Missional Church…Model… Movement… or Mute Point?

http://www.churchplantingvillage.net/site/c.iiJTKZPEJpH/b.2022287/k.6518/Missional_Church_article.htm

[Church Planting Village] 19 Aug 2006--Have you heard the phrase “missional church”? Do you use it? Do you know the kind of church it describes? Some say the point is mute… that it is like saying “canine dog” or “feline cat.” Some say it is a movement of God. Some say it is a church planting model.

Although it is still a work in progress, The Enlistment and Missional Networks Team has compiled a definition for your review:

A missional church is a reproducing community of authentic disciples who abandon themselves to passionately seek the heart of God and to live out His mission in their community and around the world.

Anglican Head, Episcopal Bishops to Resolve Gay Dispute

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060819/23834.htm

[The Christian Post] 19 Aug 2006--The spiritual leader of world Anglicanism has asked six Episcopal bishops to meet in New York next month to try and resolve differences over homosexuality tearing at their church.

I'm not holding my breath!

Kenya: Anglican Theologians Dismiss 'Gospel of Prosperity'

http://allafrica.com/stories/200608180817.html

[allAfrica.com] 19 Aug 2006--The 'gospel of prosperity' being spread around Africa by certain evangelical preachers is false, Anglican theologians said.

Bishop Iker: Bishops' Summit May Provide Clarity

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=2433

[The Living Church] 19 Aug 2006--The request for alternate primatial oversight (APO) is likely to be a significant topic of discussion during a meeting that the Archbishop of Canterbury has asked Virginia Bishop Peter Lee and Southwest Florida Bishop John Lipscomb to convene next month in New York City, according to Fort Worth Bishop Jack L. Iker who said he was in regular contact with Lambeth Palace prior to the Aug. 18 statement announcing the meeting.

St. Thomas' Church

http://www.sttoms.net/modules/wfsection/

[sttoms.net] 19 Aug 2006--St Thomas’ Church, Crookes is one of the Parish Churches of the community of Crookes in Sheffield, UK. It is led by Revd Mick Woodhead, an Anglican priest with many years experience of ministry and mission in Sheffield. His assistant is Richard Pollard, a Baptist minister who has recently qualified from Spurgeon’s College, London. The church has a clear vision to reach the community of Crookes with the good news of God’s love in Jesus. The church gathers for two celebrations on Sunday mornings: the 9am Mother Church service and 11am Community Church service.St Thomas’ Church, Philadelphia is the city church based at the Philadelphia Campus. It is led by Revd Paul Maconochie, a Baptist minister, with Revds Anne Maclaurin and Alex Absalom. Alex was the senior pastor of the King’s Centre, Nether Edge, Sheffield. The church has a vision to ‘call a city back to God.’ This vision is worked out through its clusters and celebrations, which work with different groups of people trying to find effective ways to share the love of God with the people of the city. The clusters meet across Sheffield and regularly gather back to the Philadelphia Campus.

The Greatness of God

http://www.church.org.uk/resources/sermondetailpf.asp?serId=807

[Jesmond Parish Church] 18 Aug 2006--I went out for a pub meal the other day and on the next table were a husband and wife who’d chosen exactly the same from the menu. And when they’d finished, she said, ‘That was absolutely superb.’ Which was very high praise. And he said, in a gruff Yorkshire accent, ‘I’ve ‘ad worse.’ Which was very English – like saying, ‘Mustn’t grumble’ when someone asks you how you are and life couldn’t be better. And it set me thinking: what made the difference between praising and not praising? Was it temperament, or the kind of day they’d had, or place of birth, or what?

Conservative Episcopalians on the move in Mass.

http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=153293

[Boston Herald] 18 Aug 2006--Episcopal parish priest Bill Murdoch watched the developing split in his denomination over homosexuality and thought about the future.

Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey

http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3342

[InterVarsity Press] 18 Aug 2006--Sometimes talking about Jesus with friends can feel like trying to close a deal on a sales call, pushing something on people they may not really want. But what if we thought of it more like inviting friends on a spiritual journey?

Lessons in Missional Thinking from Celtic Christianity

http://www.emergingevangelism.com/2005-05-11-lessons-in-missional-thinking-from-celtic-christianity-2

[Emerging Evangelism] 18 Aug 2006--I’ve finally made time to read a book that’s been languishing on my bookshelf for a while. Here ya go....

Anglican Realignment & Reformation: Why “Unending Verbosity over a Simple Matter”?

http://www.acn-sec.org/

[The Southeastern Convocation] 17 Aug 2006--We in the Network’s Southeastern Convocation have received plenty of feedback following the Network’s annual Council meeting, which took place last week in Pittsburgh. Much of it is very encouraging and thankful for what God is doing in what I believe is the greatest Reformation since the 16th century. Others, given the painful oppression visited on us and the obvious departure of ECUSA from traditional biblical Faith and Order, ask us questions like the one in the title above. Why do we have to keep talking so much about the “simple” matter of an unholy consecration of a bishop and its resulting tearing of the Anglican Communion?

