After 3 visits and numerous emails and conversations there seems to be an emerging picture of the scope and vision for a church planter/network facilitator to help coordinate Anglican ministries in the Indianapolis area.
Since the last blog report, Bishop-elect Ron Jackson and I have discussed the ministries I have learned about. From “The Table” led by Deacons Ben & Matt from FSO, to “Church of the Ascension” under Fr. Tim, the arrival of Fr. Joe from Pittsburgh, and existing works of All Souls, St. Annes' and St Pat’s from the Diocese of the Great Lakes. There is even a special relationship between All Souls and Pastor Randy Gooder of the Indy Vineyard that shows great promise of mutual ministry and support (i.e. All Souls folks helped with the Vineyard Ash Wednesday gathering in February). Ron and I agree that this is a special time of stirring by the Spirit in the Indy area. Ron, though very busy until his consecration in late April, hopes to make a visit to the Indy area a top priority as he begins his ministry as Bishop of ADGL. I hope to join him and introduce him to many of those in ministry in the area. We even discussed the possibility of trying to generate special funds for start up work of which IAN ministries may benefit down the road.
After this conversation a working document entitled "Indy Anglican Network" was developed and circulated. In summary it acknowledges the need for a Network Coordinator who could help foster mutual ministry of those ministering in an Anglican way in the Indy area. This includes the intentional development of relationships among Anglican ministers, as well as facilitating and coordinating common ministry of the whole group or individual ministries. There is also a need at All Souls, Whitestown to have a church planter in place to further develop an Anglican missional community on the northwest side of town. Between these two tasks there is more than enough work to create a full-time position.
Demographically the city continues to grow and expand. And though traditional church involvement is in decline, a church that is relationally focused and mission-minded which mobilizes people to serve the community and world which introduces people to Christ and helps them grow intentionally in their faith has appeal. A new ministry rooted in tradition and the sacraments, open to the ministry of the Spirit and contemporary expressions of music and the arts will have a unique place in the church community and one that is not fully being filled. The goal would be to create a faith community which would foster a broad diversity expressed ethnically, generationally, economically, and stylistically. Though there are already other healthy disciple making communities in Indy, the Anglican distinctive of being Eucharistic Centered, Calendar Sensitive, Prayerbook Guided, Episcopally Governed and Historically Creedal or Orthodox is not well represented.
The chief obstacle for starting this position is funding. In the next few weeks we will begin to share the vision of this work with others. The burden of this will fall on the core group at All Souls. Deb and I open to being called to this position. We acknowledge however it may take someone who can serve bi-vocationally or part-time to fill this leadership role in its early phase. Meanwhile, we are exploring the possibility of needing to augment the funding of this position in order to meet our financial needs in the initial 2 or 3 year start up period if called.
At the end of February I reconnected with Rev. Jon Shuler of the New Anglican Missionary Society (NAMS). NAMS has been in existence for over 20 years. It is committed to raising up church planting leaders. Jon was my coach when we started New Wine in Flint, MI back in 2005 and a formative leader in AMIA. Under his teaching and coaching many church planters have been trained, sent forth and coached. Currently NAMS has church planting members of the Society starting new Anglican churches around the world, as well as in North America. Jon and I are currently exploring the possibility of my being a NAMS missionary. Next month I will attend the New Wineskins Missionary Conference in Asheville, NC April 7-10 to meet with Jon.
On our way back we will stop in Indy to further connect with many of you and share the vision of the IAN with others who might join in launching All Souls into this next phase of development and support the formation of an Indy network. If Deb and I cannot come to fulfill this position due to funding limitations or a closed door in the discernment process, I am still committed to helping see this position filled by fall of this year.
Feel free to call or write if you want to know more or have questions about the Indy Anglican Network Project as we try to further the Lord’s work in the Indy area.
