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…
Are Muslims Coming to Faith in Christ?
A LeaderWorks Interview: Scholar, Lecturer, Anglican and Author Dr. Duane Miller Is it true that Muslims are coming to faith in Christ in record numbers? Really? What happens with a Muslim comes to faith in Christ? Duane Miller is an expert on the subject and sat with me for a few minutes to talk about…
The Matthew 25 Initiative Opens up a Website
Dear Friends, I am happy to announce that the Matthew 25 website is up and operational. I worked with a great team of people around the Province get it done. In addition, many donors have stepped forward to provide the initial funding for this project. As funds continue to be available, we will open up…
This Saved My Prayer Life
Meet the Rev. Michael Jarrett and The Trinity Mission (thetrinitymission.org). The Trinity Mission is an online audio podcast and website featuring a daily reading of the Daily Office, both Morning and Evening Prayer. Michael is its developer, its visionary and its voice. What a blessing this man and that website is to me and to…
Are we really only dust in the wind?
Reposted from a previous year. Also, check out LeaderWorks where the author blogs. On Wednesday clergy around the world will draw a cross-shaped smudge of dark black ashes on the foreheads of millions of people. It is the ancient rite of The Imposition of Ashes which signals the start of Lent. The words that accompany…
How to Pray for the New President
I watched a bit of the Inauguration ceremonies. If our new President wants to Make America Great Again, he started with a whole lot of God and Country patriotism that frankly, was moving to me in a sentimental way. I am a baby-boomer. A child of the 60’s before and after the country changed for…
Preparing to Preach
It’s early Sunday morning and I am adding some additional thoughts to my sermon for today. I preached it last night at the Saturday evening service in our chapel. Preaching first in a smaller space is always a good experience for me. I only find awkward phrases and weak points when I say them out…
The Rector: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Over the years, I have experienced numerous periods of growth and development as the Rector and Senior Pastor of Christ Church. I have made mistakes along the way; I’ve also had some blessed moments.  Many of both. And, fortunately, for all but a few years, I have had a great relationship with our vestry.  We have developed a…
The Vestry: A Rookie Anglican Guide
Tonight, I have another vestry meeting, maybe my 350th monthly meeting of the elected leadership of Christ Church. The vestry in an Anglican church meets routinely, usually monthly, to give leadership and oversight to the congregation’s mission and ministry. Over the years, Christ Church has undergone many phases of vestry development, involvement, and leadership—not all…
Ash Wednesday: Are You Really Only Dust in the Wind?
On Ash Wednesday, clergy around the world will draw a cross-shaped smudge of dark black ashes on the foreheads of millions of people. It is the ancient rite of The Imposition of Ashes which signals the start of Lent. The words that accompany the ‘imposition’ on Ash Wednesday are simple, sober, and true. Over the years I…
Baptism Creates International Incident
A surprise baptism at the original site of the Lord’s baptism (Mark 1:9-11) created an international incident yesterday and a glimpse of the age to come. Here is what happened. I am leading a tour of 30 adults through the Holy Land. Our bus pulled up to the newly renovated site commemorating the Lord Jesus’s…
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…