More articles from around the web can be found at the Stand Firm website at http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/index.

Koran Read at National Cathedral

http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/17235.html

[The Conservative Voice] 17 Aug 2006--The Koran is regarded as holy writ by the new dean at the Washington National Cathedral. Samuel Lloyd, former rector at Trinity Episcopal Church, Copley Square, Boston, is now the newly installed dean at the Cathedral.

Fellowship of the Ring Bearers: Rowan Cantuar’ Ascent to Beijing 2006

http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/comments/fellowship_of_the_ring_bearers_rowan_cantuars_ascent_to_beijing_2006/

[Global South Anglican] 17 Aug 2006--Archbishop Rowan Williams’ China trip this October is historic. It marks a critical juncture in both the Anglican Communion and the Church in China.

Making Disciples: Connecting Evangelism and Discipleship

http://www.theocentric.com/theoarchives/000145.html

[TheoCenTric] 17 Aug 2006--In its fullest sense “making disciples” comprises both the process of evangelism that leads to the act of conversion sealed by baptism and the lifelong process of discipleship consisting of the continuing efforts of the Christian convert to practice the teachings of Christ. Not only are both inseparably connected but both inform and shape the other. The gospel -- the “evangel” of evangelism -- constantly informs and shapes the convert's discipleship. Discipleship is the sustained attempt to embody the “evangel.” Evangelism has no power if it does not lead to discipleship. Discipleship has no meaning if not rooted in the evangel. Serious damage is done to the Christian life and message when evangelism and discipleship are separated. A church that desires to faithfully execute Christ's “great commission” will therefore commit itself to both evangelism and discipleship.

Make God Real to Your Kids

http://www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry/articles/cpt_1999.9g3.9g3044.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 17 Aug 2006--It's easier than you think, says child-friendly educator Karyn Henley.

“Cross-section” of primates seek more prayerful and respectful discussion

http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/

[Anglican Mainstream] 15 Aug 2006--In July a number of primates were gathered by the Community of the Cross of Nails in Coventry to discuss the Windsor Report. Archbishop David Moxon of New Zealand has written this report. There is unfortunately no means at the moment of discovering whether this group of primates were a “cross-section” as claimed.

"Let the dead bury the dead" (St. Matthew 8:22): Ecclesiological Disillusion

http://www.tesm.edu/deans-corner/dcchurch/disillusion

[Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry] 15 Aug 2006--It seems to me that events have forced us to give up on ecclesiology, or better, the gods of ecclesiology.

Episcopalians will gather, chart course on gay issues

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4117192.html

[Houston Chronicle] 15 Aug 2006--Bishop Don Wimberly of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas will host a "consultation of bishops" who want to remain within the worldwide Anglican Communion in the face of a possible international schism over the U.S. church's consecration of a gay bishop.

Peaceful approach

http://www.gazettetimes.com/articles/2006/08/14/news/top_story/mon01.txt

[Corvallis Gazette-Times] 15 Aug 2006--Katharine Jefferts Schori is like the eye of a hurricane — surprisingly calm in spite of the stormy winds of controversy swirling all around her.

Iowa's Episcopalians expect difficult choices await them

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060814/LIFE05/608140345/1045

[DeMoines Register] 15 Aug 2006--The members of two Episcopal churches in Iowa are learning how to live in Christian love in the face of the most divisive issue for American Protestants today — human sexuality.

Bishop Lee, Bishop-Elect Minns Seek Solution

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=2429

[The Living Church] 15 Aug 2006--The Bishop of Virginia, the Rt. Rev. Peter Lee, announced that he and the Rev. Canon Martyn Minns, rector of Truro Church, Fairfax, are working together to address the ramifications of Canon Minns’ election by the Nigeria House of Bishops to serve as a bishop of the Church of Nigeria in the United States. Canon Minns’ consecration is scheduled for Aug. 20.

Church joins faction opposed to gay bishop

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/15267641.htm

[Pioneer Press] 15 Aug 2006--A St. Paul congregation has voted to align itself with a network of parishes that believe the Episcopal Church has abandoned the biblical faith.

The Heretic, the Bible, and the Birth of the Modern World

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060814/23724.htm

[The Christian Post] 15 Aug 2006--In a very real sense, the modern world began 350 summers ago when a young man was excommunicated by the Jewish community in Amsterdam. The excommunication of Baruch (later changed to Benedict) Spinoza is one of the hallmark events in the development of the modern mind and modern secularism. The anniversary of Baruch Spinoza's excommunication also serves as a reminder of the ideological roots of modern biblical criticism and the political agenda behind Spinoza's critical approach to the Bible. Born November 24, 1632 to Michael de Espinoza and Hana Debora, his second wife, Baruch Spinoza was a son of privilege. His ancestors had fled Portugal and Spain during the Inquisition and the Spinoza family became pillars of the Marrano Jewish community in Amsterdam.

Selling Ancient Disciplines to Moderns

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/spiritualgrowth/articles/080906.html

[ChristianityTday.com] 15 Aug 2006--We still need these spiritual rhythms.

