Ordination as Deacon

In the midst of this busy spring and summer, I failed to note that a highlight for me was being ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Church this spring.

My ordination was held on April 30th at Apostles Anglican Church in Lexington, Kentucky where I was ordained by the Rt. Rev. David "Doc" Loomis.


Pictured above (from left to right): Fr. Peter Matthews, Rt. Rev. Doc Loomis, Fr. Matt Purmort (who was ordained as a priest at the service) and myself.

I was glad that Sue, the kids and my parents could join me. Several friends from Cincinnati also made drive as well.

The role of a deacon varies among denominations, but in the Anglican Church it is associated with a role of a servant. A deacon typically assists with the Sunday liturgy in the ministry of the Word (i.e. reading the Gospel and proclaiming the Good News about Christ) and service to the poor.



Blessings,
Rev. Deacon David Stiles

A dragonslaying friend

One person I had a chance to meet at the Anglican Mission Winter Conference in January and then again this week in Indianapolis is Fr. Tom Tirman.

Fr. Tom helps to lead seven Anglican fellowships in central Indiana.

The umbrella church and ministry that they have started is called Saint Michael the Archangel Anglican Church. Here is the church's website: http://www.indianaanglican.com

Fr.Tom's blogsite called "Tales of a Faithful Dragonslayer" is located here: http://frtirman.blogspot.com

I'm not sure what's all involved in "dragonslaying" but I'm hoping that Fr. Tom can teach me.

-d.

Seven Words for Spiritual Leaders

As I mentioned in my last post I spent part of last week at the Anglican Mission's annual Winter Conference.

On Day One (on Wednesday), we heard from Rwandan Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini (who as the Primate of Rwanda has oversight for AMiA).

David Virtue had this quote from Archbishop Kolini, "We thank God for protecting the baby (AMiA). We also celebrate a child to grow. The Anglican Mission is 10 years old it wasn’t easy getting here. It needed resources. We were often stubborn, often rebels, but we learn from our mistakes. We celebrate the challenge. Many of you paid a price but thank God the baby (AMiA) survived. Our hope was not in ourselves but in the Lord."

Although he had many things to say, I was most impressed by how he began his talk,"We love you and pray for you."

Those seven words resonated with me as a great expression of Christ-like leadership.

The words "We love you and pray for you" are seven great words that every spiritual leader should take to heart...and remember for those that they are leading.

-d.

Anglican Mission Winter Conference

Had a great time this week in Greensboro, NC at the Anglican Mission's annual Winter Conference.

In the next few days, I'll blog more about what I learned.

If you are not familiar with the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA), here's the website: http://www.theamia.org

-d.

Interview with Todd Hunter

Here's the link to Christianity Today's interview with Todd Hunter.

http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2009/september/11.66.html

Todd and I have crossed paths a few times over the past 20 years, and I'm looking forward to working with him in the future.

In the early 1980s, Todd was instrumental in helping to get a Vineyard church started in Cincinnati (at the time he was pastoring in Wheeling, WV and traveling to Cincinnati to meet with a small group. Later he encouraged Steve and Janie Sjogren to move to Ohio to pastor the group). The Vineyard Community Church, that eventually grew from that small group, is where I worked for several years and where my wife currently works.

I met Todd a few years after that (now nearly 20 years ago) when he led a few Vineyard seminars and workshops that I attended.

Now, Todd has joined the same Anglican group that I am affiliated with...the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA). Later this month, he will be ordained an Anglican bishop.

Joining Todd in the consecration to the office of Bishop will be Rev. Silas Tak Yin Ng (of Toronto, Canada) and Rev. Canon David "Doc" Loomis (of Hudson, Ohio).

Doc currently serves as Canon Missioner for AMiA and oversees a regional network of Anglican churches. Last August, Doc commissioned me as a Lay Catechist in the Anglican Church.

Here are two links to learn more about the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) and our local network of Anglican churches:

http://www.theamia.org/

http://www.honanetwork.com/

-d.

The Future of Anglicanism

Here's a helpful audio interview at "The Whitehorse Inn" with host Dr. Michael Horton and Dr. David Virtue and retired Episcopal bishop C. FitzSimons Allison.

They discuss new missions in Anglicanism and the important doctrines of justification and imputation.

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/The_White_Horse_Inn/archives.asp?bcd=2009-8-23

Enjoy,

-d.

Palm Sunday

We're visiting family this week, and I was able to spend Palm Sunday today with the folks at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Davidson, North Carolina.

Rev. Kyle Wallace had a helpful message today about the significance of Palm Sunday, Jesus' cleansing of the Temple and His desire for fruit of the Spirit.

Here's the church's website if you're in the Charlotte/Davidson area:
http://www.tcotgs.org

Blessings,
-Dave

Some Anglican friends

I spent part of last week with some Anglican friends.

Last Sunday I assisted with worship at Grace Anglican Church in Circleville, Ohio. The boys and I had a great time visiting with Fr. Dale Minor and his wife Val.

Fr. Dale and Fr. Joe Boysel (their new associate pastor) post their sermons online at: www.gracech.com

At the end of last week, I had lunch with another Anglican friend, Fr. Peter Matthews who pastors St. Patrick's Anglican Church in Lexington, Kentucky. The church's website is: http://www.saintpatrickschurch.org/

I had a great time hearing the story of St. Patrick's church and getting to know Fr. Peter. In addition Fr. Peter posts some of his deep thoughts on politics, religion and life at: http://petermatthews.blogspot.com/

Blessings to you both,
-Dave