the anglican moment:
preparing leaders for
tomorrow’s church today

Consider that we live in at least three
worlds.
Emerging world
Now
Modern world
Pre-modern world
Non-modern world

Consider that we live in at least three
worlds.
Emerging world
Now
Modern world
Pre-modern world
Non-modern world
The Table The Book The Screen
The Sword The Gun The Bomb

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New
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New
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As Anglicans, you have unique
disadvantages
and
advantages
in this moment

Advantages
1. A Via Media Mindset:
Many Anglicans never fully surrendered to modern
rationalism: openness to mysticism, experience
2. A Celtic Mindset:
Vestiges of non-Roman Christianity
3. A Diverse Mindset:
Space to differ
4. A Liturgical Mindset:
Space to experience God, bonding to
meaning, beauty of worship, participatory

Disadvantages
1. An Upper-Class Mindset:
Elitist, “civilized,” uniform, one-size fits all,
propriety
2. An Institutional Mindset:
Centralized, controlled, change-resistant, risk
averse, bureaucratic - averse to charismatic
leadership
3. A Christendom Mindset:
Parish/geography, people ought to come to us
4. A Bi-polar Mindset:
Cold-war: Liberal-conservative

Advantages Disadvantages
1. A Via Media 1. An Upper-Class
Mindset: Mindset:
2. A Celtic 2. An Institutional
Mindset:
Mindset:
3. A Christendom
3. A Diverse Mindset:
Mindset:
4. A Bi-polar
4. A Liturgical Mindset:
Mindset:

Needed:
1. A “bring them in” spirit (not merely
welcoming within a caste): Diversity,
innovation
Welcoming all seekers …
Inviting friends, relatives, associates,
neighbors …
What would it take for you to be
excited about inviting your
friends to church? What
embarrasses or concerns you?

Needed:
2. A “let’s experiment” spirit (not institutional):
Entrepreneurial, self-organizing, evolutionary,
experimental
-- Adding experiments (for 4-8 weeks)
-- Adding new services
-- Planting new congregations (inside existing?)
-- Adding new models or examples (Fresh
Expressions, Anglimergent)
Who says “no” to new ideas? Who can
say “yes?” Who can bring new ideas?

Needed:
3. A “we’re beginning again” spirit (renewing,
not conserving, a history): Demography,
adaptive, agile
Rummage sale … “total makeover” … “clean
house”
Physical architecture - social architecture -
spiritual architecture
Would you rather be motivated by desperate
necessity … or surging creativity?
What would your church look like if it could
seize the possibility of a total makeover?

Needed:
4. A “transcend and include” spirit: (above
liberal or conservative)
Where is the via media?
A C B

Needed:
4. An “transcend and include” spirit: (above
liberal or conservative)
Where is the via media?
X
A C B

Needed:
4. An “transcend and include” spirit: (above
liberal or conservative)
Where is the via media?
X
A C B

Needed:
4. An “transcend and include” spirit: (above
liberal or conservative)
Which future do you prefer?
X
A C B

Do not merely try to bring others to
where you are, as wonderful as that
is.
But do not leave them where they are
either.
Instead, go with them to a place
neither of you have never been.
Fr. Vincent Donovan (adapted)

Needed:
1. A “bring them in” spirit (not merely
welcoming within a caste): Diversity,
innovation
2. A “let’s experiment” spirit (not institutional):
Entrepreneurial, self-organizing,
evolutionary, experimental
3. A “we’re beginning again” spirit (renewing,
not conserving, a history): Demography,
adaptive, agile
4. A “transcend and include” spirit: (above
liberal or conservative) … PLUS …

Needed:
5. The Holy Spirit!

Needed:
5. The Holy Spirit!
People aren’t seeking religion - they’re
seeking spirituality.
You can’t give what you don’t have. (you
have to smoke what you’re selling)
People need to experience - God, worship,
transformation, calling, belonging,
participation in God’s creative and healing
mission in our world …
Are you eager to become a “sample” of what
God wants to do in the lives of others?

Needed:
1. A bring-them in spirit:
2. A let’s experiment spirit:
3. A we’re beginning again spirit:
4. A transcend and include spirit:
5. The Holy Spirit …
OK … but how?