Why Pastors Must Be Leaders

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/shepherding/articles/061907.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 15 Aug 2006--A call for pastors to lead is not a call for the corporate model to invade the church.

Common Cause Partner-in-Focus

http://www.acn-us.org/archive/2006/08/common-cause-partner-in-focus-anglican-essentials-canada.html

[Anglican Communion Network] 11 Aug 2006--Next week, representatives of eight bodies in the Anglican tradition will be meeting in Pittsburgh. Representing several churches, and a number of organizations, “Common Cause Partners” have worked to help unify orthodox Anglican mission and witness in North America.

The Biggest Problem Facing the Episcopal Church

http://leanderharding.classicalanglican.net/?p=220

[LeanderHarding] 11 Aug 2006--The number one issue before The Episcopal Church and before all the Christian churches in the West is the challenge of evangelizing the secularist, materialist and relativist culture of what is called late modernity or post-modernity. This is a culture that is extremely resistant to the Gospel. In an effort to be relevant to this culture the churches in the West and especially mainline churches such as The Episcopal Church have been tempted into a very thoroughgoing syncretism. Rather than challenging the prevailing culture with the message of the Gospel and a Christian worldview, the churches have accommodated themselves to the prevailing world view of modernity.

Foundations for Discernment of Christian Ministry

http://hopeanglican.us/fdcm/

[Stand Firm] 11 Aug 2006--Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry has endorsed a new adult Christian education program authored by the Rev. Kathryn Jeffrey, an Anglican Communion Network priest living in Minnesota. Trinity will be granting continuing education credits for the program and certificates to graduates. Foundations for Discernment of Christian Ministry covers the basics of Christian literacy while introducing students to a variety of tools and modes of discernment, filling the same niche as, but vastly improving upon the content of, EFM.

Aussies back bold Asian Vision

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/sydneystories/aussies_back_chews_bold_asian_vision/

[sydneyanglicans.net] 11 Aug 2006--South-East Asia's new Anglican leader has a bold vision to evangelize millions - and Australia's Church Missionary Society is prepared to dig deep to ensure it becomes a reality.

Churches think big by thinking small

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0810/p14s02-lire.html

[Christian Science Monitor] 11 Aug 2006--Church planting is far from a new phenomenon, but enthusiasm for it has mushroomed in recent years, as populations have shifted and attendance has declined in many traditional settings, particularly among young people. Both Evangelical and mainline Protestant churches are birthing new congregations all across the United States. And some young pastors are striking out on their own to create worship communities in fresh forms. Some of the most vibrant new churches are sprouting in immigrant neighborhoods. The movement, if successful, has the potential to reshape American faith communities.

Telling illustrations more effectively

http://www.pastors.com/RWMT/default.asp?id=271&artid=9713&expand=1

[Pastors.com] 11 Aug 2006--One of my favorite descriptions of a good story comes from novelist Flannery O’Connor: “When you can state the theme of a story, when you can separate it from the story itself, then you can be sure the story is not a very good one. The meaning of a story has to be embodied in it, has to be made concrete in it. A story is a way to say something that can’t be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is.”

Build Your Professional Church Website Today

http://churchsitecreator.com/templates/cuscti/default.asp?id=27256

[ChurchSiteCreator.com] 11 Aug 2006--No matter who's in charge of building and maintaining your church website, Church Site Creator provides all the easy-to-use tools and features webmasters need to publish high quality, dynamic, professionally designed church websites without all the hassles and expenses of traditional website development. Why Church Site Creator? Find out

The Celtic Way of Evangelism

http://www.navigators.org/us/ministries/metro/articles/items/0E97EF24C63B2AC1E0440003BAAC64DB

[The Navigators] 10 Jul 2006--This book has been cited by several other authors, such as Rick Richardson (Evangelism Outside the Box) and Dan Kimball (The Emerging Church), because there are many parallels between the situation Saint Patrick faced in taking the Gospel to the Irish and the situation the (modern) church faces in taking the Gospel to the emerging postmodern generation. The leaders of the Roman church tended to assume that a population had to be civilized enough to be Christianized, i.e. civilization was a prerequisite to Christianization. A Christianized population was expected, in time, to read and speak Latin, to adopt other Roman customs and to do church "the Roman way." Hunter writes....

"I'm Leaving Church to Find Jesus"

http://www.vintagefaith.com/artilces/leavingthechurch.html

[Vintage Faith] 10 Aug 2006--I just had a conversation with someone who grew up in a large evangelical Bible teaching church. She got to experience the whole quality spectrum of what a church provides for children with AWANA, for youth with great Sunday programs, camps, ski retreats etc. Yet, as she has reached adulthood and now is a mother of young children, she said that she is now “leaving church to find Jesus”.

The Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas has their web site up now

http://anglicanfederation.org/

[Anglican Federation] 9 Aug 2006--Welcome to the Web Site of the Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas. The Federation was formed in 2006 to provide a vehicle for communication, fellowship and cooperation between the various Anglican Jurisdictions in the Americas. On this site you will learn about the goals, privileges and procedures for membership.

