Nuts & Bolts of Starting an Anglimergent Ministry & Working with a Diocese

[Carol Bradsen]

I'm eager to learn how other groups educate and work with their diocese/bishop in the actual work of starting anglimergent ministries on the ground. What have you found helpful, what's not?

Do any U.S. dioceses have plans in place, or are you working on specific ways to nurture and support new ministries (especially ones that don't look like traditional churches).

Yes, I know a lot is happening in the U.K. which is great. But how is that being best translated into action here in the U.S.?

Thanks.

[Thomas L Brackett]

Sarah,

A fine domestic example of what you are naming can be found in the work of The Reverend Debbie Little-Wyman. Over the last eleven years, Debbie has taught the leaders of countless Homeless Ministries (some Eucharistic and some not) how to garner the support of their neighboring parishes. The Homeless Ministries often become Urban Schools for ministry -- teaching and mentoring folks from neighboring parishes in the fine art forms of Healing Prayer, Serving meals to the stranger, hospitality to the chemically impaired, organizing for community events and fundraising. The members of local parishes who receive such practical training are often the very best advertisement for ministry to "people of the street" in that community.

Most of the time, these ministries are claimed as Diocesan Ministries, though they usually receive no Diocesan support, financially.

It occurs to me that the 100+ homeless ministries coached and nurtured by Reverend Little-Wyman may be the Episcopal Church's finest example of "Emergent" ministry yet. We'll see, right?

With crazy hopes and growing cheer,


Tom
646-203-6266

[Thomas L Brackett]

Ian,

Thank you for making this so crystal clear. 'Love the "indigenous expressions of worship" part. All worship was, at one time, indigenous. It gets tough when we force what was indigenous to one culture over on a new culture, attempting to reify for everyone what used to work for folks now entombed in our church yards.

Thanks again,


Tom
(Strategic Mischiefmaker of the 3rd Order)

[Thomas L Brackett]

Carol,

Here is one approach: http://anglimergent.ning.com/profiles/blogs/surprise-surprise