Needed:
A radically new/old
understanding of the
gospel …

Our contemporary understanding of Christianity is …
MEMBERSHIP IN A
TROUBLED, CONFLICTED,
CHANGE-AVERSE, AND
EXPENSIVE INSTITUTION
with a large taboo against holding certain political and social
convictions.
with a bias toward being good citizens
with a concern for religious education
with a seldom-spoken of dream of joining God in the healing of the world.

Or …
INFORMATION ON
HOW TO GO TO HEAVEN
AFTER YOU DIE
with a large footnote about increasing your personal
happiness and success through God.
with a small footnote about character development
with a smaller footnote about spiritual experience
with a smaller footnote about social/global transformation.

heaven
self
church
Self-enhancement world
in this life and the
next

heaven
world
church
self

God’s love, joy, peace,
justice
world
church
self

Conventional churches of personal
spirituality or institutional tradition.
Two
Denominations:
Intentional Churches dedicated to
saving creation from human sin,
beginning with us.
*Including people!

We may have rightly lost confidence
in the privatized/institutionalized
gospel …
Two
Denominations:
We need to (re)gain confidence in
Jesus’ gospel of the kingdom of
God.

After John was put in prison, Jesus
went into Galilee, proclaiming the
good news of God.
The time has come, he said. The
kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!
Mark 1:15

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in
heaven.

It does NOT teach us to pray …
May we come to your kingdom
when we die.
May we all go to heaven where,
unlike earth, your will is done.

Jesus’ gospel of the kingdom calls us
to make (or form) disciples who
become agents of change in our
world …
It is not simply a call to preserve
institutions, create “Christians” or
“Episcopalians” or whatever.

What would you be willing to
give, risk, sacrifice, and try
in order to build a community
dedicated to this vision of
forming disciples as agents of the
kingdom (or dream, or dance, or
regenerative economy …)
of God?

All around us are people who would
be better off as true disciples of
Jesus Christ.

And our world would be better off if
it was filled with more people who
are learning to live and love in the
way of Jesus Christ.

Most people don’t want to be
far from God …
without peace and without
hope in the world …
disconnected from others …
… part of the problem and not
part of the solution.

But they don’t want to be
Religious fanatics either …
Or the religiously lukewarm …
… sowing judgment and fear …
… afraid to think …
… dividing the world into “us”
versus “them.”

But how will they find faith …
If nobody understands?
If nobody listens?
If everybody is too busy with
“church business” (or fights)?
… If everybody complains about
the problem but doesn’t become
part of the solution?

Who will create safe spaces for
people to explore God’s call to
become vibrant disciples of Jesus
Christ?

Will our churches be those spaces?
Will our homes be those spaces?
Will restaurants and gardens and
offices and hallways be those
spaces?
What would happen if we risked
everything to get this one thing
right?

You may be surprised to learn …

You may be surprised to learn …

You may be surprised to learn …
That the Episcopal Church is
committed to this goal of
discipleship. Its goal is not merely to
make Christians, believers, or
Episcopalians, but to form disciples
and apostles of the kingdom of God.

The Apostle's Creed

The Apostle's Creed

The Apostle's Creed
Do you believe in God the Father?

The Apostle's Creed
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,

The Apostle's Creed
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the
Holy Spirit

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the
Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the
Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son
of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the
Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.

He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,

He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the
Father.

He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the
Father.
He will come again to judge the
living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy
Spirit?

Do you believe in God the Holy
Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,

Do you believe in God the Holy
Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,

Do you believe in God the Holy
Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,

Do you believe in God the Holy
Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,

Do you believe in God the Holy
Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,

Do you believe in God the Holy
Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

The Questions & Responses

The Questions & Responses
Will you continue in the
apostles' teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of
bread, and in the prayers?

The Questions & Responses
Will you continue in the
apostles' teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of
bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help.

Will you persevere in
resisting evil, and,
whenever you fall into sin,
repent and return to the
Lord?

Will you persevere in
resisting evil, and,
whenever you fall into sin,
repent and return to the
Lord?
I will, with God's help.

Will you proclaim by word
and example the Good
News of God in Christ?

Will you proclaim by word
and example the Good
News of God in Christ?

Will you proclaim by word
and example the Good
News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.

Will you strive for justice and
peace among all people, and
respect the dignity of every
human being?

Will you strive for justice and
peace among all people, and
respect the dignity of every
human being?