Bishops fly to US for summit of Anglican hard-liners

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/07/nbishops07.xml

[Telegraph] 9 Aug 2006--Two senior Church of England bishops are to attend a summit of leading American conservatives next month as pressure grows for the liberal leadership of the US branch of Anglicanism to be ousted from the worldwide Church.

Consolidated APO Request Goes to Canterbury

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=2422

[The Living Church] 9 Aug 2006--A single request for alternate primatial oversight consolidating the requests of the dioceses of Fort Worth, San Joaquin, Central Florida, South Carolina, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Springfield has been forwarded to the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Living Church has learned.

Increase Your Success Rate in Starting Your Church

http://www.pdplanting.com/article/increasing-your-success-rate-in-starting-your-church

[PurposeDrivenPLanting.com] 9 Aug 2006--You’re probably aware of the gloomy statistics for church starts. The numbers I’ve heard range anywhere from 60-80% failure rate within the first two years. That’s pretty harsh! Especially when it’s YOU putting your heart and soul into this launch!

Here’s a strategy to increase your success rate.

Why Start a Purpose Driven Church

http://www.pdplanting.com/article/why-start-a-pdc

[PurposeDrivenPlanting.com] 9 Aug 2006--We live in the age of multiple choices. Everyday of our lives we are inundated with choices about everything, from what we drink to what we drive. The same myriad of options are available to anyone starting a new church today. From cell churches to post-modern churches to traditional churches to house churches, our options are endless. We even have options within the models, from leadership structure to worship style.

How to Mobilize Your Church for Ministry

http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/SHAPE/GettingStarted/Article_How_to_mobilize_church.htm

[PurposeDriven.com] 9 Aug 2006--God designed every believer to play a unique role in the local church. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” When a church family discovers and celebrates its spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences (S.H.A.P.E.), it becomes focused, fulfilled, and fruitful.

Should We Stay or Should We Go?

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/should_we_stay_or_should_we_go/#8101

[Stand Firm] 8 Aug 2006--The most crucial decision presently facing parish leaders is whether (or when) to disassociate from the Episcopal Church. That question has plagued my parish and my home from the moment I arrived back from Convention. There is no easy or cost free solution.

Fresh Expressions Prospectus Phase 2

http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/uploads/documents/PROSPECTUS.pdf

[Fresh Expressions] 8 Aug 2006--In recent years, Christians in different parts of Britain have started many fresh expressions of church. These initiatives have begun in response, on the one hand, to the call of Christ to make disciples and seek the kingdom of God. They are a response, on the other hand, to our rapidly changing culture and the widening gap between the traditional churches and much of our society.

More information on Fresh Expressions can befound at http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/index.asp?id=1 and http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/standard.asp?id=1554.

Priest given four years for indecent assault

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20057646-5006301,00.html

[Adelaide Now] 8 August 2006--An Anglican priest who wanted to marry his 14-year-old male victim has been sentenced to four years in prison for indecent assault.

The "Ten Commandments" for the Use of Music in Worship

http://mondaymorninginsight.com/index.php/site/comments/the_ten_commandments_for_the_use_of_music_in_worship/

[MondayMorningInsight.com] 8 Aug 2006--With correct theology as a key theme at this summer’s LifeWay Worship Conference, Denver pastor Jim Shaddix challenged participants with his “top 10 Commandments” for setting a theology of music in worship.

The Star Fish Prinicple

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/mission/missionthinking/the_starfish_principle_stuart_robinson/

[sydneyanglicans.net] 8 August 2006--From memory the story goes something like this....

Atlanta Talking About, Not Preparing, Blessing Rites

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=2421

[The Living Church] 8 Aug 2006--The Diocese of Atlanta’s two listening events regarding same-sex unions, and blessing rites for those unions, will not lead to general diocesan approval of blessing rites, says the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta.

The Anglican Communion Disowns Sadiq Daniel as the Bishop of Karachi

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/newsviewsdetails.php?newsid=257

[Pakistan Christian Post] 8 Aug 2006--The Anglican Communion has removed the name of Sadiq Daniel from its official Web Site http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/diocese.cfm?Idind=447&view with immediate effect.

Can I Do Anything Special in the Body of Christ?

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060807/23542.htm

[The Christian Post] 8 Aug 2006--When you trusted Jesus as your Savior, God gave you some skills called spiritual gifts. You read about them earlier in this devotional book. God wants you to use these gifts to serve Him and others in the Body of Christ.

Study: Sexual Lyrics Prompt Teens to Have Sex

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060808/23576.htm

[The Christian Post] 8 Aug 2006--Teens whose iPods are full of music with raunchy, sexual lyrics start having sex sooner than those who prefer other songs, a study found.

The Culture of Offendedness—A Christian Challenge

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060806/23526.htm

[The Christian Post] 8 Aug 2006--A new and unprecedented right is now the central focus of legal, procedural, and cultural concern in many corridors – a supposed right not to be offended. The cultural momentum behind this purported "right" is growing fast, and the logic of this movement has taken hold in many universities, legal circles, and interest groups.

