I am an Episcopal Priest - ordained in 2006. I have had the privilege of leading ministry in three churches. My latest church, Ascension is experiencing a tectonic shift in culture that has been brewing for years, but we really began experiencing it over the last two years.
In 2015, I did 21 funerals at my current parish. It was holy work, but extremely emotionally draining. Our Sunday attendance is down just under 10% this year. We have great, and I mean great worship. My staff is better than it has ever been. My ministry leaders are committed and passionate. But I wake up at night anxious about the future. I am proud to be in a church that has not immersed itself in culture wars. But even with that ditch avoided we are rethinking church. Who are we? What are we supposed to do? What are we called to do by God? I am hoping to work all how God is asking us to be. I have four convictions about our "problem".
I want you to cue in your head old time southern religion twang and sing along with me “I have decided to follow Jesus”. Personally I have decided to follow Jesus because with him I am confused, groping, and uncertain. Without Jesus, I don’t even know where to start. So I invite you into the next six months of the life of an episcopal priest trying to find Jesus. I have a Jesusy job, but want a renewal of a Jesusy vocation as a follower of Christ.
2 Comments
Wanda June
11/9/2016 03:17:12 pm
Found this through Cathy's facebook page. Interesting. Not sure I like all of what I hear, but that doesn't make it wrong. Looking forward to following the Blog.
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11/10/2016 02:20:36 pm
Thank you Wanda. I am also not happy that other groups are outperforming us!
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AuthorAn Episcopal Priest in beautiful Danville, CA. Archives
April 2018
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