Will you strive for justice and
peace among all people, and
respect the dignity of every
human being?
I will, with God's help.

A special call to Episcopal
Seminaries:

A special call to Episcopal
Seminaries:
Preparing people to manage
dwindling churches?

A special call to Episcopal
Seminaries:
Preparing people to manage
dwindling churches?
Or to engage in a growing
mission?

Spirituality

Spirituality
Community

Spirituality
Community Mission

Seminar
Disciple-making
Community building
Community Organizing
Monastery Mission Agency

This isn’t about a program.
It’s not just something to add to your
budget.
What if it were as simple as the passion
and the commitment to set an
example.

What if this all came down to …
your
example

There are many reasons to
compare our churches to an
old male tortoise …

There are many reasons to
compare our churches to an old
male tortoise …
Slow-moving … isolated …
Ancient-looking
withdrawn in its shell … won’t stick
its neck out

There are
many
reasons to
compare the
changes in
our world to a
tsunami …

There are many reasons to
compare the emerging global
culture to an orphaned hippo …
Orphaned by religion …
science … government …
the economy … technology …
consumerism… “progress”…

-formation?
What could happen in our world
if we turned back outward
toward our neighbors - with
good news, hope, gentleness,
and respect?

a poem by sam
shoemaker

I stand by the door.
I neither go too far in, nor
stay too far out,
The door is the most
important door in the world -
It is the door through which
people walk when they find
God.

They creep along as if blind,
With outstretched, groping
hands.
Feeling for a door, knowing
there must be a door,
Yet they never find it…
So I stand by the door.

The most tremendous thing in the
world
Is for men and women, boys and
girls, to find that door - the door
to God.
The most important thing any of
us can do
Is to take hold of one of those
blind, groping hands,
And put it on the latch -

The latch that only clicks
And opens to the person’s own
touch.
People die outside that door
As starving beggars die,
On cold nights in cruel cities in
the dead of winter -
Die for want of what is within
their grasp.

They live, on the other side
of it - live because they have
not found it.
Nothing else matters
compared to helping them
find it,
And open it, and walk in, and
find God…
So I stand by the door.

There’s no use my going way
inside, and staying there,
When so many are still outside
and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door
is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where a door
ought to be.

Go in, great saints, go all the
way in -
Go way down into the
cavernous cellars,
And way up into the
spacious attics -
It is a vast, roomy house,
this house where God is.

Go into the deepest of hidden
casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of
sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner
rooms,
And know the depths and heights
of God.
And call outside to the rest of us
how wonderful it is.

Sometimes I take a deeper
look in,
Sometimes venture in a little
farther;
But my place seems closer
to the opening…
So I stand by the door.

There is another reason why I stand
there.
Some people get part way in and
become afraid
Lest God and the zeal of His house
devour them.
For God is so very great, and asks all
of us.
And these people feel a cosmic
claustrophobia

And want to get out. “Let me out!”
they cry.
And the people way inside terrify them
more.
Somebody must be by the door to tell
them that they are spoiled
For the old life, they have seen too
much:
Once taste God, and nothing but God
will do any more.

Somebody must be watching for the
frightened
Who seek to sneak out just where they
came in,
To tell them how much better it is
inside.
The people too far in do not see how
near these are
To leaving - preoccupied with the
wonder of it all.

Somebody must watch for those who
have entered the door, but would like to
run away. So for them, too,
I stand by the door.
I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it
was
Before they got in. Then they would be
able to help

The people who have not yet even
found the door,
Or the people who want to run away
again from God.
You can go in too deeply, and stay in
too long,
And forget the people outside the
door.

As for me, I shall take my old
accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear God, and
know God is there,
But not so far from people as not to
hear them,
And remember they are there, too.
Where? Outside the door --
Thousands of them, millions of them.

But - more important for me
- One of them, two of them,
ten of them,
Whose hands I am intended
to put on the latch.
So I shall stand by the door
and wait
For those who seek it.
“I had rather be a door-
keeper…”

So I stand by the door.
(Samuel Moor Shoemaker, 1893 -
1963)

So I stand by the door.
(Samuel Moor Shoemaker, 1893 -
1963)

A wild idea …
You can do this.
In your home.
Without permission.
See what happens.
Maybe enlist a few co-conspirators.
But keep it a secret as long as
possible.