Godcasting

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2006/002/9.81.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 8 Aug 2006--A podcast is no substitute for church— but it's a great supplement.

Running into Reality

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/vision-strategy/articles/080206.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 8 Aug 2006--The greatest reality affecting our vision is always God.

Listen to the Quiet

http://www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry/articles/listentothequiet.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 8 Aug 2006--As a leader, what are you doing to feed your soul? Engaging in spiritual practices is a key part of sustaining your energy and authenticity as a leader.

One such practice is simply spending time in silence. It's counter-cultural. It doesn't even feel like a practice, since you don't say anything or seem to be doing much when you are silent. It certainly doesn't feel productive. In my new book, Listen: Finding God in the Story of Your Life, I make some observations about silence....

Are You Listening?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/areyoulistening.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 8 Aug 2006--Spiritual opportunities surround us every day when we take the time to engage with others and practice the fine art of listening.

Active listening is a skill we all can learn and practice. People are more likely to give us a hearing if we take time to genuinely listen to them.

Consecration set for this month

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060807-121914-2137r.htm

[The Washington Times] 7 Aug 2006--Originally set up for expatriate Nigerians, CANA also will shelter displaced church conservatives in ongoing Episcopal battles over issues of Scripture and sexuality. In July, Nigerian bishops released a statement calling the U.S. Episcopal Church a "cancerous lump" that should be "excised" from the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Network Council: ARDF Seeks Help for Average Anglicans

http://www.acn-us.org/archive/2006/08/network-council-anglican-relief-and-development-fund-seeks-help-for-average-anglicans.html

[Anglican Communion Network] 7 Aug 2006--“The average Anglican is a black African female, living in a rural African village with four to seven children. Her husband is not at home because he is in the city trying to earn money for the family. Water and food are scarce because of cyclical drought conditions,” said Canon Nancy Norton, Executive Director for the Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF), in a report delivered at the Annual Council Meeting of the Anglican Communion Network on August 1.

Episcopal bishop thrives in male-dominated world

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20060807/NEWS/108070064

[Nevada Appeal] 7 Aug 2006--Come November, the nation's first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal church will put Nevada in the spotlight and herself in a familiar territory - on the fringe of a turbulent world.

Archbishop Says Global South Leaders Will Determine Lambeth 2008 Agenda

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4562

[VirtueOnline] 7 Aug 2006--The Archbishop of four million Kenyan Evangelical Anglicans, recently returned from a meeting of East African Primates in Tanzania, says that the next Lambeth 2008 will not be controlled by the Anglican Consultative Council, and that procedures will be flexible for everybody, so that there will be more contributions by participants expressing themselves in their mother tongues.

Is Sola Scriptura Anglican?

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/is_sola_scriptura_anglican1/#7980

[Stand Firm] 7 Aug 2006--I was informed this week that "true Anglicans" do not hold to the doctrine of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and what is more; that the very idea of sola scriptura is antithetical to everything Anglican. This came as a great surprise to me as I both hold quite firmly to sola scriptura and, at the same time, consider myself to be a fairly true Anglican, if a bit on the evangelical side.

Church ownership disputed: Episcopal Diocese says congregations have no right to property

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/980/

[Stand Firm] 7 Aug 2006--The ownership of two churches in Fallbrook and Oceanside is in dispute after both severed ties with the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and aligned with foreign arms of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

More articles from Stand Firm can be found at http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/index.

Church and state face similar issues

http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/wb/xp-76903

[The Roanoke Times] 7 Aug 2006--The irony here is that many of the same liberals in the Episcopal Church who denounced President Bush for "going it alone" on Iraq are themselves espousing defiance of international Anglican opinion. On church policy, this too amounts to unilateralism.

Free "Starting a Purpose Driven Church" Conference Nashville, TN

http://www.pdplanting.com/conferences/nashville-sept-26-27-2006

[PDPLanting] 7 Aug 2006--A successful purpose-driven church is launched, not planted. Every stage of a new church is essential for a successful launch and each of the five stages of a new church should be fully understood and developed for a successful first year and beyond. This seminar begins with the drawing board and takes you through developing an actual weekend service: from dreaming about to actually leading a church that impacts this generation.

Conservative Anglicans Commit to Reformation of Behavior, Unsure of Unity

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060804/23496.htm

[The Christian Post] 5 Aug 2006--Conservative Anglicans and Episcopalians who were to decide whether or not to officially break from the Episcopal Church, USA, this week concluded an annual council meeting Wednesday still unsure of “what God is going to do.”

Anglican/Episcopal Rift Prompts Restructuring Talk

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-beliefs5aug05,1,6264243.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california&ctrack=1&cset=true

[Los Angeles Times] 5 Aug 2006--A plan is in the works to try to preserve unity despite conservatives' discomfort with some American churches' liberal policies.

Celtic Worship?

http://www.banneroftruth.org/pages/articles/article_detail.php?427

[Banner of Truth Trust] 5 Aug 2006--Postmodern believers want to use all of their senses, stressed Hall. They want smells and bells. They want to see icons and statues, as well as drama and digital clips from movies. They look for God in nature, as well as scripture.

