. “But”—you might say—“I’m an introvert.” Me too. And I want to think with you about being an introvert and a church planter, with help from a few others who are like us. Whether you’re a pastor or a…
Real Presence: Reclaiming the Legacy of Anglo-Catholic Church Planting
When it comes to Anglican church planting, we often think of modern evangelical or charismatic examples such as Holy Trinity Brompton in London. But what about the Anglo-Catholic movement that has its roots in the “Oxford Movement” of the nineteenth century? Are Anglo-Catholic Church Planters a Thing? Let’s be honest, when you hear think of…
Barista, Priest, and Planter
Last week I posted some thoughts about the cost of church planting. I also included a You Tube video interview with Alex Wilgus, of the Greenhouse Movement. Alex helped us see how the funding of a church plant can be ‘raised’ through deputation; praying for support and asking friends and family to consider giving to…
The First Question to Ask Before You Ask!
Note: All my life I have had to ask for money…and in the back of my mind has been a reluctance. A guilt. How could I? I’m taking away from them! But Alex Wilgus clears this up in the first few minutes of this video below. Simple wisdom. One of the great challenges for the…
WATCH: A Call to Plant a Church
A week or so ago I had the chance to sit with one of the church planters in our diocese (C4SO) from the Austin area. Shawn is one of a growing number of young leaders that have sensed a strong call to ministry in the Anglican Church in North America. However, he’s done more than…