CANA Bishop, 3 others to be consecrated August 20

http://www.anglican-nig.org/august_20consec2006.htm

[Church of Nigeria News] 4 Aug 2006--The new Bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA)- a missionary initiative of the Church of Nigeria will be consecrated on August 20 in Abuja.

The Revd Canon Martyn Minns will be consecrated at the National Christian Centre (formerly National Ecumenical Centre) Abuja in a service to be presided by the Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Peter Akinola.

Brad Drell's Statement To the Post GC2006 Meeting In Lake Charles, Louisiana

http://descant.classicalanglican.net/?p=2030

[Drell's Descants] 4 Aug 2006--Secondly, and I know this suggestion will be frustrating for some, we must remain a part of the Episcopal Church. I make this suggestion not only to the Diocese, but to each one of you, personally. I appeal to you to stand firm and to not leave the church. Despite the fact that the Episcopal Church has so clearly departed from the Christian faith, from the scriptures, and the wider Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church is still the only authorized province in this part of the world of the Anglican Communion. Moreover, we need to understand that we are in the midst of a second reformation.

Bishop of Texas to Host Meeting of Windsor-Affirming Bishops

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=2420

[The Living CHurch] 4 Aug 2006--The Bishop of Texas, the Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly, is interested in assembling all members of the House of Bishops who are willing to stand firmly with the recommendations of the Windsor Report. In a letter dated July 28, Bishop Wimberly announced a consultation to be held Sept. 19-22 at Camp Allen near Navasota, Texas.

Bishop Duncan: 'This Isn't About Us'

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=2417

[The LIving Church] 4 Aug 2006--The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Duncan, Bishop of Pittsburgh and moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, says the Archbishop of Canterbury has a brief window of opportunity in which to act before the situation in the United States and Canada “collapses into the anarchy of high profile ecclesiastical presentments and civil lawsuits.” Bishop Duncan's remarks came in a July 31 address to open the Network's annual council meeting. He cited the response by the 75th General Convention and the recent launch of several disciplinary investigations against Network bishops as evidence that the Anglican Communion is facing a kairos moment.

Brazilian Archbishop ousted by progressive

http://www.churchnewspaper.com/news.php?read=on&number_key=5831&title=Brazilian%20Archbishop%20ousted%20by%20progressive

[The Church of England Newspaper] 4 Aug 2006--Delegates to the 30th General Synod of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil [IEAB] have turned out their Primate, Archbishop Orlando de Oliveira, rebuffing his bid for re-election, and have replaced the acting Bishop of Recife.

Eastward Position: A Backward Step?

http://www.episcopalian.org/efac/articles/east.htm

[EFAC] 4 Aug 2006--The following article is a response to Dr. Peter Toon's piece in which he argued that the celebrant in Holy Communion should face toward the East - or with his back to the congregation.

Breakout Churches

http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/breakoutchurches.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 4 Aug 2006--Not many pastors oversee both a season of significant stagnation and a later breakthrough to health and vibrant ministry. In most cases I've observed, the breakthrough never happens-and in the rare cases where it does, it's usually under the leadership of a different pastor. In his new book, Breakout Churches, well-known church growth consultant Thom S. Rainer and his team offer insights garnered from a study of 13 pastors and churches (out of a research base of 50,000) that made the transition from mediocrity to greatness without changing pastors.

Leadership Next: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture

http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/leadershipnext.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 4 Aug 2006--In LeadershipNext, Gibbs (Fuller Theological Seminary professor, author of ChurchNext) offers a navigator's guidebook for the movement of the 21st century Church into uncharted territories, using a creative yet concrete approach to equipping and inspiring church leaders.

Network Council: Celebrating Ministry, Looking to Future as Council Ends

http://www.acn-us.org/archive/2006/08/network-council-network-celebrates-ministry-looks-to-future-as-council-ends.html

[Anglican Communion Network] 3 Aug 2006--Anglicans and Episcopalians from around the United States ended the Anglican Communion Network’s Annual Council meeting today the way they began it, with worship in Pittsburgh’s Trinity Cathedral.

Anglicans on the brink

http://www.e-n.org.uk/

[Evangelicals Now] 3 Aug 2006--Post the General Convention of Anglicanism in the USA, Chris Sugden sees power struggles and reversion to tribal religion.

Episcopalians Organize for Strong Lay Action in Church Crisis; Set Work Conference in Orlando

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/2208675.html

[Christian News Wire] 3 Aug 2006--Answering widespread calls from bishops and theologians, an Episcopal lay organization today announced a national conference as part of an initiative for engaging thousands of faithful communicants in the pews against “the schismatic revisionism that is destroying the church,” the sponsor said.

Don’t Call Them Conservatives

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/955/

[Stand Firm] 3 Aug 2006--I was raised by conservatives. In Southern California, where I now live, this is rather like saying you were raised by wolves. But I like to think the people who raised me did a good job: they gave me a strong sense of family and of community obligation; they taught me to respect social institutions. Conservatives, my mother often said, valued what was best in society and tried to preserve it. She abhorred mob tactics, half-truths and secrecy. “If you have to hide it,” she’d say, “You shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.”

Gay Cleric’s Secret “Marriage” Likely to Further Divide Anglicans

http://www.christiantoday.com/news/church/gay.cleric.secret.marriage.likely.to.further.divide.anglicans/1259.htm

[Christianity Today UK] 3 Aug 2006--The "marriage" of a senior homosexual clergyman in the Church of England, the Bishop of Reading, is likely to spark anger among conservatives in the Church who regard homosexuality as incompatible with Scripture.

Church Society statement on clergy in Civil Partnerships

http://www.evangelicals.org/news.asp?id=476

{Church Society] 3 Aug 2006--The report that Jeffrey John, Dean of St. Albans, has apparently entered into a Civil Partnership highlights the absurdity of the Church of England’s view of such partnerships.

Choirs: Why Bother?

http://www.worshipleader.com/feature_e.htm

[Worship Leader] 3 Aug 2006--Don’t look now, but the local church choir is alive and well! To be sure, the prognosis appeared shaky for a while. In years past church-growth gurus and seeker-sensitivity sages all but condemned churches with choirs to the trash heap of irrelevance. Thankfully, the recent success of such worship-leading choirs as those at the Brooklyn Tabernacle and Christ Church in Nashville (among others) has put the naysayers on notice. Even Willow Creek Community Church, that venerable exemplar of removing all vestiges of religious tradition, trots out a choir every so often these days.

How to Start a New Service

http://www.newlifeministries-nlm.org/products/new_service.htm

[New Life Ministries] 3 Aug 2006--Whether your church is already growing, simply maintaining its status, or faced with declining attendance, beginning a new style service is one of the most effective means of reaching your community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. No matter how many services your church has, adding a new style service will help you reach new people. This book answers all the crucial questions, including some people often forget to ask. Provides helpful worksheets to guide the process and evaluate the results of your church's planning.

This book is a helpful resource not only for existing churches planning to launch an additional service but also for new churches planning to launch their first service.

High-Tech Worship? Using Presentational Technologies Wisely

http://www.calvin.edu/worship/pub/high-tech_worship.php

[Calvin Institute of Christian Worship] 3 Aug 2006--Many churches use high-tech tools such as videos and PowerPoint presentations in their worship services. But without wisdom, those tools can turn their services more into entertainment than worship. How can churches use technology to effectively communicate meaning? How can technology be adopted to help people connect with God and each other to foster authentic worship?

Written by nationally known communications expert Quentin J. Schultze, High-Tech Worship? takes a careful look at these issues, giving readers practical guidance on the wise use of technology in their churches. An excellent tool for profitable classroom discussion.

Definitely recomended reading for both new and existing churches planning to use high-tech tools in their worship services.

Faith Anglican Church

http://www.faithanglicanchurch.org/aboutus.htm

[Faith Anglican Church] 2 Aug 2006--In the spring of 2003, most members of a local Episcopal Church founded Faith Anglican Church (FAC) and affiliated with the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA). Our first worship services were held on June 1, 2003. For more information, please read this June 14th Commercial Appeal newspaper article...Click Here »

FAC is a member of the AMiA under the leadership of Bishop T. J. Johnston. We intend to join our Anglican brothers and sisters throughout the world in sharing a faith which is rooted in the Holy Scripture and the historic Christian Creeds, is relevant to our daily lives and improves our relationship with God and our neighbor.

Canon Bill Atwood: Why I Am Leaving the Episcopal Church

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/946/

[Stand Firm] 2 Aug 2006--I am deeply - even utterly convinced that God has the power to bring about miraculous transformations. With astonishing grace and breathtaking power He is the God Who opens the Red Sea and Sarah’s womb. He rains manna on wilderness children, brings grace in the midst of human tragedy, and humiliates death. Why then am I leaving the Episcopal Church? Why is it no longer the season to hope that ECUSA might return to former or even greater glory? Why if Nineveh can turn and Saul bow is it no longer reasonable--or even unreasonable--to hope? It is because The Episcopal Church has displaced the Gospel of Jesus Christ with another lesser faith. While the trappings may appear as they have been for generations, the content of ECUSA's faith is now formally and fundamentally antithetical to the Christian faith of Scripture and history. The message is no longer redemption, forgiveness, salvation, and transfiguration. Now it is naive acceptance and uncritical celebration. Hope is no longer appropriate because they have left the One Who is the source of hope. The leadership has departed from the One Who delivers and transforms. Further, they have constrained those who follow to have to live with what could be redeemed and healed. The institutional heart has turned to stone. It cannot turn back to flesh as long as the choice is maintained to live apart from the presence of Jesus.

Federation of Anglican Churches in the Americas

http://rechurch.org/recus/recus/index.html

[Reformed Episcopal Church] 2 Aug 2006--The Most Rev. Gregory Venables, Archbishop of the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone (Anglican Communion) provides patronage and guidance for the Federation.

On Being Called Bad Names

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/archbishop/abwrites/on_being_called_bad_names/

[sydneyanglicans.net] 2 Aug 2006--I see that the Diocese is being labeled again, this time by being called 'Puritan'....

General Convention, The Windsor Report and ECUSA’s Relationship to the Anglican Communion- ACI

http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/comments/general_convention_the_windsor_report_and_ecusas_relationship_to_ac/

[Global South Anglican] 2 Aug 2006--The Anglican Communion Instituite has reflected and given a fuller response to GC2006. It sums up the issues carefully and gives a the relevant background for the Windsor’s requests.

Surviving as an evangelical in a non-evangelical rural church.

http://www.churchsociety.org/crossway/documents/Cway_090_Surviving.pdf

[Cross†Way] Issue Winter 2003 No. 90--Living the Christian life and serving the Lord will never be easy wherever the Lord puts His people but there is little doubt that to be an evangelical Christian in a non-evangelical rural church presents very special problems.

Life on the Edge: A Small Church Redefines its Mission

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2878

[Christian Century] 2 Aug 2006--What is a great church? For many Americans, great is synonymous with large, volume equals vitality quantity means quality. But a countertradition is quietly emerging. As more churches grow to stadium proportions, small congregations are coming to see their diminutive size as an asset for mission.

The Benefits of a Small Church

http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/top/small.htm

[Executable Outlines] 2 Aug 2006--The definition of church sizes is rather arbitrary, but here is one... a. A small church is less than 200 members (80% of churches)....

1,2,3 Go: How to Make Your Members Better Inviters

http://www.christianitytoday.com/outreach/articles/123go.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 1 Aug 2006--It can be scary, intimidating and sometimes awkward to invite someone to church. So how can you encourage your congregation to overcome these barriers?

Measuring What Matters

http://www.christianitytoday.com/bcl/areas/churchvitalsigns/articles/le-2000-002-10.58.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 1 Aug 2006--How do you gauge if your people are getting stronger?

Why Small Groups Are a Big Deal

http://www.christianitytoday.com/smallgroups/articles/whysmallgroupsareabigdeal.html

[ChristianityToday.com] 1 Aug 2006--Seven things every pastor needs to know about the emergence of small group ministry.

Bishop Swing Writes to Bishop Henderson

http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=2301

[The Living Church] 1 Aug 2006--Writing to the senior bishop on the Title IV [Disciplinary] Review Committee on behalf of three colleagues on June 29, the Bishop of California accused the Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield, Bishop of San Joaquin, citing three examples as evidence that Bishop Schofield has abandoned the communion of The Episcopal Church.

Committee set to review accusation against San Joaquin bishop

http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/941/

[Stand Firm] 1 Aug 2006--The Episcopal Church's Title IV Review Committee is preparing to deal with accusations that Diocese of San Joaquin Bishop John-David Schofield has abandoned the communion of the Episcopal Church. Bishops J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles, Jerry M. Lamb of Northern California, James R. Mathes of San Diego and then-diocesan William E. Swing of California sent the letter to Bishop Dorsey Henderson of Upper South Carolina in mid-July. The letter cites Canon 9 of Title IV of the church's canons, entitled "Of Abandonment of the Communion of This Church by a Bishop."

More articles from Stand Firm can be found at http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/index.

Parishes Must Take Mission Outside Church Walls, New Research Reveals

http://www.christiantoday.com/news/ministries/parishes.must.take.mission.outside.church.walls.new.research.reveals/727.htm

[Christianity Today UK] 1 Aug 2006--New Research has urged parishes across the Church of England to renew their methods and thinking so that the Church can survive into the new era.

Episcopalians seek to heal old wounds

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06211/709438-85.stm

[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette] 1 Aug 2006--Biblically orthodox Anglicans will meet twice in Pittsburgh during the next three weeks to cement ties among conservative Episcopalians and several factions that have left the denomination over the past 130 years.

Conservative Episcopal bishop says Anglican church at crossroads

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/politics/15166134.htm

[AP Wire] 1 Aug 2006--The Anglican Communion is at a crucial crossroads as it waits for the worldwide church's leader to appoint an overseer for seven of its conservative U.S. dioceses, the head of one of those dioceses said Monday.

Disgruntled California congregations leaving Episcopal Church

http://www.christianexaminer.com/Articles/Articles%20Aug06/Art_Aug06_04.html

[Christian Examiner] 1 Aug 2006--The Diocese of San Joaquin, which includes congregations as far south as Rosamond and Ridgecrest, has opted to split from the Episcopal Church USA over a schism between conservatives and liberals.

Network meeting opens with challenge to Canterbury

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_76983_ENG_HTM.htm

[Episcopla New Service] 1 Aug 2006--Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan, speaking July 31 to the opening session of the Anglican Communion Network's (ACN) Annual Council meeting in his role as the group's moderator, said that the Archbishop of Canterbury faces a critical test.

Rector of Vista Episcopal church quits, will start new congregation

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20060801-9999-1m1church.html

[San Diego Union-Tribuine] 1 Aug 2006--A fourth local congregation has become a casualty of the continuing ideological fractures within the U.S. Episcopal Church.